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Exodus 20:21

Moses
God's holiness

19 “Speak to us yourself and we will listen,” they said to Moses. “But do not let God speak to us, or we will die.”

20 “Do not be afraid,” Moses replied. “For God has come to test you, so that the fear of Him may be before you, to keep you from sinning.”

And the people stood at a distance as Moses approached the thick darkness where God was.

22 Then the LORD said to Moses, “This is what you are to tell the Israelites: ‘You have seen for yourselves that I have spoken to you from heaven.

23 You are not to make any gods alongside Me; you are not to make for yourselves gods of silver or gold.

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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
And the people stood at a distance as Moses approached the thick darkness where God was.
KJV
And the people stood afar off, and Moses drew near unto the thick darkness where God was.
WEB
The people stayed at a distance, and Moses came near to the thick darkness where God was.
ASV
And the people stood afar off, and Moses drew near unto the thick darkness where God was.
DARBY
And the people stood afar off, and Moses drew near to the obscurity where God was.
BLB
And the people stood from afar, and Moses drew near to the thick darkness where God was.
ÅB
Så ble folket stående langt borte, og Moses gikk nær til mørket hvor Gud var.
OTB
Så ble folket stående på avstand, mens Moses nærmet seg det tykke mørket der Gud var.
B1930
Så blev folket stående langt borte, og Moses gikk nær til mørket hvor Gud var.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • 1 Kings 8:12

    Then Solomon declared: “The LORD has said that He would dwell in the thick cloud.

    Read in context

  • Psalms 97:2

    Clouds and darkness surround Him; righteousness and justice are His throne’s foundation.

    Read in context

  • Psalms 18:9

    He parted the heavens and came down with dark clouds beneath His feet.

    Read in context

  • 1 Timothy 6:16

    He alone is immortal and dwells in unapproachable light. No one has ever seen Him, nor can anyone see Him. To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen.

    Read in context

  • 2 Chronicles 6:1

    Then Solomon declared: “The LORD has said that He would dwell in the thick cloud;

    Read in context

  • Psalms 104:2

    He wraps Himself in light as with a garment; He stretches out the heavens like a tent,

    Read in context

  • Deuteronomy 5:5

    At that time I was standing between the LORD and you to declare to you the word of the LORD, because you were afraid of the fire and would not go up the mountain. And He said:

    Read in context

  • Exodus 19:16–17

    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.

    Read in context