Exodus 19:9

Authorized King James Version

And 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.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר
said
to say (used with great latitude)
#2
יְהוָֽה׃
And the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#3
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#4
מֹשֶׁ֛ה
And Moses
mosheh, the israelite lawgiver
#5
הִנֵּ֨ה
lo!
#6
אָֽנֹכִ֜י
i
#7
בָּ֣א
Lo I come
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#8
אֵלֶיךָ֮
near, with or among; often in general, to
#9
בְּעַ֣ב
unto thee in a thick
properly, an envelope, i.e., darkness (or density, 2 chronicles 4:17); specifically, a (scud) cloud; also a copse
#10
הֶֽעָנָן֒
cloud
a cloud (as covering the sky), i.e., the nimbus or thunder-cloud
#11
בַּֽעֲב֞וּר
properly, crossed, i.e., (abstractly) transit; used only adverbially, on account of, in order that
#12
יִשְׁמַ֤ע
may hear
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
#13
הָעָ֖ם
of the people
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
#14
בְּדַבְּרִ֣י
when I speak
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
#15
עִמָּ֔ךְ
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
#16
וְגַם
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
#17
בְּךָ֖
H0
#18
יַֽאֲמִ֣ינוּ
with thee and believe
properly, to build up or support; to foster as a parent or nurse; figuratively to render (or be) firm or faithful, to trust or believe, to be permanen
#19
לְעוֹלָ֑ם
thee for ever
properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial
#20
וַיַּגֵּ֥ד
told
properly, to front, i.e., stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to
#21
מֹשֶׁ֛ה
And Moses
mosheh, the israelite lawgiver
#22
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#23
דִּבְרֵ֥י
the words
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
#24
הָעָ֖ם
of the people
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
#25
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#26
יְהוָֽה׃
And the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine sovereignty contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

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