Exodus 19:6
And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.
Original Language Analysis
תִּֽהְיוּ
H1961
תִּֽהְיוּ
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
2 of 14
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
מַמְלֶ֥כֶת
And ye shall be unto me a kingdom
H4467
מַמְלֶ֥כֶת
And ye shall be unto me a kingdom
Strong's:
H4467
Word #:
4 of 14
dominion, i.e., (abstractly) the estate (rule) or (concretely) the country (realm)
כֹּֽהֲנִ֖ים
of priests
H3548
כֹּֽהֲנִ֖ים
of priests
Strong's:
H3548
Word #:
5 of 14
literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
וְג֣וֹי
nation
H1471
וְג֣וֹי
nation
Strong's:
H1471
Word #:
6 of 14
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
קָד֑וֹשׁ
and an holy
H6918
קָד֑וֹשׁ
and an holy
Strong's:
H6918
Word #:
7 of 14
sacred (ceremonially or morally); (as noun) god (by eminence), an angel, a saint, a sanctuary
הַדְּבָרִ֔ים
These are the words
H1697
הַדְּבָרִ֔ים
These are the words
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
9 of 14
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
10 of 14
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
תְּדַבֵּ֖ר
which thou shalt speak
H1696
תְּדַבֵּ֖ר
which thou shalt speak
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
11 of 14
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
Cross References
Revelation 5:10And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.1 Peter 2:9But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:1 Peter 2:5Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.Revelation 1:6And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.Deuteronomy 7:6For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God: the LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth.Deuteronomy 28:9The LORD shall establish thee an holy people unto himself, as he hath sworn unto thee, if thou shalt keep the commandments of the LORD thy God, and walk in his ways.Isaiah 62:12And they shall call them, The holy people, The redeemed of the LORD: and thou shalt be called, Sought out, A city not forsaken.Deuteronomy 26:19And to make thee high above all nations which he hath made, in praise, and in name, and in honour; and that thou mayest be an holy people unto the LORD thy God, as he hath spoken.Leviticus 19:2Speak unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say unto them, Ye shall be holy: for I the LORD your God am holy.Romans 12:1I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
Historical Context
In the ancient world, priests were specialized intermediaries. For an entire nation to be 'a kingdom of priests' was revolutionary—democratizing priestly access while maintaining Israel's unique mediatorial role among the nations.
Questions for Reflection
- How does your identity as part of a 'royal priesthood' (1 Peter 2:9) shape your mission in the world?
- In what ways should the church fulfill Israel's calling to mediate God's presence to the nations?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.
Israel's threefold identity:
This isn't just positional status but functional calling: Israel exists to bring the nations to God, to be His priests to the world. Peter applies this exact language to the church (1 Peter 2:9), showing the church inherits Israel's mediatorial mission. Priests stand between God and people; Israel stands between God and nations; the church continues this priestly-missionary calling.