Exodus 20:21

And the people kept their places far off, but Moses went near to the dark cloud where God was.

Bible in Basic English

In The King James Version

And the people stood afar off, and Moses drew near unto the thick darkness where God was.

In Context

20And Moses said to the people, Have no fear: for God has come to put you to the test, so that fearing him you may be kept from sin.

22And the Lord said to Moses, Say to the children of Israel, You yourselves have seen that my voice has come to you from heaven

Read all of Exodus 20

Cross References

Exodus 19:16And when morning came on the third day, there were thunders and flames and a thick cloud on the mountain, and a horn sounding very loud; and all the people in the tents were shaking with fear.

Deuteronomy 5:22These words the Lord said to all of you together on the mountain, out of the heart of the fire, out of the cloud and the dark, with a great voice: and he said no more; he put them in writing on the two stones of the law and gave them to me.

2 Chronicles 6:1Then Solomon said, O Lord, to the sun you have given the heaven for a living-place, but your living-place was not seen by men,

Psalms 18:12\18:11\He made the dark his secret place; his tent round him was the dark waters and thick clouds of the skies.

Psalms 104:2You are clothed with light as with a robe; stretching out the heavens like a curtain:

Matthew Henry on Exodus 20:19-22

Terror with Which the Law Was Given. ( b. c. 1491.) 18 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. 19 And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die. 20 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. 21 And the people stood afar off, and… Read the whole commentary →

This Verse In Other Editions

Study Exodus 20:21