King James Version
Exodus 20:19 in the King James Version says “And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die.” — study this verse from Exodus chapter 20 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.
“And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die.”
Exodus 20:19 · KJV
Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's.
And all the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw it, they removed, and stood afar off.
And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die.
And Moses said unto the people, Fear not: for God is come to prove you, and that his fear may be before your faces, that ye sin not.
And the people stood afar off, and Moses drew near unto the thick darkness where God was.
KJV Study — Public Domain
“Speak”
H1696perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
“thou with us and we will hear”
H8085to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
“Speak”
H1696perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
“but let not God”
H430gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
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 20:19 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 20:19 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge