Exodus 19:20
ESV
The Lord came down on Mount Sinai, to the top of the mountain. And the Lord called Moses to the top of the mountain, and Moses went up.
NIV
The Lord descended to the top of Mount Sinai and called Moses to the top of the mountain. So Moses went up
NASB
Then the Lord came down on Mount Sinai, to the top of the mountain; and the Lord called Moses to the top of the mountain, and Moses went up.
CSB
The Lord came down on Mount Sinai at the top of the mountain. Then the Lord summoned Moses to the top of the mountain, and he went up.
NLT
The Lord came down on the top of Mount Sinai and called Moses to the top of the mountain. So Moses climbed the mountain.
KJV
And the Lord came down upon mount Sinai, on the top of the mount: and the Lord called Moses up to the top of the mount; and Moses went up.
NKJV
Then the Lord came down upon Mount Sinai, on the top of the mountain. And the Lord called Moses to the top of the mountain, and Moses went up.
What does Exodus 19:20 mean?
Words for mounds of earth and rock are subjective. To people living in Nepal, or the American state of Colorado, the "mountains" of Israel seem like hills. The terrain of the Sinai Peninsula has no mountains the size of the Alps or Himalayas. This doesn't make them small, however. When God comes down to the top of Mount Sinai (Exodus 19:1–2), it is entirely covered in smoke, fire, and lightning, complete with thunder, trumpets, and earth tremors (Exodus 19:16–18). This impressive display proclaims God's immense power and holiness (Hebrews 12:18–21).As Israel prepared to receive their covenant (Exodus 19:5–6), they were given a warning. No person or animal was allowed to touch the mountain itself—on penalty of death (Exodus 19:12–13). Only those directly called by God were allowed to climb it (Exodus 19:24). Moses will spend many days on Sinai hearing from God about His laws for the nation of Israel.
