Exodus 20:21
ESV
The people stood far off, while Moses drew near to the thick darkness where God was.
NIV
The people remained at a distance, while Moses approached the thick darkness where God was.
NASB
So the people stood at a distance, while Moses approached the thick darkness where God was.
CSB
And the people remained standing at a distance as Moses approached the total darkness where God was.
NLT
As the people stood in the distance, Moses approached the dark cloud where God was.
KJV
And the people stood afar off, and Moses drew near unto the thick darkness where God was.
NKJV
So the people stood afar off, but Moses drew near the thick darkness where God was.
What does Exodus 20:21 mean?
God's holiness is on spectacular display at Mount Sinai (Exodus 19:1–2). At this time, only Moses is allowed to approach God on the mountain (Exodus 19:12–13, 24; 24:9–18). The mountain is covered in smoke, fire, lightning, thunder, and earthquakes (Exodus 19:16–20). The people are rightly afraid (Exodus 20:18–19). Moses assures them that this fear should not be terror (Exodus 20:20). The display of power and giving of the Law (Exodus 19:5–6) are Israel's "test" to see if they will obey the Lord.At first, Israel will proclaim their loyalty to God (Deuteronomy 5:28–29). But while Moses is gone for forty days, they will make an idol (Exodus 20:1–4; 32). They will refuse to take Canaan as the Lord intended (Numbers 14:1–4). The nation will repeatedly fall away from the Lord and into sin (Judges 2:16–19). God's love and mercy keeps Israel intact (Malachi 3:6), but they will suffer for their sin.
