King James Version
Exodus 19:23 in the King James Version says “And Moses said unto the LORD, The people cannot come up to mount Sinai: for thou chargedst us, saying, Set bounds about ...” — study this verse from Exodus chapter 19 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.
“And Moses said unto the LORD, The people cannot come up to mount Sinai: for thou chargedst us, saying, Set bounds about the mount, and sanctify it.”
Exodus 19:23 · KJV
And the LORD said unto Moses, Go down, charge the people, lest they break through unto the LORD to gaze, and many of them perish. charge: Heb. contest
And let the priests also, which come near to the LORD, sanctify themselves, lest the LORD break forth upon them.
And Moses said unto the LORD, The people cannot come up to mount Sinai: for thou chargedst us, saying, Set bounds about the mount, and sanctify it.
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.
So Moses went down unto the people, and spake unto them.
KJV Study — Public Domain
“unto the LORD”
H3068(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
“The people”
H5971a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
“come up”
H5927to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
“for thou chargedst”
H5749to duplicate or repeat; by implication, to protest, testify (as by reiteration); intensively, to encompass, restore (as a sort of reduplication)
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
“and sanctify”
H6942to be (causatively, make, pronounce or observe as) clean (ceremonially or morally)
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.
Exodus 19:23 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.
Verses related to Exodus 19:23 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge