Exodus 20:18
What does Exodus 20:18 mean?
A plain-English look at Exodus 20:18 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Exodus 20:18 means
This verse describes the overwhelming, sensory experience of the Israelites as God delivered the Ten Commandments. They witnessed powerful thunder, blinding lightning, the piercing sound of a trumpet, and the ominous smoke covering Mount Sinai. This dramatic display of God's power and presence filled the people with awe and intense fear, causing them to tremble and retreat an immense distance from the mountain. It underscores the terrifying holiness of the God who was speaking to them.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And all the people perceived the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the voice of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw it, they trembled, and stood afar off.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And all the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw it, they removed, and stood afar off.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And all the people perceived the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the voice of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw it, they trembled, and stood afar off.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And all the people were watching the thunderings and the flames and the sound of the horn and the mountain smoking; and when they saw it, they kept far off, shaking with fear.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And all the people are seeing the voices, and the flames, and the sound of the trumpet, and the mount smoking; and the people see, and move, and stand afar off,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And all the people saw the voices and the flames, and the sound of the trumpet, and the mount smoking; and being terrified and struck with fear, they stood afar off,
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And all the people saw the thunderings, and the flames, and the sound of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking; and when the people saw [it], they trembled, and stood afar off,
Context
Following the direct pronouncement of the Ten Commandments, this verse shifts focus from the commands themselves to the people's reaction. It vividly describes the powerful, fearful divine manifestation at Mount Sinai. This context is essential for understanding *why* the people reacted as they did in the next verses, showing the profound impact God's direct speech had on them and setting the stage for their plea for Moses to mediate.
v.17Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s wife, nor his man-servant, nor his maid-servant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor anything that is thy neighbor’s.
v.18This passage
v.19And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear; but let not God speak with us, lest we die.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Jeremiah 23:23
Am I a God at hand, saith Jehovah, and not a God afar off?
- Exodus 19:16
And it came to pass on the third day, when it was morning, that there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud upon the mount, and the voice of a trumpet exceeding loud; and all the people that were in the camp trembled.
- Hebrews 12:18
For ye are not come unto a mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, and unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest,
- Psalms 139:7
Whither shall I go from thy Spirit? Or whither shall I flee from thy presence?
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