Exodus 20:18
Exodus 20:18 in Multiple Translations
When all the people witnessed the thunder and lightning, the sounding of the ram’s horn, and the mountain enveloped in smoke, they trembled and stood at a distance.
¶ And all the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw it, they removed, and stood afar off.
And all the people perceived the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the voice of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw it, they trembled, and stood afar off.
And all the people were watching the thunderings and the flames and the sound of the horn and the mountain smoking; and when they saw it, they kept far off, shaking with fear.
When all the people heard the thunder and the sound of the trumpet, and saw the lightning and the smoke from the mountain, they trembled with fear and stood a long way off.
And all the people sawe the thunders, and the lightnings, and the sound of the trumpet, and the mountaine smoking and when the people saw it they fled and stoode afare off,
And all the people are seeing the voices, and the flames, and the sound of the trumpet, and the mount smoking; and the people see, and move, and stand afar off,
All the people perceived the thunderings, the lightnings, the sound of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking. When the people saw it, they trembled, and stayed at a distance.
And all the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw it, they removed, and stood afar off.
And all the people saw the voices and the flames, and the sound of the trumpet, and the mount smoking: and being terrified and struck with fear, they stood afar off,
When the people heard the thunder and saw the lightning, and when they heard the sound of the trumpet and saw the smoke on the mountain, they were afraid and trembled. They stood at a distance,
Berean Amplified Bible — Exodus 20:18
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Exodus 20:18 Interlinear (Deep Study)
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Hebrew Word Reference — Exodus 20:18
Study Notes — Exodus 20:18
- Context
- Cross References
- Exodus 20:18 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Exodus 20:18
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Exodus 20:18
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Exodus 20:18
- Trapp's Commentary on Exodus 20:18
- Ellicott's Commentary on Exodus 20:18
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Exodus 20:18
- Cambridge Bible on Exodus 20:18
- Barnes' Notes on Exodus 20:18
- Whedon's Commentary on Exodus 20:18
- Sermons on Exodus 20:18
Context — Moses Comforts the People
18When all the people witnessed the thunder and lightning, the sounding of the ram’s horn, and the mountain enveloped in smoke, they trembled and stood at a distance.
19“Speak to us yourself and we will listen,” they said to Moses. “But do not let God speak to us, or we will die.” 20“Do not be afraid,” Moses replied. “For God has come to test you, so that the fear of Him may be before you, to keep you from sinning.”Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Exodus 19:16–18 | On the third day, when morning came, there was thunder and lightning. A thick cloud was upon the mountain, and a very loud blast of the ram’s horn went out, so that all the people in the camp trembled. Then Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet with God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain. Mount Sinai was completely enveloped in smoke, because the LORD had descended on it in fire. And the smoke rose like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain quaked violently. |
| 2 | Jeremiah 23:23 | “Am I only a God nearby,” declares the LORD, “and not a God far away?” |
| 3 | Psalms 139:7–8 | Where can I go to escape Your Spirit? Where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend to the heavens, You are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, You are there. |
| 4 | Hebrews 12:18–19 | For you have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom, and storm; to a trumpet blast or to a voice that made its hearers beg that no further word be spoken. |
Exodus 20:18 Summary
This verse, Exodus 20:18, describes the people's reaction to witnessing the thunder and lightning, the sounding of the ram's horn, and the mountain enveloped in smoke, which caused them to tremble and stand at a distance. They were in awe of God's power and presence, and this fear is a natural response to encountering the living God, as described in Psalms 111:10. As we reflect on this verse, we can learn to cultivate a deeper sense of reverence and humility in our own relationship with God, as seen in Hebrews 12:28-29. By acknowledging God's holiness and power, we can develop a healthier fear of Him, which will help us to live a life that is pleasing to Him, as described in Proverbs 1:7.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the people tremble and stand at a distance when they witnessed the thunder and lightning?
The people trembled and stood at a distance because they were in awe of God's power and presence, as seen in Exodus 20:18, and this fear is a natural response to encountering the living God, as described in Psalms 111:10, where it says that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.
What was the significance of the ram's horn sounding in this context?
The sounding of the ram's horn, also known as a shofar, was a call to attention and assembly, signaling the importance of the moment, as seen in Exodus 20:18, and is also mentioned in Leviticus 25:9, where it is used to signal the start of the Year of Jubilee.
How does this verse relate to the concept of God's holiness?
This verse highlights God's holiness and the people's awareness of their own sinfulness, as seen in Exodus 20:18, and is reminiscent of Isaiah 6:1-5, where the prophet Isaiah has a vision of God's holiness and is convicted of his own sinfulness.
What can we learn from the people's reaction to God's presence?
We can learn that a genuine encounter with God should evoke a sense of reverence and humility, as seen in Exodus 20:18, and as described in Hebrews 12:28-29, where it says that we should worship God with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.
Reflection Questions
- What would be my response if I were to experience the same manifestation of God's power and presence as the Israelites did at Mount Sinai?
- How can I cultivate a deeper sense of reverence and awe for God in my daily life, as seen in Exodus 20:18?
- What are some ways that I can apply the principle of fearing God, as mentioned in Exodus 20:18 and Proverbs 1:7, to my own life and relationships?
- In what ways can I, like the Israelites, acknowledge my own limitations and weaknesses in the presence of a holy and powerful God, as described in Exodus 20:18 and Isaiah 6:1-5?
Gill's Exposition on Exodus 20:18
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Exodus 20:18
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Exodus 20:18
Trapp's Commentary on Exodus 20:18
Ellicott's Commentary on Exodus 20:18
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Exodus 20:18
Cambridge Bible on Exodus 20:18
Barnes' Notes on Exodus 20:18
Whedon's Commentary on Exodus 20:18
Sermons on Exodus 20:18
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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(1 Corinthians) ch.14:1-15:19 by Zac Poonen | In this sermon, the speaker focuses on 1 Corinthians 14:1, which encourages Christians to pursue love and earnestly desire spiritual gifts. The aim in life should be to have the ty |
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(Exodus) Exodus 20:18-24 by J. Vernon McGee | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the giving of the law to the Israelites on Mount Sinai. He emphasizes that the giving of the law was not a beautiful or pleasant event, but r |
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No Two Saints Are Alike by Leonard Ravenhill | In this sermon, the preacher discusses various topics related to the Christian faith. He mentions spending time in the water for about 25 minutes out of a total of four hours. He a |
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A Woman Who Fears the Lord Is to Be Praised by John Piper | In this sermon, the preacher uses a personal anecdote to illustrate the fear of God. He describes a situation where a dog chases after someone who runs away from it, comparing it t |
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(Revival) Revival Sets Things Right - Part 2 by Michael L. Brown | In this sermon, the speaker highlights the current state of believers in the United States, noting that there are more believers now than ever before. However, despite the abundanc |
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(John) When God Became One of Us by Brian Brodersen | In this sermon, the speaker begins by providing an introduction to the Gospel of John and its purpose. The focus then shifts to the study of the text, specifically verses 1 and 14. |
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Come Up by Glenn Meldrum | In this sermon, the speaker discusses various events and experiences related to the Exodus. He mentions a story about missionaries who risked their lives to bring the Gospel to a h |







