King James Version

What Does Exodus 19:16 Mean?

Exodus 19:16 in the King James Version says “And it came to pass on the third day in the morning, that there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud upon the...” — study this verse from Exodus chapter 19 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And it came to pass on the third day in the morning, that there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud upon the mount, and the voice of the trumpet exceeding loud; so that all the people that was in the camp trembled.”

Exodus 19:16 · King James Version


Context

14

And Moses went down from the mount unto the people, and sanctified the people; and they washed their clothes.

15

And he said unto the people, Be ready against the third day: come not at your wives.

16

And it came to pass on the third day in the morning, that there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud upon the mount, and the voice of the trumpet exceeding loud; so that all the people that was in the camp trembled.

17

And Moses brought forth the people out of the camp to meet with God; and they stood at the nether part of the mount.

18

And mount Sinai was altogether on a smoke, because the LORD descended upon it in fire: and the smoke thereof ascended as the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mount quaked greatly.


Commentaries4 scholars

KJV Study CommentaryPublic Domain
And it came to pass on the third day in the morning, that there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud upon the mount, and the voice of the trumpet exceeding loud; so that all the people that was in the camp trembled.

The third day arrives with cosmic fireworks—thunders (קֹלֹת, qolot), lightnings (בְּרָקִים, beraqim), thick cloud (עָנָן כָּבֵד, anan kaved), and deafening trumpet (קוֹל שֹׁפָר, qol shofar). The accumulation of phenomena overwhelms the senses—sight, sound, touch all bombarded. 'The people trembled' (וַיֶּחֱרַד, vayecherad)—reverent fear is the appropriate response to holy God. This isn't the chummy deity of modern sentimentalism but the terrifying LORD whose presence shakes mountains. The trumpet grows 'exceedingly loud' (חָזָק מְאֹד, chazaq me'od), escalating tension. Hebrews 12:21 records even Moses saying 'I fear and tremble'—if the mediator fears, how much more the people?

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This theophany is the most dramatic in the Old Testament, surpassing even Elijah's encounter (1 Kings 19) or Ezekiel's visions. The sensory overload communicated God's transcendent otherness to ancient Israel and future readers.

Reflection Questions

  1. Why does God manifest Himself with such overwhelming terrifying phenomena?
  2. How does the fear that gripped Israel at Sinai inform proper worship today (Hebrews 12:28-29)?

Compare 4 commentaries from different scholars and time periods for a richer understanding.


Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
וַיְהִי֩1 of 21
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

בַיּ֨וֹם2 of 21

“day”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

הַשְּׁלִישִׁ֜י3 of 21

“And it came to pass on the third”

H7992

third; feminine a third (part); by extension, a third (day, year or time); specifically, a third-story cell)

בִּֽהְיֹ֣ת4 of 21
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

הַבֹּ֗קֶר5 of 21

“in the morning”

H1242

properly, dawn (as the break of day); generally, morning

וַיְהִי֩6 of 21
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

וְקֹ֥ל7 of 21

“and the voice”

H6963

a voice or sound

וּבְרָקִ֜ים8 of 21

“and lightnings”

H1300

lightning; by analogy, a gleam; concretely, a flashing sword

וְעָנָ֤ן9 of 21

“cloud”

H6051

a cloud (as covering the sky), i.e., the nimbus or thunder-cloud

כָּבֵד֙10 of 21

“and a thick”

H3515

heavy; figuratively in a good sense (numerous) or in a bad sense (severe, difficult, stupid)

עַל11 of 21
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

הָהָ֔ר12 of 21

“upon the mount”

H2022

a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)

וְקֹ֥ל13 of 21

“and the voice”

H6963

a voice or sound

שֹׁפָ֖ר14 of 21

“of the trumpet”

H7782

a cornet (as giving a clear sound) or curved horn

חָזָ֣ק15 of 21

“loud”

H2389

strong (usu. in a bad sense, hard, bold, violent)

מְאֹ֑ד16 of 21

“exceeding”

H3966

properly, vehemence, i.e., (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication, wholly, speedily, etc. (often with other words as an intensive or

וַיֶּֽחֱרַ֥ד17 of 21

“trembled”

H2729

to shudder with terror; hence, to fear; also to hasten (with anxiety)

כָּל18 of 21
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הָעָ֖ם19 of 21

“so that all the people”

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

אֲשֶׁ֥ר20 of 21
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

בַּֽמַּחֲנֶֽה׃21 of 21

“that was in the camp”

H4264

an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or figurative (of dancers, angels, cattle, locusts, stars; or e


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Exodus. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Exodus 19:16 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Exodus 19:16 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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