Exodus 19:19
And when the voice of the trumpet sounded long, and waxed louder and louder, Moses spake, and God answered him by a voice.
Original Language Analysis
וַֽיְהִי֙
H1961
וַֽיְהִי֙
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
1 of 11
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
הַשֹּׁפָ֔ר
of the trumpet
H7782
הַשֹּׁפָ֔ר
of the trumpet
Strong's:
H7782
Word #:
3 of 11
a cornet (as giving a clear sound) or curved horn
מְאֹ֑ד
and louder
H3966
מְאֹ֑ד
and louder
Strong's:
H3966
Word #:
6 of 11
properly, vehemence, i.e., (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication, wholly, speedily, etc. (often with other words as an intensive or
יְדַבֵּ֔ר
spake
H1696
יְדַבֵּ֔ר
spake
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
8 of 11
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
וְהָֽאֱלֹהִ֖ים
and God
H430
וְהָֽאֱלֹהִ֖ים
and God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
9 of 11
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
Cross References
Psalms 81:7Thou calledst in trouble, and I delivered thee; I answered thee in the secret place of thunder: I proved thee at the waters of Meribah. Selah.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.
Historical Context
Ancient coronations featured trumpet fanfares announcing the king. Here the cosmic trumpet announces the King of kings. The dialogical nature of this encounter distinguishes it from mute pagan theophanies—Israel's God speaks intelligibly.
Questions for Reflection
- Why does the trumpet blast intensify rather than fade—what does this supernatural element signify?
- What is the significance of God answering Moses 'by voice' rather than other signs?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And when the voice of the trumpet sounded long, and waxed louder and louder, Moses spake, and God answered him by a voice.
The trumpet crescendos (הוֹלֵךְ וְחָזֵק מְאֹד, holekh vechazaq me'od)—'going and exceedingly strong'—building unbearable tension. Unlike human trumpets that fade, this blast intensifies, indicating supernatural origin. Moses 'spake' (יְדַבֵּר, yedabber) and God 'answered by voice' (יַעֲנֶנּוּ בְקוֹל, ya'anennu bekol)—the dialogue shows relationship within terror. Moses alone can speak in God's presence without being consumed. The text emphasizes 'voice' (qol)—God speaks with articulate words, not merely impressive phenomena. Revelation is verbal and propositional, not just experiential. The crescendoing trumpet announces the arrival of the divine King to establish His royal covenant.