Israel at Mount Sinai

Exodus 19

Israel arrives at the wilderness of Sina, and the Lord calls Moses up the mountain, offering to make Israel his own people and a holy nation if they keep his covenant, to which the people agree. The Lord descends upon the mountain in fire, cloud, and thunder, and the people are commanded not to touch the mountain on pain of death as they prepare to hear God speak.

About these editions

The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.

Thomson 1808Septuagint

Brenton 1851Septuagint

Greek · BrentonSeptuagint

KJV 1769Masoretic

JPS 1917Masoretic

ThomsonNOW on the first day of the third month after the departure of the Israelites out of the land of Egypt, on the very day they came to the wilderness of Sina—

BrentonAnd in the third month of the departure of the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt, on the same day, they came into the wilderness of Sina.

GreekΤοῦ δὲ μηνὸς τοῦ τρίτου τῆς ἐξόδου τῶν υἱῶν Ἰσραὴλ ἐκ γῆς Αἰγύπτου τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ταύτῃ, ἤλθοσαν εἰς τὴν ἔρημον τοῦ Σινά.

KJVIn 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.

JPSIn the third month after the children of Israel were gone forth out of the land of Egypt, the same day came they into the wilderness of Sinai.

Thomsonwhen they had removed from Raphadin and came to the wilderness of Sina and Israel were encamping there before the mount,

BrentonAnd they departed from Raphidin, and came into the wilderness of Sina, and there Israel encamped before the mountain.

GreekΚαὶ ἀπῆραν ἐκ Ῥαφιδεὶν, καὶ ἤλθοσαν εἰς τὴν ἔρημον τοῦ Σινὰ, καὶ παρενέβαλεν ἐκεῖ Ἰσραὴλ κατέναντι τοῦ ὄρους.

KJVFor 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.

JPSAnd when they were departed from Rephidim, and were come to the wilderness of Sinai, they encamped in the wilderness; and there Israel encamped before the mount.

ThomsonMoses went up to the mount of God. And God called to him out of the mount and said, Thus shalt thou say to the house of Jacob, and announce to the children of Israel—

BrentonAnd Moses went up to the mount of God, and God called him out of the mountain, saying, These things shalt thou say to the house of Jacob, and thou shalt report them to the children of Israel.

GreekΚαὶ Μωυσῆς ἀνέβη εἰς τὸ ὄρος τοῦ Θεοῦ· καὶ ἐκάλεσεν αὐτὸν ὁ Θεὸς ἐκ τοῦ ὄρους, λέγων, τάδε ἐρεῖς τῷ οἴκῳ Ἰακὼβ, καὶ ἀναγγελεῖς τοῖς υἱοῖς Ἰσραήλ.

KJVAnd 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;

JPSAnd 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:

ThomsonYou have seen what I have done to the Egyptians; and how I have taken you up as on the wings of eagles and brought you to Myself.

BrentonYe have seen all that I have done to the Egyptians, and I took you up as upon eagles' wings, and I brought you near to myself.

GreekΑὐτοὶ ἑωράκατε ὅσα πεποίηκα τοῖς Αἱγυπτίοις, καὶ ἀνέλαβον ὑμᾶς ὡσεὶ ἐπὶ πτερύγων ἀετῶν, καὶ προσηγαγόμην ὑμᾶς πρὸς ἐμαυτόν.

KJVYe have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles’ wings, and brought you unto myself.

JPSYe have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’wings, and brought you unto Myself.

ThomsonNow therefore if you will hearken diligently to My voice and keep My covenant, you shall be to Me a peculiar people above all the nations; for the whole earth is Mine:

BrentonAnd now if ye will indeed hear my voice, and keep my covenant, ye shall be to me a peculiar people above all nations; for the whole earth is mine.

GreekΚαὶ νῦν ἐὰν ἀκοῇ ἀκούσητε τῆς ἐμῆς φωνῆς, καὶ φυλάξητε τὴν διαθήκην μου, ἔσεσθέ μοι λαὸς περιούσιος ἀπὸ πάντων τῶν ἐθνῶν· ἐμὴ γάρ ἐστι πᾶσα ἡ γῆ.

KJVNow 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:

JPSNow therefore, if ye will hearken unto My voice indeed, and keep My covenant, then ye shall be Mine own treasure from among all peoples; for all the earth is Mine;

Thomsonbut as for you, you shall be a royal priesthood and a holy nation. These words thou shalt deliver to the children of Israel.

BrentonAnd ye shall be to me a royal priesthood and a holy nation: these words shalt thou speak to the children of Israel.

GreekὙμεῖς δὲ ἔσεσθέ μοι βασίλειον ἱεράτευμα καὶ ἔθνος ἅγιον· ταῦτα τὰ ῥήματα ἐρεῖς τοῖς υἱοῖς Ἰσραήλ.

KJVAnd 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.

JPSand ye shall be unto Me a kingdom of priests, and a holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.’

ThomsonUpon this Moses came and called the elders of the people and laid before them all these words which God enjoined on them.

BrentonAnd Moses came and called the elders of the people, and he set before them all these words, which God appointed them.

GreekἮλθε δὲ Μωυσῆς, καὶ ἐκάλεσεν τοὺς πρεσβυτέρους τοῦ λαοῦ· καὶ παρέθηκεν αὐτοῖς πάντας τοὺς λόγους τούτους, οὓς συνέταξεν αὐτοῖς ὁ Θεός.

KJVAnd Moses came and called for the elders of the people, and laid before their faces all these words which the LORD commanded him.

JPSAnd Moses came and called for the elders of the people, and set before them all these words which the LORD commanded him.

ThomsonAnd all the people with one consent answered and said, All that God hath said we will do and we will be obedient. And Moses carried up these words to God.

BrentonAnd all the people answered with one accord, and said, All things that God has spoken, we will do and hearken to: and Moses reported these words to God.

GreekἈπεκρίθη δὲ πᾶς ὁ λαὸς ὁμοθυμαδὸν, καὶ εἶπαν, πάντα ὅσα εἶπεν ὁ Θεὸς, ποιήσομεν καὶ ἀκουσόμεθα· ἀνήνεγκε δὲ Μωυσῆς τοὺς λόγους τούτους πρὸς τὸν Θεόν.

KJVAnd 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.

JPSAnd all the people answered together, and said: ‘All that the LORD hath spoken we will do.’ And Moses reported the words of the people unto the LORD.

ThomsonThen the Lord said to Moses, Behold I will come to thee in a pillar of cloud, that the people may hear Me speaking to thee and believe thee forever.—When Moses told the Lord the words of the people

BrentonAnd the Lord said to Moses, Lo! I come to thee in a pillar of a cloud, that the people may hear me speaking to thee, and may believe thee for ever: and Moses reported the words of the people to the Lord.

GreekΕἶπε δὲ Κύριος πρὸς Μωυσῆν, ἰδοὺ ἐγὼ παραγίνομαι πρὸς σὲ ἐν στύλῳ νεφέλης, ἵνα ἀκούσῃ ὁ λαὸς λαλοῦντός μου πρὸς σὲ, καὶ σοὶ πιστεύσωσιν εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα· ἀνήγγειλε δὲ Μωυσῆς τὰ ῥήματα τοῦ λαοῦ πρὸς Κύριον.

KJVAnd 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.

JPSAnd 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 may also believe thee for ever.’ And Moses told the words of the people unto the LORD.

Thomsonthe Lord said to Moses, Go down and testify to the people and purify them to-day and to-morrow and let them wash their garments

BrentonAnd the Lord said to Moses, Go down and solemnly charge the people, and sanctify them to-day and to-morrow, and let them wash their garments.

GreekΕἶπε δὲ Κύριος πρὸς Μωυσῆν, Καταβὰς διαμάρτυραι τῷ λαῷ, καὶ ἅγνισον αὐτοὺς σήμερον καὶ αὔριον, καὶ πλυνάτωσαν τὰ ἱμάτια,

KJVAnd the LORD said unto Moses, Go unto the people, and sanctify them to day and to morrow, and let them wash their clothes,

JPSAnd the LORD said unto Moses: ‘Go unto the people, and sanctify them to-day and to-morrow, and let them wash their garments,

Thomsonand be ready against the third day; for on the third day the Lord will descend upon mount Sina in the sight of all the people.

BrentonAnd let them be ready against the third day, for on the third day the Lord will descend upon mount Sina before all the people.

Greekκαὶ ἔστωσαν ἕτοιμοι εἰς τὴν ἡμέραν τὴν τρίτην· τῇ γὰρ ἡμέρᾳ τῇ τρίτῃ καταβήσεται Κύριος ἐπὶ τὸ ὄρος τὸ Σινὰ, ἐναντίον παντὸς τοῦ λαοῦ.

KJVAnd 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.

JPSand 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.

ThomsonTherefore thou shalt remove the people to some distance round about and say, Take heed to yourselves not to go up to the mount nor touch any part of it. Whoever shall touch the mount shall surely die.

BrentonAnd thou shalt separate the people round about, saying, Take heed to yourselves that ye go not up into the mountain, nor touch any part of it: every one that touches the mountain shall surely die.

GreekΚαὶ ἀφοριεῖς τὸν λαὸν κύκλῳ, λέγων, προσέχετε ἑαυτοῖς τοῦ ἀναβῆναι εἰς τὸ ὄρος, καὶ θίγειν τι αὐτοῦ· πᾶς ὁ ἁψάμενος τοῦ ὄρους, θανάτῳ τελευτήσει.

KJVAnd 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:

JPSAnd 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;

ThomsonA hand shall not touch him, for he shall be stoned with stones or shot with a dart. Whether man or beast it shall not live. When the voices and the trumpets and the cloud are gone from the mount, they may go up to the mount.

BrentonA hand shall not touch it, for every one that touches shall be stoned with stones or shot through with a dart, whether beast or whether man, it shall not live: when the voices and trumpets and cloud depart from off the mountain, they shall come up on the mountain.

GreekΟὐχ ἅψεται αὐτοῦ χείρ· ἐν γὰρ λίθοις λιθοβοληθήσεται, ἢ βολίδι κατατοξευθήσεται· ἐάν τε κτῆνος ἐάν τε ἄνθρωπος, οὐ ζήσεται· ὅταν αἱ φωναὶ καὶ αἱ σάλπιγγες καὶ ἡ νεφέλη ἀπέλθῃ ἀπὸ τοῦ ὄρους, ἐκεῖνοι ἀναβήσονται ἐπὶ τὸ ὄρος.

KJVThere 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.

JPSno hand shall touch him, but he shall surely be stoned, or shot through; whether it be beast or man, it shall not live; when the ram’s horn soundeth long, they shall come up to the mount.’

ThomsonSo Moses went down from the mount to the people and purified them, and they washed their garments.

BrentonAnd Moses went down from the mountain to the people, and sanctified them, and they washed their clothes.

GreekΚατέβη δὲ Μωυσῆς ἐκ τοῦ ὄρους πρὸς τὸν λαὸν, καὶ ἡγίασεν αὐτούς· καὶ ἔπλυναν τὰ ἱμάτια.

KJVAnd Moses went down from the mount unto the people, and sanctified the people; and they washed their clothes.

JPSAnd Moses went down from the mount unto the people, and sanctified the people; and they washed their garments.

ThomsonAnd he said to the people, Be ready, for three days you must not approach a wife.

BrentonAnd he said to the people, Be ready: for three days come not near to a woman.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπε τῷ λαῷ, γίνεσθε ἕτοιμοι, τρεῖς ἡμέρας μὴ προσέλθητε γυναικί.

KJVAnd he said unto the people, Be ready against the third day: come not at your wives.

JPSAnd he said unto the people: ‘Be ready against the third day; come not near a woman.’

ThomsonAnd it came to pass on the third day that about dawn there were thunders and lightnings and a thick cloud on mount Sina, and the voice of the trumpet sounded loud, so that all the people in the camp were terrified.

BrentonAnd it came to pass on the third day, as the morning drew nigh, there were voices and lightnings and a dark cloud on mount Sina: the voice of the trumpet sounded loud, and all the people in the camp trembled.

GreekἘγένετο δὲ τῇ ἡμέρᾳ τῇ τρίτῃ γενηθέντος πρὸς ὄρθρον, καὶ ἐγένοντο φωναὶ καὶ ἀστραπαὶ καὶ νεφέλη γνοφώδης ἐπʼ ὄρους Σινά· φωνὴ τῆς σάλπιγγος ἤχει μέγα· καὶ ἐπτοήθη πᾶς ὁ λαὸς ὁ ἐν τῇ παρεμβολῇ.

KJVAnd 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.

JPSAnd 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 horn exceeding loud; and all the people that were in the camp trembled.

ThomsonThen Moses led forth the people out of the camp to meet God, and they halted at the foot of the mount.

BrentonAnd Moses led the people forth out of the camp to meet God, and they stood by under the mountain.

GreekΚαὶ ἐξήγαγε Μωυσῆς τὸν λαὸν εἰς συνάντησιν τοῦ Θεοῦ ἐκ τῆς παρεμβολῆς· καὶ παρέστησαν ὑπὸ τὸ ὄρος.

KJVAnd Moses brought forth the people out of the camp to meet with God; and they stood at the nether part of the mount.

JPSAnd Moses brought forth the people out of the camp to meet God; and they stood at the nether part of the mount.

ThomsonThe whole mountain Sina was enveloped with smoke, because God had descended upon it in fire. And the smoke ascended like the smoke of a furnace, so that all the people were exceedingly amazed.

BrentonThe mount of Sina was altogether on a smoke, because God had descended upon it in fire; and the smoke went up as the smoke of a furnace, and the people were exceedingly amazed.

GreekΤὸ ὄρος τὸ Σινὰ ἐκαπνίζετο ὅλον, διὰ τὸ καταβεβηκέναι ἐπʼ αὐτὸ τὸν Θεὸν ἐν πυρί· καὶ ἀνέβαινεν ὁ καπνὸς, ὡσεὶ καπνὸς καμίνου· καὶ ἐξέστη πᾶς ὁ λαὸς σφόδρα.

KJVAnd 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.

JPSNow mount Sinai was altogether on 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.

ThomsonStill the sounds of the trumpet waxed louder and louder. Moses had spoken and God had answered him by a voice.

BrentonAnd the sounds of the trumpet were waxing very much louder. Moses spoke, and God answered him with a voice.

GreekἘγίνοντο δὲ αἱ φωναὶ τῆς σάλπιγγος προβαίνουσαι ἰσχυρότεραι σφόδρα. Μωυσῆς ἐλάλησεν, ὁ δὲ Θεὸς ἀπεκρίνατο αὐτῷ φωνῇ.

KJVAnd when the voice of the trumpet sounded long, and waxed louder and louder, Moses spake, and God answered him by a voice.

JPSAnd when the voice of the horn waxed louder and louder, Moses spoke, and God answered him by a voice.

ThomsonAnd the Lord descended upon mount Sina on the summit of the mount, and the Lord called Moses up to the top of the mount, and Moses went up.

BrentonAnd the Lord came down upon mount Sina on the top of the mountain; and the Lord called Moses to the top of the mountain, and Moses went up.

GreekΚατέβη δὲ Κύριος ἐπὶ τὸ ὄρος τὸ Σινὰ ἐπὶ τὴν κορυφὴν τοῦ ὄρους· καὶ ἐκάλεσε Κύριος Μωυσῆν ἐπὶ τὴν κορυφὴν τοῦ ὄρους· καὶ ἀνέβη Μωυσῆς.

KJVAnd 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.

JPSAnd the LORD came down upon mount Sinai, to the top of the mount; and the LORD called Moses to the top of the mount; and Moses went up.

ThomsonAnd God spoke to Moses saying, Go down and testify to the people; peradventure they may come nigh to God to observe, and a multitude of them may perish.

BrentonAnd God spoke to Moses, saying, Go down, and solemnly charge the people, lest at any time they draw nigh to God to gaze, and a multitude of them fall.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπεν ὁ Θεὸς πρὸς Μωυσῆν, λέγων, καταβὰς διαμάρτυραι τῷ λαῷ, μή ποτε ἐγγίσωσι πρὸς τὸν Θεὸν κατανοῆσαι, καὶ πέσωσιν ἐξ αὐτῶν πλῆθος·

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

JPSAnd the LORD said unto Moses: ‘Go down, charge the people, lest they break through unto the LORD to gaze, and many of them perish.

ThomsonAnd let the priests who come near to the Lord God be purified, lest peradventure the Lord withdraw from them.

BrentonAnd let the priests that draw nigh to the Lord God sanctify themselves, lest he destroy some of them.

GreekΚαὶ οἱ ἱερεῖς οἱ ἐγγίζοντες Κυρίῳ τῷ Θεῷ ἁγιασθήτωσαν, μήποτε ἀπαλλάξῃ ἀπʼ αὐτῶν Κύριος.

KJVAnd let the priests also, which come near to the LORD, sanctify themselves, lest the LORD break forth upon them.

JPSAnd let the priests also, that come near to the LORD, sanctify themselves, lest the LORD break forth upon them.’

ThomsonAnd Moses said to God, The people cannot advance to mount Sina; for thou hast testified to us saying, Set apart the mount and hallow it.

BrentonAnd Moses said to God, The people will not be able to approach to the mount of Sina, for thou hast solemnly charged us, saying, Set bounds to the mountain and sanctify it.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπε Μωυσῆς πρὸς τὸν Θεὸν, οὐ δυνήσεται ὁ λαὸς προσαναβῆναι πρὸς τὸ ὄρος τὸ Σινά· σὺ γὰρ διαμεμαρτύρησαι ἡμῖν, λέγων, ἀφόρισαι τὸ ὄρος, καὶ ἁγίασαι αὐτό.

KJVAnd 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.

JPSAnd Moses said unto the LORD: ‘The people cannot come up to mount Sinai; for thou didst charge us, saying: Set bounds about the mount, and sanctify it.’

ThomsonBut the Lord said to him, Away; go down and come up thou and Aaron with thee; but let not the priests nor the people presume to come up to God lest peradventure the Lord destroy some of them.

BrentonAnd the Lord said to him, Go, descend, and come up thou and Aaron with thee; but let not the priests and the people force their way to come up to God, lest the Lord destroy some of them.

GreekΕἴπε δὲ αὐτῷ Κύριος, βάδιζε, κατάβηθι, καὶ ἀνάβηθι σὺ καὶ Ἀαρὼν μετὰ σοῦ· οἱ δὲ ἱερεῖς καὶ ὁ λαὸς μὴ βιαζέσθωσαν ἀναβῆναι πρὸς τὸν Θεὸν, μὴ ποτε ἀπολέσῃ ἀπʼ αὐτῶν Κύριος.

KJVAnd 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.

JPSAnd the LORD said unto him: ‘Go, 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.’

ThomsonAnd Moses went down to the people and spoke to them.

BrentonAnd Moses went down to the people, and spoke to them.

GreekΚατέβη δὲ Μωυσῆς πρὸς τὸν λαὸν, καὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς.

KJVSo Moses went down unto the people, and spake unto them.

JPSSo Moses went down unto the people, and told them.