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Exodus 24:2

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And Moses alone shall come near the LORD: but they shall not come nigh; neither shall the people go up with him.

And Moses {H4872} alone shall come near {H5066} the LORD {H3068}: but they shall not come nigh {H5066}; neither shall the people {H5971} go up {H5927} with him.

while Moshe alone approaches ADONAI -the others are not to approach, and the people are not to go up with him."

Moses alone shall approach the LORD, but the others must not come near. And the people may not go up with him.”

and Moses alone shall come near unto Jehovah; but they shall not come near; neither shall the people go up with him.

Commentary

Context of Exodus 24:2

Exodus 24:2 is part of a crucial passage detailing the formal ratification of the covenant between God and the nation of Israel at Mount Sinai. Following the Ten Commandments and the "Book of the Covenant" (Exodus 20-23), God invites Moses, Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and seventy elders to ascend the mountain (Exodus 24:1). This verse, however, immediately clarifies a strict hierarchy of access to God's immediate presence. While the elders were permitted a certain proximity, it was Moses alone who was granted the privilege of drawing truly near to the LORD, emphasizing his unique position as a mediator.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Holiness and Separation: The verse powerfully underscores God's absolute holiness and the inherent separation between a holy God and sinful humanity. His presence was so sacred and awe-inspiring that direct access was severely restricted, protecting the people from destruction due to His glory and their impurity. This sets a precedent for understanding the reverence due to God.
  • Moses' Unique Role as Mediator: "Moses alone" highlights his unparalleled status as God's chosen representative and spokesman to Israel, and Israel's representative before God. This unique role as a mediator between God and His people was essential for the covenant's establishment and for the giving of the Law.
  • Limited Access to God's Presence: The command "they shall not come nigh; neither shall the people go up with him" reinforces the boundaries set around Mount Sinai. This restriction instilled a profound sense of awe and fear of the Lord among the Israelites, reminding them of the gravity of their relationship with God and their dependence on a mediator.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV uses two distinct Hebrew verbs for drawing close: "come near" (קָרַב - qarab) and "come nigh" (נגשׁ - nagash). Both convey the idea of drawing close, but their repetition here serves to emphasize the absolute prohibition for anyone other than Moses. The phrase "Moses alone" (מֹשֶׁה לְבַדּוֹ - Moshe levaddo) leaves no ambiguity regarding the exclusivity of his access, stressing his singular privilege and responsibility in this moment.

Practical Application and Significance

Exodus 24:2 offers timeless insights into the nature of God and our relationship with Him:

  • Reverence for God: It reminds us of God's immense holiness and calls for a spirit of reverence and awe in our approach to Him. While we no longer need to fear His immediate presence in the same way, the respect for His majesty remains paramount.
  • Appreciation for Christ's Mediation: This verse foreshadows the ultimate mediator. In the Old Covenant, access to God's holy presence was highly restricted and required a human mediator like Moses and later the High Priest. The New Testament reveals that through Jesus Christ, our great High Priest, believers now have direct and confident access to God's throne of grace (Hebrews 4:16). He fulfilled the role that Moses typified, making a way for all believers to draw near to God without fear of judgment, because He bore the judgment for us.
  • Understanding Progressive Revelation: The shift from limited access under the Old Covenant to direct access through Christ in the New Covenant highlights the progressive nature of God's revelation and His plan of salvation.
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

  • Hebrews 10:21 (3 votes)

    And [having] an high priest over the house of God;

  • Hebrews 10:22 (3 votes)

    Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

  • Exodus 24:18 (3 votes)

    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.

  • Exodus 24:13 (3 votes)

    And Moses rose up, and his minister Joshua: and Moses went up into the mount of God.

  • Exodus 24:15 (3 votes)

    And Moses went up into the mount, and a cloud covered the mount.

  • Hebrews 9:24 (2 votes)

    For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, [which are] the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:

  • Numbers 16:5 (2 votes)

    And he spake unto Korah and unto all his company, saying, Even to morrow the LORD will shew who [are] his, and [who is] holy; and will cause [him] to come near unto him: even [him] whom he hath chosen will he cause to come near unto him.