Exodus 19:22
New International Version
Even the priests, who approach the LORD, must consecrate themselves, or the LORD will break out against them.”

New Living Translation
Even the priests who regularly come near to the LORD must purify themselves so that the LORD does not break out and destroy them.”

English Standard Version
Also let the priests who come near to the LORD consecrate themselves, lest the LORD break out against them.”

Berean Standard Bible
Even the priests who approach the LORD must consecrate themselves, or the LORD will break out against them.”

King James Bible
And let the priests also, which come near to the LORD, sanctify themselves, lest the LORD break forth upon them.

New King James Version
Also let the priests who come near the LORD consecrate themselves, lest the LORD break out against them.”

New American Standard Bible
Also have the priests who approach the LORD consecrate themselves, or else the LORD will break out against them.”

NASB 1995
“Also let the priests who come near to the LORD consecrate themselves, or else the LORD will break out against them.”

NASB 1977
“And also let the priests who come near to the LORD consecrate themselves, lest the LORD break out against them.”

Legacy Standard Bible
Also let the priests who come near to Yahweh set themselves apart as holy, lest Yahweh break out against them.”

Amplified Bible
Also have the priests who approach the LORD consecrate (sanctify, set apart) themselves [for My sacred purpose], or else the LORD will break forth [in judgment] against them [and destroy them].”

Christian Standard Bible
Even the priests who come near the LORD must consecrate themselves, or the LORD will break out in anger against them.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Even the priests who come near the LORD must purify themselves or the LORD will break out in anger against them.”

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

Contemporary English Version
Only the priests may come near me, and they must obey strict rules before I let them. If they don't, they will be punished."

English Revised Version
And let the priests also, which come near to the LORD, sanctify themselves, lest the LORD break forth upon them.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Even the priests who are allowed to come near the LORD must set themselves apart as holy, or the LORD will violently kill them."

Good News Translation
Even the priests who come near me must purify themselves, or I will punish them."

International Standard Version
Even the priests who approach the LORD must consecrate themselves. Otherwise, the LORD will attack them."

Majority Standard Bible
Even the priests who approach the LORD must consecrate themselves, or the LORD will break out against them.”

NET Bible
Let the priests also, who approach the LORD, sanctify themselves, lest the LORD break through against them."

New Heart English Bible
Let the priests also, who come near to God, sanctify themselves, or the LORD will break out against them."

Webster's Bible Translation
And let the priests also who come near to the LORD, sanctify themselves, lest the LORD break forth upon them.

World English Bible
Let the priests also, who come near to Yahweh, sanctify themselves, lest Yahweh break out on them.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and also the priests who are coming near to YHWH sanctify themselves, lest YHWH break forth on them.”

Young's Literal Translation
and also the priests who are coming nigh unto Jehovah do sanctify themselves, lest Jehovah break forth on them.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And also the priests drawing near to Jehovah, shall be consecrated, lest Jehovah shall break forth upon them.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
The priests also that come to the Lord, let them be sanctified, lest he strike them.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Likewise, the priests who approach toward the Lord, let them be sanctified, lest he strike them down.”

New American Bible
For their part, the priests, who approach the LORD must sanctify themselves; else the LORD will break out in anger against them.

New Revised Standard Version
Even the priests who approach the LORD must consecrate themselves or the LORD will break out against them.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And let the priests also who come near to the LORD sanctify themselves, lest the LORD break forth upon them.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Also the Priests who come near to LORD JEHOVAH shall be hallowed, lest LORD JEHOVAH will overpower them."
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And let the priests also, that come near to the LORD, sanctify themselves, lest the LORD break forth upon them.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And let the priests that draw nigh to the Lord God sanctify themselves, lest he destroy some of them.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The LORD Visits Sinai
21and the LORD said to him, “Go down and warn the people not to break through to see the LORD, lest many of them perish. 22Even the priests who approach the LORD must consecrate themselves, or the LORD will break out against them.” 23But Moses said to the LORD, “The people cannot come up Mount Sinai, for You solemnly warned us, ‘Put a boundary around the mountain and set it apart as holy.’ ”…

Cross References
Hebrews 12:28-29
Therefore, since we are receiving an unshakable kingdom, let us be filled with gratitude, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe. / “For our God is a consuming fire.”

1 Peter 1:15-16
But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do, / for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”

Leviticus 10:3
Then Moses said to Aaron, “This is what the LORD meant when He said: ‘To those who come near Me I will show My holiness, and in the sight of all the people I will reveal My glory.’” But Aaron remained silent.

Isaiah 6:1-5
In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted; and the train of His robe filled the temple. / Above Him stood seraphim, each having six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. / And they were calling out to one another: “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of Hosts; all the earth is full of His glory.” ...

1 Samuel 6:19-20
But God struck down some of the people of Beth-shemesh because they looked inside the ark of the LORD. He struck down seventy men, and the people mourned because the LORD had struck them with a great slaughter. / The men of Beth-shemesh asked, “Who can stand in the presence of the LORD, this holy God? To whom should the ark go up from here?”

2 Chronicles 30:3
since they had been unable to keep it at the regular time, because not enough priests had consecrated themselves and the people had not been gathered in Jerusalem.

Numbers 11:1-2
Soon the people began to complain about their hardship in the hearing of the LORD, and when He heard them, His anger was kindled, and fire from the LORD blazed among them and consumed the outskirts of the camp. / And the people cried out to Moses, and he prayed to the LORD, and the fire died down.

2 Samuel 6:6-7
When they came to the threshing floor of Nacon, Uzzah reached out and took hold of the ark of God, because the oxen had stumbled. / And the anger of the LORD burned against Uzzah, and God struck him down on the spot for his irreverence, and he died there beside the ark of God.

Leviticus 16:2
And the LORD said to Moses: “Tell your brother Aaron not to enter freely into the Most Holy Place behind the veil in front of the mercy seat on the ark, or else he will die, because I appear in the cloud above the mercy seat.

1 Corinthians 11:27-30
Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. / Each one must examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. / For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body eats and drinks judgment on himself. ...

Psalm 89:7
In the council of the holy ones, God is greatly feared, and awesome above all who surround Him.

Ezekiel 44:19
When they go out to the outer court, to the people, they are to take off the garments in which they have ministered, leave them in the holy chambers, and dress in other clothes so that they do not transmit holiness to the people with their garments.

1 Kings 8:10-11
And when the priests came out of the Holy Place, the cloud filled the house of the LORD / so that the priests could not stand there to minister because of the cloud. For the glory of the LORD filled the house of the LORD.

Acts 5:1-11
Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. / With his wife’s full knowledge, he kept back some of the proceeds for himself, but brought a portion and laid it at the apostles’ feet. / Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and withhold some of the proceeds from the land? ...

Revelation 15:4
Who will not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy. All nations will come and worship before You, for Your righteous acts have been revealed.”


Treasury of Scripture

And let the priests also, which come near to the LORD, sanctify themselves, lest the LORD break forth on them.

the priests

Exodus 24:5
And he sent young men of the children of Israel, which offered burnt offerings, and sacrificed peace offerings of oxen unto the LORD.

Leviticus 10:1-3
And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the LORD, which he commanded them not…

Isaiah 52:11
Depart ye, depart ye, go ye out from thence, touch no unclean thing; go ye out of the midst of her; be ye clean, that bear the vessels of the LORD.

sanctify

Exodus 19:5,14,15
Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: …

break

2 Samuel 6:6-8
And when they came to Nachon's threshingfloor, Uzzah put forth his hand to the ark of God, and took hold of it; for the oxen shook it

1 Chronicles 13:9-11
And when they came unto the threshingfloor of Chidon, Uzza put forth his hand to hold the ark; for the oxen stumbled…

1 Chronicles 15:13
For because ye did it not at the first, the LORD our God made a breach upon us, for that we sought him not after the due order.

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Approach Break Consecrate Fear Forth Holy Nigh Priests Sanctify Suddenly Themselves
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Approach Break Consecrate Fear Forth Holy Nigh Priests Sanctify Suddenly Themselves
Exodus 19
1. The people arrive at Sinai
3. God's message by Moses unto the people out of the mount
8. The people are prepared against the third day, for the giving of the law
12. The mountain must not be touched
16. The fearful presence of God upon the mount














Even the priests
In Exodus 19:22, the phrase "even the priests" highlights the unique role and responsibility of the priests in ancient Israel. The Hebrew word for priests, "kohanim," refers to those set apart for sacred duties. Historically, priests were intermediaries between God and the people, tasked with maintaining the sanctity of worship and the tabernacle. This phrase underscores that even those who are consecrated and hold a special position must adhere to God's commands and approach Him with reverence. It serves as a reminder that no one is exempt from the holiness required by God, emphasizing the universal need for purity and obedience.

who approach the LORD
The phrase "who approach the LORD" signifies the act of coming near to God, which in the Hebrew context involves both physical proximity and spiritual readiness. The Hebrew verb "nagash" is often used in the context of drawing near to God, particularly in worship or sacrifice. This highlights the sacredness of approaching God, who is holy and set apart. Historically, this approach was not casual but required preparation and purification, reflecting the seriousness of entering God's presence. It serves as a reminder of the awe and respect due to God, encouraging believers to approach Him with a heart prepared for worship.

must consecrate themselves
"Must consecrate themselves" refers to the requirement for the priests to undergo a process of sanctification before approaching God. The Hebrew root "qadash" means to be set apart or made holy. This process involved rituals and sacrifices that symbolized purification and dedication to God. In the historical context of the Israelites, consecration was essential for maintaining the covenant relationship with God. This phrase emphasizes the necessity of holiness and purity in worship, reminding believers that approaching God requires intentional preparation and a heart set apart for His purposes.

or the LORD will break out against them
The phrase "or the LORD will break out against them" serves as a solemn warning of the consequences of failing to approach God with the required reverence and purity. The Hebrew verb "parats" conveys the idea of breaking forth or bursting out, often used in the context of divine judgment or wrath. This warning reflects the seriousness of God's holiness and the danger of approaching Him in an unworthy manner. Historically, this underscores the importance of obedience and reverence in worship, reminding believers of the need to respect God's holiness and the consequences of disregarding His commands.

(22) The priests.--This has been called an anachronism, since the Levitical priesthood was not as yet instituted. But the Israelites, like all other ancient tribes or races, must have had priests long ere this, appointed upon one principle or another. It is a reasonable conjecture that hitherto the heads of families had exercised sacerdotal functions.

Break forth--i.e., punish in some open and manifest way. Compare the "breach" upon Uzzah (2Samuel 6:8).

Verse 22. - Let the priests also. It has been objected, that no priests had been as yet appointed, and that we have here therefore an anachronism. But every nation in ancient times had priests, appointed on one principle or another: and the Levitical priesthood must be regarded as having superseded one previously existent, not as the first priesthood known to Israel. We have a second mention of priests, previous to the appointment of Aaron's sons to the office (in Exodus 24:5), which confirms the present passage. Sanctify themselves. The verb used is identical with that which occurs in ver. 10; and there is no reason to believe that any different sanctification was intended. The natural inference is that the priests had neglected to sanctify themselves. (See the introductory paragraph.) Lest the Lord break forth. Compare 2 Samuel 6:8, where we have an instance of such a "breaking forth" upon Uzzah.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Even
וְגַ֧ם (wə·ḡam)
Conjunctive waw | Conjunction
Strong's 1571: Assemblage, also, even, yea, though, both, and

the priests
הַכֹּהֲנִ֛ים (hak·kō·hă·nîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 3548: Priest

who come near
הַנִּגָּשִׁ֥ים (han·nig·gā·šîm)
Article | Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 5066: To draw near, approach

the LORD
יְהוָ֖ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

must consecrate themselves,
יִתְקַדָּ֑שׁוּ (yiṯ·qad·dā·šū)
Verb - Hitpael - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 6942: To be set apart or consecrated

or
פֶּן־ (pen-)
Conjunction
Strong's 6435: Removal, lest

the LORD
יְהוָֽה׃ (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

will break out
יִפְרֹ֥ץ (yip̄·rōṣ)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6555: To break through

against them.”
בָּהֶ֖ם (bā·hem)
Preposition | third person masculine plural
Strong's Hebrew


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OT Law: Exodus 19:22 Let the priests also who come near (Exo. Ex)
Exodus 19:21
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