Exodus 24:16

Authorized King James Version

And the glory of the LORD abode upon mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it six days: and the seventh day he called unto Moses out of the midst of the cloud.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיִּשְׁכֹּ֤ן
abode
to reside or permanently stay (literally or figuratively)
#2
כְּבוֹד
And the glory
properly, weight, but only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or copiousness
#3
יְהוָה֙
of the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#4
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#5
הַ֣ר
upon mount
a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)
#6
סִינַ֔י
Sinai
sinai, mountain of arabia
#7
וַיְכַסֵּ֥הוּ
covered
properly, to plump, i.e., fill up hollows; by implication, to cover (for clothing or secrecy)
#8
הֶֽעָנָֽן׃
and the cloud
a cloud (as covering the sky), i.e., the nimbus or thunder-cloud
#9
שֵׁ֣שֶׁת
it six
six (as an overplus beyond five or the fingers of the hand); as ordinal, sixth
#10
בַּיּ֥וֹם
day
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
#11
וַיִּקְרָ֧א
he called
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
#12
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#13
מֹשֶׁ֛ה
unto Moses
mosheh, the israelite lawgiver
#14
בַּיּ֥וֹם
day
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
#15
הַשְּׁבִיעִ֖י
and the seventh
seventh
#16
מִתּ֥וֹךְ
out of the midst
a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center
#17
הֶֽעָנָֽן׃
and the cloud
a cloud (as covering the sky), i.e., the nimbus or thunder-cloud

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 glory 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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