Exodus 19:16

14 When Moses came down from the mountain to the people, he consecrated them, and they washed their clothes.

15 “Be prepared for the third day,” he said to the people. “Do not draw near to a woman.”

On the third day, when morning came, there was thunder and lightning. A thick cloud was upon the mountain, and a very loud blast of the ram’s horn went out, so that all the people in the camp trembled.

17 Then Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet with God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain.

18 Mount Sinai was completely enveloped in smoke, because the LORD had descended on it in fire. And the smoke rose like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain quaked violently.

Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
On the third day, when morning came, there was thunder and lightning. A thick cloud was upon the mountain, and a very loud blast of the ram’s horn went out, so that all the people in the camp trembled.
KJV
And 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.
WEB
On the third day, when it was morning, there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud on the mountain, and the sound of an exceedingly loud trumpet; and all the people who were in the camp trembled.
ASV
And 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 trumpet exceeding loud; and all the people that were in the camp trembled.
DARBY
And it came to pass on the third day, when it was morning, that there were thunders and lightnings and a heavy cloud on the mountain, and the sound of the trumpet exceeding loud; and the whole people that was in the camp trembled.
BLB
And it came to pass on the third day, when it was the morning, that there were voices and lightnings, and a heavy cloud on the mountain, and the voice of the shofar [was] very mighty. And all the people who [were] in the camp trembled.
ÅB
Så skjedde det den tredje dag da morgenen brøt fram, da tok det til å tordne og lyne, og det la seg en tung sky over fjellet, og det hørtes en sterk basunlyd; da skalv alt folket som var i leiren.
OTB
Om morgenen den tredje dagen var det torden og lyn, med en tykk sky over fjellet og et meget høyt trompetstøt, som fikk alle i leiren til å skjelve.
B1930
Så skjedde det den tredje dag da morgenen brøt frem, da tok det til å tordne og lyne, og det la sig en tung sky over fjellet, og det hørtes en sterk basunlyd; da skalv alt folket som var i leiren.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Hebrews 12:18–19

    For you have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom, and storm;

    Read in context
  • Psalms 18:11–14

    He made darkness His hiding place, and storm clouds a canopy around Him.

    Read in context
  • Revelation 4:1

    After this I looked and saw a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had previously heard speak to me like a trumpet was saying, “Come up here, and I will show you what must happen after these things.”

    Read in context
  • Hebrews 12:21

    The sight was so terrifying that even Moses said, “I am trembling with fear.”

    Read in context
  • Revelation 4:5

    From the throne came flashes of lightning, and rumblings, and peals of thunder. Before the throne burned seven torches of fire. These are the seven Spirits of God.

    Read in context
  • Psalms 77:18

    Your thunder resounded in the whirlwind; the lightning lit up the world; the earth trembled and quaked.

    Read in context
  • Revelation 8:5

    Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and hurled it to the earth; and there were peals of thunder, and rumblings, and flashes of lightning, and an earthquake.

    Read in context
  • Revelation 11:19

    Then the temple of God in heaven was opened, and the ark of His covenant appeared in His temple. And there were flashes of lightning, and rumblings, and peals of thunder, and an earthquake, and a great hailstorm.

    Read in context