And afterward all the children of Israel came nigh: and he gave them in commandment all that the LORD had spoken with him in mount Sinai.

EXODUS 34:32KJV
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Exodus 34:32 (KJV)

What does Exodus 34:32 mean?

Exodus 34:32 describes how, after Moses returned from speaking with God on Mount Sinai, all the Israelites approached him, and Moses gave them all the commands that the LORD had spoken to him on the mountain. This verse shows the moment when Moses relayed God’s instructions to the people after being alone with God.

In this scene, Moses has just come down from Mount Sinai, where he received new commandments from the LORD (the Hebrew name יְהוָה, YHWH). The people of Israel draw near to Moses, and he communicates everything God told him. This moment emphasizes Moses’ role as a mediator between God and the Israelites, and it sets the stage for the people to hear and follow God’s instructions.

The Hebrew behind Exodus 34:32

  • The word "nigh" comes from נָגַשׁ (nagash), which means to draw near or approach. This highlights that the people actively came close to Moses to hear God’s commands, showing their willingness to listen.
  • "Commandment" is from צִוָּה (tsivvah), meaning to command or give orders. This word underlines that what Moses shared was not just advice but direct instructions from God.
  • "Spoken" is from דָּבַר (dabar), meaning to speak or declare. This stresses that Moses is passing on exactly what the LORD said, not his own ideas.
  • "LORD" is יְהוָה (YHWH), the personal name of God in the Hebrew Bible, reminding the reader that these commands come from the God who made a covenant with Israel.

Why Exodus 34:32 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Moses did not keep any part of God’s message to himself; he shared everything with the people, showing transparency in leadership.
  • It highlights the importance of the Israelites’ willingness to listen and receive God’s commands, which is a key theme in the surrounding chapters.
  • The verse connects to the wider passage by marking the transition from Moses’ private encounter with God to the public sharing of God’s will, reinforcing Moses’ unique role as the communicator of God’s law.

Where else these words appear

“Sinai” Hebrew H5514 · used in 34 verses

  • Exodus 16:1 And they took their journey from Elim, and all the congregation of the children of Israel came unto the wilderness of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after their departing out of the land of Egypt.
  • Exodus 34:29 And it came to pass, when Moses came down from mount Sinai with the two tables of testimony in Moses' hand, when he came down from the mount, that Moses wist not that the skin of his face shone while he talked with him.
  • Numbers 9:5 And they kept the passover on the fourteenth day of the first month at even in the wilderness of Sinai: according to all that the LORD commanded Moses, so did the children of Israel.

“nigh” Hebrew H5066 · used in 112 verses

  • Genesis 18:23 And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked?
  • Joshua 3:9 And Joshua said unto the children of Israel, Come hither, and hear the words of the LORD your God.
  • 2 Kings 4:5 So she went from him, and shut the door upon her and upon her sons, who brought the vessels to her; and she poured out.