Exodus 19:20
And the LORD came down upon mount Sinai, on the top of the mount: and the LORD called Moses up to the top of the mount; and Moses went up.
Original Language Analysis
וַיֵּ֧רֶד
came down
H3381
וַיֵּ֧רֶד
came down
Strong's:
H3381
Word #:
1 of 16
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
יְהוָ֧ה
And the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֧ה
And the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
2 of 16
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
3 of 16
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
הָהָ֖ר
of the mount
H2022
הָהָ֖ר
of the mount
Strong's:
H2022
Word #:
4 of 16
a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)
רֹ֥אשׁ
on the top
H7218
רֹ֥אשׁ
on the top
Strong's:
H7218
Word #:
7 of 16
the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
הָהָ֖ר
of the mount
H2022
הָהָ֖ר
of the mount
Strong's:
H2022
Word #:
8 of 16
a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)
וַיִּקְרָ֨א
called
H7121
וַיִּקְרָ֨א
called
Strong's:
H7121
Word #:
9 of 16
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
יְהוָ֧ה
And the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֧ה
And the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
10 of 16
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
רֹ֥אשׁ
on the top
H7218
רֹ֥אשׁ
on the top
Strong's:
H7218
Word #:
13 of 16
the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
הָהָ֖ר
of the mount
H2022
הָהָ֖ר
of the mount
Strong's:
H2022
Word #:
14 of 16
a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)
Historical Context
Mountaintops in the ancient world were considered closer to the gods, but at Sinai God condescends to the mountain rather than residing there naturally. Moses' ascent begins the first of several meetings that will structure the next chapters.
Questions for Reflection
- What does God's 'coming down' before calling Moses 'up' teach about divine initiative in salvation?
- How does Moses' solitary ascent to meet God prefigure Christ's unique access to the Father?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And the LORD came down upon mount Sinai, on the top of the mount: and the LORD called Moses up to the top of the mount; and Moses went up.
God 'came down' (וַיֵּרֶד, vayered) to the summit, then 'called up' (וַיִּקְרָא, vayiqra) Moses—God condescends to meet, then summons the mediator higher. The verbs map the covenant dance: God initiates by descending, humans respond by ascending. Moses alone crosses the boundary—his unique access prefigures Christ's entrance into God's presence on our behalf. The mountaintop becomes the covenant-making venue, heaven and earth overlapping. Ancient kings descended to subject territories to establish rule; here God descends not to conquer but to covenant, bringing law as gift rather than imposition.