Exodus 19:10
And the LORD said unto Moses, Go unto the people, and sanctify them to day and to morrow, and let them wash their clothes,
Original Language Analysis
יְהוָ֤ה
And the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֤ה
And the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
2 of 12
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
לֵ֣ךְ
H1980
לֵ֣ךְ
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
5 of 12
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
הָעָ֔ם
unto the people
H5971
הָעָ֔ם
unto the people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
7 of 12
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
וְקִדַּשְׁתָּ֥ם
and sanctify
H6942
וְקִדַּשְׁתָּ֥ם
and sanctify
Strong's:
H6942
Word #:
8 of 12
to be (causatively, make, pronounce or observe as) clean (ceremonially or morally)
הַיּ֖וֹם
them to day
H3117
הַיּ֖וֹם
them to day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
9 of 12
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
וּמָחָ֑ר
and to morrow
H4279
וּמָחָ֑ר
and to morrow
Strong's:
H4279
Word #:
10 of 12
properly, deferred, i.e., the morrow; usually (adverbially) tomorrow; indefinitely, hereafter
Cross References
Hebrews 10:22Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.Genesis 35:2Then Jacob said unto his household, and to all that were with him, Put away the strange gods that are among you, and be clean, and change your garments:Leviticus 11:25And whosoever beareth ought of the carcase of them shall wash his clothes, and be unclean until the even.1 Corinthians 6:11And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.Leviticus 15:5And whosoever toucheth his bed shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even.Numbers 8:21And the Levites were purified, and they washed their clothes; and Aaron offered them as an offering before the LORD; and Aaron made an atonement for them to cleanse them.Joshua 3:5And Joshua said unto the people, Sanctify yourselves: for to morrow the LORD will do wonders among you.Numbers 8:7And thus shalt thou do unto them, to cleanse them: Sprinkle water of purifying upon them, and let them shave all their flesh, and let them wash their clothes, and so make themselves clean.Revelation 7:14And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.Joshua 7:13Up, sanctify the people, and say, Sanctify yourselves against to morrow: for thus saith the LORD God of Israel, There is an accursed thing in the midst of thee, O Israel: thou canst not stand before thine enemies, until ye take away the accursed thing from among you.
Historical Context
Ritual washings were common in ancient Near Eastern religions, but Israel's washings pointed beyond ceremony to moral transformation. Archaeological evidence shows ancient Israelites used mikvehs (ritual baths) for ceremonial cleansing.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the two-day preparation period challenge modern assumptions about casual approaches to God?
- What does washing clothes symbolize about the nature of holiness required to meet with God?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And the LORD said unto Moses, Go unto the people, and sanctify them to day and to morrow, and let them wash their clothes,
Meeting God requires preparation—holiness isn't casual. 'Sanctify' (קִדַּשְׁתָּם, qiddashtam) means to set apart, consecrate, make holy. The two-day preparation period creates anticipation and underscores the gravity of divine encounter. Washing clothes (כִּבְּסוּ שִׂמְלֹתָם, kibbesu simlotam) symbolizes moral purity—external cleanliness representing internal consecration. The ritual speaks: you cannot approach God in your ordinary, defiled state. The New Testament echoes this: 'without holiness no one will see the Lord' (Hebrews 12:14). While Christ's blood sanctifies us positionally, progressive sanctification remains essential for deeper communion with God.