Exodus 24:18
And Moses went into the midst of the cloud, and gat him up into the mount: and Moses was in the mount forty days and forty nights.
Original Language Analysis
בְּת֥וֹךְ
into the midst
H8432
בְּת֥וֹךְ
into the midst
Strong's:
H8432
Word #:
3 of 14
a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center
הֶֽעָנָ֖ן
of the cloud
H6051
הֶֽעָנָ֖ן
of the cloud
Strong's:
H6051
Word #:
4 of 14
a cloud (as covering the sky), i.e., the nimbus or thunder-cloud
וַיַּ֣עַל
and gat him up
H5927
וַיַּ֣עַל
and gat him up
Strong's:
H5927
Word #:
5 of 14
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
בָּהָ֔ר
into the mount
H2022
בָּהָ֔ר
into the mount
Strong's:
H2022
Word #:
7 of 14
a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)
וַיְהִ֤י
H1961
וַיְהִ֤י
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
8 of 14
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
בָּהָ֔ר
into the mount
H2022
בָּהָ֔ר
into the mount
Strong's:
H2022
Word #:
10 of 14
a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)
Cross References
Deuteronomy 9:9When I was gone up into the mount to receive the tables of stone, even the tables of the covenant which the LORD made with you, then I abode in the mount forty days and forty nights, I neither did eat bread nor drink water:Exodus 34:28And he was there with the LORD forty days and forty nights; he did neither eat bread, nor drink water. And he wrote upon the tables the words of the covenant, the ten commandments.Deuteronomy 10:10And I stayed in the mount, according to the first time, forty days and forty nights; and the LORD hearkened unto me at that time also, and the LORD would not destroy thee.Deuteronomy 9:25Thus I fell down before the LORD forty days and forty nights, as I fell down at the first; because the LORD had said he would destroy you.Deuteronomy 9:18And I fell down before the LORD, as at the first, forty days and forty nights: I did neither eat bread, nor drink water, because of all your sins which ye sinned, in doing wickedly in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger.
Historical Context
Moses' two forty-day periods on Sinai (24:18 and 34:28) frame the golden calf apostasy. The forty-day duration reappears throughout redemptive history as a period of testing and preparation.
Questions for Reflection
- Why does Moses need forty days and nights with God—what does extended time in His presence accomplish?
- How does Moses' forty-day intimacy with God contrast with Israel's impatient idolatry below?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And Moses went into the midst of the cloud, and gat him up into the mount: and Moses was in the mount forty days and forty nights.
Moses enters 'the midst of the cloud' (בְּתוֹךְ הֶעָנָן, betokh he'anan)—into the fire the people saw. He survives forty days and nights without food or water (Deuteronomy 9:9)—supernaturally sustained. Forty is the number of testing: rain for forty days/nights (Noah), Israel wanders forty years, Elijah fasts forty days, Jesus fasts forty days. Moses' forty-day absence creates crisis below—Israel makes the golden calf (ch. 32). His prolonged intimacy with God contrasts their impatient idolatry. The forty days produce the law and tabernacle plans—comprehensive revelation requiring extended communion. Transformation takes time in God's presence.