Exodus 3:5
And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground.
Original Language Analysis
אַל
H408
אַל
Strong's:
H408
Word #:
2 of 17
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
תִּקְרַ֣ב
Draw not nigh
H7126
תִּקְרַ֣ב
Draw not nigh
Strong's:
H7126
Word #:
3 of 17
to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose
נְעָלֶ֙יךָ֙
thy shoes
H5275
נְעָלֶ֙יךָ֙
thy shoes
Strong's:
H5275
Word #:
6 of 17
properly, a sandal tongue; by extension a sandal or slipper (sometimes as a symbol of occupancy, a refusal to marry, or of something valueless)
מֵעַ֣ל
H5921
מֵעַ֣ל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
7 of 17
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
רַגְלֶ֔יךָ
from off thy feet
H7272
רַגְלֶ֔יךָ
from off thy feet
Strong's:
H7272
Word #:
8 of 17
a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda
כִּ֣י
H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
9 of 17
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
הַמָּק֗וֹם
for the place
H4725
הַמָּק֗וֹם
for the place
Strong's:
H4725
Word #:
10 of 17
properly, a standing, i.e., a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)
אֲשֶׁ֤ר
whereon
H834
אֲשֶׁ֤ר
whereon
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
11 of 17
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
עוֹמֵ֣ד
thou standest
H5975
עוֹמֵ֣ד
thou standest
Strong's:
H5975
Word #:
13 of 17
to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)
עָלָ֔יו
H5921
עָלָ֔יו
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
14 of 17
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
Cross References
Joshua 5:15And the captain of the LORD'S host said unto Joshua, Loose thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest is holy. And Joshua did so.Acts 7:33Then said the Lord to him, Put off thy shoes from thy feet: for the place where thou standest is holy ground.Exodus 19:12And thou shalt set bounds unto the people round about, saying, Take heed to yourselves, that ye go not up into the mount, or touch the border of it: whosoever toucheth the mount shall be surely put to death:Ecclesiastes 5:1Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they do evil.Hebrews 12:20(For they could not endure that which was commanded, And if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart:Exodus 19:21And the LORD said unto Moses, Go down, charge the people, lest they break through unto the LORD to gaze, and many of them perish.Leviticus 10:3Then Moses said unto Aaron, This is it that the LORD spake, saying, I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me, and before all the people I will be glorified. And Aaron held his peace.
Historical Context
Removing footwear before entering holy space was practiced in ancient Near Eastern cultures when approaching temples or sacred sites. The principle of sacred space consecrated by divine presence becomes foundational in Israel's tabernacle/temple theology (Exodus 25-31, 1 Kings 8:10-11). This moment at Horeb establishes the pattern: God's manifest presence creates holy space demanding reverent response.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the command to remove shoes challenge modern casual approaches to God's presence?
- What does this verse teach about the relationship between God's holiness and our posture when encountering Him?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground (וַיֹּאמֶר אַל־תִּקְרַב הֲלֹם שַׁל־נְעָלֶיךָ מֵעַל רַגְלֶיךָ כִּי הַמָּקוֹם אֲשֶׁר אַתָּה עוֹמֵד עָלָיו אַדְמַת־קֹדֶשׁ הוּא, vayomer al-tikrav halom shal-ne'alekha me'al raglekha ki hamakom asher atah omed alav admat-kodesh hu)—Draw not nigh (אַל־תִּקְרַב, al-tikrav) establishes distance—God's holiness demands reverent approach. Put off thy shoes (שַׁל־נְעָלֶיךָ) was customary when entering sacred space; bare feet signified humility and respect (cf. Joshua 5:15). Holy ground (אַדְמַת־קֹדֶשׁ, admat-kodesh)—holiness derives not from the place but from God's presence. This command teaches that encountering God requires appropriate reverence, humility, and separation from the common. Moses learns here what Israel will learn at Sinai: approach to holy God demands preparation and respect (Exodus 19:10-13).