Exodus 19:15 (KJV)

What does Exodus 19:15 mean?

Exodus 19:15 records Moses telling the Israelites to prepare themselves for the third day, specifically instructing the men not to approach their wives. This was part of the preparations for encountering God at Mount Sinai, emphasizing ritual readiness and separation.

Moses is speaking to all the people of Israel as they camp at the base of Mount Sinai, just before God is about to reveal Himself in a dramatic way. The instruction to "be ready against the third day" sets a specific time for this event, while the command not to come near their wives refers to abstaining from sexual relations as part of ritual purification, a common practice in the ancient world before sacred events.

The Hebrew behind Exodus 19:15

• "Be ready" (כּוֹן, kun): This word means to be firmly established or prepared. Here, it highlights the seriousness of the preparation required for meeting God, not just physically but in a state of readiness.
• "Third" (שְׁלִישִׁי, shelishi) and "day" (יוֹם, yom): The mention of the "third day" marks a specific, significant time frame, underlining that this preparation is for a unique, scheduled encounter.
• "Come" (נָגַשׁ, nagash): This verb means to draw near or approach, and in this context, it refers specifically to sexual relations, as clarified by the phrase "at your wives" (אִשָּׁה, ishah). The instruction is about ritual separation, not a statement about marriage itself.

Why Exodus 19:15 matters

• This verse clarifies that the preparations for meeting God at Sinai were not just about external cleanliness but included ritual abstinence, showing the seriousness of approaching the divine.
• The instruction about abstaining from wives is often misunderstood; it is not a negative statement about marriage or sexuality, but about ritual purity for a special occasion.
• Exodus 19:15 connects to the larger theme of holiness and preparation in the surrounding chapters, emphasizing that encountering God required intentional, communal readiness.