Hebrew Text · Translation · Interlinear · Discourse Structure

The Book of Exodus, Chapter 19שמות 19

Each verse opens with the running Hebrew, an English translation, and a discourse note (its connective, relation, and role in the argument). Below follows the word-by-word breakdown in six tiers: gloss, case/state or parsing, syntax, semantic force, and a lexical note.

Case Nominative Genitive Dative Accusative Vocative Verb (no case) Indeclinable

Discourse notes head each verse: relation · connective · clause-flow. Indentation marks prominence — flush-left = main line of argument; indented = supporting / subordinate material.

Theme

Israel arrives at Sinai and is offered its covenant vocation — treasured possession, kingdom of priests, holy nation — accepted unanimously before any law is spoken. Three days of consecration prepare for YHWH's fire-wrapped descent on the mountain, a theophany so intense that only guarded access makes its holiness bearable.

Translation & textual notes

Exodus 19 is textually well preserved in the Masoretic tradition, with the Samaritan Pentateuch and the versions (LXX, Targumim, Peshitta, Vulgate) supporting the MT's substance throughout; the chapter's few cruxes are exegetical rather than text-critical. Chief among them is v.9's report that Moses again told the people's words to YHWH (repeating the notice already given in v.8), which many source-critics take as a seam marking two originally distinct strands of the Sinai-approach tradition rather than a corruption of the text; the MT preserves both notices as an intentional inclusio bracketing YHWH's response. The most theologically weighted textual/translational crux is v.6's covenant formula מַמְלֶכֶת כֹּהֲנִים וְגוֹי קָדוֹשׁ, 'a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.' מַמְלָכָה ('kingdom, royal dominion') rather than the simple abstract מְלוּכָה is construed with כֹּהֲנִים ('priests') to fuse royal and priestly categories in a single compound epithet, paralleled by גּוֹי קָדוֹשׁ — 'nation' (גּוֹי, elsewhere typically used of Gentile political bodies) qualified by 'holy' (קָדוֹשׁ, from the root of separation/consecration). The LXX renders the phrase βασίλειον ἱεράτευμα καὶ ἔθνος ἅγιον, a translation choice ('royal priesthood' rather than 'kingdom of priests') that becomes determinative for the phrase's reception history when it is quoted almost verbatim in 1 Peter 2:9 and applied to the Christian community; the underlying Hebrew construct, by contrast, more naturally denotes a body politic whose vocation is priestly mediation to the nations rather than a caste of royal priests within Israel itself. The chapter's second major concentration of interest is its theophany vocabulary in vv.16-19, deployed with careful escalation: קֹלֹת ('thunders/voices,' the plural of the same קוֹל used elsewhere in the chapter for God's articulate 'voice,' vv.5,9,19, deliberately blurring storm-noise and speech) and בְּרָקִים ('lightnings') are stock ancient Near Eastern storm-theophany pairs, echoed in the poetic Sinai recollections of Psalms 18, 29, and 97; עָנָן כָּבֵד, the 'thick/heavy cloud,' shares its adjective כָּבֵד with כָּבוֹד ('glory'), linking the cloud's visible density to the weight of divine presence first introduced at v.9's promise; קֹל שֹׁפָר, the 'sound of the ram's horn,' escalates in v.19 to the idiom הוֹלֵךְ וְחָזֵק מְאֹד ('growing louder and louder'), building tension into the dialogue between Moses and God; and the mountain's own response is narrated in two stages — עָשָׁן ('smoke') rising כְּעֶשֶׁן הַכִּבְשָׁן ('like the smoke of a furnace/kiln,' an industrial simile echoed of Sodom's destruction in Gen 19:28 and of Egypt itself as an 'iron furnace' in Deut 4:20), and חָרַד ('to quake, tremble'), used first of the people (v.16) and then, in a striking personification, of the mountain itself (v.18) as YHWH descends (יָרַד, the chapter's pivotal verb of theophanic condescension, repeated at vv.11,18,20). Later biblical reflection on this scene (Deut 4:11-12,33,36; 5:4-5,22-26; Heb 12:18-21) consistently singles out precisely this cluster — fire, cloud, darkness, thunder, the trumpet, and the people's terror — as definitive of what it meant that Israel heard the voice of the living God out of the midst of the fire and lived.

1

בַּחֹ֨דֶשׁ֙ הַשְּׁלִישִׁ֔י לְצֵ֥את בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל מֵאֶ֣רֶץ מִצְרָ֑יִם בַּיּ֣וֹם הַזֶּ֔ה בָּ֖אוּ מִדְבַּ֥ר סִינָֽי

In the third month after the sons of Israel had gone out from the land of Egypt, on this very day they came to the wilderness of Sinai.

Itinerary notice opening the chapterasyndeton
A dating formula (third month, this day) fixes Israel's arrival at Sinai with unusual precision for a wilderness itinerary, signaling that a major narrative unit — lasting through Numbers 10 — is about to begin.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
בַּחֹ֨דֶשׁ֙in the monthprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · חֹדֶשׁ (H2320)Temporal prepositional phrase (fronted, dating formula)חֹדֶשׁ (H2320) 'month, new moon', from חדש 'new'; the month reckoned from the new moon — here anchors Israel's arrival at Sinai to a precise point on the wilderness itinerary.
הַשְּׁלִישִׁ֔יthe thirdart + ordinal Aomsa · שְׁלִישִׁי (H7992)Attributive adjective (modifying חֹדֶשׁ)שְׁלִישִׁי (H7992) 'third', ordinal from שָׁלוֹשׁ 'three'; traditionally Sivan, roughly seven weeks after the Exodus — later the terminus of the fifty-day count formalized as Shavuot.
לְצֵ֥אתthe going out / when ... went outprep לְ + Qal inf constr · יָצָא (H3318)Temporal infinitival clause (dating the month)→ Infinitive: verbal noun marking a temporal reference pointיָצָא (H3318) 'to go out'; the standard verb for the Exodus itself (יְצִיאַת מִצְרַיִם), used here to date the chapter relative to the departure from Egypt.
בְּנֵיthe sons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Subject of לָצֵאת (construct chain)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; construct plural heading 'sons of Israel,' the nation's standard corporate designation.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖לIsraelproper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive (construct chain with בְּנֵי)יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478), the covenant name given to Jacob (Gen 32:29); here the nation descended from him.
מֵאֶ֣רֶץfrom the land ofprep מִן + N (c) sg constr · אֶרֶץ (H776)Source prepositional phrase (construct chain)אֶרֶץ (H776) 'land, earth'; construct with מִצְרַיִם, 'land of Egypt' — the place of bondage now left behind.
מִצְרָ֑יִםEgyptproper noun (dual form) · מִצְרַיִם (H4714)Genitive (construct chain with אֶרֶץ)מִצְרַיִם (H4714) 'Egypt'; the house of bondage from which YHWH brought Israel out (echoed in v.4).
בַּיּ֣וֹםon the dayprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · יוֹם (H3117)Temporal prepositional phrase (resumptive dating)יוֹם (H3117) 'day'; with the demonstrative הַזֶּה, 'this very day' — a precise resumption of the itinerary notice.
הַזֶּ֔הthisart + demonstr Pdxms · זֶה (H2088)Attributive demonstrative (modifying יוֹם)זֶה (H2088) demonstrative 'this'; anchors the notice to a specific calendar day within the third month.
בָּ֖אוּthey cameQal perf 3cp · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: a completed arrival, the itinerary notice's main verbבּוֹא (H935) 'to come, arrive'; the standard itinerary verb marking the completion of a stage (repeated in v.2).
מִדְבַּ֥רthe wilderness ofN m sg constr · מִדְבָּר (H4057)Adverbial accusative of place (construct chain, goal of motion)מִדְבָּר (H4057) 'wilderness, steppe'; construct with סִינַי — the wilderness of Sinai, locus of the entire Sinai pericope (Exod 19–Num 10).
סִינָֽיSinaiproper noun · סִינַי (H5514)Genitive (construct chain with מִדְבַּר)סִינַי (H5514) 'Sinai'; the mountain/wilderness region of the theophany and covenant-giving, etymology disputed (perhaps linked to סְנֶה 'bush').
2

וַיִּסְע֣וּ מֵרְפִידִ֗ים וַיָּבֹ֨אוּ֙ מִדְבַּ֣ר סִינַ֔י וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּ בַּמִּדְבָּ֑ר וַיִּֽחַן שָׁ֥ם יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל נֶ֥גֶד הָהָֽר

And they set out from Rephidim and came to the wilderness of Sinai, and they camped in the wilderness; and Israel camped there in front of the mountain.

Itinerary notice continuing v.1asyndeton
A tightly patterned wayyiqtol chain (journeyed—came—encamped—encamped) narrates Israel's final approach to Sinai; the shift to the singular וַיִּחַן dramatizes the camp's arrival as one unified event, setting the stage for the mountain encounter.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
וַיִּסְע֣וּand they journeyedwaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · נָסַע (H5265)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main verb)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceנָסַע (H5265) 'to pull up tent pegs, set out, journey'; the standard verb for breaking camp in wilderness itinerary lists.
מֵרְפִידִ֗יםfrom Rephidimprep מִן + proper noun · רְפִידִים (H7508)Source prepositional phraseרְפִידִים (H7508) 'Rephidim', the prior encampment (Exod 17) of the Amalek battle and the water from the rock — the stage immediately preceding Sinai.
וַיָּבֹ֨אוּ֙and they camewaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · בּוֹא (H935)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceבּוֹא (H935); see v.1 — here narrating the movement itself rather than dating it.
מִדְבַּ֣רthe wilderness ofN m sg constr · מִדְבָּר (H4057)Adverbial accusative of place (construct chain)מִדְבָּר (H4057); see v.1.
סִינַ֔יSinaiproper noun · סִינַי (H5514)Genitive (construct chain)סִינַי (H5514); see v.1.
וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּand they encampedwaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · חָנָה (H2583)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceחָנָה (H2583) 'to encamp, pitch camp'; completes the three-stage itinerary formula (journey—arrive—encamp).
בַּמִּדְבָּ֑רin the wildernessprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · מִדְבָּר (H4057)Locative prepositional phraseמִדְבָּר (H4057); here the generic 'the wilderness' rather than construct with Sinai.
וַיִּֽחַןand ... encampedwaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · חָנָה (H2583)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (singular, resumptive)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — shift to singular personifies Israel as one campחָנָה (H2583); the shift from plural וַיַּחֲנוּ to singular וַיִּחַן with יִשְׂרָאֵל as subject stresses Israel's unified encampment before the mountain.
שָׁ֥םthereadverb · שָׁם (H8033)Locative adverbשָׁם (H8033) 'there'; specifies the location of the encampment just named.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖לIsraelproper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Subject of וַיִּחַןיִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478); see v.1 — the nation as a single grammatical subject.
נֶ֥גֶדin front ofpreposition · נֶגֶד (H5048)Locative prepositional phraseנֶגֶד (H5048) 'in front of, opposite, facing'; positions Israel directly before the mountain, poised for the encounter to come.
הָהָֽרthe mountainart + N m sg abs · הַר (H2022)Object of preposition נֶגֶדהַר (H2022) 'mountain'; here Sinai/Horeb, called simply 'the mountain' throughout the chapter — its central geographic and theological focus.
3

וּמֹשֶׁ֥ה עָלָ֖ה אֶל הָאֱלֹהִ֑ים וַיִּקְרָ֨א אֵלָ֤יו יְהוָה֙ מִן הָהָ֣ר לֵאמֹ֔ר כֹּ֤ה תֹאמַר֙ לְבֵ֣ית יַעֲקֹ֔ב וְתַגֵּ֖יד לִבְנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל

And Moses went up to God, and YHWH called to him from the mountain, saying, 'Thus shall you say to the house of Jacob, and tell the sons of Israel:'

New scene: Moses' ascent and first divine speechasyndeton
A disjunctive-waw clause (וּמֹשֶׁה עָלָה) shifts the camera from the encamped nation to Moses alone, whose ascent initiates the chapter's repeated up/down mediatorial pattern; the double messenger formula formally commissions him as spokesman before the speech itself (vv.4-6) is given.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
וּמֹשֶׁ֥הand Mosesconj וְ + proper noun · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Subject (fronted, disjunctive waw — new scene)מֹשֶׁה (H4872) 'Moses'; the fronted subject with disjunctive waw marks a scene-shift from the people's encampment to Moses' individual ascent.
עָלָ֖הwent upQal perf 3ms · עָלָה (H5927)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: a completed, decisive ascentעָלָה (H5927) 'to go up, ascend'; the chapter's key verb of mediatorial movement — Moses repeatedly ascends and descends (vv.3,8,14,20,24-25) as sole intermediary.
אֶלtopreposition · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase (goal)אֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; directional preposition governing הָאֱלֹהִים.
הָאֱלֹהִ֑יםGodart + N m pl abs · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Object of preposition אֶלאֱלֹהִים (H430) with article, 'the God'; Moses ascends 'to God' even before being summoned by name, anticipating the intimacy that will mark this chapter.
וַיִּקְרָ֨אand ... calledwaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · קָרָא (H7121)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceקָרָא (H7121) 'to call, summon'; introduces the first of several divine speeches in this chapter.
אֵלָ֤יוto himprep אֶל + Sp3msPrepositional phrase (indirect object)אֶל + 3ms suffix, 'to him'; refers back to Moses.
יְהוָה֙YHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of וַיִּקְרָאיְהוָה (H3068), Israel's covenant name revealed at the burning bush (Exod 3:14-15); used consistently through this chapter for the God speaking from the mountain.
מִןfrompreposition · מִן (H4480)Source prepositional phraseמִן (H4480) 'from, out of'; marks the mountain as the source of the divine voice.
הָהָ֣רthe mountainart + N m sg abs · הַר (H2022)Object of preposition מִןהַר (H2022); see v.2.
לֵאמֹ֔רsayingprep לְ + Qal inf constr · אָמַר (H559)Infinitival clause introducing direct speech→ Infinitive: formulaic quotative markerאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; the standard formula introducing direct discourse, here opening God's first speech to Moses at Sinai.
כֹּ֤הthusadverb · כֹּה (H3541)Manner adverb (quotative formula)כֹּה (H3541) 'thus, so'; opens the classic messenger formula כֹּה תֹאמַר, 'thus you shall say' — Moses cast as YHWH's spokesman to the people.
תֹאמַר֙you shall sayQal impf 2ms · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (imperatival future, messenger formula)→ Yiqtol: modal/directive — a command cast as futureאָמַר (H559); see לֵאמֹר above — the messenger-formula verb commissioning Moses to relay the message verbatim.
לְבֵ֣יתto the house ofprep לְ + N m sg constr · בַּיִת (H1004)Indirect object (construct chain)בַּיִת (H1004) 'house'; construct 'house of Jacob,' a poetic designation for Israel as an extended family, paralleling 'sons of Israel.'
יַעֲקֹ֔בJacobproper noun · יַעֲקֹב (H3290)Genitive (construct chain)יַעֲקֹב (H3290), the patriarch renamed Israel (Gen 32:29); 'house of Jacob' evokes the family/ancestral dimension of the nation now addressed.
וְתַגֵּ֖ידand you shall tellwaw + Hiphil impf 2ms · נָגַד (H5046)Predicate verb (coordinate with תֹאמַר)→ Yiqtol: modal/directive, parallel commandנָגַד (H5046) Hiphil 'to declare, report, tell'; synonymous parallel to אָמַר, reinforcing the commission through repetition.
לִבְנֵ֥יto the sons ofprep לְ + N m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Indirect object (construct chain)בֵּן (H1121); see v.1 — 'sons of Israel,' parallel to 'house of Jacob,' together a merism for the whole nation.
יִשְׂרָאֵֽלIsraelproper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive (construct chain)יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478); see v.1.
4

אַתֶּ֣ם רְאִיתֶ֔ם אֲשֶׁ֥ר עָשִׂ֖יתִי לְמִצְרָ֑יִם וָאֶשָּׂ֤א אֶתְכֶם֙ עַל כַּנְפֵ֣י נְשָׁרִ֔ים וָאָבִ֥א אֶתְכֶ֖ם אֵלָֽי

You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles' wings and brought you to myself.

Historical prologue grounding the covenant offer, asyndeticasyndeton
Structured like the historical prologue of an ancient treaty, v.4 recounts the suzerain's prior benefactions (judgment on Egypt, tender rescue) as the basis for the stipulations about to follow; the eagles'-wings image recurs at Deut 32:11 as paradigmatic of YHWH's care.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
אַתֶּ֣םyouindependent pronoun 2mp · אַתֶּם (H859)Subject (fronted, emphatic)אַתֶּם (H859); fronted independent pronoun — 'YOU yourselves have seen,' stressing Israel's own eyewitness experience of the exodus.
רְאִיתֶ֔םyou have seenQal perf 2mp · רָאָה (H7200)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: a completed act of witnessing, grounding the appeal that followsרָאָה (H7200) 'to see'; appeals to firsthand experience — the exodus as something Israel itself witnessed, the epistemic basis for the covenant offer.
אֲשֶׁ֥רwhat / that whichrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing object clauseאֲשֶׁר (H834) relative particle; introduces the content of what was seen.
עָשִׂ֖יתִיI didQal perf 1cs · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb (relative clause)→ Perfective: a completed divine actעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do, make'; here of God's judicial acts against Egypt (plagues, sea) — first person stresses YHWH as direct agent.
לְמִצְרָ֑יִםto Egyptprep לְ + proper noun · מִצְרַיִם (H4714)Indirect object prepositional phraseמִצְרַיִם (H4714); see v.1 — recipient of YHWH's judgment, contrasted with Israel who receives deliverance.
וָאֶשָּׂ֤אand I carriedwaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 1cs · נָשָׂא (H5375)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (first-person divine speech)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — God recounting his own saving actsנָשָׂא (H5375) 'to lift, carry, bear'; the verb behind the 'eagles' wings' image — tender, effortless, protective transport, not mere rescue.
אֶתְכֶם֙[obj] youobj marker + Sp2mp · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker + pronoun (direct object of וָאֶשָּׂא)אֵת (H853) fused with 2mp suffix, functioning as the direct-object pronoun 'you'; marks Israel as the definite object of YHWH's carrying action.
עַלonpreposition · עַל (H5921)Locative prepositional phraseעַל (H5921) 'on, upon'; introduces the instrument image, 'on eagles' wings.'
כַּנְפֵ֣יwings ofN f dual constr · כָּנָף (H3671)Object of preposition עַל (construct chain)כָּנָף (H3671) 'wing, extremity'; dual construct — a vivid image of swift, secure, elevated carrying, distinct from ordinary travel.
נְשָׁרִ֔יםeaglesN m pl abs · נֶשֶׁר (H5404)Genitive (construct chain)נֶשֶׁר (H5404) 'eagle, vulture' (likely griffon vulture); proverbial for swift, powerful, protective flight (cf. Deut 32:11) — a maternal image of care contrasted with Egypt's harshness.
וָאָבִ֥אand I broughtwaw-consec + Hiphil wayyiqtol 1cs · בּוֹא (H935)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance, causative — 'caused to come'בּוֹא (H935) Hiphil 'to bring, cause to enter'; the goal-verb completing the image — not just carried, but brought all the way to God himself.
אֶתְכֶ֖ם[obj] youobj marker + Sp2mp · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker + pronoun (direct object of וָאָבִא)אֵת + 2mp suffix; see above.
אֵלָֽיto myselfprep אֶל + Sp1csPrepositional phrase (goal, first person)אֶל + 1cs suffix, 'to me'; the journey's true destination is God's own presence, anticipating the covenant relationship offered in vv.5-6.
5

וְעַתָּ֗ה אִם שָׁמ֤וֹעַ תִּשְׁמְעוּ֙ בְּקֹלִ֔י וּשְׁמַרְתֶּ֖ם אֶת בְּרִיתִ֑י וִהְיִ֨יתֶם לִ֤י סְגֻלָּה֙ מִכָּל הָ֣עַמִּ֔ים כִּי לִ֖י כָּל הָאָֽרֶץ

And now, if you will indeed listen to my voice and keep my covenant, then you shall be my treasured possession among all the peoples, for all the earth is mine;

Hinge: from historical prologue to covenant stipulationוְעַתָּה
עַתָּה is the classic hinge-particle of ancient covenant rhetoric, pivoting from what YHWH has done (v.4) to what is now conditionally offered; the infinitive-absolute intensifier (שָׁמוֹעַ תִּשְׁמְעוּ) makes the condition emphatic — genuine, wholehearted obedience, not mere compliance.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
וְעַתָּ֗הand nowconj וְ + adverb · עַתָּה (H6258)Discourse marker introducing the apodictic offerעַתָּה (H6258) 'now'; classic hinge-particle in Hebrew covenantal rhetoric, pivoting from historical prologue (v.4) to present stipulation (vv.5-6).
אִםifconjunction · אִם (H518)Conditional conjunction (protasis)אִם (H518) 'if'; introduces the conditional covenant offer — obedience as the condition for the status about to be named.
שָׁמ֤וֹעַindeedQal inf abs · שָׁמַע (H8085)Infinitive absolute (intensifying the finite verb)→ Infinitive absolute + finite verb: emphatic construction — 'if you will truly listen'שָׁמַע (H8085) 'to hear, listen, obey'; the infinitive absolute before the finite form intensifies the verb, stressing wholehearted obedience.
תִּשְׁמְעוּ֙you will listen/obeyQal impf 2mp · שָׁמַע (H8085)Predicate verb (protasis of conditional)→ Yiqtol: conditional/modal — the condition of the covenant offerשָׁמַע (H8085); in Hebrew, 'hearing' a voice regularly implies obedient response, not mere audition.
בְּקֹלִ֔יto my voiceprep בְּ + N m sg constr/Sp1cs · קוֹל (H6963)Object of verb (prepositional idiom שמע ב)קוֹל (H6963) 'voice, sound'; with 1cs suffix — the object of obedient hearing, echoed in v.9 (the people hearing God speak) and v.19 (God answering in thunderous קוֹל).
וּשְׁמַרְתֶּ֖םand keepwaw + Qal weqatal 2mp · שָׁמַר (H8104)Predicate verb (protasis, coordinate with תִּשְׁמְעוּ)→ Weqatal: continuing the conditional/modal sequence — a further stipulated conditionשָׁמַר (H8104) 'to keep, guard, observe'; paired with שָׁמַע in a common covenantal word-pair, 'hear and keep.'
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking the definite direct object בְּרִיתִי; untranslated.
בְּרִיתִ֑יmy covenantN f sg constr/Sp1cs · בְּרִית (H1285)Direct object of וּשְׁמַרְתֶּםבְּרִית (H1285) 'covenant'; with 1cs suffix — the covenant formally proposed here, continuous with the patriarchal covenant of Gen 15/17.
וִהְיִ֨יתֶםthen you shall bewaw + Qal weqatal 2mp · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (apodosis of conditional)→ Weqatal: apodosis of the conditional — the promised result of obedienceהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become'; introduces the apodosis, the identity Israel will acquire through covenant fidelity.
לִ֤יto me / mineprep לְ + Sp1csPrepositional phrase (possessive, predicate)לְ + 1cs suffix; possessive dative marking Israel as belonging distinctly to YHWH.
סְגֻלָּה֙a treasured possessionN f sg abs · סְגֻלָּה (H5459)Predicate nominative (complement of לִהְיוֹת)סְגֻלָּה (H5459) 'personal/private property, treasured possession'; a term from royal usage for a king's private valuables, applied to Israel's prized status among all nations (cf. Deut 7:6; 14:2; 26:18; Ps 135:4).
מִכָּלmore than / among allprep מִן + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Comparative prepositional phrase (construct chain)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; construct with הָעַמִּים, a comparative/partitive phrase distinguishing Israel from the totality of nations.
הָ֣עַמִּ֔יםthe peoplesart + N m pl abs · עַם (H5971)Genitive (construct chain)עַם (H5971) 'people, nation'; plural 'the peoples' — the other nations against whose totality Israel's election is defined.
כִּיforconjunction · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction introducing ground clauseכִּי (H3588) 'for, because'; grounds Israel's election in a claim about universal divine ownership.
לִ֖יmineprep לְ + Sp1csPredicate possessive (fronted for emphasis)לְ + 1cs suffix; fronted before its subject כָּל הָאָרֶץ for emphasis — 'mine is all the earth.'
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Subject (construct chain)כֹּל (H3605); construct with הָאָרֶץ.
הָאָֽרֶץthe earthart + N (c) sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Genitive (construct chain); subject of the clauseאֶרֶץ (H776) 'earth, land'; universal scope — YHWH's ownership of all the earth is the premise underlying Israel's particular election as his סְגֻלָּה.
6

וְאַתֶּ֧ם תִּהְיוּ לִ֛י מַמְלֶ֥כֶת כֹּהֲנִ֖ים וְג֣וֹי קָד֑וֹשׁ אֵ֚לֶּה הַדְּבָרִ֔ים אֲשֶׁ֥ר תְּדַבֵּ֖ר אֶל בְּנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל

and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. These are the words that you shall speak to the sons of Israel.

Climax of the covenant offer (continues v.5 apodosis)asyndeton
The apodosis reaches its theological climax in the twin epithets 'kingdom of priests' and 'holy nation' — Israel's corporate vocation stated before any law is given; v.6b's closing formula brackets the divine speech begun at v.3's לֵאמֹר, returning to narrative for Moses' descent in v.7.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
וְאַתֶּ֧םand youconj וְ + independent pronoun 2mp · אַתֶּם (H859)Subject (fronted, emphatic, resumes אַתֶּם of v.4)אַתֶּם (H859); fronted independent pronoun continuing the emphatic address begun in v.4 — 'and as for YOU.'
תִּהְיוּyou shall beQal impf 2mp · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (apodosis continuing v.5)→ Yiqtol: modal/future — the promised covenantal identityהָיָה (H1961); see v.5 — continues the apodosis begun in וִהְיִיתֶם, now specifying Israel's identity further.
לִ֛יto meprep לְ + Sp1csPrepositional phrase (possessive dative)לְ + 1cs suffix; see v.5.
מַמְלֶ֥כֶתa kingdom ofN f sg constr · מַמְלָכָה (H4467)Predicate nominative (construct chain)מַמְלָכָה (H4467) 'kingdom, royal dominion'; construct with כֹּהֲנִים — 'a kingdom of priests,' fusing royal and priestly categories; distinct from מְלוּכָה (mere kingship), stressing realm/domain.
כֹּהֲנִ֖יםpriestsN m pl abs · כֹּהֵן (H3548)Genitive (construct chain)כֹּהֵן (H3548) 'priest'; plural, in construct after מַמְלֶכֶת — the whole nation cast in a mediatorial, priestly role toward the nations, anticipating the Aaronic priesthood which narrows (not replaces) this vocation.
וְג֣וֹיand a nationconj וְ + N m sg abs · גּוֹי (H1471)Predicate nominative (coordinate with מַמְלֶכֶת)גּוֹי (H1471) 'nation, people'; typically of foreign/political nations (unlike עַם for kin-based peoplehood) — applied to Israel, framing it as a nation among nations, qualified by קָדוֹשׁ.
קָד֑וֹשׁholyAamsa · קָדוֹשׁ (H6918)Attributive adjective (modifying גּוֹי)קָדוֹשׁ (H6918) 'holy, set apart'; from קדשׁ 'to separate, consecrate' — Israel's vocation is separation unto YHWH's purposes, theological center of the covenant offer.
אֵ֚לֶּהthesedemonstrative pronoun · אֵלֶּה (H428)Subject (demonstrative pronoun)אֵלֶּה (H428) demonstrative plural 'these'; refers back to the preceding divine speech (vv.4-6), closing the citation.
הַדְּבָרִ֔יםthe wordsart + N m pl abs · דָּבָר (H1697)Predicate nominativeדָּבָר (H1697) 'word, thing, matter'; plural 'the words' — a technical term for covenant stipulations throughout Exodus (cf. 20:1; 24:3-4; 34:27-28, 'the ten words').
אֲשֶׁ֥רwhichrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun (introducing relative clause modifying הַדְּבָרִים)אֲשֶׁר (H834); see v.4.
תְּדַבֵּ֖רyou shall speakPiel impf 2ms · דָּבַר (H1696)Predicate verb (relative clause)→ Yiqtol: modal/directive — commissioning Moses' speech actדָּבַר (H1696) Piel 'to speak, declare'; frames Moses' task as verbatim transmission of the divine דְּבָרִים just given.
אֶלtopreposition · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase (indirect object)אֶל (H413); see v.3.
בְּנֵ֥יthe sons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Indirect object (construct chain)בֵּן (H1121); see v.1.
יִשְׂרָאֵֽלIsraelproper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive (construct chain)יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478); see v.1.
7

וַיָּבֹ֣א מֹשֶׁ֔ה וַיִּקְרָ֖א לְזִקְנֵ֣י הָעָ֑ם וַיָּ֣שֶׂם לִפְנֵיהֶ֗ם אֵ֚ת כָּל הַדְּבָרִ֣ים הָאֵ֔לֶּה אֲשֶׁ֥ר צִוָּ֖הוּ יְהוָֽה

So Moses came and summoned the elders of the people and set before them all these words that YHWH had commanded him.

Narrative resumption: transmission to the eldersasyndeton
The chapter's mediatorial chain becomes explicit: YHWH commands Moses (vv.3-6), Moses relays to the elders (v.7), and — implicitly — the elders to the whole people (cf. v.8's collective response), modeling the tiered structure of covenant communication Israel's later institutions will formalize.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
וַיָּבֹ֣אand ... camewaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · בּוֹא (H935)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (resumes narrative after direct speech)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceבּוֹא (H935); here 'came [down]' — resumes the narrative frame after the divine speech, implicitly completing the descent begun by ascending in v.3.
מֹשֶׁ֔הMosesproper noun · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Subjectמֹשֶׁה (H4872); see v.3.
וַיִּקְרָ֖אand ... calledwaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · קָרָא (H7121)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceקָרָא (H7121); see v.3 — here Moses, rather than God, is the one summoning.
לְזִקְנֵ֣יthe elders ofprep לְ + adj/noun m pl constr · זָקֵן (H2205)Indirect object (construct chain)זָקֵן (H2205) 'old, elder'; substantive plural construct 'elders of' — Israel's existing leadership structure serves as intermediary between Moses and the whole people.
הָעָ֑םthe peopleart + N m sg abs · עַם (H5971)Genitive (construct chain)עַם (H5971) 'people'; the standard designation for Israel as a corporate body throughout this chapter.
וַיָּ֣שֶׂםand ... set/placedwaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · שִׂים (H7760)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceשִׂים (H7760) 'to put, place, set'; here idiomatic for formally presenting the terms — the language of covenant proposal.
לִפְנֵיהֶ֗םbefore themprep לְ + N cbpc/Sp3mp · פָּנִים (H6440)Locative prepositional phraseפָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; construct + suffix, idiom 'before, in the presence of' — the terms set openly before the elders for their response.
אֵ֚ת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853); marks הַדְּבָרִים as definite direct object.
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Direct object (construct chain)כֹּל (H3605); see v.5.
הַדְּבָרִ֣יםthe wordsart + N m pl abs · דָּבָר (H1697)Genitive (construct chain); direct object of וַיָּשֶׂםדָּבָר (H1697); see v.6 — 'all these words,' the covenant terms just received.
הָאֵ֔לֶּהtheseart + demonstrative pronoun · אֵלֶּה (H428)Attributive demonstrative (modifying הַדְּבָרִים)אֵלֶּה (H428); see v.6.
אֲשֶׁ֥רwhichrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun (introducing relative clause)אֲשֶׁר (H834); see v.4.
צִוָּ֖הוּhe had commanded himPiel perf 3ms + 3ms suffix · צָוָה (H6680)Predicate verb (relative clause)→ Perfective: a completed act of commissioning, prior to Moses' present actionצָוָה (H6680) Piel 'to command, charge, commission'; standard verb for divine instruction — here with 3ms object suffix, 'commanded him.'
יְהוָֽהYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of צִוָּהוּיְהוָה (H3068); see v.3.
8

וַיַּעֲנ֨וּ כָל הָעָ֤ם יַחְדָּו֙ וַיֹּ֣אמְר֔וּ כֹּ֛ל אֲשֶׁר דִּבֶּ֥ר יְהוָ֖ה נַעֲשֶׂ֑ה וַיָּ֧שֶׁב מֹשֶׁ֛ה אֶת דִּבְרֵ֥י הָעָ֖ם אֶל יְהוָֽה

And all the people answered together and said, 'All that YHWH has spoken we will do.' And Moses brought back the words of the people to YHWH.

Israel's unanimous acceptance, closing the covenant-offer cycleasyndeton
The people's terse, unanimous vow (כֹּל אֲשֶׁר דִּבֶּר יְהוָה נַעֲשֶׂה) closes the offer-and-response cycle begun in v.3, and Moses' shuttling of their answer back to YHWH completes one full round of the mediatorial pattern that structures the rest of the chapter.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
וַיַּעֲנ֨וּand ... answeredwaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · עָנָה (H6030)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main verb)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceעָנָה (H6030) 'to answer, respond'; the people's collective, immediate reply to the terms just presented (v.7).
כָלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Subject (construct chain)כֹּל (H3605); construct with הָעָם — 'all the people,' stressing the totality of the response.
הָעָ֤םthe peopleart + N m sg abs · עַם (H5971)Genitive (construct chain); subject of וַיַּעֲנוּעַם (H5971); see v.7.
יַחְדָּו֙togetheradverb · יַחְדָּו (H3162)Manner adverb (modifying וַיַּעֲנוּ)יַחְדָּו (H3162) 'together, as one'; underscores the unanimity of Israel's acceptance — no dissent recorded.
וַיֹּ֣אמְר֔וּand saidwaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559); see v.3 — introduces the people's direct-speech acceptance formula.
כֹּ֛לallN m sg abs · כֹּל (H3605)Subject (relative clause head)כֹּל (H3605); here absolute, 'all that...' — the object of the people's vow.
אֲשֶׁרthat / whichrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing relative clauseאֲשֶׁר (H834); see v.4.
דִּבֶּ֥רhas spokenPiel perf 3ms · דָּבַר (H1696)Predicate verb (relative clause)→ Perfective: a completed act of speech, the content now acceptedדָּבַר (H1696); see v.6 — of YHWH's spoken terms, sight-unseen accepted by the people (the details of ch.20ff. not yet given).
יְהוָ֖הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of דִּבֶּריְהוָה (H3068); see v.3.
נַעֲשֶׂ֑הwe will doQal impf 1cp · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb (main clause, people's vow)→ Yiqtol: volitional/cohortative — a solemn communal commitmentעָשָׂה (H6213); see v.4 — the people's vow of obedience, echoed verbatim at Exod 24:3,7 (נַעֲשֶׂה וְנִשְׁמָע).
וַיָּ֧שֶׁבand ... brought backwaw-consec + Hiphil wayyiqtol 3ms · שׁוּב (H7725)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance, causativeשׁוּב (H7725) Hiphil 'to bring back, return (something)'; Moses relays the people's response back up the mediatorial chain to YHWH.
מֹשֶׁ֛הMosesproper noun · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Subjectמֹשֶׁה (H4872); see v.3.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853); marks דִּבְרֵי הָעָם as definite direct object.
דִּבְרֵ֥יthe words ofN m pl constr · דָּבָר (H1697)Direct object (construct chain)דָּבָר (H1697); see v.6 — 'words of the people,' their response now itself relayed as דְּבָרִים.
הָעָ֖םthe peopleart + N m sg abs · עַם (H5971)Genitive (construct chain)עַם (H5971); see v.7.
אֶלtopreposition · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase (goal)אֶל (H413); see v.3.
יְהוָֽהYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Object of preposition אֶליְהוָה (H3068); see v.3.
9

וַיֹּ֨אמֶר יְהוָ֜ה אֶל מֹשֶׁ֗ה הִנֵּ֨ה אָנֹכִ֜י בָּ֣א אֵלֶיךָ֮ בְּעַ֣ב הֶֽעָנָן֒ בַּעֲב֞וּר יִשְׁמַ֤ע הָעָם֙ בְּדַבְּרִ֣י עִמָּ֔ךְ וְגַם בְּךָ֖ יַאֲמִ֣ינוּ לְעוֹלָ֑ם וַיַּגֵּ֥ד מֹשֶׁ֛ה אֶת דִּבְרֵ֥י הָעָ֖ם אֶל יְהוָֽה

And YHWH said to Moses, 'Behold, I am coming to you in a thick cloud, so that the people may hear when I speak with you, and may also believe in you forever.' And Moses told the words of the people to YHWH.

YHWH announces the theophany's purpose; narrative closes with reportasyndeton
YHWH's response to Israel's vow (v.8) is not law but a promise of self-disclosure: the thick cloud both conceals and validates, aiming at two results — the people's direct audition of God's voice and permanent trust in Moses; the verse closes by again reporting Moses relaying the people's words, forming an inclusio with v.8 that seals the negotiation phase before the three-day preparation (vv.10-15).
Word-by-word analysis· 26 words
וַיֹּ֨אמֶרand ... saidwaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559); see v.3 — introduces YHWH's response, announcing the coming theophany.
יְהוָ֜הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of וַיֹּאמֶריְהוָה (H3068); see v.3.
אֶלtopreposition · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase (indirect object)אֶל (H413); see v.3.
מֹשֶׁ֗הMosesproper noun · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Object of preposition אֶלמֹשֶׁה (H4872); see v.3.
הִנֵּ֨הbeholdpresentative particle · הִנֵּה (H2009)Presentative particle (introducing divine announcement)הִנֵּה (H2009) presentative 'behold, here, look'; announces the imminent theophany with vivid immediacy.
אָנֹכִ֜יIindependent pronoun 1cs · אָנֹכִי (H595)Subject (independent pronoun, emphatic with participle)אָנֹכִי (H595) emphatic 1cs pronoun; paired with the participle בָּא for vivid, near-present force — 'I am about to come.'
בָּ֣אcomingQal ptc ms abs · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate participle (with אָנֹכִי, imminent/progressive)→ Participle: imminent/progressive action — the theophany about to unfoldבּוֹא (H935); see v.1 — the participle marks the divine approach as immediately impending, not a distant future event.
אֵלֶיךָ֮to youprep אֶל + Sp2msPrepositional phrase (goal)אֶל + 2ms suffix, 'to you [Moses]'; the theophany is directed toward Moses even as it is staged for the people's benefit (v.9b).
בְּעַ֣בin the thickness ofprep בְּ + N f/c sg constr · עָב (H5645)Locative/instrumental prepositional phrase (construct chain)עָב (H5645) 'thick cloud, cloud-mass'; construct with הֶעָנָן, 'the thickness of the cloud' — a dense, opaque cloud that conceals even as it reveals.
הֶֽעָנָן֒the cloudart + N m sg abs · עָנָן (H6051)Genitive (construct chain)עָנָן (H6051) 'cloud'; the cloud of theophany, distinct from ordinary weather — the visible sign of divine presence dominating vv.9,16,18.
בַּעֲב֞וּרso that / for the sake ofprep בְּ + N m sg constr · עֲבוּר (H5668)Purpose prepositional phrase (construct, governing following clause)עֲבוּר (H5668) 'sake, purpose'; with בְּ forms the purpose conjunction 'in order that' — states the theophany's rationale.
יִשְׁמַ֤עmay hearQal impf 3ms · שָׁמַע (H8085)Predicate verb (purpose clause)→ Yiqtol: purposive/result — the goal of the theophanyשָׁמַע (H8085); see v.5 — the purpose is that the people themselves hear the divine voice directly, not secondhand.
הָעָם֙the peopleart + N m sg abs · עַם (H5971)Subject of יִשְׁמַעעַם (H5971); see v.7.
בְּדַבְּרִ֣יwhen I speakprep בְּ + Piel inf constr + Sp1cs · דָּבַר (H1696)Temporal infinitival clause (with Moses as addressee)→ Infinitive: temporal circumstance — concurrent with YHWH's speakingדָּבַר (H1696); see v.6 — the people will overhear (though not directly participate in) YHWH's speech to Moses.
עִמָּ֔ךְwith youprep עִם + Sp2fsPrepositional phrase (accompaniment)עִם (H5973) 'with'; marks Moses as YHWH's conversation partner, the people as overhearing witnesses.
וְגַםand alsoconj וְ + adverb · גַּם (H1571)Additive adverb (coordinating a second purpose)גַּם (H1571) 'also, even, too'; adds a second purpose — not only hearing, but lasting trust in Moses' mediatorial role.
בְּךָ֖in youprep בְּ + Sp2msPrepositional phrase (object of trust)בְּ + 2ms suffix, 'in you [Moses]'; the object of the people's belief — trust in Moses as YHWH's authentic spokesman.
יַאֲמִ֣ינוּmay believeHiphil impf 3mp · אָמַן (H539)Predicate verb (purpose clause, coordinate with יִשְׁמַע)→ Yiqtol: purposive — the theophany's ultimate aim, enduring trustאָמַן (H539) Hiphil 'to believe, trust'; root of אָמֵן — the theophany aims to secure lasting faith in Moses' prophetic authority (cf. Exod 4:1,5).
לְעוֹלָ֑םforeverprep לְ + N m sg abs · עוֹלָם (H5769)Temporal prepositional phrase (duration)עוֹלָם (H5769) 'long duration, forever'; stresses that this public, audible theophany is meant to ground Moses' credibility permanently.
וַיַּגֵּ֥דand ... toldwaw-consec + Hiphil wayyiqtol 3ms · נָגַד (H5046)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceנָגַד (H5046); see v.3 — Moses reports the people's words back to YHWH, closing the exchange.
מֹשֶׁ֛הMosesproper noun · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Subjectמֹשֶׁה (H4872); see v.3.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853); marks דִּבְרֵי הָעָם as definite direct object.
דִּבְרֵ֥יthe words ofN m pl constr · דָּבָר (H1697)Direct object (construct chain)דָּבָר (H1697); see v.6.
הָעָ֖םthe peopleart + N m sg abs · עַם (H5971)Genitive (construct chain)עַם (H5971); see v.7.
אֶלtopreposition · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase (goal)אֶל (H413); see v.3.
יְהוָֽהYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Object of preposition אֶליְהוָה (H3068); see v.3.
10

וַיֹּ֨אמֶר יְהוָ֤ה אֶל מֹשֶׁה֙ לֵ֣ךְ אֶל הָעָ֔ם וְקִדַּשְׁתָּ֥ם הַיּ֖וֹם וּמָחָ֑ר וְכִבְּס֖וּ שִׂמְלֹתָֽם

And YHWH said to Moses, 'Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow, and let them wash their garments,

YHWH's second command: three-day consecration beginsasyndeton
The command shifts register from covenant offer (vv.3-9) to ritual instruction: sanctification is enacted through concrete, embodied acts (washing garments) rather than abstract disposition alone, previewing the fuller boundary-setting of vv.12-15.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
וַיֹּ֨אמֶרand ... saidwaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559); see v.3 — introduces YHWH's second command, the consecration instructions.
יְהוָ֤הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of וַיֹּאמֶריְהוָה (H3068); see v.3.
אֶלtopreposition · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase (indirect object)אֶל (H413); see v.3.
מֹשֶׁה֙Mosesproper noun · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Object of preposition אֶלמֹשֶׁה (H4872); see v.3.
לֵ֣ךְgoQal impv 2ms (defective for יָלַךְ) · הָלַךְ/יָלַךְ (H3212)Predicate verb (imperative, main command)→ Imperative: direct commandהָלַךְ (H3212, defective form) 'to go, walk'; an abrupt imperative launching Moses' next descent-and-return errand.
אֶלtopreposition · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase (goal)אֶל (H413); see v.3.
הָעָ֔םthe peopleart + N m sg abs · עַם (H5971)Object of preposition אֶלעַם (H5971); see v.7.
וְקִדַּשְׁתָּ֥םand consecrate themwaw + Piel weqatal 2ms + Sp3mp · קָדַשׁ (H6942)Predicate verb (coordinate command, weqatal continuing imperative)→ Weqatal: continuing the imperatival sequence — a further commandקָדַשׁ (H6942) Piel 'to consecrate, sanctify, set apart'; ritual preparation making the people fit to encounter YHWH's holiness — enacts procedurally the קָדוֹשׁ of v.6.
הַיּ֖וֹםtodayart + N m sg abs · יוֹם (H3117)Temporal accusative (duration)יוֹם (H3117); with article, 'today' — the first of the appointed three days (cf. v.11).
וּמָחָ֑רand tomorrowconj וְ + N m sg abs · מָחָר (H4279)Temporal accusative (coordinate with הַיּוֹם)מָחָר (H4279) 'tomorrow'; the second day of consecration, building toward the third-day theophany (vv.11,16).
וְכִבְּס֖וּand let them washwaw + Piel weqatal 3cp · כָּבַס (H3526)Predicate verb (coordinate command, jussive force)→ Weqatal: continuing the command sequenceכָּבַס (H3526) Piel 'to wash, launder' (of clothing, distinct from רָחַץ for the body); ritual laundering as a tangible sign of the inward consecration commanded.
שִׂמְלֹתָֽםtheir garmentsN f pl constr + Sp3mp · שִׂמְלָה (H8071)Direct object of וְכִבְּסוּשִׂמְלָה (H8071) 'garment, cloak'; outer clothing washed as ritual preparation for meeting the holy God (cf. Gen 35:2 before the theophany at Bethel).
11

וְהָי֥וּ נְכֹנִ֖ים לַיּ֣וֹם הַשְּׁלִישִׁ֑י כִּ֣י בַּיּ֣וֹם הַשְּׁלִישִׁ֗י יֵרֵ֧ד יְהוָ֛ה לְעֵינֵ֥י כָל הָעָ֖ם עַל הַ֥ר סִינָֽי

and be ready for the third day, for on the third day YHWH will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people.

Purpose/rationale for the readiness commandכִּי
כִּי introduces the theological rationale for the preceding imperative: readiness is required because YHWH himself will descend visibly — the first explicit statement of the public, empirically witnessed nature of the Sinai theophany, in contrast to Moses' private encounters at the bush and elsewhere.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
וְהָי֥וּand let them bewaw + Qal weqatal 3cp · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (coordinate command, jussive force)→ Weqatal: continuing the command sequenceהָיָה (H1961); see v.5 — here 'be ready,' introducing the state required by the appointed day.
נְכֹנִ֖יםreadyNiphal ptc mp abs · כּוּן (H3559)Predicate participle (complement of וְהָיוּ)→ Participle: resultative state — a condition of preparedness to be achievedכּוּן (H3559) Niphal 'to be established, fixed, ready'; the settled state of readiness the people must reach by the appointed day.
לַיּ֣וֹםfor the dayprep לְ + art + N m sg abs · יוֹם (H3117)Temporal prepositional phrase (goal)יוֹם (H3117); see v.10 — 'for the third day,' the deadline of the preparation.
הַשְּׁלִישִׁ֑יthe thirdart + ordinal Aomsa · שְׁלִישִׁי (H7992)Attributive adjective (modifying יוֹם)שְׁלִישִׁי (H7992); see v.1 — here counting the three days of consecration (vv.10-11,15-16), not the calendar month.
כִּ֣יforconjunction · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction introducing ground clauseכִּי (H3588); see v.5 — grounds the readiness command in the theophany about to occur.
בַּיּ֣וֹםon the dayprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · יוֹם (H3117)Temporal prepositional phraseיוֹם (H3117); resumptive, echoing the preceding phrase.
הַשְּׁלִישִׁ֗יthe thirdart + ordinal Aomsa · שְׁלִישִׁי (H7992)Attributive adjective (modifying יוֹם)שְׁלִישִׁי (H7992); repetition for emphasis, underscoring the fixed timetable of the theophany.
יֵרֵ֧דwill come downQal impf 3ms · יָרַד (H3381)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol: future/predictive — the announced theophanyיָרַד (H3381) 'to go down, descend'; the pivotal verb of theophanic condescension, repeated at vv.18,20 — transcendence made immanent at a specific place and moment.
יְהוָ֛הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of יֵרֵדיְהוָה (H3068); see v.3.
לְעֵינֵ֥יin the sight ofprep לְ + N f/c dual constr · עַיִן (H5869)Locative/manner prepositional phrase (construct chain)עַיִן (H5869) 'eye'; dual construct idiom 'in the eyes of,' i.e. visibly, publicly — the descent will be witnessed, not hidden.
כָלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Genitive (construct chain)כֹּל (H3605); see v.5 — 'all the people,' universal witness.
הָעָ֖םthe peopleart + N m sg abs · עַם (H5971)Genitive (construct chain)עַם (H5971); see v.7.
עַלonpreposition · עַל (H5921)Locative prepositional phraseעַל (H5921); see v.4 — marks the mountain as the site of descent.
הַ֥רMountN m sg constr · הַר (H2022)Object of preposition עַל (construct chain)הַר (H2022); see v.2.
סִינָֽיSinaiproper noun · סִינַי (H5514)Genitive (construct chain)סִינַי (H5514); see v.1.
12

וְהִגְבַּלְתָּ֤ אֶת הָעָם֙ סָבִ֣יב לֵאמֹ֔ר הִשָּׁמְר֥וּ לָכֶ֛ם עֲל֥וֹת בָּהָ֖ר וּנְגֹ֣עַ בְּקָצֵ֑הוּ כָּל הַנֹּגֵ֥עַ בָּהָ֖ר מ֥וֹת יוּמָֽת

And you shall set bounds for the people all around, saying, 'Take care not to go up on the mountain or touch the edge of it; whoever touches the mountain shall surely be put to death.

Boundary-setting command with capital sanctionasyndeton
The command escalates from ritual washing (v.10) to a physical, guarded perimeter with a death penalty for trespass — the mountain becomes temporarily sacred space, foreshadowing the tabernacle's later graded zones of holiness.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
וְהִגְבַּלְתָּ֤and you shall set bounds forwaw + Hiphil weqatal 2ms · גָּבַל (H1379)Predicate verb (coordinate command, continuing imperatival series)→ Weqatal: continuing the command sequenceגָּבַל (H1379) Hiphil 'to set a boundary, border off'; establishes a physical perimeter around the mountain, dramatizing the danger of unmediated divine holiness.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853); marks הָעָם as definite direct object.
הָעָם֙the peopleart + N m sg abs · עַם (H5971)Direct object of וְהִגְבַּלְתָּעַם (H5971); see v.7.
סָבִ֣יבaroundN/adverb · סָבִיב (H5439)Adverbial accusative (manner)סָבִיב (H5439) 'round about, surrounding'; specifies the boundary as encircling the whole mountain.
לֵאמֹ֔רsayingprep לְ + Qal inf constr · אָמַר (H559)Infinitival clause introducing direct speech→ Infinitive: formulaic quotative markerאָמַר (H559); see v.3.
הִשָּׁמְר֥וּtake careNiphal impv 2mp · שָׁמַר (H8104)Predicate verb (imperative, direct warning to the people)→ Imperative: urgent reflexive warningשָׁמַר (H8104) Niphal 'to guard oneself, take heed'; a strong reflexive warning formula introducing the mortal danger of approaching the mountain.
לָכֶ֛םfor yourselvesprep לְ + Sp2mpPrepositional phrase (reflexive/ethical dative)לְ + 2mp suffix; reflexive dative reinforcing הִשָּׁמְרוּ — 'watch yourselves.'
עֲל֥וֹתfrom going upQal inf constr · עָלָה (H5927)Infinitival complement (object of הִשָּׁמְרוּ, prohibitive)→ Infinitive: prohibited action specifiedעָלָה (H5927); see v.3 — the first of two prohibited actions (ascending).
בָּהָ֖רon the mountainprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · הַר (H2022)Locative prepositional phraseהַר (H2022); see v.2.
וּנְגֹ֣עַor touchingwaw + Qal inf constr · נָגַע (H5060)Infinitival complement (coordinate, object of הִשָּׁמְרוּ)→ Infinitive: second prohibited actionנָגַע (H5060) 'to touch'; the second prohibition — even minimal contact with the mountain's edge is forbidden.
בְּקָצֵ֑הוּits edgeprep בְּ + N constr + Sp3ms · קָצֶה (H7097)Object of infinitive וּנְגֹעַ (prepositional)קָצֶה (H7097) 'end, edge, border'; even the mountain's outer limit is off-bounds — the boundary itself becomes sacred space.
כָּלwhoeverN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Subject (construct chain, generalizing)כֹּל (H3605); construct forming 'whoever' with the following participle — a generalizing legal formula.
הַנֹּגֵ֥עַthe one who touchesart + Qal ptc ms abs · נָגַע (H5060)Substantival participle (subject, generalizing 'whoever touches')→ Participle: generic/habitual — a legal-formula categoryנָגַע (H5060); see above — participial form typical of Hebrew casuistic/apodictic law ('the one who touches...').
בָּהָ֖רthe mountainprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · הַר (H2022)Object of participle הַנֹּגֵעַ (prepositional)הַר (H2022); see v.2.
מ֥וֹתsurelyQal inf abs · מוּת (H4191)Infinitive absolute (intensifying the finite verb)→ Infinitive absolute + finite verb: emphatic construction — certain, inescapable deathמוּת (H4191) 'to die'; the infinitive absolute before the Hophal finite form makes the death sentence emphatic and certain.
יוּמָֽתshall be put to deathHophal impf 3ms · מוּת (H4191)Predicate verb (main clause, legal sanction)→ Yiqtol (passive, Hophal): the mandated penalty, stated as certain futureמוּת (H4191) Hophal 'to be put to death'; the classic legal death-penalty formula (מוֹת יוּמָת), applied here to the sanctity of sacred space rather than a moral crime.
13

לֹא תִגַּ֨ע בּ֜וֹ יָ֗ד כִּֽי סָק֤וֹל יִסָּקֵל֙ אוֹ יָרֹ֣ה יִיָּרֶ֔ה אִם בְּהֵמָ֥ה אִם אִ֖ישׁ לֹ֣א יִחְיֶ֑ה בִּמְשֹׁךְ֙ הַיֹּבֵ֔ל הֵ֖מָּה יַעֲל֥וּ בָהָֽר

No hand shall touch it, but he shall surely be stoned or shot; whether beast or man, he shall not live. When the ram's horn sounds a long blast, they may come up to the mountain.'

Legal elaboration of the touch-prohibition; trumpet signals the boundary's endasyndeton
The prohibition of v.12 is elaborated with full legal precision (method of execution, no exception for animals) before pivoting, via the trumpet blast, to anticipate the eventual lifting of the boundary — the same root יבל that will later name the Jubilee inaugurates the people's approach to Sinai.
Word-by-word analysis· 21 words
לֹאnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negative particle (negating תִגַּע)לֹא (H3808) 'not'; standard negative particle.
תִגַּ֨עshall touchQal impf 3fs · נָגַע (H5060)Predicate verb (main clause, prohibition)→ Yiqtol: prohibitive/future — an absolute prohibitionנָגַע (H5060); see v.12 — 3fs agrees with the feminine subject יָד.
בּ֜וֹitprep בְּ + Sp3msPrepositional phrase (object of touching)בְּ + 3ms suffix, 'it,' referring back to the mountain.
יָ֗דa handN f/c sg abs · יָד (H3027)Subject of תִגַּעיָד (H3027) 'hand'; synecdoche for a human agent — no person is to touch the mountain directly.
כִּֽיbut ratherconjunction · כִּי (H3588)Adversative/causal conjunctionכִּי (H3588); here adversative, 'but rather' — contrasting direct touching with the sanctioned method of execution from a distance.
סָק֤וֹלsurelyQal inf abs · סָקַל (H5619)Infinitive absolute (intensifying the finite verb)→ Infinitive absolute + finite verb: emphatic constructionסָקַל (H5619) 'to stone'; infinitive absolute intensifying the passive verb that follows.
יִסָּקֵל֙he shall be stonedNiphal impf 3ms · סָקַל (H5619)Predicate verb (main clause, legal sanction)→ Yiqtol (passive, Niphal): the mandated method of executionסָקַל (H5619) Niphal 'to be stoned'; execution at a distance — the executioners need not touch the offender, paralleling the prohibition on touching the mountain.
אוֹorconjunction · אוֹ (H176)Disjunctive conjunctionאוֹ (H176) 'or'; offers a second, alternative method of execution.
יָרֹ֣הsurelyQal inf abs · יָרָה (H3384)Infinitive absolute (intensifying the finite verb)→ Infinitive absolute + finite verb: emphatic constructionיָרָה (H3384) 'to shoot, cast'; infinitive absolute intensifying the passive verb that follows.
יִיָּרֶ֔הhe shall be shotNiphal impf 3ms · יָרָה (H3384)Predicate verb (main clause, legal sanction)→ Yiqtol (passive, Niphal): the alternative mandated method of executionיָרָה (H3384) Niphal 'to be shot'; again execution without physical contact, reinforcing the taboo against touching sacred space.
אִםwhetherconjunction · אִם (H518)Disjunctive conjunction (introducing alternatives)אִם (H518); here 'whether... or,' introducing a merism (beast/man) covering every possible trespasser.
בְּהֵמָ֥הbeastN f sg abs · בְּהֵמָה (H929)Subject (first alternative)בְּהֵמָה (H929) 'beast, animal'; even an unwitting animal that strays onto the mountain incurs the same penalty — the sanctity of the space, not moral culpability, is what matters.
אִםwhetherconjunction · אִם (H518)Disjunctive conjunctionאִם (H518); see above — second half of the merism.
אִ֖ישׁmanN m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Subject (second alternative)אִישׁ (H376) 'man, person'; paired with בְּהֵמָה, a merism covering every living creature that might trespass.
לֹ֣אnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negative particle (negating יִחְיֶה)לֹא (H3808); see above.
יִחְיֶ֑הshall liveQal impf 3ms · חָיָה (H2421)Predicate verb (main clause, restating the death sentence)→ Yiqtol: predictive/legal — restates the capital sanction in the negativeחָיָה (H2421) 'to live'; negated, 'shall not live' — a second, emphatic restatement of the death penalty already given in v.12's מוֹת יוּמָת.
בִּמְשֹׁךְ֙when ... sounds a long blastprep בְּ + Qal inf constr · מָשַׁךְ (H4900)Temporal infinitival clause→ Infinitive: temporal circumstance — marks the signal ending the prohibition periodמָשַׁךְ (H4900) 'to draw, drag out, prolong'; here of a prolonged trumpet blast — the auditory signal that the boundary is lifted.
הַיֹּבֵ֔לthe ram's hornart + N m sg abs · יוֹבֵל (H3104)Subject of the infinitival clauseיוֹבֵל (H3104) 'ram's horn, trumpet' (also the root of יוֹבֵל 'jubilee'); its sustained blast signals the people to ascend — the same root later names the Jubilee year's inaugurating blast (Lev 25:9-10).
הֵ֖מָּהtheyindependent pronoun 3mp · הֵמָּה (H1992)Subject (independent pronoun, resumptive/emphatic)הֵמָּה (H1992); resumes and emphasizes 'the people' as the ones permitted to ascend once the signal sounds.
יַעֲל֥וּshall come upQal impf 3mp · עָלָה (H5927)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol: predictive/permissive — the action now sanctioned once the boundary is liftedעָלָה (H5927); see v.3 — the same verb prohibited in v.12 (עֲלוֹת) now permitted once the trumpet signals the boundary's end.
בָהָֽרon the mountainprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · הַר (H2022)Locative prepositional phraseהַר (H2022); see v.2.
14

וַיֵּ֧רֶד מֹשֶׁ֛ה מִן הָהָ֖ר אֶל הָעָ֑ם וַיְקַדֵּשׁ֙ אֶת הָעָ֔ם וַֽיְכַבְּס֖וּ שִׂמְלֹתָֽם

And Moses went down from the mountain to the people, and he consecrated the people, and they washed their garments.

Narrative report of obedience to vv.10-13asyndeton
The command of vv.10-13 is now reported as executed almost verbatim (יָרַד...קִדֵּשׁ...כִּבְּסוּ), a typical Hebrew narrative pattern of command-and-fulfillment confirming Israel's compliance before the climactic third-day theophany.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
וַיֵּ֧רֶדand ... went downwaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · יָרַד (H3381)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceיָרַד (H3381); see v.11 — Moses' descent, obediently carrying out the instructions just received.
מֹשֶׁ֛הMosesproper noun · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Subjectמֹשֶׁה (H4872); see v.3.
מִןfrompreposition · מִן (H4480)Source prepositional phraseמִן (H4480); see v.3.
הָהָ֖רthe mountainart + N m sg abs · הַר (H2022)Object of preposition מִןהַר (H2022); see v.2.
אֶלtopreposition · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase (goal)אֶל (H413); see v.3.
הָעָ֑םthe peopleart + N m sg abs · עַם (H5971)Object of preposition אֶלעַם (H5971); see v.7.
וַיְקַדֵּשׁ֙and he consecratedwaw-consec + Piel wayyiqtol 3ms · קָדַשׁ (H6942)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceקָדַשׁ (H6942); see v.10 — Moses executes the consecration command, perhaps by instruction/oversight of the washing that follows.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853); marks הָעָם as definite direct object.
הָעָ֔םthe peopleart + N m sg abs · עַם (H5971)Direct object of וַיְקַדֵּשׁעַם (H5971); see v.7.
וַֽיְכַבְּס֖וּand they washedwaw-consec + Piel wayyiqtol 3mp · כָּבַס (H3526)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceכָּבַס (H3526); see v.10 — the people carry out the washing command.
שִׂמְלֹתָֽםtheir garmentsN f pl constr + Sp3mp · שִׂמְלָה (H8071)Direct object of וַיְכַבְּסוּשִׂמְלָה (H8071); see v.10.
15

וַיֹּ֨אמֶר֙ אֶל הָעָ֔ם הֱי֥וּ נְכֹנִ֖ים לִשְׁלֹ֣שֶׁת יָמִ֑ים אַֽל תִּגְּשׁ֖וּ אֶל אִשָּֽׁה

And he said to the people, 'Be ready for the third day; do not go near a woman.'

Moses supplements the divine command with a specific stipulationasyndeton
Moses adds sexual abstinence to the washing already commanded — an inference or supplementary application of the consecration principle, illustrating how Israel's mediator not only transmits but also concretizes divine instruction for the community's life.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר֙and ... saidwaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559); see v.3 — Moses adds his own instruction to the people, beyond what was explicitly commanded in vv.10-13.
אֶלtopreposition · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase (indirect object)אֶל (H413); see v.3.
הָעָ֔םthe peopleart + N m sg abs · עַם (H5971)Object of preposition אֶלעַם (H5971); see v.7.
הֱי֥וּbeQal impv 2mp · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (imperative, main command)→ Imperative: direct commandהָיָה (H1961); see v.5 — imperative form of the readiness command already given in v.11.
נְכֹנִ֖יםreadyNiphal ptc mp abs · כּוּן (H3559)Predicate participle (complement of הֱיוּ)→ Participle: resultative stateכּוּן (H3559); see v.11.
לִשְׁלֹ֣שֶׁתfor threeprep לְ + numeral constr · שָׁלוֹשׁ (H7969)Temporal prepositional phrase (construct chain)שָׁלוֹשׁ (H7969) 'three'; construct with יָמִים, 'for three days' — restates v.11's timetable in cardinal rather than ordinal terms.
יָמִ֑יםdaysN m pl abs · יוֹם (H3117)Genitive (construct chain)יוֹם (H3117); see v.10 — plural, the full span of the consecration period.
אַֽלdo notnegative particle (prohibitive) · אַל (H408)Negative particle (prohibitive, negating תִּגְּשׁוּ)אַל (H408) 'do not'; the negative of immediate/specific prohibition (distinct from לֹא's general negation), here forbidding sexual relations during the consecration period.
תִּגְּשׁ֖וּgo nearQal jussive/impf 2mp · נָגַשׁ (H5066)Predicate verb (prohibition, jussive with אַל)→ Jussive: prohibitive — a specific, immediate commandנָגַשׁ (H5066) 'to approach, draw near'; euphemism for sexual relations (cf. Gen 20:4) — total abstention required as part of ritual consecration before the theophany.
אֶלtopreposition · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase (goal)אֶל (H413); see v.3.
אִשָּֽׁהa womanN f sg abs · אִשָּׁה (H802)Object of preposition אֶלאִשָּׁה (H802) 'woman, wife'; object of the euphemistic prohibition — sexual abstinence marking the heightened, temporary holiness of the camp.
16

וַיְהִי֩ בַיּ֨וֹם הַשְּׁלִישִׁ֜י בִּֽהְיֹ֣ת הַבֹּ֗קֶר וַיְהִי֩ קֹלֹ֨ת וּבְרָקִ֜ים וְעָנָ֤ן כָּבֵד֙ עַל הָהָ֔ר וְקֹ֥ל שֹׁפָ֖ר חָזָ֣ק מְאֹ֑ד וַיֶּחֱרַ֥ד כָּל הָעָ֖ם אֲשֶׁ֥ר בַּֽמַּחֲנֶֽה

And on the morning of the third day there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud on the mountain, and a very loud trumpet blast, so that all the people in the camp trembled.

Theophany narrated: the full storm-panoply eruptsasyndeton
A dense list of theophanic phenomena (thunders, lightnings, thick cloud, trumpet blast) — classic ancient Near Eastern storm-god imagery repurposed for YHWH's self-revelation — culminates in the people's visceral, bodily trembling, the human counterpart to the mountain's own quaking narrated in v.18.
Word-by-word analysis· 21 words
וַיְהִי֩and it came to passwaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (scene-setting formula)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceהָיָה (H1961); see v.5 — the classic narrative formula introducing a new, climactic scene.
בַיּ֨וֹםon the dayprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · יוֹם (H3117)Temporal prepositional phraseיוֹם (H3117); see v.10.
הַשְּׁלִישִׁ֜יthe thirdart + ordinal Aomsa · שְׁלִישִׁי (H7992)Attributive adjective (modifying יוֹם)שְׁלִישִׁי (H7992); see v.1 — the appointed day of theophany has arrived.
בִּֽהְיֹ֣תwhen it was / at the coming ofprep בְּ + Qal inf constr · הָיָה (H1961)Temporal infinitival clause→ Infinitive: temporal circumstanceהָיָה (H1961); infinitive construct pinpointing the precise time — dawn of the third day.
הַבֹּ֗קֶרthe morningart + N m sg abs · בֹּקֶר (H1242)Subject of the infinitival clauseבֹּקֶר (H1242) 'morning'; the theophany erupts at dawn, matching other major divine encounters (e.g. Passover night, Exod 12).
וַיְהִי֩and there werewaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (introducing the theophanic phenomena)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceהָיָה (H1961); a second וַיְהִי introduces the list of theophanic signs that follows.
קֹלֹ֨תthundersN m pl abs · קוֹל (H6963)Subject of וַיְהִיקוֹל (H6963) 'voice, sound'; plural here means 'thunders' — the same word used of YHWH's 'voice' in vv.5,9,19, linking the storm-theophany to divine speech itself.
וּבְרָקִ֜יםand lightningsconj וְ + N m pl abs · בָּרָק (H1300)Subject (coordinate with קֹלֹת)בָּרָק (H1300) 'lightning'; paired with קֹלֹת, stock imagery of storm-theophany found also in Sinai's later poetic recollections (Ps 18; 29; 97).
וְעָנָ֤ןand a cloudconj וְ + N m sg abs · עָנָן (H6051)Subject (coordinate)עָנָן (H6051); see v.9 — the same cloud of divine presence now visible over the mountain itself.
כָּבֵד֙thick / heavyAamsa · כָּבֵד (H3515)Attributive adjective (modifying עָנָן)כָּבֵד (H3515) 'heavy, dense, thick, glorious' (same root as כָּבוֹד 'glory'); the cloud's heaviness evokes both physical density and the weight of divine glory.
עַלonpreposition · עַל (H5921)Locative prepositional phraseעַל (H5921); see v.4.
הָהָ֔רthe mountainart + N m sg abs · הַר (H2022)Object of preposition עַלהַר (H2022); see v.2.
וְקֹ֥לand the sound ofconj וְ + N m sg constr · קוֹל (H6963)Subject (coordinate, construct chain)קוֹל (H6963); construct with שֹׁפָר, 'sound of a trumpet,' a fourth theophanic sign.
שֹׁפָ֖רa trumpetN m sg abs · שׁוֹפָר (H7782)Genitive (construct chain)שׁוֹפָר (H7782) 'ram's horn trumpet'; the piercing horn-blast accompanying the theophany, later echoed in prophetic depictions of the Day of YHWH.
חָזָ֣קstrong / loudAamsa · חָזָק (H2389)Attributive adjective (modifying קֹל שֹׁפָר)חָזָק (H2389) 'strong, mighty'; here of sound-intensity, 'very loud.'
מְאֹ֑דveryadverb · מְאֹד (H3966)Adverb intensifying חָזָקמְאֹד (H3966) 'very, exceedingly'; intensifies the trumpet's loudness to an overwhelming degree.
וַיֶּחֱרַ֥דand ... trembledwaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · חָרַד (H2729)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceחָרַד (H2729) 'to tremble, quake, be terrified'; the creaturely response to the theophany — later also used of the mountain itself trembling (v.18), linking the people's fear to the cosmic upheaval.
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Subject (construct chain)כֹּל (H3605); see v.5.
הָעָ֖םthe peopleart + N m sg abs · עַם (H5971)Genitive (construct chain); subject of וַיֶּחֱרַדעַם (H5971); see v.7.
אֲשֶׁ֥רwhorelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing relative clauseאֲשֶׁר (H834); see v.4.
בַּֽמַּחֲנֶֽהin the campprep בְּ + art + N (c) sg abs · מַחֲנֶה (H4264)Locative prepositional phrase (relative clause predicate)מַחֲנֶה (H4264) 'camp'; specifies that the trembling extends to the whole encampment, not merely those nearest the mountain.
17

וַיּוֹצֵ֨א מֹשֶׁ֧ה אֶת הָעָ֛ם לִקְרַ֥את הָֽאֱלֹהִ֖ים מִן הַֽמַּחֲנֶ֑ה וַיִּֽתְיַצְּב֖וּ בְּתַחְתִּ֥ית הָהָֽר

And Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain.

Israel led out to meet Godasyndeton
Moses' leading the people 'out' (וַיּוֹצֵא) toward the theophany deliberately echoes the Exodus vocabulary of v.1, casting the Sinai encounter as a further, climactic stage of the same deliverance — from bondage to a face-to-face national meeting with God at the mountain's foot.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
וַיּוֹצֵ֨אand ... brought outwaw-consec + Hiphil wayyiqtol 3ms · יָצָא (H3318)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance, causativeיָצָא (H3318) Hiphil 'to bring out, lead out'; the same root as the Exodus itself (v.1) — Moses leads the people out of camp toward the theophany, a small-scale echo of the great deliverance.
מֹשֶׁ֧הMosesproper noun · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Subjectמֹשֶׁה (H4872); see v.3.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853); marks הָעָם as definite direct object.
הָעָ֛םthe peopleart + N m sg abs · עַם (H5971)Direct object of וַיּוֹצֵאעַם (H5971); see v.7.
לִקְרַ֥אתto meetprep לְ + Qal inf constr · קרה/קרא II (H7125)Purpose infinitival clause→ Infinitive: purpose — the goal of Moses' leading the people outקרא II (H7125) 'to meet, encounter'; the infinitive construct לִקְרַאת functions almost as a preposition, 'to meet/toward' — Israel is brought face-to-face with the theophany.
הָֽאֱלֹהִ֖יםGodart + N m pl abs · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Object of לִקְרַאתאֱלֹהִים (H430); see v.3 — the whole people, not just Moses, now approach God directly.
מִןfrompreposition · מִן (H4480)Source prepositional phraseמִן (H4480); see v.3.
הַֽמַּחֲנֶ֑הthe campart + N (c) sg abs · מַחֲנֶה (H4264)Object of preposition מִןמַחֲנֶה (H4264); see v.16.
וַיִּֽתְיַצְּב֖וּand they stoodwaw-consec + Hitpael wayyiqtol 3mp · יָצַב (H3320)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance, reflexive/intensiveיָצַב (H3320) Hitpael 'to station oneself, take a stand'; a deliberate, formal positioning — Israel assembles as at a covenant ceremony, poised at the mountain's base.
בְּתַחְתִּ֥יתat the foot ofprep בְּ + N f sg constr · תַּחְתִּית (H8482)Locative prepositional phrase (construct chain)תַּחְתִּית (H8482) 'lowest part, bottom'; construct with הָהָר, 'the foot of the mountain' — Israel positioned at the base as the boundary of v.12 requires.
הָהָֽרthe mountainart + N m sg abs · הַר (H2022)Genitive (construct chain)הַר (H2022); see v.2.
18

וְהַ֤ר סִינַי֙ עָשַׁ֣ן כֻּלּ֔וֹ מִ֠פְּנֵי אֲשֶׁ֨ר יָרַ֥ד עָלָ֛יו יְהוָ֖ה בָּאֵ֑שׁ וַיַּ֤עַל עֲשָׁנוֹ֙ כְּעֶ֣שֶׁן הַכִּבְשָׁ֔ן וַיֶּחֱרַ֥ד כָּל הָהָ֖ר מְאֹֽד

Now Mount Sinai was wrapped in smoke because YHWH had descended upon it in fire; its smoke went up like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain trembled greatly.

Descriptive aside on the mountain's transformation, causally grounding vv.16-17asyndeton
A disjunctive-waw clause steps back from the forward-moving narrative to explain, in almost geological detail, why the mountain smoked and shook: YHWH's fiery descent (יָרַד...בָּאֵשׁ) — the furnace simile and the mountain's own trembling intensify the theophany from meteorological storm-signs (v.16) to a full volcanic-scale convulsion of the sacred site itself.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
וְהַ֤רand Mountconj וְ + N m sg constr · הַר (H2022)Subject (fronted, disjunctive waw — descriptive aside; construct chain)הַר (H2022); see v.2 — fronted with disjunctive waw, shifting to a descriptive, almost parenthetical elaboration of the theophany.
סִינַי֙Sinaiproper noun · סִינַי (H5514)Genitive (construct chain)סִינַי (H5514); see v.1.
עָשַׁ֣ןwas smokingQal perf 3ms · עָשַׁן (H6225)Predicate verb (main clause, stative)→ Perfective/stative: a resulting condition — the mountain enveloped in smokeעָשַׁן (H6225) 'to smoke'; denominative from עָשָׁן 'smoke' — describes the mountain's altered, smoking state as the theophany unfolds.
כֻּלּ֔וֹall of itN m sg constr + Sp3ms · כֹּל (H3605)Adverbial accusative (emphatic, appositive to הַר סִינַי)כֹּל (H3605) + 3ms suffix, 'all of it'; stresses that the smoke covered the entire mountain, not merely its summit.
מִ֠פְּנֵיbecause ofprep מִן + N f/c pl constr · פָּנִים (H6440)Causal prepositional phrase (construct chain)פָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; with מִן forms the causal idiom 'because of, from the presence of' — introduces the reason for the smoke.
אֲשֶׁ֨רthat / becauserelative/causal particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative/causal particle continuing מִפְּנֵיאֲשֶׁר (H834); with מִפְּנֵי forms a compound causal conjunction, 'because.'
יָרַ֥דhad descendedQal perf 3ms · יָרַד (H3381)Predicate verb (causal clause)→ Perfective: a completed, prior act underlying the present smoking conditionיָרַד (H3381); see v.11 — the descent now narrated as accomplished fact, explaining the mountain's smoking state.
עָלָ֛יוon itprep עַל + Sp3msLocative prepositional phraseעַל + 3ms suffix, 'on it [the mountain].'
יְהוָ֖הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of יָרַדיְהוָה (H3068); see v.3.
בָּאֵ֑שׁin fireprep בְּ + art + N (c) sg abs · אֵשׁ (H784)Instrumental/manner prepositional phraseאֵשׁ (H784) 'fire'; the medium of YHWH's descent — fire as a recurring token of theophany (cf. the burning bush, the pillar of fire; later Sinai recollections in Deut 4:11-12,36; 5:4-5).
וַיַּ֤עַלand ... went upwaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · עָלָה (H5927)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceעָלָה (H5927); see v.3 — here of smoke rising, the same verb used throughout the chapter for human/divine ascent, now applied to the visual plume itself.
עֲשָׁנוֹ֙its smokeN m sg constr + Sp3ms · עָשָׁן (H6227)Subject of וַיַּעַלעָשָׁן (H6227) 'smoke'; with 3ms suffix, the mountain's own smoke — visual confirmation of the fire just mentioned.
כְּעֶ֣שֶׁןlike the smoke ofprep כְּ + N m sg constr · עָשָׁן (H6227)Comparative prepositional phrase (construct chain)עָשָׁן (H6227); construct with הַכִּבְשָׁן — the simile likens the mountain's smoke to that of a furnace.
הַכִּבְשָׁ֔ןthe furnaceart + N m sg abs · כִּבְשָׁן (H3536)Genitive (construct chain)כִּבְשָׁן (H3536) 'kiln, furnace' (as for smelting or brick-firing); the simile evokes an industrial, superheated, sustained burning — later echoed of Sodom's destruction (Gen 19:28) and Israel's own Egyptian bondage (כּוּר הַבַּרְזֶל, 'iron furnace,' Deut 4:20).
וַיֶּחֱרַ֥דand ... trembledwaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · חָרַד (H2729)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceחָרַד (H2729); see v.16 — now the mountain itself, not merely the people, quakes: the whole created site convulses at the divine descent.
כָּלall / the wholeN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Subject (construct chain)כֹּל (H3605); see v.5.
הָהָ֖רthe mountainart + N m sg abs · הַר (H2022)Genitive (construct chain); subject of וַיֶּחֱרַדהַר (H2022); see v.2.
מְאֹֽדgreatlyadverb · מְאֹד (H3966)Adverb intensifying וַיֶּחֱרַדמְאֹד (H3966); see v.16 — intensifies the mountain's trembling to an extreme degree.
19

וַיְהִי֙ ק֣וֹל הַשּׁוֹפָ֔ר הוֹלֵ֖ךְ וְחָזֵ֣ק מְאֹ֑ד מֹשֶׁ֣ה יְדַבֵּ֔ר וְהָאֱלֹהִ֖ים יַעֲנֶ֥נּוּ בְקֽוֹל

And as the trumpet blast grew louder and louder, Moses would speak, and God would answer him in a voice/in thunder.

Climactic dialogue amid the intensifying theophanyasyndeton
The idiom הוֹלֵךְ וְחָזֵק מְאֹד builds unbearable tension before the chapter's most intimate moment: Moses speaking and God answering 'in a voice/in thunder' (בְקוֹל), collapsing the distinction between the cosmic storm-noise and intelligible divine speech — the fulfillment of v.9's stated purpose that the people hear God speaking with Moses.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
וַיְהִי֙and ... grewwaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceהָיָה (H1961); see v.16 — introduces a further intensification of the trumpet sound already noted there.
ק֣וֹלthe sound ofN m sg constr · קוֹל (H6963)Subject of וַיְהִי (construct chain)קוֹל (H6963); see v.16 — 'the sound of the trumpet,' now the subject of a progressive description.
הַשּׁוֹפָ֔רthe trumpetart + N m sg abs · שׁוֹפָר (H7782)Genitive (construct chain)שׁוֹפָר (H7782); see v.16 — now with the definite article, the trumpet already introduced.
הוֹלֵ֖ךְgoing / continuingQal ptc ms abs · הָלַךְ (H1980)Predicate participle (progressive, paired with וְחָזֵק)→ Participle: progressive/durative — an ongoing intensificationהָלַךְ (H1980) 'to go, walk'; idiomatically paired with an adjective (הוֹלֵךְ וְ-) to express a progressively increasing state, 'growing ever...' — a distinctive Hebrew idiom for gradual intensification.
וְחָזֵ֣קand stronger / louderconj וְ + Aamsa · חָזֵק (H2390)Predicate adjective (paired with הוֹלֵךְ, idiom of progression)חָזֵק (H2390) 'strong'; paired with הוֹלֵךְ in the idiom הוֹלֵךְ וְחָזֵק, 'growing louder and louder' — building unbearable intensity before Moses' and God's exchange.
מְאֹ֑דvery / greatlyadverb · מְאֹד (H3966)Adverb intensifying the idiom הוֹלֵךְ וְחָזֵקמְאֹד (H3966); see v.16 — caps the intensifying idiom at its extreme.
מֹשֶׁ֣הMosesproper noun · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Subject (fronted, disjunctive waw — new development)מֹשֶׁה (H4872); see v.3 — fronted, introducing the dialogue that follows the trumpet's build-up.
יְדַבֵּ֔רwould speakPiel impf 3ms (durative) · דָּבַר (H1696)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol (durative): repeated or ongoing speaking amid the theophanyדָּבַר (H1696); see v.6 — durative/customary imperfect suggesting Moses' speaking as an ongoing feature of the exchange, not a single utterance.
וְהָאֱלֹהִ֖יםand Godconj וְ + art + N m pl abs · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Subject (coordinate, fronted)אֱלֹהִים (H430); see v.3 — here as the speaker who answers, alternating title with יְהוָה used elsewhere in the chapter.
יַעֲנֶ֥נּוּwould answer himQal impf 3ms + Sp3ms (durative) · עָנָה (H6030)Predicate verb (main clause, coordinate with יְדַבֵּר)→ Yiqtol (durative): repeated/ongoing divine responseעָנָה (H6030); see v.8 — of God's audible response to Moses, an ongoing dialogic exchange amid the thunder.
בְקֽוֹלin a voice / in thunderprep בְּ + N m sg abs · קוֹל (H6963)Instrumental/manner prepositional phraseקוֹל (H6963); see v.16 — the same word for both 'thunder' (v.16) and articulate divine 'voice,' deliberately blurring the theophanic storm and God's intelligible speech to Moses.
20

וַיֵּ֧רֶד יְהוָ֛ה עַל הַ֥ר סִינַ֖י אֶל רֹ֣אשׁ הָהָ֑ר וַיִּקְרָ֨א יְהוָ֧ה לְמֹשֶׁ֛ה אֶל רֹ֥אשׁ הָהָ֖ר וַיַּ֥עַל מֹשֶֽׁה

And YHWH came down on Mount Sinai, to the top of the mountain, and YHWH called Moses to the top of the mountain, and Moses went up.

YHWH's descent to the summit; Moses summoned upasyndeton
The chapter's up/down mediatorial pattern reaches its point of closest approach: YHWH descends to the mountain's very summit (רֹאשׁ הָהָר, repeated twice) and personally summons Moses there — meeting-point language later formalized in tabernacle terms (Exod 25:22).
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
וַיֵּ֧רֶדand ... came downwaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · יָרַד (H3381)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceיָרַד (H3381); see v.11 — now narrated as accomplished event, echoing the prediction of v.11 and the causal note of v.18.
יְהוָ֛הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subjectיְהוָה (H3068); see v.3.
עַלonpreposition · עַל (H5921)Locative prepositional phraseעַל (H5921); see v.4.
הַ֥רMountN m sg constr · הַר (H2022)Object of preposition עַל (construct chain)הַר (H2022); see v.2.
סִינַ֖יSinaiproper noun · סִינַי (H5514)Genitive (construct chain)סִינַי (H5514); see v.1.
אֶלtopreposition · אֶל (H413)Locative prepositional phrase (apposition)אֶל (H413); see v.3.
רֹ֣אשׁthe top ofN m sg constr · רֹאשׁ (H7218)Locative prepositional phrase (construct chain, apposition to הַר סִינַי)רֹאשׁ (H7218) 'head, top, summit'; specifies precisely where YHWH descends — not merely 'on' the mountain generally but its very peak.
הָהָ֑רthe mountainart + N m sg abs · הַר (H2022)Genitive (construct chain)הַר (H2022); see v.2.
וַיִּקְרָ֨אand ... calledwaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · קָרָא (H7121)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceקָרָא (H7121); see v.3 — YHWH now summons Moses personally to the summit, distinct from the earlier general call from the mountain (v.3).
יְהוָ֧הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subjectיְהוָה (H3068); see v.3.
לְמֹשֶׁ֛הMosesprep לְ + proper noun · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Indirect object (prepositional)מֹשֶׁה (H4872); see v.3.
אֶלtopreposition · אֶל (H413)Locative prepositional phraseאֶל (H413); see v.3.
רֹ֥אשׁthe top ofN m sg constr · רֹאשׁ (H7218)Locative prepositional phrase (construct chain)רֹאשׁ (H7218); see above.
הָהָ֖רthe mountainart + N m sg abs · הַר (H2022)Genitive (construct chain)הַר (H2022); see v.2.
וַיַּ֥עַלand ... went upwaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · עָלָה (H5927)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceעָלָה (H5927); see v.3 — Moses' climactic ascent to the very summit where YHWH has just descended, the closest approach yet in the chapter.
מֹשֶֽׁהMosesproper noun · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Subjectמֹשֶׁה (H4872); see v.3.
21

וַיֹּ֤אמֶר יְהוָה֙ אֶל מֹשֶׁ֔ה רֵ֖ד הָעֵ֣ד בָּעָ֑ם פֶּן יֶהֶרְס֤וּ אֶל יְהוָה֙ לִרְא֔וֹת וְנָפַ֥ל מִמֶּ֖נּוּ רָֽב

And YHWH said to Moses, 'Go down, warn the people, lest they break through to YHWH to look, and many of them perish.

Urgent warning to prevent presumptuous transgressionasyndeton
YHWH's summons of Moses (v.20) is immediately followed by an urgent counter-command to descend again and reinforce the boundary — the fear is not accidental trespass (already covered in vv.12-13) but a deliberate, curious breach 'to see YHWH,' underscoring the mortal danger of unmediated access to the holy.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
וַיֹּ֤אמֶרand ... saidwaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559); see v.3.
יְהוָה֙YHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of וַיֹּאמֶריְהוָה (H3068); see v.3.
אֶלtopreposition · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase (indirect object)אֶל (H413); see v.3.
מֹשֶׁ֔הMosesproper noun · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Object of preposition אֶלמֹשֶׁה (H4872); see v.3.
רֵ֖דgo downQal impv 2ms · יָרַד (H3381)Predicate verb (imperative, main command)→ Imperative: urgent direct commandיָרַד (H3381); see v.11 — Moses must immediately descend again, the ascent of v.20 abruptly reversed by the urgency of the warning.
הָעֵ֣דwarnHiphil impv 2ms · עוּד (H5749)Predicate verb (imperative, coordinate command)→ Imperative: urgent direct commandעוּד (H5749) Hiphil 'to warn, admonish, solemnly charge'; legal-covenantal term for formally cautioning a party of consequences — stresses the gravity of the warning against transgressing the boundary.
בָּעָ֑םthe peopleprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · עַם (H5971)Object of imperative הָעֵד (prepositional)עַם (H5971); see v.7.
פֶּןlestconjunction · פֶּן (H6435)Negative purpose conjunction (introducing feared result)פֶּן (H6435) 'lest'; introduces the danger the warning is meant to avert — presumptuous breach of the sacred boundary.
יֶהֶרְס֤וּthey break throughQal impf 3mp · הָרַס (H2040)Predicate verb (feared result clause)→ Yiqtol: potential/feared result — what the warning aims to preventהָרַס (H2040) 'to break down, tear down, break through'; vivid verb of violent breach — the people literally overrunning the boundary of v.12 to see YHWH directly.
אֶלtopreposition · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase (goal)אֶל (H413); see v.3.
יְהוָה֙YHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Object of preposition אֶליְהוָה (H3068); see v.3.
לִרְא֔וֹתto lookprep לְ + Qal inf constr · רָאָה (H7200)Purpose infinitival clause→ Infinitive: purpose — the forbidden motive of the feared breachרָאָה (H7200); see v.4 — the forbidden desire to see YHWH directly, contrasted with the mediated, auditory experience of vv.9,19 the people are meant to have instead.
וְנָפַ֥לand ... perishwaw + Qal weqatal 3ms · נָפַל (H5307)Predicate verb (continuing the feared-result clause)→ Weqatal: continuing the feared/potential result — the consequence of breaching the boundaryנָפַל (H5307) 'to fall'; here euphemistic for dying — a great number would perish if the boundary is violated, restating the death sanction of vv.12-13 in narrative rather than legal form.
מִמֶּ֖נּוּsome of themprep מִן + archaic-1cp-pattern suffix (functioning partitively) · H4480Partitive prepositional phrase (referring to הָעָם)מִן (H4480) 'from, some of'; the suffixed form follows an archaic 1cp pattern but functions here partitively for the collective 'some of it/them' (i.e. of the people; cf. GKC §103b) — not a true first-person reference.
רָֽבmanyAamsa · רַב (H7227)Subject of וְנָפַלרַב (H7227) 'much, many, great'; substantival adjective, 'a great number' — the feared casualties among those who breach the boundary.
22

וְגַ֧ם הַכֹּהֲנִ֛ים הַנִּגָּשִׁ֥ים אֶל יְהוָ֖ה יִתְקַדָּ֑שׁוּ פֶּן יִפְרֹ֥ץ בָּהֶ֖ם יְהוָֽה

Also let the priests who come near to YHWH consecrate themselves, lest YHWH break out against them.

Extension of the warning to the priestly groupוְגַם
The warning escalates further: even those with regular cultic access to YHWH ('the priests who approach') must consecrate themselves specially, since proximity without holiness invites not accidental death (vv.12-13) but a violent divine 'breaking out' — a foretaste of the stricter graded-holiness system the tabernacle cult will formalize.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
וְגַ֧םand alsoconj וְ + adverb · גַּם (H1571)Additive adverb (introducing a further category)גַּם (H1571); see v.9 — extends the warning even to the priests, a group presumably having closer, more habitual access.
הַכֹּהֲנִ֛יםthe priestsart + N m pl abs · כֹּהֵן (H3548)Subject of יִתְקַדָּשׁוּכֹּהֵן (H3548); see v.6 — likely a proto-priestly group (firstborn or clan heads) functioning cultically before the Aaronic priesthood is instituted (cf. Exod 24:5's 'young men').
הַנִּגָּשִׁ֥יםwho approachart + Niphal ptc mp abs · נָגַשׁ (H5066)Substantival/attributive participle (describing הַכֹּהֲנִים)→ Participle: characteristic/habitual — those who regularly approachנָגַשׁ (H5066); see v.15 — here of cultic approach to YHWH (not the euphemistic sense of v.15), describing the priests' characteristic mediatorial function.
אֶלtopreposition · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase (goal)אֶל (H413); see v.3.
יְהוָ֖הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Object of preposition אֶליְהוָה (H3068); see v.3.
יִתְקַדָּ֑שׁוּmust consecrate themselvesHitpael impf 3mp · קָדַשׁ (H6942)Predicate verb (main clause, reflexive command)→ Yiqtol (Hitpael, reflexive): commanded self-consecrationקָדַשׁ (H6942); see v.10 — Hitpael reflexive, 'sanctify themselves' — even those with regular priestly access must undergo the same consecration as the rest of the people, heightened by their proximity.
פֶּןlestconjunction · פֶּן (H6435)Negative purpose conjunction (introducing feared result)פֶּן (H6435); see v.21.
יִפְרֹ֥ץhe break outQal impf 3ms · פָּרַץ (H6555)Predicate verb (feared result clause)→ Yiqtol: potential/feared result — the consequence of insufficient consecrationפָּרַץ (H6555) 'to break out, burst forth'; vivid verb of sudden, violent divine outbreak (cf. 2 Sam 6:8's פֶּרֶץ עֻזָּה) — YHWH's holiness reacting explosively to unconsecrated approach.
בָּהֶ֖םagainst themprep בְּ + Sp3mpPrepositional phrase (object of divine outbreak)בְּ + 3mp suffix, 'against them [the priests].'
יְהוָֽהYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of יִפְרֹץיְהוָה (H3068); see v.3.
23

וַיֹּ֤אמֶר מֹשֶׁה֙ אֶל יְהוָ֔ה לֹא יוּכַ֣ל הָעָ֔ם לַעֲלֹ֖ת אֶל הַ֣ר סִינָ֑י כִּֽי אַתָּ֞ה הַעֵדֹ֤תָה בָּ֨נוּ֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר הַגְבֵּ֥ל אֶת הָהָ֖ר וְקִדַּשְׁתּֽוֹ

And Moses said to YHWH, 'The people cannot come up to Mount Sinai, for you yourself warned us, saying, "Set bounds around the mountain and consecrate it."'

Moses' reply: the boundary is already in placeasyndeton
Moses respectfully cites YHWH's own earlier command (vv.12-13) back to him, suggesting the fresh warning of v.21 may be unnecessary since the boundary and its sanction are already established — a rare moment of Moses questioning or clarifying a divine instruction mid-dialogue.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
וַיֹּ֤אמֶרand ... saidwaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559); see v.3.
מֹשֶׁה֙Mosesproper noun · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Subjectמֹשֶׁה (H4872); see v.3.
אֶלtopreposition · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase (indirect object)אֶל (H413); see v.3.
יְהוָ֔הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Object of preposition אֶליְהוָה (H3068); see v.3.
לֹאnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negative particle (negating יוּכַל)לֹא (H3808); see v.13.
יוּכַ֣לis able / canQal impf 3ms · יָכֹל (H3201)Predicate verb (main clause, modal auxiliary)→ Yiqtol: modal — capability/permission negatedיָכֹל (H3201) 'to be able'; modal verb — Moses gently pushes back, noting that the boundary already effectively bars the people from YHWH's summons of v.21.
הָעָ֔םthe peopleart + N m sg abs · עַם (H5971)Subject of יוּכַלעַם (H5971); see v.7.
לַעֲלֹ֖תto come upprep לְ + Qal inf constr · עָלָה (H5927)Infinitival complement (object of יוּכַל)→ Infinitive: complementary — the action deemed impossible/prohibitedעָלָה (H5927); see v.3 — the same verb prohibited in v.12, now cited by Moses as already effectively barred.
אֶלtopreposition · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase (goal)אֶל (H413); see v.3.
הַ֣רMountN m sg constr · הַר (H2022)Object of preposition אֶל (construct chain)הַר (H2022); see v.2.
סִינָ֑יSinaiproper noun · סִינַי (H5514)Genitive (construct chain)סִינַי (H5514); see v.1.
כִּֽיforconjunction · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction introducing ground clauseכִּי (H3588); see v.5 — grounds Moses' statement in YHWH's own prior instruction.
אַתָּ֞הyouindependent pronoun 2ms · אַתָּה (H859)Subject (independent pronoun, emphatic)אַתָּה (H859) emphatic 2ms pronoun; fronted for emphasis — 'YOU yourself warned us,' Moses reminding YHWH of his own prior command (vv.12-13).
הַעֵדֹ֤תָהwarnedHiphil perf 2ms · עוּד (H5749)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: a completed, prior act of warning, now cited as precedentעוּד (H5749); see v.21 — Moses recalls YHWH's own earlier command as already sufficient, implicitly questioning the need for a fresh warning.
בָּ֨נוּ֙usprep בְּ + Sp1cpPrepositional phrase (indirect object)בְּ + 1cp suffix, 'against/to us'; object of the prior warning, referring to Moses and the people collectively.
לֵאמֹ֔רsayingprep לְ + Qal inf constr · אָמַר (H559)Infinitival clause introducing direct speech (quoting the prior command)→ Infinitive: formulaic quotative markerאָמַר (H559); see v.3 — introduces Moses' citation of YHWH's earlier instructions (vv.12-13).
הַגְבֵּ֥לset boundsHiphil impv 2ms · גָּבַל (H1379)Predicate verb (imperative, quoted command)→ Imperative: direct command (quoted)גָּבַל (H1379); see v.12 — Moses quotes YHWH's own earlier command back to him.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853); marks הָהָר as definite direct object.
הָהָ֖רthe mountainart + N m sg abs · הַר (H2022)Direct object of הַגְבֵּלהַר (H2022); see v.2.
וְקִדַּשְׁתּֽוֹand consecrate itwaw + Piel weqatal 2ms + Sp3ms · קָדַשׁ (H6942)Predicate verb (coordinate quoted command)→ Weqatal: continuing the quoted command sequenceקָדַשׁ (H6942); see v.10 — here the mountain itself, not the people, is the object of consecration, a distinct sense of the same verb.
24

וַיֹּ֨אמֶר אֵלָ֤יו יְהוָה֙ לֶךְ רֵ֔ד וְעָלִ֥יתָ אַתָּ֖ה וְאַהֲרֹ֣ן עִמָּ֑ךְ וְהַכֹּהֲנִ֣ים וְהָעָ֗ם אַל יֶֽהֶרְס֛וּ לַעֲלֹ֥ת אֶל יְהוָ֖ה פֶּן יִפְרָץ בָּֽם

And YHWH said to him, 'Go down, and come up again, you and Aaron with you; but do not let the priests and the people break through to come up to YHWH, lest he break out against them.'

YHWH's final instructions: Moses and Aaron alone may ascendasyndeton
YHWH answers Moses' implicit question (v.23) not by rescinding the warning but by specifying exactly who may approach: Moses and Aaron alone, with priests and people still barred — Aaron's singling-out here anticipates his unique priestly office formalized later, while the repeated warning underscores that the danger remains fully live.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
וַיֹּ֨אמֶרand ... saidwaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559); see v.3.
אֵלָ֤יוto himprep אֶל + Sp3msPrepositional phrase (indirect object)אֶל + 3ms suffix; refers back to Moses.
יְהוָה֙YHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of וַיֹּאמֶריְהוָה (H3068); see v.3.
לֶךְgoQal impv 2ms · יָלַךְ/הָלַךְ (H3212)Predicate verb (imperative, first of paired commands)→ Imperative: direct commandהָלַךְ (H3212); see v.10 — reiterates the command to descend.
רֵ֔דgo downQal impv 2ms · יָרַד (H3381)Predicate verb (imperative, second of paired commands)→ Imperative: direct commandיָרַד (H3381); see v.11 — paired imperative with לֶךְ ('go, descend'), an emphatic double command.
וְעָלִ֥יתָand come up againwaw + Qal weqatal 2ms · עָלָה (H5927)Predicate verb (coordinate command, sequential)→ Weqatal: continuing the command sequence — the return ascent after warning the peopleעָלָה (H5927); see v.3 — Moses is to descend to warn the people, then ascend once more, continuing the chapter's up/down pattern.
אַתָּ֖הyouindependent pronoun 2ms · אַתָּה (H859)Subject (independent pronoun, emphatic, resuming the addressee)אַתָּה (H859); see v.23 — emphatic, specifying that Moses alone (with Aaron) is authorized to ascend again.
וְאַהֲרֹ֣ןand Aaronconj וְ + proper noun · אַהֲרֹן (H175)Subject (coordinate with אַתָּה)אַהֲרֹן (H175) 'Aaron', Moses' brother; his inclusion here anticipates his distinctive priestly role, granting him access closer than the rest of the priests/people yet short of Moses' unique intimacy.
עִמָּ֑ךְwith youprep עִם + Sp2fsPrepositional phrase (accompaniment, modifying אַהֲרֹן)עִם (H5973); see v.9 — marks Aaron's inclusion as secondary/accompanying Moses, not independent access.
וְהַכֹּהֲנִ֣יםand the priestsconj וְ + art + N m pl abs · כֹּהֵן (H3548)Subject (of the following prohibition)כֹּהֵן (H3548); see v.6 — the same group warned in v.22, now explicitly forbidden (along with the people) from breaking through.
וְהָעָ֗םand the peopleconj וְ + art + N m sg abs · עַם (H5971)Subject (coordinate with הַכֹּהֲנִים)עַם (H5971); see v.7.
אַלdo notnegative particle (prohibitive) · אַל (H408)Negative particle (prohibitive, negating יֶהֶרְסוּ)אַל (H408); see v.15 — specific, immediate prohibition.
יֶֽהֶרְס֛וּbreak throughQal jussive 3mp · הָרַס (H2040)Predicate verb (prohibition, jussive with אַל)→ Jussive: prohibitive — repeats the feared action of v.21הָרַס (H2040); see v.21 — repeats the same verb, now cast as direct prohibition rather than feared result.
לַעֲלֹ֥תto come upprep לְ + Qal inf constr · עָלָה (H5927)Purpose/complementary infinitival clause→ Infinitive: purpose — the forbidden goal of breaking throughעָלָה (H5927); see v.3.
אֶלtopreposition · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase (goal)אֶל (H413); see v.3.
יְהוָ֖הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Object of preposition אֶליְהוָה (H3068); see v.3.
פֶּןlestconjunction · פֶּן (H6435)Negative purpose conjunction (introducing feared result)פֶּן (H6435); see v.21.
יִפְרָץhe break outQal impf 3ms · פָּרַץ (H6555)Predicate verb (feared result clause)→ Yiqtol: potential/feared resultפָּרַץ (H6555); see v.22 — repeats the same warning, now applied jointly to priests and people.
בָּֽםagainst themprep בְּ + Sp3mpPrepositional phrase (object of divine outbreak)בְּ + 3mp suffix, 'against them.'
25

וַיֵּ֥רֶד מֹשֶׁ֖ה אֶל הָעָ֑ם וַיֹּ֖אמֶר אֲלֵהֶֽם

So Moses went down to the people and told them.

Chapter's closing notice: final descent and addressasyndeton
The chapter ends abruptly, without recording the content of Moses' final words to the people — a terse narrative hinge that leaves the reader suspended at the mountain's foot, primed for YHWH's own voice to speak the Ten Words directly in 20:1.
Word-by-word analysis· 6 words
וַיֵּ֥רֶדand ... went downwaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · יָרַד (H3381)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceיָרַד (H3381); see v.11 — Moses obediently carries out YHWH's command of v.24, descending once more to relay the final warning.
מֹשֶׁ֖הMosesproper noun · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Subjectמֹשֶׁה (H4872); see v.3.
אֶלtopreposition · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase (goal)אֶל (H413); see v.3.
הָעָ֑םthe peopleart + N m sg abs · עַם (H5971)Object of preposition אֶלעַם (H5971); see v.7.
וַיֹּ֖אמֶרand ... saidwaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559); see v.3 — Moses' final speech act in the chapter, its content left unstated as the narrative pivots directly toward the Decalogue of ch.20.
אֲלֵהֶֽםto themprep אֶל + Sp3mpPrepositional phrase (indirect object)אֶל + 3mp suffix, 'to them [the people]'; closes the chapter on Moses' obedient completion of the mediatorial task, poised for the giving of the Decalogue in ch.20.