Exodus 20:19
What does Exodus 20:19 mean?
A plain-English look at Exodus 20:19 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Exodus 20:19 means
Overwhelmed by the awesome and terrifying manifestation of God's presence, the people pleaded with Moses to be their mediator. They recognized that sustained direct interaction with a holy God was too dangerous for sinful humanity, fearing that direct divine speech would lead to their death. They preferred to hear God's words through Moses, demonstrating their recognition of his unique role and their own profound unworthiness to stand directly before God.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear; but let not God speak with us, lest we die.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear; but let not God speak with us, lest we die.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And they said to Moses, To your words we will give ear, but let not the voice of God come to our ears, for fear death may come on us.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and say unto Moses, `Speak thou with us, and we hear, and let not God speak with us, lest we die.'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Saying to Moses: Speak thou to us, and we will hear: let not the Lord speak to us, lest we die.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890and said to Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear; but let notGod speak with us, lest we die.
Context
This verse directly follows the people's fearful experience of God's presence at Sinai. Their plea to Moses logically arises from their terror, indicating their inability to bear God's unmediated presence. This moment is critical as it establishes Moses's unique role as mediator between God and Israel, foreshadowing the need for a mediator and setting up Moses's reassuring response and subsequent approach to God on their behalf.
v.18And 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.
v.19This passage
v.20And Moses said unto the people, Fear not: for God is come to prove you, and that his fear may be before you, that ye sin not.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Galatians 3:19
What then is the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise hath been made; and it was ordained through angels by the hand of a mediator.
- Genesis 32:30
And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for, said he, I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.
- Acts 7:38
This is he that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel that spake to him in the mount Sinai, and with our fathers: who received living oracles to give unto us:
- Exodus 33:20
And he said, Thou canst not see my face; for man shall not see me and live.
- Deuteronomy 5:5
(I stood between Jehovah and you at that time, to show you the word of Jehovah: for ye were afraid because of the fire, and went not up into the mount), saying,
- Deuteronomy 5:23
And it came to pass, when ye heard the voice out of the midst of the darkness, while the mountain was burning with fire, that ye came near unto me, even all the heads of your tribes, and your elders;
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