Exodus 19:17
New International Version
Then Moses led the people out of the camp to meet with God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain.

New Living Translation
Moses led them out from the camp to meet with God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain.

English Standard Version
Then Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet God, and they took their stand at the foot of the mountain.

Berean Standard Bible
Then Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet with God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain.

King James Bible
And Moses brought forth the people out of the camp to meet with God; and they stood at the nether part of the mount.

New King James Version
And Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet with God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain.

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

NASB 1995
And Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain.

NASB 1977
And Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain.

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

Amplified Bible
Then Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet God, and they stood and presented themselves at the foot of the mountain.

Christian Standard Bible
Then Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain.

American Standard Version
And Moses brought forth the people out of the camp to meet God; and they stood at the nether part of the mount.

Contemporary English Version
Moses led them out of the camp to meet God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain.

English Revised Version
And Moses brought forth the people out of the camp to meet God; and they stood at the nether part of the mount.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Then Moses led the people out of the camp to meet with God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain.

Good News Translation
Moses led them out of the camp to meet God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain.

International Standard Version
Moses brought the people from the camp to meet God, and they stood at the base of the mountain.

Majority Standard Bible
Then Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet with God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain.

NET Bible
Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet God, and they took their place at the foot of the mountain.

New Heart English Bible
Moses led the people out of the camp to meet God; and they stood at the lower part of the mountain.

Webster's Bible Translation
And Moses brought forth the people out of the camp to meet with God; and they stood at the nether part of the mount.

World English Bible
Moses led the people out of the camp to meet God; and they stood at the lower part of the mountain.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Moses brings out the people from the camp to meet God, and they station themselves at the lower part of the mountain,

Young's Literal Translation
And Moses bringeth out the people to meet God from the camp, and they station themselves at the lower part of the mount,

Smith's Literal Translation
And Moses will bring forth the people to the meeting of God out of the camp; and they will stand in the lower parts of the mount.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And when Moses had brought them forth to meet God from the place of the camp, they stood at the bottom of the mount.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And when Moses had led them out to meet God, from the place of the camp, they stood at the base of the mountain.

New American Bible
But Moses led the people out of the camp to meet God, and they stationed themselves at the foot of the mountain.

New Revised Standard Version
Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet God. They took their stand at the foot of the mountain.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Then Moses brought forth the people out of the camp to meet God; and they stood at the base of the mountain.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Moshe brought out the people to the meeting of God from the camp and they stood at the base of the mountain.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And Moses brought forth the people out of the camp to meet God; and they stood at the nether part of the mount.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Moses led the people forth out of the camp to meet God, and they stood by under the camp.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The LORD Visits Sinai
16On 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. 17Then Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet with God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain. 18Mount 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.…

Cross References
Deuteronomy 4:10-12
The day you stood before the LORD your God at Horeb, the LORD said to me, “Gather the people before Me to hear My words, so that they may learn to fear Me all the days they live on the earth, and that they may teach them to their children.” / You came near and stood at the base of the mountain, a mountain blazing with fire to the heavens, with black clouds and deep darkness. / And the LORD spoke to you out of the fire. You heard the sound of the words but saw no form; there was only a voice.

Hebrews 12:18-21
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.” ...

Exodus 24:1-2
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.”

Deuteronomy 5:4-5
The LORD spoke with you face to face out of the fire on the mountain. / At that time I was standing between the LORD and you to declare to you the word of the LORD, because you were afraid of the fire and would not go up the mountain. And He said:

Acts 7:38
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.

Exodus 20:18-21
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. / “Speak to us yourself and we will listen,” they said to Moses. “But do not let God speak to us, or we will die.” / “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.” ...

Deuteronomy 9:10
Then the LORD gave me the two stone tablets, inscribed by the finger of God with the exact words that the LORD spoke to you out of the fire on the mountain on the day of the assembly.

2 Corinthians 3:7-9
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!

Exodus 3:12
“I will surely be with you,” God said, “and this will be the sign to you that I have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, all of you will worship God on this mountain.”

Deuteronomy 33:2
He said: “The LORD came from Sinai and dawned upon us from Seir; He shone forth from Mount Paran and came with myriads of holy ones, with flaming fire at His right hand.

Psalm 68:17
The chariots of God are tens of thousands—thousands of thousands are they; the Lord is in His sanctuary as He was at Sinai.

Revelation 4:5
From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings, and peals of thunder. Before the throne burned seven torches of fire. These are the seven spirits of God.

Exodus 34:2-3
Be ready in the morning, and come up on Mount Sinai to present yourself before Me on the mountaintop. / No one may go up with you; in fact, no one may be seen anywhere on the mountain—not even the flocks or herds may graze in front of the mountain.”

Nehemiah 9:13
You came down on Mount Sinai and spoke with them from heaven. You gave them just ordinances, true laws, and good statutes and commandments.

Galatians 3:19
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.


Treasury of Scripture

And Moses brought forth the people out of the camp to meet with God; and they stood at the nether part of the mount.

Deuteronomy 4:10
Specially the day that thou stoodest before the LORD thy God in Horeb, when the LORD said unto me, Gather me the people together, and I will make them hear my words, that they may learn to fear me all the days that they shall live upon the earth, and that they may teach their children.

Deuteronomy 5:5
(I stood between the LORD and you at that time, to shew you the word of the LORD: for ye were afraid by reason of the fire, and went not up into the mount;) saying,

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Camp Foot Forth Led Meet Moses Mount Mountain Nether Part Places Stand Station Stood Tents Themselves
Exodus 19
1. The people arrive at Sinai
3. God's message by Moses unto the people out of the mount
8. The people are prepared against the third day, for the giving of the law
12. The mountain must not be touched
16. The fearful presence of God upon the mount














Then Moses brought the people out of the camp
Moses acts as the mediator between God and the Israelites, a role that foreshadows the mediatory work of Jesus Christ (1 Timothy 2:5). The act of bringing the people out of the camp signifies a transition from their ordinary lives to a sacred encounter with God. This movement from the camp to the mountain is symbolic of leaving behind the mundane to enter into a divine presence, similar to how believers are called to separate themselves from worldly concerns to focus on God (2 Corinthians 6:17).

to meet with God
This phrase highlights the purpose of the gathering: a direct encounter with the divine. The Israelites are about to experience a theophany, a visible manifestation of God, which is a rare and significant event in biblical history. This meeting is a fulfillment of God's promise to Moses at the burning bush (Exodus 3:12) and establishes the covenant relationship between God and Israel. It prefigures the ultimate meeting with God through Christ, who reconciles humanity to God (John 14:6).

and they stood at the foot of the mountain
The mountain, identified as Mount Sinai, is a place of divine revelation and covenant. Geographically, Mount Sinai is traditionally located in the Sinai Peninsula, though its exact location is debated. Standing at the foot of the mountain signifies the people's readiness to receive God's law, which will be given in the form of the Ten Commandments. This position also underscores the holiness of God, as the people are not permitted to ascend the mountain, reflecting the separation between a holy God and sinful humanity. This separation is ultimately bridged by Christ, who provides access to God (Hebrews 10:19-22).

Persons / Places / Events
1. Moses
The leader of the Israelites, chosen by God to deliver His people from Egyptian bondage and to guide them through the wilderness. In this verse, Moses acts as an intermediary between God and the Israelites.

2. The People (Israelites)
The descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, who were delivered from slavery in Egypt. They are gathered to witness a significant event in their covenant relationship with God.

3. The Camp
The temporary dwelling place of the Israelites in the wilderness. It represents their current state of transition and dependence on God.

4. God
The Almighty, who is about to reveal Himself to His chosen people in a powerful and direct manner, establishing His covenant with them.

5. The Mountain (Mount Sinai)
The sacred place where God will give the Law to Moses. It symbolizes God's holiness and the place of divine revelation.
Teaching Points
Reverence for God's Presence
The Israelites' gathering at the foot of the mountain teaches us the importance of approaching God with reverence and awe. We should prepare our hearts to meet with God in worship and prayer.

Mediation and Leadership
Moses' role as a mediator points to the need for godly leadership and the ultimate mediation of Christ. We should seek to follow leaders who guide us toward God and His truth.

Community in Worship
The collective experience of the Israelites highlights the importance of communal worship. As believers, we are called to gather together to seek God and encourage one another in faith.

Obedience to God's Call
Just as the Israelites followed Moses out of the camp, we are called to step out in faith and obedience when God calls us to meet with Him.

Holiness and Separation
The setting apart of Mount Sinai as a holy place reminds us of the call to holiness in our lives. We are to be distinct from the world, dedicated to God's purposes.(17) Out of the camp.--An open space must have intervened between the camp and the "bounds." Into this Moses led the representatives of the people, so bringing them as near to God as was permitted.

At the nether part of the mount.--In the plain directly in front of the Ras Sufsafeh, and almost under it.

Verse 17. - Moses brought forth the people out of the camp. The camp itself must have been withdrawn to some little distance from the foot of the mount, so that a vacant space intervened between the first tents and the "fence" which Moses had caused to be erected almost close to the mount. Into this vacant space Moses now led "the people" - i.e., the chief of the people - so bringing them as near as they might come to God.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Then Moses
מֹשֶׁ֧ה (mō·šeh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 4872: Moses -- a great Israelite leader, prophet and lawgiver

brought the people
הָעָ֛ם (hā·‘ām)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

out
וַיּוֹצֵ֨א (way·yō·w·ṣê)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3318: To go, bring, out, direct and proxim

of
מִן־ (min-)
Preposition
Strong's 4480: A part of, from, out of

the camp
הַֽמַּחֲנֶ֑ה (ham·ma·ḥă·neh)
Article | Noun - common singular
Strong's 4264: An encampment, an army

to meet
לִקְרַ֥את (liq·raṯ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 7125: Against he come, help, meet, seek, to, in the way

with God,
הָֽאֱלֹהִ֖ים (hā·’ĕ·lō·hîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

and they stood
וַיִּֽתְיַצְּב֖וּ (way·yiṯ·yaṣ·ṣə·ḇū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hitpael - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 3320: To set or station oneself, take one's stand

at the foot
בְּתַחְתִּ֥ית (bə·ṯaḥ·tîṯ)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 8482: Lowermost, the depths

of the mountain.
הָהָֽר׃ (hā·hār)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2022: Mountain, hill, hill country


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OT Law: Exodus 19:17 Moses led the people out (Exo. Ex)
Exodus 19:16
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