Exodus 20:21

21 The people remained at a distance, while Moses approached the thick darkness where God was.

Exodus 20:21 in Other Translations

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

21 The people stood far off, while Moses drew near to the thick darkness where God was.

21 As the people stood in the distance, Moses approached the dark cloud where God was.

21 The people kept their distance while Moses approached the thick cloud where God was.

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

21 The people kept their distance while Moses went closer to the dark cloud where God was.

21 And the people remained standing at a distance as Moses approached the thick darkness where God was.

21 Moses approached the thick darkness where God was. But the people remained a long way off.

Exodus 20:21 Meaning and Commentary

Exodus 20:21

And the people stood afar off
Still kept their distance in their camp and tents; or the heads and elders of the people having had this conversation with Moses, returned to their tents as they were bid, ( Deuteronomy 5:30 ) and to the people in the camp, and there they continued while Moses went up to God with their request:

and Moses drew near to the thick darkness where God was;
the thick cloud, ( Exodus 19:9 Exodus 19:16 ) as Jarchi interprets it, and who observes from their doctors that there were three enclosures about the divine Majesty, darkness, a cloud, and thick darkness; and so Moses passed through the darkness, and the cloud, to the thick darkness where Jehovah was, and where he is said to dwell when the temple was built, ( 1 Kings 8:8-12 ) and they have an observation that the word rendered "drew near" is transitive, and should be translated, "he was brought near" or, "made to draw nigh"; Michael and Gabriel being sent to him, took hold of his hands and brought him against his will unto the thick darkness ^F18; but if the word will admit of such a version, the sense is either that he was caused to draw near through the importunity of the people; or rather through the call of God to him, or an impulse of his upon his mind, which obliged him to it.

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FOOTNOTES:

F18 Pirke Eliezer, c. 41.

Exodus 20:21 In-Context

19 and said to Moses, “Speak to us yourself and we will listen. But do not have God speak to us or we will die.”

20 Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning.”

21 The people remained at a distance, while Moses approached the thick darkness where God was.

22 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Tell the Israelites this: ‘You have seen for yourselves that I have spoken to you from heaven:

23 Do not make any gods to be alongside me; do not make for yourselves gods of silver or gods of gold.

Cross References

• 1. S Exodus 19:9; Deuteronomy 5:22; Psalms 18:9; Psalms 68:4; Psalms 97:2; Isaiah 19:1