Devine Scripture

Exodus 3:5

What does Exodus 3:5 mean?

A plain-English look at Exodus 3:5 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Exodus 3:5 means

God immediately instructed Moses to maintain a respectful distance and to remove his sandals. This command underscored the profound holiness of the very ground Moses stood upon, transformed by God's presence. Removing sandals was a customary sign of reverence in the ancient Near East, signifying humility and recognition of sacred space. It was a physical act that prepared Moses's heart for the holy encounter and emphasized that God's presence sanctifies whatever it touches.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And he said, Do not come near: take off your shoes from your feet, for the place where you are is holy.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And He saith, `Come not near hither: cast thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place on which thou art standing is holy ground.'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And he said: Come not nigh hither, put off the shoes from thy feet; for the place, whereon thou standest, is holy ground.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And he said, Draw not nigh hither: loose thy sandals from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground.

Context

This verse follows God's initial call to Moses, immediately establishing the terms of their interaction. The command to remove sandals and not draw near emphasizes the holiness of God and the ground, setting a tone of reverence before any divine message is delivered. This command prepares Moses for the awesome revelation that is to come.

v.4And when Jehovah saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I.

v.5This passage

v.6Moreover he said, I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. And Moses hid his face; for he was afraid to look upon God.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Joshua 5:15

    And the prince of Jehovah’s host said unto Joshua, Put off thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest is holy. And Joshua did so.

  • Exodus 19:21

    And Jehovah said unto Moses, Go down, charge the people, lest they break through unto Jehovah to gaze, and many of them perish.

  • Leviticus 10:3

    Then Moses said unto Aaron, This is it that Jehovah spake, saying, I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me, and before all the people I will be glorified. And Aaron held his peace.

  • Acts 7:33

    And the Lord said unto him, Loose the shoes from thy feet: for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground.

  • Hebrews 12:20

    for they could not endure that which was enjoined, If even a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned;

  • Exodus 19:12

    And thou shalt set bounds unto the people round about, saying, Take heed to yourselves, that ye go not up into the mount, or touch the border of it: whosoever toucheth the mount shall be surely put to death:

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