Exodus 19

The Israelites came into the desart of Sinai, in the third month after their coming forth out of Egypt ,v.1,etc. Moseh went up to God upon that mount,3. There God enjoineth him what to say unto the people ,3. The people promise to obey the words of God , which Moseh reports again unto the LORD,8. The people is hallowed against the third day ,10. they must not approach the mount ,12.The dreadful and terrible presence of God upon the mount ,16. God speaks with Moseh ,19. the people,21. Yea and the Priests too are again forbidden to approach the mount , until they were hallowed ,22. Moseh and Aaron only are commanded to go up to the LORD , 24.which also they do,25.

1. In the third month [or, (new moon ) called Sivan by the Hebrews , falling partly , in our May,and partly in June . This was four hundred and thirty years after the Covenant established with Abraham , Gen.15. and 17.] after the going forth of the children of Israel , out of the land of Egypt : on that same day [viz. when they broke up from Raphidim , which was the first day of the month ; ( Compare Ezek.46.1,6.) fourty seven days after the Passeover , or coming forth out of Egypt .] they came into the wilderness of Sinai . [This is a Mountain in Arabia , Gal.4.25. Lying in a wildernesse, Acts 7:30,38.]

2. For they went from Raphidim , and came into the wilderness of Sinai , and they camped themselves in the wilderness : now Israel camped themselves there , over against that Mount . [viz.Sinai.]

3. And Moseh went up to God , [i.e. To the pillar of cloud upon the Mount] and the LORD called unto him from the Mount , [i.e. from the top of it , moseh being yet in a lower part thereof] Saying; thus shalt thou speak to the house of Jacob , and declare unto the children of Israel .

4. Ye have seen, what I have done to the Egyptians ; how I have born you upon Eagles wings, [Implying, that like unto an Eagle , bearing her young ones upon her back , so God had carried them both speedily and safely out of Egypt .See Deuteronomy 32:11.] and brought you to me .[i.e. to the place of my presence , and conveniency of serving me .]

5. Now then if ye will carefully obey [Heb.obeying obey] my voice, and keep my Covenant , ye shall be my perculiar (people) out of all nations ; for all the earth is mine . [viz. with all that is therein contained .]

6. And ye shall be unto me a Priestly Kingdome , [Heb. a Kingdome of Priests , i.e. a Kingdome consisting of Priests and Kings .] and an holy people , [i.e. dedicated to the service of God .] These are the words , which thou shalt speak to the children of Israel.

7. And Moseh came , [viz. down from the mount unto the people , and put before their faces all these words [or, things, matters] which the LORD had commanded him .

8. Then all the people answered with one accord , and said ; All that the LORD hath spoken we will do : and Moseh brought the words of the people back unto the LORD.

9. And the LORD said to Moseh ; Behold , I shall come unto thee in a thick cloud, [Heb. in the thickness of the cloud] that the people may hear when I speak with thee , and that likewise evermore [i.e. all their lifetime] they may believe thee : [see above chap.14.31.] for moseh had declared the words of the people unto the LORD.

10. Also the LORD said to Moseh ,Go unto the people , and hallow (or, sanctifie ) them , [i.e. command them , and look thou and the eldest of the people carefully to it, that they do holily prepare themselves for the receiving of my Commandments : see further , Lev.11.on verse 45.] today and tomorrow , and let them wash their clothes ,

11. And be ready against the third day ; for on the third day, [This was the fiftieth day after the Passeover, which therefore is called Pentecost by the Greeks , i.e. the fiftieth day .] the LORD shall come down [appearing in the pillar of cloud, verse 9. and 16.] before the eyes of all the people upon mount Sinai .

12. And set bounds to the people round about , Saying ; Beware of ascending the mount , and touching his end : [or, pale, border.] every one [or, every thing] that toucheth the mount , shall assuredly be put to death . [Heb. dying to be made to die .]

13. No hand shall touch him , but he [man or beast , that shall have touched the mount] shall surely be stoned , or surely short through , [implying , that if he be near, he shall be stoned , but if farther off , he shall be shot.] whether it be a man , or a beast , he shall not live : when the rams-horn [there was no rams-horn but there was heard a Sound , like unto that of rams-horn .] goeth slowly, [i.e. sound a long unison , as is usual in the end of Musick-song .] then they shall go up on the mount . [remaining nevertheless upon the foot or lower part of it , verse 17. to wit , that they might the better hear the promulgation or proclamation of the Law.]

14. then Moseh went down from the mount unto the people ; and he hallowed the people : [i.e. he commanded , that they should sanctifie themselves, as verse 10.] and they washed their clothes :

15. And he said to the people : Be ye ready against the third day ; [Heb. after three days] and approach not to the wise .

16. And it came to pass on the third day , when it was morning , that upon the mount there were thunders and lightnings , etc an heavy cloud , and the sound of a very strong Trumpet , [see above verse 13.] so that all the people that were in the camp , were terrified .

17. And Moseh led the people forth out of the camp to meet God ; and they stood at the nethermost (part) of the mount .[yet so as they touched not the mount it self , nor transgressed the bounds , verse 12.]

18. And all the mout of sinai smoaked , because the LORD came down upon the same in fire ; and the smoak thereof went up, as the smoak of a furnace, and all the mountain trembled much .

19. When the sound of the Trumpet was going , and grew very strong : Moseh spake, and god answered him with a voice .[or, in a voice , i.e. in a softer way then by thunder , and the terrible noise of the Trumpet . This God did to encourage Moseh , who at first , was much terrified and frighted , Hebrews 12:21.]

20. When the LORD was come down upon mount Sinai , upon the top [Heb. head] of the mount : then the LORD called Moseh up, on the top of the mount, and Moseh ascended.

21. And the LORD said to Moseh , Go down , Testifie unto this people , [i.e. Charge them most strictly and seriously] that they break not through to the LORD, [viz. passing the bounds which are set them .]for to gaze , and many of them fall . [i.e . be put to death by the LORD , according to the threatning , above verse 12. See phrase , Gen.14.10. 1 Cor.10.8. Etc.]

22. And let the Priests also , [Understand here the first-born, whom God had hallowed unto himself , and whom before the seperating of the Tribe of Levi, for the Priesthood , used to administer that office in their families , Exodus 13:2. and 24. verse 5. in his stead he afterwards chose the Tribe of Levi , Numb.8.14., etc.] who draw near uto the LORD , [see Lev.10.3.] sanctifie themselves ; that the LORD break not forth against them.

23. Then said unto the LORD : The people shall not be able to get up on the mount ; for thou hast testified unto us, Saying ; Set bounds to the mount , and hallow it . [i.e. Let the people know , that they are to hold this mount holy , by reason of my presence , and that therefore they ought to forbear approaching the same .]

24. The LORD then said unto him , Go (thy way ) , descend, [viz. to acquaint the people with my inhibition , after which thou and Aaron shall return up to me .] then thou and Aaron with thee shall get up : yet let not the Priests and the people break thorow , for to get up to the LORD , lest he break out against them.

25. Then Moseh descended to the people , and told it them . [To wit, that which the LORD had commanded him.]