Exodus 19:9
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.
Original Language Analysis
יְהוָֽה׃
And the LORD
H3068
יְהוָֽה׃
And the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
2 of 26
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
בְּעַ֣ב
unto thee in a thick
H5645
בְּעַ֣ב
unto thee in a thick
Strong's:
H5645
Word #:
9 of 26
properly, an envelope, i.e., darkness (or density, 2 chronicles 4:17); specifically, a (scud) cloud; also a copse
הֶֽעָנָן֒
cloud
H6051
הֶֽעָנָן֒
cloud
Strong's:
H6051
Word #:
10 of 26
a cloud (as covering the sky), i.e., the nimbus or thunder-cloud
בַּֽעֲב֞וּר
H5668
בַּֽעֲב֞וּר
Strong's:
H5668
Word #:
11 of 26
properly, crossed, i.e., (abstractly) transit; used only adverbially, on account of, in order that
יִשְׁמַ֤ע
may hear
H8085
יִשְׁמַ֤ע
may hear
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
12 of 26
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
הָעָ֖ם
of the people
H5971
הָעָ֖ם
of the people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
13 of 26
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
בְּדַבְּרִ֣י
when I speak
H1696
בְּדַבְּרִ֣י
when I speak
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
14 of 26
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
עִמָּ֔ךְ
H5973
עִמָּ֔ךְ
Strong's:
H5973
Word #:
15 of 26
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
וְגַם
H1571
וְגַם
Strong's:
H1571
Word #:
16 of 26
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
יַֽאֲמִ֣ינוּ
with thee and believe
H539
יַֽאֲמִ֣ינוּ
with thee and believe
Strong's:
H539
Word #:
18 of 26
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
לְעוֹלָ֑ם
thee for ever
H5769
לְעוֹלָ֑ם
thee for ever
Strong's:
H5769
Word #:
19 of 26
properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial
וַיַּגֵּ֥ד
told
H5046
וַיַּגֵּ֥ד
told
Strong's:
H5046
Word #:
20 of 26
properly, to front, i.e., stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
22 of 26
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
דִּבְרֵ֥י
the words
H1697
דִּבְרֵ֥י
the words
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
23 of 26
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
Cross References
Deuteronomy 4:36Out of heaven he made thee to hear his voice, that he might instruct thee: and upon earth he shewed thee his great fire; and thou heardest his words out of the midst of the fire.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.Psalms 97:2Clouds and darkness are round about him: righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne.Exodus 20:21And the people stood afar off, and Moses drew near unto the thick darkness where God was.Exodus 14:31And Israel saw that great work which the LORD did upon the Egyptians: and the people feared the LORD, and believed the LORD, and his servant Moses.Matthew 17:5While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.
Historical Context
Theophanic clouds appear throughout the Bible as manifestations of God's glory (kavod). In the ancient Near East, clouds often symbolized deity, but Israel's cloud is unique—it's not a god but the veil of the one true God.
Questions for Reflection
- Why does God veil His glory in a cloud rather than revealing Himself directly?
- How does the Sinai cloud compare to the cloud of God's glory that filled the temple (1 Kings 8:10-11)?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
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.
The 'thick cloud' (עֲנַן הֶעָנָן, anan he'anan) serves dual purposes: veiling God's consuming holiness while revealing His presence. God accommodates human weakness—His glory would annihilate them, so He shrouds Himself. The purpose: 'that the people may hear'—public validation of Moses' prophetic authority. They'll hear God speak TO Moses, establishing Moses' credentials beyond dispute. This public authentication becomes crucial when Moses' authority is later challenged (Numbers 16). The cloud imagery recurs throughout Scripture: Sinai, the tabernacle, the temple, the transfiguration—each time marking divine presence veiled for human protection.