Exodus 24:2
New International Version
but Moses alone is to approach the LORD; the others must not come near. And the people may not come up with him.”

New Living Translation
Only Moses is allowed to come near to the LORD. The others must not come near, and none of the other people are allowed to climb up the mountain with him.”

English Standard Version
Moses alone shall come near to the LORD, but the others shall not come near, and the people shall not come up with him.”

Berean Standard Bible
Moses alone shall approach the LORD, but the others must not come near. And the people may not go up with him.”

King James Bible
And Moses alone shall come near the LORD: but they shall not come nigh; neither shall the people go up with him.

New King James Version
And Moses alone shall come near the LORD, but they shall not come near; nor shall the people go up with him.”

New American Standard Bible
Moses alone, however, shall approach the LORD, but they shall not approach, nor shall the people come up with him.”

NASB 1995
“Moses alone, however, shall come near to the LORD, but they shall not come near, nor shall the people come up with him.”

NASB 1977
“Moses alone, however, shall come near to the LORD, but they shall not come near, nor shall the people come up with him.”

Legacy Standard Bible
Moses alone, however, shall come near to Yahweh, but they shall not come near, and the people shall not come up with him.”

Amplified Bible
Moses alone shall approach the LORD, but the others shall not come near, nor shall the people come up with him.”

Christian Standard Bible
Moses alone is to approach the LORD, but the others are not to approach, and the people are not to go up with him.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Moses alone is to approach the LORD, but the others are not to approach, and the people are not to go up with him.”

American Standard Version
and Moses alone shall come near unto Jehovah; but they shall not come near; neither shall the people go up with him.

Contemporary English Version
but you are to come near. Don't let anyone else come up."

English Revised Version
and Moses alone shall come near unto the LORD; but they shall not come near; neither shall the people go up with him.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Moses may come near the LORD, but the others may not. The people must not come along with Moses."

Good News Translation
You alone, and none of the others, are to come near me. The people are not even to come up the mountain."

International Standard Version
Only Moses is to approach the LORD, but the others are not to approach; the people are not to come up with him."

Majority Standard Bible
Moses alone shall approach the LORD, but the others must not come near. And the people may not go up with him.?

NET Bible
Moses alone may come near the LORD, but the others must not come near, nor may the people go up with him."

New Heart English Bible
Moses alone shall come near to God, but they shall not come near, neither shall the people go up with him."

Webster's Bible Translation
And Moses alone shall come near the LORD: but they shall not come nigh; neither shall the people go up with him.

World English Bible
Moses alone shall come near to Yahweh, but they shall not come near. The people shall not go up with him.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and Moses has drawn near to YHWH by himself; and they do not draw near, and the people do not go up with him.

Young's Literal Translation
and Moses hath drawn nigh by himself unto Jehovah; and they draw not nigh, and the people go not up with him.

Smith's Literal Translation
And Moses alone drawing near to Jehovah: and they shall not draw near; and the people shall not go up with him.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And Moses alone shall come up to the Lord, but they shall not come nigh; neither shall the people come up with him.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And only Moses will ascend to the Lord, and these shall not approach. Neither shall the people ascend with him.”

New American Bible
Moses alone is to come close to the LORD; the others shall not come close, and the people shall not come up with them.

New Revised Standard Version
Moses alone shall come near the LORD; but the others shall not come near, and the people shall not come up with him.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And Moses alone shall come near the LORD; but they shall not draw near; neither shall the people come up with him.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Moshe alone will come near before LORD JEHOVAH, and they will not approach, and the people will not come up with him.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
and Moses alone shall come near unto the LORD; but they shall not come near; neither shall the people go up with him.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Moses alone shall draw nigh to God; and they shall not draw nigh, and the people shall not come up with them.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Covenant Sealed
1Then the LORD said to Moses, “Come up to the LORD—you and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and seventy of Israel’s elders—and you are to worship at a distance. 2Moses alone shall approach the LORD, but the others must not come near. And the people may not go up with him.” 3When Moses came and told the people all the words and ordinances of the LORD, they all responded with one voice: “All the words that the LORD has spoken, we will do.”…

Cross References
Hebrews 9:18-22
That is why even the first covenant was not put into effect without blood. / For when Moses had proclaimed every commandment of the law to all the people, he took the blood of calves and goats, along with water, scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled the scroll and all the people, / saying, “This is the blood of the covenant, which God has commanded you to keep.” ...

Matthew 17:1-3
After six days Jesus took with Him Peter, James, and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. / There He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. / Suddenly Moses and Elijah appeared before them, talking with Jesus.

Hebrews 12:18-24
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. / For they could not bear what was commanded: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned.” ...

Exodus 19:12-13
And you are to set up a boundary for the people around the mountain and tell them, ‘Be careful not to go up on the mountain or touch its base. Whoever touches the mountain shall surely be put to death. / No hand shall touch him, but he shall surely be stoned or shot with arrows—whether man or beast, he must not live.’ Only when the ram’s horn sounds a long blast may they approach the mountain.”

Exodus 33:20-23
But He added, “You cannot see My face, for no one can see Me and live.” / The LORD continued, “There is a place near Me where you are to stand upon a rock, / and when My glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft of the rock and cover you with My hand until I have passed by. ...

Deuteronomy 5:5
At that time I was standing between the LORD and you to declare to you the word of the LORD, because you were afraid of the fire and would not go up the mountain. And He said:

1 Timothy 2:5
For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,

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.

Numbers 12:6-8
He said, “Hear now My words: If there is a prophet among you, I, the LORD, will reveal Myself to him in a vision; I will speak to him in a dream. / But this is not so with My servant Moses; he is faithful in all My house. / I speak with him face to face, clearly and not in riddles; he sees the form of the LORD. Why then were you unafraid to speak against My servant Moses?”

1 Kings 19:11-13
Then the LORD said, “Go out and stand on the mountain before the LORD. Behold, the LORD is about to pass by.” And a great and mighty wind tore into the mountains and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. / After the earthquake there was a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a still, small voice. / When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Suddenly a voice came to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

John 1:17-18
For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. / No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is Himself God and is at the Father’s side, has made Him known.

2 Corinthians 3:7-11
Now if the ministry of death, which was engraved in letters on stone, came with such glory that the Israelites could not gaze at the face of Moses because of its fleeting glory, / will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious? / For if the ministry of condemnation was glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry of righteousness! ...

Exodus 20:21
And the people stood at a distance as Moses approached the thick darkness where God was.

Exodus 34:2-3
Be ready in the morning, and come up on Mount Sinai to present yourself before Me on the mountaintop. / No one may go up with you; in fact, no one may be seen anywhere on the mountain—not even the flocks or herds may graze in front of the mountain.”

Galatians 3:19-20
Why then was the law given? It was added because of transgressions, until the arrival of the seed to whom the promise referred. It was administered through angels by a mediator. / A mediator is unnecessary, however, for only one party; but God is one.


Treasury of Scripture

And Moses alone shall come near the LORD: but they shall not come near; neither shall the people go up with him.

Exodus 24:13,15,18
And Moses rose up, and his minister Joshua: and Moses went up into the mount of God…

Exodus 20:21
And the people stood afar off, and Moses drew near unto the thick darkness where God was.

Numbers 16:5
And he spake unto Korah and unto all his company, saying, Even to morrow the LORD will shew who are his, and who is holy; and will cause him to come near unto him: even him whom he hath chosen will he cause to come near unto him.

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Alone Approach Draw Drawn However Moses Nigh Others
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Alone Approach Draw Drawn However Moses Nigh Others
Exodus 24
1. Moses is called up into the mountain
3. The people promise obedience
4. Moses builds an altar, and twelve pillars.
6. He sprinkles the blood of the covenant
9. The glory of God appears
14. Aaron and Hur have the charge of the people
15. Moses goes into the mountain, where he continues forty days and forty nights.














Only Moses
The phrase "Only Moses" underscores the unique role Moses played as the mediator between God and the Israelites. In Hebrew, the name Moses (מֹשֶׁה, Moshe) is derived from the root meaning "to draw out," reflecting his being drawn out of the Nile and his role in drawing the people out of Egypt. This exclusivity highlights the sanctity and responsibility of leadership, emphasizing that Moses was chosen by God for this specific purpose. Historically, Moses' leadership is pivotal, as he is seen as a prophet, leader, and lawgiver, setting a precedent for future leaders in Israel.

is to approach the LORD
The Hebrew word for "approach" (קָרַב, qarab) implies drawing near with reverence and purpose. This action is not casual but is a sacred duty, indicating the holiness of God and the seriousness of entering His presence. In the ancient Near Eastern context, approaching a deity was a significant act, often reserved for priests or chosen individuals. Moses' ability to approach God signifies his unique relationship with the Divine, serving as a bridge between God and His people.

but the others must not come near
This restriction for "the others" (referring to Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and the seventy elders) highlights the concept of holiness and separation. The Hebrew term for "come near" (נָגַשׁ, nagash) suggests a physical and spiritual proximity that was not permitted for everyone. This delineation of roles and boundaries is crucial in understanding the structure of Israelite worship and the reverence required in God's presence. It also foreshadows the later establishment of the priesthood, where only certain individuals could perform specific duties.

And the people may not go up with him
The phrase "the people may not go up" reinforces the idea of separation between the holy and the common. The Hebrew word for "go up" (עָלָה, alah) often implies ascending to a higher place, both physically and spiritually. This restriction serves as a reminder of the holiness of God and the need for purification and preparation before approaching Him. It also reflects the hierarchical structure of the Israelite community, where Moses acts as the intermediary, and the people are called to respect the boundaries set by God.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Moses
מֹשֶׁ֤ה (mō·šeh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 4872: Moses -- a great Israelite leader, prophet and lawgiver

alone
לְבַדּוֹ֙ (lə·ḇad·dōw)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 905: Separation, a part of the body, branch of a, tree, bar for, carrying, chief of

shall approach
וְנִגַּ֨שׁ (wə·nig·gaš)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5066: To draw near, approach

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

but the others
וְהֵ֖ם (wə·hêm)
Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - third person masculine plural
Strong's 1992: They

{must} not
לֹ֣א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

come near.
יִגָּ֑שׁוּ (yig·gā·šū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 5066: To draw near, approach

And the people
וְהָעָ֕ם (wə·hā·‘ām)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

may not
לֹ֥א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

go up
יַעֲל֖וּ (ya·‘ă·lū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 5927: To ascend, in, actively

with him.”
עִמּֽוֹ׃ (‘im·mōw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5973: With, equally with


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OT Law: Exodus 24:2 Moses alone shall come near to Yahweh (Exo. Ex)
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