Exodus 19:11
ESV
and be ready for the third day. For on the third day the Lord will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people.
NIV
and be ready by the third day, because on that day the Lord will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people.
NASB
and have them ready for the third day, for on the third day the Lord will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people.
CSB
and be prepared by the third day, for on the third day the Lord will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people.
NLT
Be sure they are ready on the third day, for on that day the Lord will come down on Mount Sinai as all the people watch.
KJV
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.
NKJV
And let them be ready for the third day. For on the third day the Lord will come down upon Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people.
What does Exodus 19:11 mean?
Israel has camped near Mount Sinai (Exodus 19:1–2). There, they are commanded to prepare to receive the Lord's covenant (Exodus 19:5–8, 10). In this case, their consecration included washing clothes (Exodus 19:14) and abstaining from sex (Exodus 19:15). God will also give instructions restricting access to the mountain (Exodus 19:12–13).God will come down to Sinai, but He will be obscured by a thick cloud (Exodus 19:16–19) accompanied by fire, lightning, noise, and earthquakes. The people will see these spectacular signs and believe that Moses is God's chosen representative (Exodus 19:9). During his visits to the mountain, Moses will receive laws from God, which will make up most of the rest of the book of Exodus.
