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Exodus 19:22

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Exodus 19:22 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And let the priests also, that come near to Jehovah, sanctify themselves, lest Jehovah break forth upon them.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And let the priests also, that come near to Jehovah, sanctify themselves, lest Jehovah break forth upon them.
Exodus 19:22 — American Standard Version

Context — Exodus 19

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
19And when the voice of the trumpet waxed louder and louder, Moses spake, and God answered him by a voice.
20And Jehovah came down upon mount Sinai, to the top of the mount: and Jehovah called Moses to the top of the mount; and Moses went up.
21And Jehovah said unto Moses, Go down, charge the people, lest they break through unto Jehovah to gaze, and many of them perish.
22And let the priests also, that come near to Jehovah, sanctify themselves, lest Jehovah break forth upon them.
23And Moses said unto Jehovah, The people cannot come up to mount Sinai: for thou didst charge us, saying, Set bounds about the mount, and sanctify it.
24And Jehovah said unto him, Go, get thee down; and thou shalt come up, thou, and Aaron with thee: but let not the priests and the people break through to come up unto Jehovah, lest he break forth upon them.
25So Moses went down unto the people, and told them.
← Exodus 19:21Exodus 19:23 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And let the priests also, which come near unto the Lord, etc.] Either the firstborn, as the Jews generally interpret it, so Jarchi and Aben Ezra; who were sanctified to the Lord, and in whose stead afterwards the Levites were taken; or the sons of Aaron, who should be, and were potentially, though not actually priests, as Ben Gersom expresses it, from an ancient book of theirs called Mechilta; or rather some principal persons, as heads of families and the like, who, before the priesthood was settled in the family of Aaron, officiated as priests, and drew nigh to God, and offered up sacrifices for themselves and others, and were distinguished from others by this character, and therefore do…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“The priests also - Sacrifices had hitherto been offered by firstborn, or the heads of families. See Genesis 14:18 note. return to 'Top of Page' Footnotes: Copyright Statement These files are public domain. Bibliographical Information Barnes, Albert. "Commentary on Exodus 19". "Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible". https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/bnb/exodus-19.html. 1870. StudyLight.org © 2001-2026 Powered by Lightspeed Technology”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“the priests: Exo 24:5; Lev 10:1-3; Isa 52:11 sanctify: Exo 19:5, Exo 19:14, Exo 19:15 break: Sa2 6:6-8; Ch1 13:9-11, Ch1 15:13; Ch2 30:3, Ch2 30:15, Ch2 30:18, Ch2 30:19; Act 5:5, Act 5:10; Co1 11:30-32 Exodus 19:23”
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Related study paths

Read Exodus 19 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification