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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Exodus 19:15 "Be prepared for the third day," he said to the people. "Do not draw near to a woman."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/exodus/19-15.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/9/02_Exo_19_15.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Exodus 19:15 - Israel at Mount Sinai" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Be prepared for the third day, he said to the people. 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Abstain from sexual relations.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/exodus/19.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />He told them, “Get ready for the third day, and until then abstain from having sexual intercourse.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/exodus/19.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And he said to the people, “Be ready for the third day; do not go near a woman.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/exodus/19.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Be prepared for the third day,” he said to the people. “Do not draw near to a woman.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/exodus/19.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And he said unto the people, Be ready against the third day: come not at <i>your</i> wives.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/exodus/19.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />And he said to the people, “Be ready for the third day; do not come near <i>your</i> wives.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/exodus/19.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />He also said to the people, “Be ready for the third day; do not go near a woman.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/exodus/19.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />He said to the people, &#8220Be ready for the third day; do not go near a woman.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/exodus/19.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And he said to the people, “Be ready for the third day; do not go near a woman.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/exodus/19.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And he said to the people, “Be ready for the third day; do not go near a woman.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/exodus/19.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />He said to the people, “Be prepared for the third day; do not be intimate with a woman.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/exodus/19.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />He said to the people, “Be prepared by the third day. Do not have sexual relations with women.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/exodus/19.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />He said to the people, &#8220Be prepared by the third day. Do not have sexual relations with women.&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/exodus/19.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And he said unto the people, Be ready against the third day: come not near a woman.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/exodus/19.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />He told them to be ready in three days and not to have sex in the meantime. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/exodus/19.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And he said unto the people, Be ready against the third day: come not near a woman.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/exodus/19.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Then Moses said to the people, "Be ready two days from now. Don't disqualify yourselves by having sexual intercourse."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/exodus/19.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />and Moses told them, "Be ready by the day after tomorrow and don't have sexual intercourse in the meantime." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/exodus/19.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />He told the people, "Be ready for the third day; don't go near a woman." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/exodus/19.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />?Be prepared for the third day,? he said to the people. ?Do not draw near to a woman.?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/exodus/19.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />He said to the people, "Be ready for the third day. Do not go near your wives." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/exodus/19.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />He said to the people, "Be ready by the third day. Do not have sexual relations with a woman."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/exodus/19.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And he said to the people, Be ready against the third day: come not at your wives.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/exodus/19.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />He said to the people, “Be ready by the third day. Don’t have sexual relations with a woman.” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/exodus/19.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and he says to the people, “Be prepared for the third day, do not come near to a woman.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/exodus/19.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and he saith unto the people, 'Be ye prepared for the third day, come not nigh unto a woman.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/exodus/19.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And he will say to the people, Be prepared; for three days ye shall not come near to a woman.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/exodus/19.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />He said to them: Be ready against the third day, and come not near your wives. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/exodus/19.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />he said to them, “Be prepared on the third day, and do not draw near to your wives.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/exodus/19.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />He said to the people, “Be ready for the third day. Do not approach a woman.” <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/exodus/19.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />And he said to the people, “Prepare for the third day; do not go near a woman.”<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/exodus/19.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And he said to the people, Be ready on the third day; do not touch your wives.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/exodus/19.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And he said to the people, “Be ready the third day; you shall not touch a woman.”<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/exodus/19.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And he said unto the people: 'Be ready against the third day; come not near a woman.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/exodus/19.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And he said to the people, Be ready: for three days come not near to a woman.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/exodus/19-15.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kVae3PiKqhs?start=4843" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/exodus/19.htm">Israel at Mount Sinai</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">14</span>When Moses came down from the mountain to the people, he consecrated them, and they washed their clothes. <span class="reftext">15</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: hĕ·yū (V-Qal-Imp-mp) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">“Be</a> <a href="/hebrew/3559.htm" title="3559: nə·ḵō·nîm (V-Nifal-Prtcpl-mp) -- A primitive root; properly, to be erect; hence to set up, in a great variety of applications, whether literal, or figurative.">prepared</a> <a href="/hebrew/7969.htm" title="7969: liš·lō·šeṯ (Prep-l:: Number-msc) -- A three, triad. Or shalosh; masculine shlowshah; or shloshah; a primitive number; three; occasionally third, or Thrice.">for the third</a> <a href="/hebrew/3117.htm" title="3117: yā·mîm (N-mp) -- Day. From an unused root meaning to be hot; a day, whether literal, or figurative.">day,”</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mer (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">he said</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">to</a> <a href="/hebrew/5971.htm" title="5971: hā·‘ām (Art:: N-ms) -- From amam; a people; specifically, a tribe; hence troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock.">the people.</a> <a href="/hebrew/408.htm" title="408: ’al- (Adv) -- Not (a subjective neg.). A negative particle; not; once as a noun, nothing.">“Do not</a> <a href="/hebrew/5066.htm" title="5066: tig·gə·šū (V-Qal-Imperf-2mp) -- To draw near, approach. ">draw near</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">to</a> <a href="/hebrew/802.htm" title="802: ’iš·šāh (N-fs) -- Woman, wife, female. Feminine of 'iysh or 'enowsh; irregular plural, nashiym; a woman.">a woman.”</a> </span><div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/15-18.htm">Leviticus 15:18</a></span><br />If a man lies with a woman and there is an emission of semen, both must bathe with water, and they will remain unclean until evening.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/21-4.htm">1 Samuel 21:4-5</a></span><br />“There is no common bread on hand,” the priest replied, “but there is some consecrated bread—provided that the young men have kept themselves from women.” / David answered, “Women have indeed been kept from us, as is usual when I set out. And the bodies of the young men are holy even on common missions. How much more so today!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/7-5.htm">1 Corinthians 7:5</a></span><br />Do not deprive each other, except by mutual consent and for a time, so you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again, so that Satan will not tempt you through your lack of self-control.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/35-2.htm">Genesis 35:2</a></span><br />So Jacob told his household and all who were with him, “Get rid of the foreign gods that are among you. Purify yourselves and change your garments.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/30-18.htm">2 Chronicles 30:18-19</a></span><br />A large number of the people—many from Ephraim, Manasseh, Issachar, and Zebulun—had not purified themselves, yet they ate the Passover, contrary to what was written. But Hezekiah interceded for them, saying, “May the LORD, who is good, provide atonement for everyone / who sets his heart on seeking God—the LORD, the God of his fathers—even if he is not cleansed according to the purification rules of the sanctuary.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joel/2-16.htm">Joel 2:16</a></span><br />Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the aged, gather the children, even those nursing at the breast. Let the bridegroom leave his room, and the bride her chamber.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_thessalonians/4-3.htm">1 Thessalonians 4:3-4</a></span><br />For it is God’s will that you should be holy: You must abstain from sexual immorality; / each of you must know how to control his own body in holiness and honor,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/12-14.htm">Hebrews 12:14</a></span><br />Pursue peace with everyone, as well as holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/6-17.htm">2 Corinthians 6:17</a></span><br />“Therefore come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/5-8.htm">Matthew 5:8</a></span><br />Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/1-15.htm">1 Peter 1:15-16</a></span><br />But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do, / for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/52-11.htm">Isaiah 52:11</a></span><br />Depart, depart, go out from there! Touch no unclean thing; come out from it, purify yourselves, you who carry the vessels of the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joshua/3-5.htm">Joshua 3:5</a></span><br />Then Joshua told the people, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do wonders among you.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_timothy/2-21.htm">2 Timothy 2:21</a></span><br />So if anyone cleanses himself of what is unfit, he will be a vessel for honor: sanctified, useful to the Master, and prepared for every good work.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/24-3.htm">Psalm 24:3-4</a></span><br />Who may ascend the hill of the LORD? Who may stand in His holy place? / He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear deceitfully.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And he said to the people, Be ready against the third day: come not at your wives.</p><p class="hdg">be ready</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/amos/4-12.htm">Amos 4:12</a></b></br> Therefore thus will I do unto thee, O Israel: <i>and</i> because I will do this unto thee, prepare to meet thy God, O Israel.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/malachi/3-2.htm">Malachi 3:2</a></b></br> But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he <i>is</i> like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap:</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/3-10.htm">Matthew 3:10-12</a></b></br> And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire… </p><p class="hdg">the third</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/19-11.htm">Exodus 19:11,16</a></b></br> And be ready against the third day: for the third day the LORD will come down in the sight of all the people upon mount Sinai… </p><p class="hdg">come not</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/21-4.htm">1 Samuel 21:4,5</a></b></br> And the priest answered David, and said, <i>There is</i> no common bread under mine hand, but there is hallowed bread; if the young men have kept themselves at least from women… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/joel/2-16.htm">Joel 2:16</a></b></br> Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children, and those that suck the breasts: let the bridegroom go forth of his chamber, and the bride out of her closet.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/zechariah/6-3.htm">Zechariah 6:3</a></b></br> And in the third chariot white horses; and in the fourth chariot grisled and bay horses.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_peter/2-11.htm">Abstain</a> <a href="/exodus/14-10.htm">Nigh</a> <a href="/exodus/16-5.htm">Prepare</a> <a href="/exodus/19-11.htm">Prepared</a> <a href="/exodus/19-11.htm">Ready</a> <a href="/genesis/38-26.htm">Relations</a> <a href="/revelation/19-2.htm">Sexual</a> <a href="/exodus/19-11.htm">Third</a> <a href="/genesis/46-26.htm">Wives</a> <a href="/exodus/19-12.htm">Yourselves</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/zechariah/7-3.htm">Abstain</a> <a href="/exodus/19-22.htm">Nigh</a> <a href="/exodus/29-38.htm">Prepare</a> <a href="/exodus/23-20.htm">Prepared</a> <a href="/exodus/23-20.htm">Ready</a> <a href="/exodus/22-19.htm">Relations</a> <a href="/exodus/22-19.htm">Sexual</a> <a href="/exodus/19-16.htm">Third</a> <a href="/exodus/22-24.htm">Wives</a> <a href="/exodus/20-4.htm">Yourselves</a><div class="vheading2">Exodus 19</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/19-1.htm">The people arrive at Sinai</a></span><br><span class="reftext">3. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/19-3.htm">God's message by Moses unto the people out of the mount</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/19-8.htm">The people are prepared against the third day, for the giving of the law</a></span><br><span class="reftext">12. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/19-12.htm">The mountain must not be touched</a></span><br><span class="reftext">16. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/19-16.htm">The fearful presence of God upon the mount</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/exodus/19.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/exodus/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/exodus/19.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Be prepared for the third day,</b><br>The instruction to be prepared for the third day is significant in biblical numerology, where the number three often symbolizes completeness or divine perfection. This preparation period emphasizes the importance of the upcoming event, which is the giving of the Law at Mount Sinai. The third day is a recurring theme in Scripture, often associated with resurrection and revelation, as seen in the resurrection of Jesus Christ on the third day (<a href="/matthew/16-21.htm">Matthew 16:21</a>). The Israelites are called to sanctify themselves, highlighting the holiness required to encounter God.<p><b>he said to the people.</b><br>Moses, as the mediator between God and the Israelites, conveys God's instructions to the people. This reflects the role of prophets and leaders in the Old Testament, who often served as intermediaries. The communal aspect of this command underscores the collective responsibility of the Israelites to adhere to God's covenant. It also foreshadows the New Testament concept of the Church as a community of believers.<p><b>Do not draw near to a woman.</b><br>This command is part of the broader call to ritual purity, which was necessary for the Israelites to approach God. Abstaining from sexual relations was a common practice in ancient cultures to prepare for religious ceremonies, symbolizing a focus on spiritual rather than physical concerns. This reflects the broader biblical theme of holiness and separation from worldly distractions when approaching God. In the New Testament, this concept is expanded to include spiritual purity and readiness for Christ's return (<a href="/1_thessalonians/5-23.htm">1 Thessalonians 5:23</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/m/moses.htm">Moses</a></b><br>The leader of the Israelites, chosen by God to deliver His people from Egypt and to mediate the covenant at Mount Sinai.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/m/mount_sinai.htm">Mount Sinai</a></b><br>The mountain where God gave the Law to Moses and the Israelites, a place of divine revelation and covenant.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_israelites.htm">The Israelites</a></b><br>The chosen people of God, who were being prepared to receive the Law and enter into a covenant relationship with Him.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a></b><br>The sovereign Lord who is establishing His covenant with Israel, emphasizing His holiness and the need for His people to be consecrated.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_third_day.htm">The Third Day</a></b><br>A specific time set by God for the Israelites to be ready to meet Him, symbolizing preparation and anticipation of divine encounter.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/h/holiness_and_preparation.htm">Holiness and Preparation</a></b><br>God’s holiness requires His people to be prepared and consecrated. This preparation involves setting aside normal activities to focus on spiritual readiness.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_purity.htm">The Importance of Purity</a></b><br>The command to abstain from sexual relations highlights the broader biblical principle of purity when approaching God. It serves as a reminder of the need for spiritual cleanliness in our lives.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/a/anticipation_of_divine_encounter.htm">Anticipation of Divine Encounter</a></b><br>The instruction to be ready for the third day teaches us about the importance of anticipation and readiness for encountering God in our lives.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/setting_priorities.htm">Setting Priorities</a></b><br>Just as the Israelites were to prioritize their preparation for meeting God, we are called to prioritize our spiritual lives and relationship with God above all else.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/reverence_and_awe.htm">Reverence and Awe</a></b><br>Approaching God with reverence and awe is a consistent biblical theme. This passage reminds us of the seriousness and respect required in our relationship with God.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_exodus_19.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Exodus 19</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_happened_in_jesus'_final_hours.htm">What events occurred during Jesus' final hours?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/2_samuel_14_5-11__is_this_story_deceptive.htm">2 Samuel 14:5-11: How does this fabricated story align with Mosaic laws requiring genuine judicial proceedings, and isn't it deceptive manipulation of a royal decree?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_do_john_19_14_and_mark_15_25_differ.htm">Why does John 19:14 seem to conflict with Mark 15:25 regarding the timing of Jesus' crucifixion?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_'called_by_his_purpose'_mean.htm">How is Jesus represented in each book of the Bible?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/exodus/19.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(15) <span class= "bld">Come not at your wives.</span>--Comp. <a href="/context/1_samuel/21-4.htm" title="And the priest answered David, and said, There is no common bread under my hand, but there is hallowed bread; if the young men have kept themselves at least from women.">1Samuel 21:4-5</a> :<a href="/1_corinthians/7-5.htm" title="Defraud you not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.">1Corinthians 7:5</a>. It was the general sentiment of antiquity that a ceremonial uncleanness attached even to the chastest sexual connection. (Herod. I. 189, ii. 64; Hesiod. <span class= "ital">Op. et D., </span>11. 733-4: Tibull, <span class= "ital">Carni. </span>ii. 1, 11. 11, 12; Porphyr., <span class= "ital">De Abstinentia, </span>4:7.) The Levitical law took the same view (<a href="/leviticus/15-18.htm" title="The woman also with whom man shall lie with seed of copulation, they shall both bathe themselves in water, and be unclean until the even.">Leviticus 15:18</a>), as did the Indian law (<span class= "ital">Menu, </span>v. 63), the Persian (<span class= "ital">Zendavesta, </span>quoted by Bahr, <span class= "ital">Symbolik, </span>vol. ii., p. 466), and the Mahometan (<span class= "ital">Koran, </span>iv. 5).<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/exodus/19.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 15.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Come not at your wives</span>. Compare <a href="/1_samuel/21-4.htm">1 Samuel 21:4, 5</a>; <a href="/1_corinthians/7-5.htm">1 Corinthians 7:5</a>. A similar obligation lay on the Egyptian priests (Porphyr. <span class="accented">De Abstin</span>. 4:7); and the idea which underlies it was widespread in the ancient world (See Herod. 1:198; Hesiod. <span class="accented">Op. et Di</span>. 733-4; Tibul. <span class="accented">Carm</span>. 2:1; 51:11, 12.) The subject is well treated, from a Christian point of view, by Pope Gregory the First, in his answers to S. Augustine's questions (Bode, <span class="accented">Hist</span>. <span class="accented">Eccl</span>. 2.). <p> CHAPTER 19:16-20 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/exodus/19-15.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">“Be</span><br /><span class="heb">הֱי֥וּ</span> <span class="translit">(hĕ·yū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> </span><span class="str2">To fall out, come to pass, become, be</span><br /><br /><span class="word">prepared</span><br /><span class="heb">נְכֹנִ֖ים</span> <span class="translit">(nə·ḵō·nîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3559.htm">Strong's 3559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be erect</span><br /><br /><span class="word">for the third</span><br /><span class="heb">לִשְׁלֹ֣שֶׁת</span> <span class="translit">(liš·lō·šeṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Number - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7969.htm">Strong's 7969: </a> </span><span class="str2">Three, third, thrice</span><br /><br /><span class="word">day,”</span><br /><span class="heb">יָמִ֑ים</span> <span class="translit">(yā·mîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3117.htm">Strong's 3117: </a> </span><span class="str2">A day</span><br /><br /><span class="word">he said</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙</span> <span class="translit">(way·yō·mer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶל־</span> <span class="translit">(’el-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> </span><span class="str2">Near, with, among, to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the people.</span><br /><span class="heb">הָעָ֔ם</span> <span class="translit">(hā·‘ām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5971.htm">Strong's 5971: </a> </span><span class="str2">A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“Do not</span><br /><span class="heb">אַֽל־</span> <span class="translit">(’al-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_408.htm">Strong's 408: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not</span><br /><br /><span class="word">draw near</span><br /><span class="heb">תִּגְּשׁ֖וּ</span> <span class="translit">(tig·gə·šū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5066.htm">Strong's 5066: </a> </span><span class="str2">To draw near, approach</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶל־</span> <span class="translit">(’el-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> </span><span class="str2">Near, with, among, to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a woman.”</span><br /><span class="heb">אִשָּֽׁה׃</span> <span class="translit">(’iš·šāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_802.htm">Strong's 802: </a> </span><span class="str2">Woman, wife, female</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/exodus/19-15.htm">Exodus 19:15 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/exodus/19-15.htm">Exodus 19:15 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/exodus/19-15.htm">Exodus 19:15 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/exodus/19-15.htm">Exodus 19:15 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/exodus/19-15.htm">Exodus 19:15 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/exodus/19-15.htm">Exodus 19:15 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/exodus/19-15.htm">Exodus 19:15 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/exodus/19-15.htm">Exodus 19:15 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/exodus/19-15.htm">Exodus 19:15 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/exodus/19-15.htm">Exodus 19:15 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/exodus/19-15.htm">OT Law: Exodus 19:15 He said to the people Be ready (Exo. Ex) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/exodus/19-14.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Exodus 19:14"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Exodus 19:14" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/exodus/19-16.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Exodus 19:16"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Exodus 19:16" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>