Exodus 19:6
ESV
and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you shall speak to the people of Israel."
NIV
you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites."
NASB
and you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you shall speak to the sons of Israel.'
CSB
and you will be my kingdom of priests and my holy nation.’ These are the words that you are to say to the Israelites."
NLT
And you will be my kingdom of priests, my holy nation.’ This is the message you must give to the people of Israel.'
KJV
And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.
NKJV
And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel.”
What does Exodus 19:6 mean?
God is relaying a message for Israel through Moses (Exodus 19:3). The Lord's incredible miracles (Exodus 3:19–20; 14:21–28; 16:14–16) prove His love for the people (Exodus 19:4). Based on that love, God intends to establish a unique covenant with the nation of Israel. Their part of the covenant is obedience, and in return God will treat them with special care (Exodus 19:5). Most of the rest of the book of Exodus contains details about what God wants Israel to do. Moses will provide stark warnings about obedience versus disobedience later (Deuteronomy 30:15–18).Obedience to God's law would set Israel apart from other nations. That is the basic definition of "holiness:" a unique separation or difference. Israel's status as God's chosen people (Deuteronomy 14:2) will also make the entire nation "priests." In typical definitions, "priests" have special access to a deity. Israel will be an entire nation of people with a unique closeness to the Lord. Of course, Israel will still have literal priests (Exodus 28:1; Numbers 8:15). Here, the idea is meant to highlight the closeness which God offers to His people. In the New Testament, this idea will be applied to Christian believers since they have the ultimate personal contact with the Lord (1 Peter 2:9).
