Commentary— Tyndale Open Study Notes (plain English)
19:10-15 In the second phase of preparation, the people received commands that would prepare them to receive God’s covenant. They were to wash their clothing (19:10, 14) because God is pure. They were to prepare a boundary all around the mountain (19:12-13) and be careful not to cross it because God is holy. They were to abstain from having sexual intercourse (19:15) because God is not a sexual being, and his blessings are not produced through sexual activity. Things that are natural and right under ordinary circumstances were to be set aside for the extraordinary purpose of concentrating on the Lord, the King who was about to appear before the people. Only their compliance with the second of these commands is specifically reported (19:23), but it is safe to assume that they obeyed the other two as well since no negative response from the Lord is recorded. • Hebrews 12:18-22 contrasts this experience at Mount Sinai with the believer’s experience at Mount Zion, “the heavenly Jerusalem.”
Commentary— Tyndale Open Study Notes (plain English)
19:10-15 In the second phase of preparation, the people received commands that would prepare them to receive God’s covenant. They were to wash their clothing (19:10, 14) because God is pure. They were to prepare a boundary all around the mountain (19:12-13) and be careful not to cross it because God is holy. They were to abstain from having sexual intercourse (19:15) because God is not a sexual being, and his blessings are not produced through sexual activity. Things that are natural and right under ordinary circumstances were to be set aside for the extraordinary purpose of concentrating on the Lord, the King who was about to appear before the people. Only their compliance with the second of these commands is specifically reported (19:23), but it is safe to assume that they obeyed the other two as well since no negative response from the Lord is recorded. • Hebrews 12:18-22 contrasts this experience at Mount Sinai with the believer’s experience at Mount Zion, “the heavenly Jerusalem.”
Literal English (Darby)ⓘThe Darby Bible (1890) — a deliberately literal, word-for-word translation used here as the Old Testament comparison text.The Darby Bible (1890) — a deliberately literal, word-for-word translation used here as the Old Testament comparison text.
and let them be ready for the third day; for on the third day Jehovah will come down before the eyes of all the people on mount Sinai.
Hebrew (Masoretic Text)ⓘThe Masoretic Text — the authoritative Hebrew manuscript tradition behind most Old Testaments, standardized by Jewish scribes (the Masoretes) between roughly the 7th and 10th centuries AD.The Masoretic Text — the authoritative Hebrew manuscript tradition behind most Old Testaments, standardized by Jewish scribes (the Masoretes) between roughly the 7th and 10th centuries AD.
King James Version (1611) — the classic formal, word-for-word English translation. Historic and widely memorized, but uses Early Modern English vocabulary.
King James Version (1611) — the classic formal, word-for-word English translation. Historic and widely memorized, but uses Early Modern English vocabulary.
And 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.
American Standard VersionⓘAmerican Standard Version (1901) — a more literal, precision-focused revision in the King James tradition.American Standard Version (1901) — a more literal, precision-focused revision in the King James tradition.
and be ready against the third day; for the third day Jehovah will come down in the sight of all the people upon mount Sinai.
World English BibleⓘWorld English Bible — a modern, public-domain update to the KJV/ASV formal style, without archaic language.World English Bible — a modern, public-domain update to the KJV/ASV formal style, without archaic language.
and be ready for the third day; for on the third day Yahweh will come down in the sight of all the people on Mount Sinai.
Bible in Basic EnglishⓘBible in Basic English (1949) — deliberately written using a limited vocabulary of about 1,000 words.Bible in Basic English (1949) — deliberately written using a limited vocabulary of about 1,000 words.
And by the third day let them be ready: for on the third day the Lord will come down on Mount Sinai, before the eyes of all the people.