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

EXODUS 19:10KJV
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Exodus 19:10 (KJV)

What does Exodus 19:10 mean?

Exodus 19:10 records God telling Moses to go to the Israelites and set them apart as holy over the next two days, instructing them to wash their clothes as part of this preparation. This verse shows that before meeting with God at Mount Sinai, the people needed to get ready both inwardly and outwardly.

In this scene, the LORD (God) is speaking directly to Moses, who is acting as the leader and go-between for the people of Israel. The instruction to "sanctify" the people and have them wash their clothes is about preparing for a special encounter with God, highlighting the seriousness and sacredness of what is about to happen at Sinai.

The Hebrew behind Exodus 19:10

  • "Sanctify" (קָדַשׁ, qadash): This word means to set apart or make holy. Here, it emphasizes that the people must be made ready for something sacred, not just in ritual but in their whole approach.
  • "Wash" (כָּבַס, kabas): This word means to wash or clean, especially clothing. The act of washing their clothes was a visible sign of purification, showing respect and readiness for God's presence.
  • "Clothes" (שִׂמְלָה, simlah): The focus on garments underlines that holiness involves both the inner person and outward actions or appearances.

Why Exodus 19:10 matters

  • Exodus 19:10 clarifies that meeting with God is not casual; it requires preparation and reverence, both spiritually and physically.
  • The verse connects to the larger story of Israel at Sinai, setting the stage for the giving of the Ten Commandments and the covenant relationship.
  • This instruction helps clear up the idea that holiness in the Old Testament involved both the heart and visible actions, not just one or the other.

Where else these words appear

“clothes” Hebrew H8071 · used in 28 verses

  • Genesis 9:23 And Shem and Japheth took a garment, and laid it upon both their shoulders, and went backward, and covered the nakedness of their father; and their faces were backward, and they saw not their father's nakedness.
  • Exodus 19:14 And Moses went down from the mount unto the people, and sanctified the people; and they washed their clothes.
  • Judges 8:25 And they answered, We will willingly give them. And they spread a garment, and did cast therein every man the earrings of his prey.

“wash” Hebrew H3526 · used in 48 verses

  • Genesis 49:11 Binding his foal unto the vine, and his ass's colt unto the choice vine; he washed his garments in wine, and his clothes in the blood of grapes:
  • Leviticus 15:5 And whosoever toucheth his bed shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even.
  • Numbers 8:21 And the Levites were purified, and they washed their clothes; and Aaron offered them as an offering before the LORD; and Aaron made an atonement for them to cleanse them.

“morrow” Hebrew H4279 · used in 52 verses

  • Genesis 30:33 So shall my righteousness answer for me in time to come, when it shall come for my hire before thy face: every one that is not speckled and spotted among the goats, and brown among the sheep, that shall be counted stolen with me.
  • Joshua 4:6 That this may be a sign among you, that when your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, What mean ye by these stones?
  • 1 Samuel 28:19 Moreover the LORD will also deliver Israel with thee into the hand of the Philistines: and to morrow shalt thou and thy sons be with me: the LORD also shall deliver the host of Israel into the hand of the Philistines.