Exodus 19:16
And 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.
Original Language Analysis
וַיְהִי֩
H1961
וַיְהִי֩
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
1 of 21
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
בַיּ֨וֹם
day
H3117
בַיּ֨וֹם
day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
2 of 21
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
הַשְּׁלִישִׁ֜י
And it came to pass on the third
H7992
הַשְּׁלִישִׁ֜י
And it came to pass on the third
Strong's:
H7992
Word #:
3 of 21
third; feminine a third (part); by extension, a third (day, year or time); specifically, a third-story cell)
בִּֽהְיֹ֣ת
H1961
בִּֽהְיֹ֣ת
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
4 of 21
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
הַבֹּ֗קֶר
in the morning
H1242
הַבֹּ֗קֶר
in the morning
Strong's:
H1242
Word #:
5 of 21
properly, dawn (as the break of day); generally, morning
וַיְהִי֩
H1961
וַיְהִי֩
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
6 of 21
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
וּבְרָקִ֜ים
and lightnings
H1300
וּבְרָקִ֜ים
and lightnings
Strong's:
H1300
Word #:
8 of 21
lightning; by analogy, a gleam; concretely, a flashing sword
וְעָנָ֤ן
cloud
H6051
וְעָנָ֤ן
cloud
Strong's:
H6051
Word #:
9 of 21
a cloud (as covering the sky), i.e., the nimbus or thunder-cloud
כָּבֵד֙
and a thick
H3515
כָּבֵד֙
and a thick
Strong's:
H3515
Word #:
10 of 21
heavy; figuratively in a good sense (numerous) or in a bad sense (severe, difficult, stupid)
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
11 of 21
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
הָהָ֔ר
upon the mount
H2022
הָהָ֔ר
upon the mount
Strong's:
H2022
Word #:
12 of 21
a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)
שֹׁפָ֖ר
of the trumpet
H7782
שֹׁפָ֖ר
of the trumpet
Strong's:
H7782
Word #:
14 of 21
a cornet (as giving a clear sound) or curved horn
מְאֹ֑ד
exceeding
H3966
מְאֹ֑ד
exceeding
Strong's:
H3966
Word #:
16 of 21
properly, vehemence, i.e., (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication, wholly, speedily, etc. (often with other words as an intensive or
וַיֶּֽחֱרַ֥ד
trembled
H2729
וַיֶּֽחֱרַ֥ד
trembled
Strong's:
H2729
Word #:
17 of 21
to shudder with terror; hence, to fear; also to hasten (with anxiety)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
18 of 21
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הָעָ֖ם
so that all the people
H5971
הָעָ֖ם
so that all the people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
19 of 21
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
Cross References
Revelation 4:1After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.Hebrews 12:21And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:)Revelation 4:5And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.Revelation 11:19And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.Revelation 8:5And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake.Psalms 77:18The voice of thy thunder was in the heaven: the lightnings lightened the world: the earth trembled and shook.Job 38:25Who hath divided a watercourse for the overflowing of waters, or a way for the lightning of thunder;Exodus 20:18And all the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw it, they removed, and stood afar off.Exodus 19:9And the LORD said unto Moses, Lo, I come unto thee in a thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with thee, and believe thee for ever. And Moses told the words of the people unto the LORD.Exodus 9:23And Moses stretched forth his rod toward heaven: and the LORD sent thunder and hail, and the fire ran along upon the ground; and the LORD rained hail upon the land of Egypt.
Historical Context
This theophany is the most dramatic in the Old Testament, surpassing even Elijah's encounter (1 Kings 19) or Ezekiel's visions. The sensory overload communicated God's transcendent otherness to ancient Israel and future readers.
Questions for Reflection
- Why does God manifest Himself with such overwhelming terrifying phenomena?
- How does the fear that gripped Israel at Sinai inform proper worship today (Hebrews 12:28-29)?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And 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.
The third day arrives with cosmic fireworks—thunders (קֹלֹת, qolot), lightnings (בְּרָקִים, beraqim), thick cloud (עָנָן כָּבֵד, anan kaved), and deafening trumpet (קוֹל שֹׁפָר, qol shofar). The accumulation of phenomena overwhelms the senses—sight, sound, touch all bombarded. 'The people trembled' (וַיֶּחֱרַד, vayecherad)—reverent fear is the appropriate response to holy God. This isn't the chummy deity of modern sentimentalism but the terrifying LORD whose presence shakes mountains. The trumpet grows 'exceedingly loud' (חָזָק מְאֹד, chazaq me'od), escalating tension. Hebrews 12:21 records even Moses saying 'I fear and tremble'—if the mediator fears, how much more the people?