Darby Bible
Exodus 20:21
Exodus 20:21 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)And the people stood afar off, and Moses drew near unto the thick darkness where God was.
- New International Version (NIV)The people remained at a distance, while Moses approached the thick darkness where God was.
- English Standard Version (ESV)The people stood far off, while Moses drew near to the thick darkness where God was.
- New King James Version (NKJV)So the people stood afar off, but Moses drew near the thick darkness where God was.
Context of Exodus 20:21
19and said to Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear; but let not God speak with us, lest we die. 20And Moses said to the people, Fear not; for God is come to prove you, and that his fear may be before you, that ye sin not. And the people stood afar off, and Moses drew near to the obscurity where God was. 22And Jehovah said to Moses, Thus shalt thou say to the children of Israel: Ye have seen that I have spoken with you from the heavens. 23Ye shall not make beside me gods of silver, and ye shall not make to you gods of gold.
Read all of Exodus 20Exodus 20:21 word by word
וַיַּעֲמֹ֥ד הָעָ֖ם מֵרָחֹ֑ק וּמֹשֶׁה֙ נִגַּ֣שׁ אֶל־הָֽעֲרָפֶ֔ל אֲשֶׁר־שָׁ֖ם הָאֱלֹהִֽים׃ פRead the interlinear
Cross-references for Exodus 20:21
- Exodus 19:16And it came to pass on the third day, when it was morning, that there were thunders and lightnings and a heavy cloud on the mountain, and the sound of the trumpet exceeding loud; and the whole people that was in the camp trembled.
- Deuteronomy 5:5(I stood between Jehovah and you at that time, to declare to you the word of Jehovah; for ye were afraid by reason of the fire, and went not up to the mountain), saying,
- 1 Kings 8:12Then said Solomon: Jehovah said that he would dwell in the thick darkness.
- 2 Chronicles 6:1Then said Solomon: Jehovah said that he would dwell in the thick darkness.
- Psalms 18:9And he bowed the heavens, and came down; and darkness was under his feet.
- Psalms 97:2Clouds and darkness are round about him; righteousness and judgment are the foundation of his throne.
- Psalms 104:2Covering thyself with light as with a garment, stretching out the heavens like a tent-curtain; —
- 1 Timothy 6:16who only has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light; whom no man has seen, nor is able to see; to whom [be] honour and eternal might. Amen.
Commentaries on Exodus 20:21
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 18-21Verses 18-21 Compare Deuteronomy 5:22-31. Aaron Exodus 19:24 on this occasion accompanied Moses in drawing near to the thick darkness. Exodus 20:22 to Exodus 23:33 is a series of laws which we may identify with what was written by Moses in the book called the book of the covenant, and read by him in the audience of the people Exodus 24:7. The document cannot be regarded as a strictly systematic whole. Portions of it were probably traditional rules handed…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 18-21Verses 18-21 This law, which is so extensive that we cannot measure it, so spiritual that we cannot evade it, and so reasonable that we cannot find fault with it, will be the rule of the future judgment of God, as it is for the present conduct of man. If tried by this rule, we shall find our lives have been passed in transgressions. And with this holy law and an awful judgment before us, who can despise the gospel of Christ? And the knowledge of the law…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 18-21The people were very conscious of their sinfulness before a holy God and begged Moses to stand between them and God. Moses pointed out that God’s goal was neither to overawe them nor to destroy them. Rather, he wanted their awe of him to keep them from sinning (Exodus 20:20). Jesus is the ultimate mediator between God and people (1 Timothy 2:5).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 18-2118-21. all the people saw the thunderings and the lightnings--They were eye and ear witnesses of the awful emblems of the Deity's descent. But they perceived not the Deity Himself.Read the comment
Topics related to Exodus 20:21
In the dictionaries
Notes
- 1. Exodus 20:21 20.21 Elohim ↩
Commentaries on Exodus 20
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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