Read Verse Keyword Strong's
Prev

Exodus 24:18

Next

And Moses went into the midst of the cloud, and gat him up into the mount: and Moses was in the mount forty days and forty nights.

And Moses {H4872} went {H935} into the midst {H8432} of the cloud {H6051}, and gat him up {H5927} into the mount {H2022}: and Moses {H4872} was in the mount {H2022} forty {H705} days {H3117} and forty {H705} nights {H3915}.

Moshe entered the cloud and went up on the mountain; he was on the mountain forty days and nights.

Moses entered the cloud as he went up on the mountain, and he remained on the mountain forty days and forty nights.

And Moses entered into the midst of the cloud, and went up into the mount: and Moses was in the mount forty days and forty nights.

Commentary

Context

Exodus 24:18 concludes a pivotal moment in Israel's history, following the ratification of the covenant between God and His people at Mount Sinai. Prior to this verse, Moses, Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and seventy elders of Israel had ascended part of the mountain, where they saw the God of Israel and ate a covenant meal in His presence. The immediate verses before 24:18 describe God calling Moses further up the mountain to receive the stone tablets inscribed with the law and commandments.

Key Themes

  • Divine Presence and Glory: The "cloud" is a recurring biblical motif signifying God's tangible, yet unapproachable, presence and glory. For Moses to enter the "midst of the cloud" indicates an extraordinary, intimate encounter with the Almighty, a unique privilege. This cloud had already served as a guide for Israel (Exodus 13:21) and would later fill the Tabernacle (Exodus 40:34) and Solomon's Temple (1 Kings 8:10).
  • Moses' Unique Mediation: Moses' ascent into the cloud highlights his unparalleled role as the mediator of the Old Covenant. He alone was permitted to draw so near to God's immediate presence to receive divine revelation on behalf of the entire nation. This prefigures the ultimate mediator, Jesus Christ, who mediates a new and better covenant.
  • Preparation for Revelation: The "forty days and forty nights" signify a significant period of intense spiritual preparation, fasting, and communion with God. During this time, Moses received not only the Ten Commandments but also detailed instructions for the Tabernacle and the Levitical priesthood. This duration is a recurring pattern in biblical narratives, often associated with divine testing, preparation, or revelation (e.g., Jesus' temptation in the wilderness, Matthew 4:2; Elijah's journey, 1 Kings 19:8).

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "cloud" is ‘anan (עָנָן), consistently used to denote a visible manifestation of God's presence (the Shekinah glory). The phrase "gat him up into the mount" emphasizes Moses' deliberate and commanded ascent, indicating his obedience to God's call to approach the holy ground of Mount Sinai.

Practical Application

Exodus 24:18 serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of dedicated time with God for receiving His will and instruction. Moses' extended period of communion underscores that profound spiritual insights and divine revelation often require sustained focus, patience, and separation from worldly distractions. For believers today, while we don't ascend a physical mountain, the principle of seeking God's presence through prayer, Scripture study, and worship remains vital for spiritual growth and understanding His purpose for our lives. Just as Moses emerged with a transformed countenance (Exodus 34:29), spending time in God's presence can transform us.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Deuteronomy 9:9 (6 votes)

    When I was gone up into the mount to receive the tables of stone, [even] the tables of the covenant which the LORD made with you, then I abode in the mount forty days and forty nights, I neither did eat bread nor drink water:

  • Deuteronomy 10:10 (5 votes)

    And I stayed in the mount, according to the first time, forty days and forty nights; and the LORD hearkened unto me at that time also, [and] the LORD would not destroy thee.

  • Exodus 34:28 (5 votes)

    ¶ And he was there with the LORD forty days and forty nights; he did neither eat bread, nor drink water. And he wrote upon the tables the words of the covenant, the ten commandments.

  • Deuteronomy 9:18 (4 votes)

    And I fell down before the LORD, as at the first, forty days and forty nights: I did neither eat bread, nor drink water, because of all your sins which ye sinned, in doing wickedly in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger.

  • Deuteronomy 9:25 (4 votes)

    Thus I fell down before the LORD forty days and forty nights, as I fell down [at the first]; because the LORD had said he would destroy you.

  • Matthew 4:2 (2 votes)

    And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.

  • 1 Kings 19:8 (2 votes)

    And he arose, and did eat and drink, and went in the strength of that meat forty days and forty nights unto Horeb the mount of God.