And the LORD said unto him, Away, get thee down, and thou shalt come up, thou, and Aaron with thee: but let not the priests and the people break through to come up unto the LORD, lest he break forth upon them.

EXODUS 19:24KJV
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Exodus 19:24 (KJV)

What does Exodus 19:24 mean?

Exodus 19:24 records God telling Moses to go back down the mountain and bring Aaron up with him, but warns that neither the priests nor the people should try to come up to the LORD, or else God will break out against them. The verse emphasizes the strict boundaries God set for approaching His presence at Mount Sinai.

In this scene, God is speaking directly to Moses as the Israelites prepare to receive the Ten Commandments. God’s command shows that even the priests, who usually had special roles, were not allowed to approach unless specifically called. The warning about God “breaking forth” highlights the seriousness and holiness of God’s presence, and the need for respect and obedience to His instructions.

The Hebrew behind Exodus 19:24

  • LORD (יְהוָה, Yahweh): This is the personal name of God used throughout the Old Testament, showing that these instructions come directly from God Himself, not through an intermediary.
  • break through (הָרֹס, haros): This word means to burst through or break a boundary. It stresses that the people or priests must not try to cross the line God set, or they risk serious consequences.
  • break forth (פָּרַץ, parats): This word means to burst out or break out suddenly. Here, it describes God’s response if the boundaries are ignored, underlining the danger of approaching God in the wrong way.

Why Exodus 19:24 matters

  • Exodus 19:24 clears up the idea that even religious leaders like priests did not have automatic access to God’s presence at Sinai; only those God specifically called could come near.
  • The verse highlights the seriousness of God’s holiness and the need for boundaries, which helps explain the careful preparations and warnings throughout this chapter.
  • This instruction connects to the larger theme in Exodus 19 of God setting apart His people and teaching them reverence before giving them His law.

Where else these words appear

“through” Hebrew H2040 · used in 42 verses

  • Exodus 15:7 And in the greatness of thine excellency thou hast overthrown them that rose up against thee: thou sentest forth thy wrath, which consumed them as stubble.
  • Psalms 58:6 Break their teeth, O God, in their mouth: break out the great teeth of the young lions, O LORD.
  • Jeremiah 50:15 Shout against her round about: she hath given her hand: her foundations are fallen, her walls are thrown down: for it is the vengeance of the LORD: take vengeance upon her; as she hath done, do unto her.

“forth” Hebrew H6555 · used in 48 verses

  • Genesis 28:14 And thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed.
  • 1 Chronicles 4:38 These mentioned by their names were princes in their families: and the house of their fathers increased greatly.
  • Job 1:10 Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.