Exodus 19:11
And be ready against the third day: for the third day the LORD will come down in the sight of all the people upon mount Sinai.
Original Language Analysis
וְהָי֥וּ
H1961
וְהָי֥וּ
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
1 of 15
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
נְכֹנִ֖ים
And be ready
H3559
נְכֹנִ֖ים
And be ready
Strong's:
H3559
Word #:
2 of 15
properly, to be erect (i.e., stand perpendicular); hence (causatively) to set up, in a great variety of applications, whether literal (establish, fix,
בַּיּ֣וֹם
day
H3117
בַּיּ֣וֹם
day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
3 of 15
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
הַשְּׁלִשִׁ֗י
against the third
H7992
הַשְּׁלִשִׁ֗י
against the third
Strong's:
H7992
Word #:
4 of 15
third; feminine a third (part); by extension, a third (day, year or time); specifically, a third-story cell)
כִּ֣י׀
H3588
כִּ֣י׀
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
5 of 15
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
בַּיּ֣וֹם
day
H3117
בַּיּ֣וֹם
day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
6 of 15
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
הַשְּׁלִשִׁ֗י
against the third
H7992
הַשְּׁלִשִׁ֗י
against the third
Strong's:
H7992
Word #:
7 of 15
third; feminine a third (part); by extension, a third (day, year or time); specifically, a third-story cell)
יֵרֵ֧ד
will come down
H3381
יֵרֵ֧ד
will come down
Strong's:
H3381
Word #:
8 of 15
to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau
יְהוָ֛ה
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֛ה
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
9 of 15
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
לְעֵינֵ֥י
in the sight
H5869
לְעֵינֵ֥י
in the sight
Strong's:
H5869
Word #:
10 of 15
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
כָל
H3605
כָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
11 of 15
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הָעָ֖ם
of all the people
H5971
הָעָ֖ם
of all the people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
12 of 15
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
13 of 15
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
Cross References
Exodus 34:5And the LORD descended in the cloud, and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the LORD.Exodus 19:16And it came to pass on the third day in the morning, that there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud upon the mount, and the voice of the trumpet exceeding loud; so that all the people that was in the camp trembled.Deuteronomy 33:2And he said, The LORD came from Sinai, and rose up from Seir unto them; he shined forth from mount Paran, and he came with ten thousands of saints: from his right hand went a fiery law for them.
Historical Context
The 'third day' motif carries resurrection significance, though its full meaning wouldn't be clear until Christ. Mount Sinai becomes the stage for the most dramatic theophany in human history, witnessed by potentially two million people.
Questions for Reflection
- What is the significance of the 'third day' pattern throughout biblical history?
- How does God's public descent before all Israel differ from mystical or private religious experiences?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And be ready against the third day: for the third day the LORD will come down in the sight of all the people upon mount Sinai.
The 'third day' pattern appears throughout redemptive history: Abraham and Isaac (Genesis 22:4), Israel's preparation here, Hosea's prophecy (Hosea 6:2), Jonah in the fish, Christ's resurrection—the third day marks divine intervention and new beginnings. God 'coming down' (יֵרֵד, yered) reverses Babel's presumption (humans going up to make a name); here God descends in grace to establish His name and covenant. The descent happens 'in the sight of all the people'—this isn't mystical experience for the elite but public revelation witnessed by 600,000+ men plus women and children. God's self-disclosure to Israel is empirically verifiable, grounding faith in historical event, not subjective feeling.