Exodus 20:21
What does Exodus 20:21 mean?
A plain-English look at Exodus 20:21 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Exodus 20:21 means
While the people maintained their distance due to fear and awe of God's manifest presence, Moses, acting as their appointed mediator, courageously drew near to the very place where God's intense glory was enveloped in thick darkness. This action highlights Moses' unique relationship with God and his specific calling to approach the divine presence on behalf of the nation, even where others feared to tread. He alone could withstand such proximity to the Holy One.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And the people stood afar off, and Moses drew near unto the thick darkness where God was.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And the people stood afar off, and Moses drew near unto the thick darkness where God was.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And the people stood afar off, and Moses drew near unto the thick darkness where God was.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And the people kept their places far off, but Moses went near to the dark cloud where God was.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And the people stand afar off, and Moses hath drawn nigh unto the thick darkness where God <FI>is<Fi> .
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And the people stood afar off. But Moses went to the dark cloud wherein God was.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And the people stood afar off, and Moses drew near to the obscurity whereGod was.
Context
This verse describes the immediate consequence of the people's fear and Moses's reassurances: the physical separation between God, Moses, and the rest of the Israelites. It visually represents Moses's singular role as the one who could approach God directly. This context sets the stage for God to continue giving further instructions to Moses, now specifically for the children of Israel, establishing the pattern of mediated communication.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Psalms 18:12
At the brightness before him his thick clouds passed, Hailstones and coals of fire.
- 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,
- 1 Kings 8:12
Then spake Solomon, Jehovah hath said that he would dwell in the thick darkness.
- Psalms 104:2
Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment; Who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain;
- Psalms 97:2
Clouds and darkness are round about him: Righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.
- Deuteronomy 5:22
These words Jehovah spake unto all your assembly in the mount out of the midst of the fire, of the cloud, and of the thick darkness, with a great voice: and he added no more. And he wrote them upon two tables of stone, and gave them unto me.
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