Exodus 20:21

The people stood a long way off as Moses went over to the thick, dark cloud where God was.

Free Bible Version

In The King James Version

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

In Context

20Moses told them, “Do not be afraid, for God has only come to test you. He wants you to be in awe of him so that you don't sin.”

22The Lord told Moses, “This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘You saw for yourselves that I spoke with you from heaven.

Read all of Exodus 20

Cross References

Exodus 19:16When morning came on the third day there was thunder and lightning, and a thick cloud covered the mountain. There was the very loud sound of a ram's horn, and everyone in the camp shook with fear.

Deuteronomy 5:22In a loud voice the Lord gave these commandments to all of you, speaking from the fire, the cloud, and the deep darkness that covered the mountain. He didn't add anything else. He wrote them down on two tablets of stone and gave them to me.

2 Chronicles 6:1Then Solomon spoke, “The Lord said that he lives in deep darkness.

Psalms 18:12Hailstones and burning coals flew out from his brightness, passing through his thick clouds.

Psalms 104:2You wear light as your clothing; you stretch out the fabric of the heavens.

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 →

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Study Exodus 20:21