Exodus 19:18
ESV
Now Mount Sinai was wrapped in smoke because the Lord had descended on it in fire. The smoke of it went up like the smoke of a kiln, and the whole mountain trembled greatly.
NIV
Mount Sinai was covered with smoke, because the Lord descended on it in fire. The smoke billowed up from it like smoke from a furnace, and the whole mountain trembled violently.
NASB
Now Mount Sinai was all in smoke because the Lord descended upon it in fire; and its smoke ascended like the smoke of a furnace, and the entire mountain quaked violently.
CSB
Mount Sinai was completely enveloped in smoke because the Lord came down on it in fire. Its smoke went up like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain shook violently.
NLT
All of Mount Sinai was covered with smoke because the Lord had descended on it in the form of fire. The smoke billowed into the sky like smoke from a brick kiln, and the whole mountain shook violently.
KJV
And mount Sinai was altogether on a smoke, because the Lord descended upon it in fire: and the smoke thereof ascended as the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mount quaked greatly.
NKJV
Now Mount Sinai was completely in smoke, because the Lord descended upon it in fire. Its smoke ascended like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain quaked greatly.
What does Exodus 19:18 mean?
Archaeologists are unsure about the exact location of Mount Sinai. "Sinai" is the name for the general area, which is also called "Horeb" (Exodus 3:1). Here, Israel waits (Exodus 19:1–2) while Moses goes back and forth from the mountain with God's instructions (Exodus 19:3–15). When the time is right, Sinai is covered in smoke, fire, and lightning. The people hear thunder and trumpets and feel the earth shake (Exodus 19:16–17).These intense experiences have a purpose. God is expressing His holiness: that He is set apart and distinguished from His creation. The spectacle at the mountain underscores the need for a healthy "fear" of the Lord (Proverbs 1:7). While this "fear" includes reverence and awe, it also means understanding His power. As God introduces His covenant (Exodus 20:1–21), He establishes His absolute sovereignty and omnipotence (Hebrews 12:18–21).
A major purpose of this Mosaic covenant—later known as the "old covenant"—is to demonstrate human sinfulness and our inability to match God's holiness. The "new covenant" (Jeremiah 31:31–33) will mark the old covenant's fulfillment and allow believers to approach God with confidence instead of terror (Romans 7:4–7; Hebrews 4:16; 8:1–13; 12:22–24).
