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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 20:19 "Speak to us yourself and we will listen," they said to Moses. "But do not let God speak to us, or we will die."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/exodus/20-19.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/1/02_Exo_20_19.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Exodus 20:19 - Moses Comforts the People" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Speak to us yourself and we will listen, they said to Moses. But do not let God speak to us, or we will die." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/exodus/20-19.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/exodus/20-19.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/exodus/">Exodus</a> > <a href="/exodus/20.htm">Chapter 20</a> > Verse 19</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad19.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/exodus/20-18.htm" title="Exodus 20:18">◄</a> Exodus 20:19 <a href="/exodus/20-20.htm" title="Exodus 20:20">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/exodus/20.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/exodus/20.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />and said to Moses, &#8220Speak to us yourself and we will listen. But do not have God speak to us or we will die.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/exodus/20.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />And they said to Moses, “You speak to us, and we will listen. But don’t let God speak directly to us, or we will die!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/exodus/20.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />and said to Moses, “You speak to us, and we will listen; but do not let God speak to us, lest we die.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/exodus/20.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Speak to us yourself and we will listen,” they said to Moses. “But do not let God speak to us, or we will die.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/exodus/20.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/exodus/20.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Then they said to Moses, “You speak with us, and we will hear; but let not God speak with us, lest we die.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/exodus/20.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then they said to Moses, “Speak to us yourself and we will listen; but do not have God speak to us, or we will die!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/exodus/20.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Then they said to Moses, &#8220Speak to us yourself and we will listen; but let not God speak to us, or we will die.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/exodus/20.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Then they said to Moses, “Speak to us yourself and we will listen; but let not God speak to us, lest we die.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/exodus/20.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Then they said to Moses, “Speak to us yourself, and we will listen; but let not God speak to us, lest we die.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/exodus/20.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Then they said to Moses, “You speak to us and we will listen, but do not let God speak to us or we will die.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/exodus/20.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />“You speak to us, and we will listen,” they said to Moses, “but don’t let God speak to us, or we will die.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/exodus/20.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />You speak to us, and we will listen,&#8221 they said to Moses, &#8220but don&#8217t let God speak to us, or we will die.&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/exodus/20.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear; but let not God speak with us, lest we die.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/exodus/20.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />and said to Moses, "If you speak to us, we will listen. But don't let God speak to us, or we will die!" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/exodus/20.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/exodus/20.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Then they said to Moses, "You speak to us, and we'll listen. But don't let God speak to us, or we'll die!"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/exodus/20.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />They said to Moses, "If you speak to us, we will listen; but we are afraid that if God speaks to us, we will die." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/exodus/20.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />They told Moses, "You speak to us and we will listen, but don't let God speak with us, or we may die.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/exodus/20.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />?Speak to us yourself and we will listen,? they said to Moses. ?But do not let God speak to us, or we will die.?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/exodus/20.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />They said to Moses, "You speak to us and we will listen, but do not let God speak with us, lest we die."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/exodus/20.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />They said to Moses, "Speak with us yourself, and we will listen; but do not let God speak with us, lest we die."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/exodus/20.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And they said to Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/exodus/20.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />They said to Moses, “Speak with us yourself, and we will listen; but don’t let God speak with us, lest we die.” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/exodus/20.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and say to Moses, “Speak with us, and we hear, and do not let God speak with us, lest we die.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/exodus/20.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and say unto Moses, 'Speak thou with us, and we hear, and let not God speak with us, lest we die.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/exodus/20.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And they will say to Moses, Speak thou with us and we will hear: and God shall not speak with us lest we shall die.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/exodus/20.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Saying to Moses: Speak thou to us, and we will hear: let not the Lord speak to us, lest we die. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/exodus/20.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />saying to Moses: “Speak to us, and we will listen. Let not the Lord speak to us, lest perhaps we may die.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/exodus/20.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />and said to Moses, “You speak to us, and we will listen; but do not let God speak to us, or we shall die.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/exodus/20.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />and said to Moses, “You speak to us, and we will listen; but do not let God speak to us, or we will die.”<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/exodus/20.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And they said to Moses, You speak to us, and we will listen; but let not God speak with us, lest we die.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/exodus/20.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And they said to Moshe, “You speak with us and we will hear and do not let God speak with us, lest we die.”<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/exodus/20.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And they said unto Moses: 'Speak thou with us, and we will hear; but let not God speak with us, lest we die.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/exodus/20.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />and said to Moses, Speak thou to us, and let not God speak to us, lest we die.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/exodus/20-19.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=5073" 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/20.htm">Moses Comforts the People</a></span><br><span class="reftext">18</span>When all the people witnessed the thunder and lightning, the sounding of the ram’s horn, and the mountain enveloped in smoke, they trembled and stood at a distance. <span class="reftext">19</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/1696.htm" title="1696: dab·bêr- (V-Piel-Imp-ms) -- To speak. A primitive root; perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively, to speak; rarely to subdue.">“Speak</a> <a href="/hebrew/5973.htm" title="5973: ‘im·mā·nū (Prep:: 1cp) -- From amam; adverb or preposition, with, in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix.">to us</a> <a href="/hebrew/859.htm" title="859: ’at·tāh (Pro-2ms) -- You (masc. sing.). ">yourself</a> <a href="/hebrew/8085.htm" title="8085: wə·niš·mā·‘āh (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjImperf.Cohort-1cp) -- To hear. A primitive root; to hear intelligently.">and we will listen,”</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mə·rū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">they said</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">to</a> <a href="/hebrew/4872.htm" title="4872: mō·šeh (N-proper-ms) -- A great Isr. leader, prophet and lawgiver. From mashah; drawing out, i.e. Rescued; Mosheh, the Israelite lawgiver.">Moses.</a> <a href="/hebrew/408.htm" title="408: wə·’al- (Conj-w:: Adv) -- Not (a subjective neg.). A negative particle; not; once as a noun, nothing.">“But do not</a> <a href="/hebrew/430.htm" title="430: ’ĕ·lō·hîm (N-mp) -- Plural of 'elowahh; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used of the supreme God">let God</a> <a href="/hebrew/1696.htm" title="1696: yə·ḏab·bêr (V-Piel-Imperf-3ms) -- To speak. A primitive root; perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively, to speak; rarely to subdue.">speak</a> <a href="/hebrew/5973.htm" title="5973: ‘im·mā·nū (Prep:: 1cp) -- From amam; adverb or preposition, with, in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix.">to us,</a> <a href="/hebrew/6435.htm" title="6435: pen- (Conj) -- Lest. From panah; properly, removal; used only adverb as conjunction, lest.">or</a> <a href="/hebrew/4191.htm" title="4191: nā·mūṯ (V-Qal-Imperf-1cp) -- To die. A primitive root: to die; causatively, to kill.">we will die.”</a> </span><span class="reftext">20</span>“Do not be afraid,” Moses replied. “For God has come to test you, so that the fear of Him may be before you, to keep you from sinning.”…<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="/deuteronomy/5-23.htm">Deuteronomy 5:23-27</a></span><br />And when you heard the voice out of the darkness while the mountain was blazing with fire, all the heads of your tribes and your elders approached me, / and you said, “Behold, the LORD our God has shown us His glory and greatness, and we have heard His voice out of the fire. Today we have seen that a man can live even if God speaks with him. / But now, why should we die? For this great fire will consume us, and we will die, if we hear the voice of the LORD our God any longer. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/12-18.htm">Hebrews 12:18-21</a></span><br />For you have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom, and storm; / to a trumpet blast or to a voice that made its hearers beg that no further word be spoken. / For they could not bear what was commanded: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/18-16.htm">Deuteronomy 18:16</a></span><br />This is what you asked of the LORD your God at Horeb on the day of the assembly, when you said, “Let us not hear the voice of the LORD our God or see this great fire anymore, so that we will not die!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/19-16.htm">Exodus 19:16-19</a></span><br />On the third day, when morning came, there was thunder and lightning. A thick cloud was upon the mountain, and a very loud blast of the ram’s horn went out, so that all the people in the camp trembled. / Then Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet with God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain. / Mount Sinai was completely enveloped in smoke, because the LORD had descended on it in fire. And the smoke rose like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain quaked violently. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/7-38.htm">Acts 7:38</a></span><br />He was in the assembly in the wilderness with the angel who spoke to him on Mount Sinai, and with our fathers. And he received living words to pass on to us.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_timothy/2-5.htm">1 Timothy 2:5</a></span><br />For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/24-1.htm">Exodus 24:1-2</a></span><br />Then the LORD said to Moses, “Come up to the LORD—you and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and seventy of Israel’s elders—and you are to worship at a distance. / Moses alone shall approach the LORD, but the others must not come near. And the people may not go up with him.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/33-20.htm">Exodus 33:20</a></span><br />But He added, “You cannot see My face, for no one can see Me and live.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/1-17.htm">John 1:17-18</a></span><br />For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. / No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is Himself God and is at the Father’s side, has made Him known.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/3-19.htm">Galatians 3:19</a></span><br />Why then was the law given? It was added because of transgressions, until the arrival of the seed to whom the promise referred. It was administered through angels by a mediator.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/32-30.htm">Exodus 32:30-32</a></span><br />The next day Moses said to the people, “You have committed a great sin. Now I will go up to the LORD; perhaps I can make atonement for your sin.” / So Moses returned to the LORD and said, “Oh, what a great sin these people have committed! They have made gods of gold for themselves. / Yet now, if You would only forgive their sin.... But if not, please blot me out of the book that You have written.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/12-6.htm">Numbers 12:6-8</a></span><br />He said, “Hear now My words: If there is a prophet among you, I, the LORD, will reveal Myself to him in a vision; I will speak to him in a dream. / But this is not so with My servant Moses; he is faithful in all My house. / I speak with him face to face, clearly and not in riddles; he sees the form of the LORD. Why then were you unafraid to speak against My servant Moses?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/12-18.htm">1 Samuel 12:18-19</a></span><br />So Samuel called to the LORD, and on that day the LORD sent thunder and rain. As a result, all the people greatly feared the LORD and Samuel. / They pleaded with Samuel, “Pray to the LORD your God for your servants so that we will not die! For we have added to all our sins the evil of asking for a king.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/3-7.htm">2 Corinthians 3:7-11</a></span><br />Now if the ministry of death, which was engraved in letters on stone, came with such glory that the Israelites could not gaze at the face of Moses because of its fleeting glory, / will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious? / For if the ministry of condemnation was glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry of righteousness! ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/34-29.htm">Exodus 34:29-30</a></span><br />And when Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the Testimony in his hands, he was unaware that his face had become radiant from speaking with the LORD. / Aaron and all the Israelites looked at Moses, and behold, his face was radiant. And they were afraid to approach him.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And they said to Moses, Speak you with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die.</p><p class="hdg">speak thou</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/18-16.htm">Deuteronomy 18:16</a></b></br> According to all that thou desiredst of the LORD thy God in Horeb in the day of the assembly, saying, Let me not hear again the voice of the LORD my God, neither let me see this great fire any more, that I die not.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/acts/7-38.htm">Acts 7:38</a></b></br> This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sina, and <i>with</i> our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us:</p><p class="hdg">let not</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/33-20.htm">Exodus 33:20</a></b></br> And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/32-30.htm">Genesis 32:30</a></b></br> And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/exodus/17-3.htm">Die</a> <a href="/exodus/19-5.htm">Ear</a> <a href="/exodus/19-9.htm">Ears</a> <a href="/exodus/19-22.htm">Fear</a> <a href="/exodus/19-9.htm">Hear</a> <a href="/exodus/19-25.htm">Moses</a> <a href="/exodus/19-9.htm">Speak</a> <a href="/exodus/20-18.htm">Voice</a> <a href="/exodus/20-1.htm">Words</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/exodus/21-12.htm">Die</a> <a href="/exodus/21-6.htm">Ear</a> <a href="/exodus/32-2.htm">Ears</a> <a href="/exodus/20-20.htm">Fear</a> <a href="/exodus/22-23.htm">Hear</a> <a href="/exodus/20-20.htm">Moses</a> <a href="/exodus/23-2.htm">Speak</a> <a href="/exodus/20-22.htm">Voice</a> <a href="/exodus/23-2.htm">Words</a><div class="vheading2">Exodus 20</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/20-1.htm">The ten commandments are spoken by Jehovah</a></span><br><span class="reftext">18. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/20-18.htm">The people are afraid, but Moses comforts them</a></span><br><span class="reftext">21. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/20-21.htm">Idolatry is forbidden</a></span><br><span class="reftext">23. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/20-23.htm">Of what sort the altar should be</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/20.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/20.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>"Speak to us yourself and we will listen," they said to Moses.</b><br>In this passage, the Israelites are addressing Moses after witnessing the awe-inspiring events at Mount Sinai, where God delivered the Ten Commandments. The people are overwhelmed by the divine presence, which included thunder, lightning, and the sound of a trumpet. This request for Moses to mediate reflects the Israelites' fear and reverence for God, acknowledging Moses as their leader and prophet. This moment underscores the role of Moses as an intermediary between God and His people, a role that prefigures the mediatory work of Christ, who is the ultimate mediator between God and humanity (<a href="/1_timothy/2-5.htm">1 Timothy 2:5</a>).<p><b>"But do not let God speak to us, or we will die."</b><br>The Israelites' fear of dying if God speaks directly to them highlights the holiness and power of God, which sinful humans cannot withstand. This fear is rooted in the understanding that no one can see God and live (<a href="/exodus/33-20.htm">Exodus 33:20</a>). The people's reaction is consistent with other biblical accounts where individuals express fear in the presence of God or His angels (<a href="/isaiah/6-5.htm">Isaiah 6:5</a>, <a href="/luke/1-12.htm">Luke 1:12</a>). This request for a mediator foreshadows the need for a savior who can bridge the gap between a holy God and sinful humanity. Jesus Christ fulfills this role, providing a way for believers to approach God with confidence (<a href="/hebrews/4-16.htm">Hebrews 4:16</a>). The Israelites' plea also reflects the broader biblical theme of God's transcendence and the necessity of reverence in His presence.<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 between God and the Israelites.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_israelites.htm">The Israelites</a></b><br>The people of God who were delivered from slavery in Egypt and are now at Mount Sinai receiving the Law.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/m/mount_sinai.htm">Mount Sinai</a></b><br>The mountain where God gave the Ten Commandments to Moses and where the Israelites experienced God's presence.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a></b><br>The Almighty, who reveals Himself to the Israelites at Mount Sinai, demonstrating His holiness and power.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_giving_of_the_law.htm">The Giving of the Law</a></b><br>The event where God delivers the Ten Commandments to the Israelites through Moses.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_fear_of_the_lord.htm">The Fear of the Lord</a></b><br>The Israelites' fear of God's voice underscores the holiness and majesty of God. This reverence is foundational to a proper relationship with Him.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_a_mediator.htm">The Role of a Mediator</a></b><br>Moses acted as a mediator between God and the people, prefiguring Christ's ultimate mediation. Understanding this role helps us appreciate the necessity of Christ's intercession.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/hearing_god's_voice.htm">Hearing God's Voice</a></b><br>While the Israelites feared direct communication with God, believers today are invited to hear God's voice through Scripture and the Holy Spirit.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_obedience.htm">The Importance of Obedience</a></b><br>The Israelites' willingness to listen to Moses highlights the importance of obedience to God's appointed leaders and His Word.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/a/approaching_god_with_reverence.htm">Approaching God with Reverence</a></b><br>The Israelites' reaction teaches us to approach God with a sense of awe and respect, recognizing His holiness.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_exodus_20.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Exodus 20</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_exodus_33_11_align_with_33_20.htm">If Exodus 33:11 says Moses spoke with God 'face to face,' how do we reconcile this with Exodus 33:20 where God says no one can see His face and live?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_do_numbers_20_8-11_and_exodus_17_6_differ.htm">Numbers 20:8-11 - Why does this passage seem inconsistent with Exodus 17:6 regarding the instructions God gives Moses for drawing water from a rock?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_did_god_command_a_bronze_serpent.htm">Numbers 21:8-9 - Why would God command Moses to create a bronze serpent, seemingly at odds with prohibitions against idol-making in Exodus 20?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_do_exodus_34_and_20_differ.htm">(Exodus 34:1) Why does this second set of commandments differ from those in Exodus 20, and which version should be considered authoritative?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/exodus/20.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(19) <span class= "bld">Speak thou with us.</span>--Comp. <a href="/context/deuteronomy/5-24.htm" title="And you said, Behold, the LORD our God has showed us his glory and his greatness, and we have heard his voice out of the middle of the fire: we have seen this day that God does talk with man, and he lives.">Deuteronomy 5:24-27</a>, where the words of the people are reported at greater length :--"Behold, the Lord our God hath shewed us his glory and his greatness, and we have heard his voice out of the midst of the fire: we have seen this day that God doth talk with man, and he liveth. Now therefore why should we die? For this great fire will consume us: if we hear the voice of the Lord our God any more, then we shall die. For who is there of all flesh, that hath heard the voice of the living God speaking out of the midst of the fire, as we have, and lived? Go thou near, and hear all that the Lord our God shall say: and speak thou unto us all that the Lord our God shall speak unto thee; and we will hear it, and do it."<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/exodus/20.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 19.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And they said unto Moses.</span> Their whole speech, as delivered in Deuteronomy, was as follows: - "Behold, the Lord our God hath shewed us his glory and his greatness, and we have heard his voice out of the midst of the fire: we have seen this day, that God doth talk with man, and he liveth. Now, therefore, why should we die? for this great fire will consume us: if we hear the voice of the Lord our God any more, then we shall die. For who is there of all flesh, that hath heard the voice of the living God, speaking out of the midst of the fire, as we have, and lived? Go then near, and hear all that the Lord our God shall say; and speak thou unto us all that the Lord our God shall speak unto thee; and. we will hear it, and do it" (<a href="/deuteronomy/5-24.htm">Deuteronomy 5:24-27</a>). The speech is here abbreviated greatly; but its essential points are preserved - "Speak thou with us" - be thou our intermediary - "Let not God speak with us, lest we die.'" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/exodus/20-19.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">“Speak</span><br /><span class="heb">דַּבֵּר־</span> <span class="translit">(dab·bêr-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Imperative - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1696.htm">Strong's 1696: </a> </span><span class="str2">To arrange, to speak, to subdue</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to us</span><br /><span class="heb">עִמָּ֖נוּ</span> <span class="translit">(‘im·mā·nū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | first person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5973.htm">Strong's 5973: </a> </span><span class="str2">With, equally with</span><br /><br /><span class="word">yourself</span><br /><span class="heb">אַתָּ֥ה</span> <span class="translit">(’at·tāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_859.htm">Strong's 859: </a> </span><span class="str2">Thou and thee, ye and you</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and we will listen,”</span><br /><span class="heb">וְנִשְׁמָ֑עָה</span> <span class="translit">(wə·niš·mā·‘āh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect Cohortative - first person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8085.htm">Strong's 8085: </a> </span><span class="str2">To hear intelligently</span><br /><br /><span class="word">they said</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיֹּֽאמְרוּ֙</span> <span class="translit">(way·yō·mə·rū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural<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">Moses.</span><br /><span class="heb">מֹשֶׁ֔ה</span> <span class="translit">(mō·šeh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4872.htm">Strong's 4872: </a> </span><span class="str2">Moses -- a great Israelite leader, prophet and lawgiver</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“But do not</span><br /><span class="heb">וְאַל־</span> <span class="translit">(wə·’al-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | 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">let God</span><br /><span class="heb">אֱלֹהִ֖ים</span> <span class="translit">(’ĕ·lō·hîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_430.htm">Strong's 430: </a> </span><span class="str2">gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative</span><br /><br /><span class="word">speak</span><br /><span class="heb">יְדַבֵּ֥ר</span> <span class="translit">(yə·ḏab·bêr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1696.htm">Strong's 1696: </a> </span><span class="str2">To arrange, to speak, to subdue</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to us,</span><br /><span class="heb">עִמָּ֛נוּ</span> <span class="translit">(‘im·mā·nū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | first person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5973.htm">Strong's 5973: </a> </span><span class="str2">With, equally with</span><br /><br /><span class="word">or</span><br /><span class="heb">פֶּן־</span> <span class="translit">(pen-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6435.htm">Strong's 6435: </a> </span><span class="str2">Removal, lest</span><br /><br /><span class="word">we will die.”</span><br /><span class="heb">נָמֽוּת׃</span> <span class="translit">(nā·mūṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4191.htm">Strong's 4191: </a> </span><span class="str2">To die, to kill</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/exodus/20-19.htm">Exodus 20:19 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/exodus/20-19.htm">Exodus 20:19 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/exodus/20-19.htm">Exodus 20:19 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/exodus/20-19.htm">Exodus 20:19 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/exodus/20-19.htm">Exodus 20:19 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/exodus/20-19.htm">Exodus 20:19 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/exodus/20-19.htm">Exodus 20:19 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/exodus/20-19.htm">Exodus 20:19 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/exodus/20-19.htm">Exodus 20:19 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/exodus/20-19.htm">Exodus 20:19 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/exodus/20-19.htm">OT Law: Exodus 20:19 They said to Moses Speak with us (Exo. Ex) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/exodus/20-18.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Exodus 20:18"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Exodus 20:18" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/exodus/20-20.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Exodus 20:20"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Exodus 20:20" /></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>