Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine:
Read it in contextThe Covenant Proposal and Preparation at Mount Sinai
Start reading at Exodus 19:1 (Exodus 19:1 to Exodus 19:25).
This unit describes Israel's arrival at Mount Sinai, God's initial covenant proposal to them through Moses, their acceptance, and the subsequent preparations for God's descent to give the Law.
19:1In the third month, when the children of Israel were gone forth out of the land of Egypt, the same day came they into the wilderness of Sinai.
19:2For they were departed from Rephidim, and were come to the desert of Sinai, and had pitched in the wilderness; and there Israel camped before the mount.
19:3And Moses went up unto God, and the LORD called unto him out of the mountain, saying, Thus shalt thou say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel;
19:4Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles' wings, and brought you unto myself.
19:5Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine:
19:6And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.
19:7And Moses came and called for the elders of the people, and laid before their faces all these words which the LORD commanded him.
19:8And all the people answered together, and said, All that the LORD hath spoken we will do. And Moses returned the words of the people unto the LORD.
19:9And the LORD said unto Moses, Lo, I come unto thee in a thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with thee, and believe thee for ever. And Moses told the words of the people unto the LORD.
19:10And the LORD said unto Moses, Go unto the people, and sanctify them to day and to morrow, and let them wash their clothes,
19:11And be ready against the third day: for the third day the LORD will come down in the sight of all the people upon mount Sinai.
19:12And 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:
19:13There shall not an hand touch it, but he shall surely be stoned, or shot through; whether it be beast or man, it shall not live: when the trumpet soundeth long, they shall come up to the mount.
19:14And Moses went down from the mount unto the people, and sanctified the people; and they washed their clothes.
19:15And he said unto the people, Be ready against the third day: come not at your wives.
19:16And it came to pass on the third day in the morning, that there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud upon the mount, and the voice of the trumpet exceeding loud; so that all the people that was in the camp trembled.
19:17And Moses brought forth the people out of the camp to meet with God; and they stood at the nether part of the mount.
19:18And mount Sinai was altogether on a smoke, because the LORD descended upon it in fire: and the smoke thereof ascended as the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mount quaked greatly.
19:19And when the voice of the trumpet sounded long, and waxed louder and louder, Moses spake, and God answered him by a voice.
19:20And the LORD came down upon mount Sinai, on the top of the mount: and the LORD called Moses up to the top of the mount; and Moses went up.
19:21And the LORD said unto Moses, Go down, charge the people, lest they break through unto the LORD to gaze, and many of them perish.
19:22And let the priests also, which come near to the LORD, sanctify themselves, lest the LORD break forth upon them.
19:23And Moses said unto the LORD, The people cannot come up to mount Sinai: for thou chargedst us, saying, Set bounds about the mount, and sanctify it.
19:24And the LORD said unto him, Away, get thee down, and thou shalt come up, thou, and Aaron with thee: but let not the priests and the people break through to come up unto the LORD, lest he break forth upon them.
19:25So Moses went down unto the people, and spake unto them.
Study content, not yet reviewed.
Who
Who wrote the book? Moses is the traditional author. Exodus explicitly records him writing covenant words and other material; that supports his central role without identifying every stage in the book's final compilation. Biblical references: Exodus 17:14; Exodus 24:4; Exodus 34:27. Historical source: Babylonian Talmud, Bava Batra 14b–15a (record of Jewish attribution, not contemporary proof). traditionally held
Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Exodus 19:1–20:26): Israel is assembled at Sinai. Moses mediates the LORD's words to the people, who hear the commandments and respond to the manifestation at the mountain. stated in the text
Who was the book written to? The Israelites delivered from Egypt, and succeeding generations of Israel who were to remember the deliverance and keep the covenant. Biblical references: Exodus 12:24; Exodus 12:26; Exodus 24:7. stated in the text
What
What is the main event or theme? The main event is God's proposal of a covenant with the children of Israel at Mount Sinai, offering them a unique status as His 'peculiar treasure' and 'a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation' if they obey His voice and keep His covenant.
What is God revealing? God is revealing His sovereign ownership over 'all the earth' and His desire to enter into a special covenant relationship with Israel, making them distinct among all peoples based on their obedience to His voice and covenant.
What is the literary style? This passage is part of a narrative history, specifically a divine address or covenant proposal, where God speaks directly to Moses, who is then to relay these words to the people of Israel.
When
When was it written? The book of Exodus was written between approximately 1440 and 1400 B.C. book background
When does the event take place? The event takes place in the third month after the children of Israel departed from Egypt, placing it between approximately 1500 and 1440 B.C. stated in the text
Where
Where did it happen? The event happened in the wilderness of Sinai, specifically before Mount Sinai. stated in the text
Where was the author located? Moses, the author, was located in the Wilderness of Sinai when he wrote the book. book background
Where does the context start?
This passage sits in The Covenant Proposal and Preparation at Mount Sinai (Exodus 19:1 to Exodus 19:25).
Start reading at Exodus 19:1. This unit describes Israel's arrival at Mount Sinai, God's initial covenant proposal to them through Moses, their acceptance, and the subsequent preparations for God's descent to give the Law.
How
How does it fit the broader context? This passage marks a pivotal moment after Israel's deliverance from Egypt, initiating the formal covenant relationship between God and His chosen people at Mount Sinai. It sets the stage for the giving of the Law and the establishment of Israel as a distinct nation consecrated to God. interpretation
How does it point to Christ? The conditional covenant offered to Israel, promising them a 'peculiar treasure' and 'kingdom of priests' through obedience, foreshadows the New Covenant established through Christ. While Israel failed to perfectly keep the old covenant, Christ perfectly fulfilled the Law. Through Him, believers become a 'peculiar people' and 'a royal priesthood' (1 Peter 2:9), not by works of the law, but by grace through faith, participating in the ultimate fulfillment of God's covenant promises. interpretation
How do I apply it today? Believers today are called to obey God's voice and keep His New Covenant, not through legalistic adherence to the Mosaic Law, but through faith in Christ and obedience to His commands, empowered by the Holy Spirit. Just as Israel was called to be a distinct people, Christians are called to be set apart, a 'peculiar people' (1 Peter 2:9), demonstrating God's character to the world, recognizing that 'all the earth is mine' (Exodus 19:5) and God's sovereignty extends over all. Our obedience is a response to His grace, not a means to earn salvation. interpretation
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of Exodus 19
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Exodus follows the children of Israel from oppression in Egypt to covenant and tabernacle worship. The text records commands to Moses and Israel; instructions for that covenant must not be silently turned into identical commands to every later reader. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement.
Connection to the wholeThis opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. God addresses the delivered people, gives covenant commands, and the covenant is confirmed before instructions for the sanctuary begin.
Connection to the wholeThis unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. God addresses the delivered people, gives covenant commands, and the covenant is confirmed before instructions for the sanctuary begin.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of Exodus
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Exodus follows the children of Israel from oppression in Egypt to covenant and tabernacle worship. The text records commands to Moses and Israel; instructions for that covenant must not be silently turned into identical commands to every later reader.
Connection to the wholeThe plagues, Passover, departure, and crossing of the sea display the deliverance celebrated in the song that closes this movement.
Connection to the wholeGod addresses the delivered people, gives covenant commands, and the covenant is confirmed before instructions for the sanctuary begin.
Connection to the wholeIsrael's idolatry interrupts the sanctuary instructions. Moses intercedes, and renewed covenant words prepare the people to carry out the work.
Connection to the wholeThe people supply and construct the sanctuary according to the commands, and the book ends with the glory of the LORD filling it.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.