“Do not come any closer,” God said.
This command from God to Moses occurs during the theophany at the burning bush. The directive to not approach further signifies the holiness and reverence required in the presence of God. In ancient Near Eastern culture, approaching a deity was a serious matter, often requiring purification or specific rituals. This moment marks a pivotal point in Moses' life, transitioning from a shepherd to the leader of Israel. The command also emphasizes God's transcendence and the need for humans to recognize their limitations before the divine. Similar instances of divine encounters requiring distance can be seen in Genesis 28:16-17 with Jacob and in Isaiah 6:5 with Isaiah's vision.

“Take off your sandals,”
Removing sandals is a sign of respect and humility, acknowledging the sanctity of the ground. In ancient cultures, removing footwear was a common practice when entering a sacred space or home. This act symbolizes the removal of defilement and the acknowledgment of God's presence. It is a gesture of submission and reverence, indicating that Moses is entering a space set apart by God. This practice is echoed in Joshua 5:15, where Joshua is also instructed to remove his sandals in the presence of the commander of the Lord's army.

“for the place where you are standing is holy ground.”
The designation of the ground as "holy" signifies that it is set apart by God's presence. Holiness in the biblical context often involves separation from the ordinary for divine purposes. This encounter occurs on Mount Horeb, also known as Mount Sinai, a location that becomes central in Israel's history as the place where the Law is given. The concept of holy ground underscores the idea that God's presence sanctifies and transforms the ordinary into something sacred. This theme of holiness is prevalent throughout Scripture, as seen in Leviticus 19:2, where God calls His people to be holy as He is holy. The burning bush itself is a type of Christ, symbolizing God's presence in the world, unconsumed by it, much like Christ's incarnation.

1. Moses
A Hebrew by birth, raised in Pharaoh's palace, who fled to Midian after killing an Egyptian. At this point, he is tending sheep for his father-in-law, Jethro.

2. God
The Almighty, who appears to Moses in the form of a burning bush, initiating a pivotal moment in the history of Israel.

3. Mount Horeb
Also known as the Mountain of God, where Moses encounters the burning bush. This location is significant as a place of divine revelation.

4. The Burning Bush
A miraculous sign where the bush is on fire but not consumed, symbolizing God's presence and holiness.

5. Holy Ground
The area around the burning bush, made holy by God's presence, requiring Moses to remove his sandals as a sign of reverence and respect.Reverence for God's Holiness
God's presence transforms ordinary places into holy ground. We should approach God with reverence and respect, acknowledging His holiness in our lives.

God's Initiative in Revelation
God initiates contact with Moses, demonstrating that He seeks a relationship with His people. We should be attentive to God's call in our lives.

Symbolism of Removing Sandals
Removing sandals signifies humility and submission. In our spiritual walk, we should remove anything that hinders our relationship with God.

God's Presence in the Ordinary
God often reveals Himself in the mundane aspects of life. We should be open to encountering God in everyday situations.

Preparation for Divine Mission
This encounter prepares Moses for his mission to lead Israel out of Egypt. We should be ready to respond to God's call and purpose for our lives.(5) Put off thy shoes.--Rather, thy sandals. It is doubtful whether shoes were known at this early date. They would certainly not have been worn in Midian. Egyptians before the time of Moses, and Orientals generally, in ancient (as in modern) times, removed their sandals (or their shoes) from their feet on entering any place to which respect was due, as a temple, a palace, and even the private house of a great man. It is worthy of notice that God Himself orders this mark of respect to be shown to the place which His Presence has hallowed. On the reverence due to holy places, see the Note on Genesis 28:16-17.

Verse 5. - Draw not nigh. The awful greatness of the Creator is such that his creatures, until invited to draw near, are bound to stand aloof. Moses, not yet aware that God himself spoke to him, was approaching the bush too close, to examine and see what the "great thing" was. (See ver. 3.) On the general unfitness of man to approach near to holy things, see the comment on Exodus 19:12. Put off thy shoes. Rather, "thy sandals." Shoes were not worn commonly, even by the Egyptians, until a late period, and would certainly not be known in the land of Midian at this time. The practice of putting them off before entering a temple, a palace, or even the private apartments of a house, was, and is, universal in the East - the rationale of it being that the shoes or sandals have dust or dirt attaching to them. The command given to Moses at this time was repeated to Joshua (Joshua 5:15). Holy ground. Literally, "ground of holiness " - ground rendered holy by the presence of God upon it - not "an old sanctuary," as some have thought, for then Moses would not have needed the information. Exodus - The God of thy father. "Father" here is used collectively, meaning forefathers generally, a usage well known to Hebraists. (Compare Exodus 15:2, antioch, 18:4.) The God of Abraham, etc., i.e. the God who revealed himself to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and entered into covenant with them (Genesis 15:1-21; Genesis 26:2-5; Genesis 35:1-12). The conclusion which our Blessed Lord drew from this verse (Matthew 22:32) is not directly involved in it, but depends on his minor premiss, "God is not the God of the dead, but of the living." Moses hid his face. A natural instinctive action. So Elijah, on the same site (1 Kings 19:13) and the holy angels before God's throne in heaven (Isaiah 6:2). In the religious system of Rome, the augurs when discharging their office, and all persons when offering a sacrifice, veiled their heads. (See Liv. 1:18; Virg. Aen. 3:405; Juv. 6:390.)

Parallel Commentaries ...


“Do not
אַל־ (’al-)
Adverb
Strong's 408: Not

come
תִּקְרַ֣ב (tiq·raḇ)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 7126: To come near, approach

any closer,”
הֲלֹ֑ם (hă·lōm)
Adverb
Strong's 1988: Hith-er

[God] said.
וַיֹּ֖אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“Take off
שַׁל־ (šal-)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 5394: To slip or drop off, draw off, clear away

your sandals,
נְעָלֶ֙יךָ֙ (nə·‘ā·le·ḵā)
Noun - feminine plural construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 5275: A sandal tongue, a sandal, slipper

for
כִּ֣י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

the place
הַמָּק֗וֹם (ham·mā·qō·wm)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4725: A standing, a spot, a condition

where
אֲשֶׁ֤ר (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

you
אַתָּה֙ (’at·tāh)
Pronoun - second person masculine singular
Strong's 859: Thou and thee, ye and you

are standing
עוֹמֵ֣ד (‘ō·w·mêḏ)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 5975: To stand, in various relations

is holy
קֹ֖דֶשׁ (qō·ḏeš)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6944: A sacred place, thing, sanctity

ground.”
אַדְמַת־ (’aḏ·maṯ-)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 127: Ground, land


Exodus 3:5 NIV
Exodus 3:5 NLT
Exodus 3:5 ESV
Exodus 3:5 NASB
Exodus 3:5 KJV

Exodus 3:5 BibleApps.com
Exodus 3:5 Biblia Paralela
Exodus 3:5 Chinese Bible
Exodus 3:5 French Bible
Exodus 3:5 Catholic Bible

OT Law: Exodus 3:5 He said Don't come close (Exo. Ex)