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Exodus 34:2

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And be ready in the morning, and come up in the morning unto mount Sinai, and present thyself there to me in the top of the mount.

And be ready {H3559} in the morning {H1242}, and come up {H5927} in the morning {H1242} unto mount {H2022} Sinai {H5514}, and present {H5324} thyself there to me in the top {H7218} of the mount {H2022}.

Be ready by morning; in the morning you are to ascend Mount Sinai and present yourself to me on the top of the mountain.

Be ready in the morning, and come up on Mount Sinai to present yourself before Me on the mountaintop.

And be ready by the morning, and come up in the morning unto mount Sinai, and present thyself there to me on the top of the mount.

Commentary

Exodus 34:2 presents a pivotal moment in the biblical narrative, where God calls Moses back to Mount Sinai after the devastating incident of the golden calf. This verse sets the stage for the renewal of the covenant and the re-establishment of God's relationship with Israel.

Context

This verse follows a period of profound crisis and intercession. In Exodus 32, Moses had shattered the first tablets of the Law in response to Israel's idolatry. The nation faced God's wrath, but through Moses' fervent prayers and God's merciful character revealed in Exodus 34:6-7, a path to reconciliation was opened. God had just instructed Moses in Exodus 34:1 to cut two new tablets of stone, signaling His intention to restore the covenant. Verse 2 is the specific divine instruction for Moses to ascend the sacred mountain for this momentous encounter.

Key Themes

  • Divine Initiative and Grace: Despite Israel's recent rebellion, God Himself initiates the process of reconciliation and covenant renewal. He calls Moses back to His presence, demonstrating His enduring faithfulness and mercy.
  • Preparation and Obedience: Moses is commanded to "be ready" and to "come up in the morning." This emphasizes the necessity of human preparedness and obedience in responding to God's call. It wasn't a casual invitation but a solemn summons requiring immediate and diligent action.
  • God's Presence and Holiness: The "top of the mount" signifies an exclusive and holy encounter. Mount Sinai, or Horeb, was where God had first revealed Himself to Moses and given the Law (Exodus 19:18). This return underscores the mountain's role as a unique place of divine revelation and interaction.
  • Covenant Renewal: This rendezvous is essential for the re-establishment of the covenant relationship between God and Israel, signifying God's willingness to forgive and continue His redemptive plan.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "be ready" comes from the Hebrew root kun (כּוּן), which means to establish, prepare, or make firm. It suggests not just physical readiness but a deep, internal preparation of the heart and spirit for the solemn occasion. "Present thyself" (yatsav, יָצַב) implies taking one's stand or standing firm, indicating a reverent and deliberate act of appearing before a superior.

Practical Application

Exodus 34:2 offers timeless lessons for believers today:

  • Intentionality in Seeking God: Just as Moses was commanded to "be ready," we are called to approach God with intentionality and preparation. This might involve setting aside dedicated time for prayer, Bible study, or quiet reflection.
  • God's Restorative Nature: This verse beautifully illustrates God's willingness to restore and renew even after significant failures. Our past mistakes do not disqualify us from future divine encounters or service, as long as we respond to His call with repentance and obedience.
  • The Importance of Personal Encounters: While communal worship is vital, God often calls individuals into private, transformative encounters with Him, much like Moses on Mount Sinai. We should seek these moments of deep communion.
  • Obedience to Divine Summons: Moses' immediate obedience to God's specific instructions highlights the importance of heeding God's voice and acting promptly on His commands.

This verse serves as a powerful reminder that God desires fellowship with His people and invites us to prepare our hearts for His presence and purposes.

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

  • Exodus 19:20 (4 votes)

    And the LORD came down upon mount Sinai, on the top of the mount: and the LORD called Moses [up] to the top of the mount; and Moses went up.

  • Deuteronomy 9:25 (3 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.

  • Exodus 19:11 (3 votes)

    And be ready against the third day: for the third day the LORD will come down in the sight of all the people upon mount Sinai.

  • Exodus 19:24 (2 votes)

    And the LORD said unto him, Away, get thee down, and thou shalt come up, thou, and Aaron with thee: but let not the priests and the people break through to come up unto the LORD, lest he break forth upon them.

  • Exodus 24:12 (2 votes)

    ¶ And the LORD said unto Moses, Come up to me into the mount, and be there: and I will give thee tables of stone, and a law, and commandments which I have written; that thou mayest teach them.