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

Persons / Places / Events
1. Priests
In the context of Exodus, the priests were those set apart to serve in the tabernacle and later the temple. They were responsible for performing sacrifices and rituals to maintain the covenant relationship between God and Israel.

2. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant God of Israel, who delivered the Israelites from Egypt and established them as His chosen people. His holiness and presence are central to this passage.

3. Mount Sinai
The mountain where God gave the Law to Moses and the Israelites. It is a place of divine revelation and covenant-making.

4. Consecration
The act of making oneself holy or set apart for God's service. This involved specific rituals and a heart posture of reverence and obedience.

5. Divine Judgment
The potential consequence of failing to consecrate oneself properly, as God's holiness cannot tolerate impurity or irreverence.
Teaching Points
The Holiness of God
God's holiness is absolute and demands reverence. We must approach Him with a heart of humility and respect.

The Role of Priests
In the Old Testament, priests were mediators between God and the people. Today, all believers are called to be priests, living lives that reflect God's holiness.

Consecration as a Lifestyle
Consecration is not just a ritual but a daily commitment to live set apart for God. This involves both outward actions and inward attitudes.

The Seriousness of Worship
Worship is not to be taken lightly. It requires preparation and a heart aligned with God's will.

God's Grace and Judgment
While God is gracious, He is also just. We must not presume upon His grace but strive to live in obedience to His commands.
Bible Study Questions
1. What does it mean for the priests to consecrate themselves, and how can this concept apply to our lives today as believers?

2. How does the holiness of God, as seen in Exodus 19:22, challenge our understanding of worship and reverence in our daily lives?

3. In what ways does the New Testament expand the concept of priesthood to include all believers, and how should this affect our conduct?

4. How can we ensure that our approach to God in worship and prayer is marked by the reverence and preparation seen in Exodus 19:22?

5. Reflect on a time when you experienced the tension between God's grace and His holiness. How did this impact your relationship with Him?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Leviticus 10
The account of Nadab and Abihu, who offered unauthorized fire before the LORD and were consumed by fire, illustrates the seriousness of approaching God without proper consecration.

Hebrews 12
This passage speaks of God as a consuming fire and emphasizes the need for holiness and reverence in worship.

1 Peter 2
Describes believers as a royal priesthood, highlighting the call for all Christians to live consecrated lives.
The Revelation of JehovahJ. Urquhart Exodus 19:7-25
The Manifestation of God's Glory At SinaiD. Young Exodus 19:9-25
The Mount that Might be Touched, and that Burned with FireJ. Orr Exodus 19:10-25
Coming to Church to Meet GodGeorge Breay, B. A.Exodus 19:16-25
Communion with GodExodus 19:16-25
Communion with GodH. Cowles, D. D.Exodus 19:16-25
God on Mount SinaiW. Forsyth.Exodus 19:16-25
LessonsG. Hughes, B. D.Exodus 19:16-25
LessonsG. Hughes, B. D.Exodus 19:16-25
LessonsG. Hughes, B. D.Exodus 19:16-25
LessonsG. Hughes, B. D.Exodus 19:16-25
Moses and Aaron United in the MountW. Seaton.Exodus 19:16-25
The Highest MinistryW. Forsyth.Exodus 19:16-25
Vain CuriosityJ. S. Exell, M. A.Exodus 19:16-25
People
Aaron, Egyptians, Israelites, Jacob, Moses
Places
Egypt, Mount Sinai, Rephidim, Sinai
Topics
Approach, Break, Consecrate, Fear, Forth, Hallow, Holy, Lest, Nigh, Priests, Sanctify, Suddenly, Themselves
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Exodus 19:10-24

     4269   Sinai, Mount

Exodus 19:18-23

     8270   holiness, set apart

Exodus 19:20-24

     6636   drawing near to God

Exodus 19:22-23

     8218   consecration

Library
Seventh Day. Holiness and Obedience.
Ye have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles' wings, and brought you unto myself. Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: ye shall be unto me an holy nation.'--Ex. xix. 4-6. Israel has reached Horeb. The law is to be given and the covenant made. Here are God's first words to the people; He speaks of redemption and its blessing, fellowship with Himself: 'Ye have seen how I brought
Andrew Murray—Holy in Christ

The First Covenant
"Now therefore, if ye will obey My voice, and keep My covenant, ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto Me."--EX. xix. 5. "He declared unto you His covenant, which He commanded you to perform, even ten commandments."--DEUT. iv. 13.i "If ye keep these judgments, the Lord thy God shall keep unto thee the covenant,"--DEUT. vii. 12. "I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, not according to the covenant which I made with their fathers, which My covenant they brake."--JER. xxxi. 31, 32. WE have
Andrew Murray—The Two Covenants

The Eagle and Its Brood
'As an eagle stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young, spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them, beareth them on her wings.'--DEUT. xxxii. 11. This is an incomplete sentence in the Authorised Version, but really it should be rendered as a complete one; the description of the eagle's action including only the two first clauses, and (the figure being still retained) the person spoken of in the last clauses being God Himself. That is to say, it should read thus, 'As an eagle stirreth up his nest,
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Shaking of the Heavens and the Earth
Thus saith the LORD of hosts, Yet this once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land: and I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come, and I will fill this house with glory, saith the LORD of hosts. G od shook the earth when He proclaimed His law to Israel from Sinai. The description, though very simple, presents to our thoughts a scene unspeakably majestic, grand and awful. The mountain was in flames at the top, and
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 1

The Johannine Writings
BY the Johannine writings are meant the Apocalypse and the fourth gospel, as well as the three catholic epistles to which the name of John is traditionally attached. It is not possible to enter here into a review of the critical questions connected with them, and especially into the question of their authorship. The most recent criticism, while it seems to bring the traditional authorship into greater uncertainty, approaches more nearly than was once common to the position of tradition in another
James Denney—The Death of Christ

'The Love of Thine Espousals'
'And He said unto Moses, Come up unto the Lord, thou, and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel; and worship ye afar off. 2. And Moses alone shall come near the Lord; but they shall not come nigh, neither shall the people go up with him. 3. And Moses came and told the people all the words of the Lord, and all the judgments: and all the people answered with one voice, and said, All the words which the Lord hath said will we do. 4. And Moses wrote all the words of the Lord, and
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

"They have Corrupted Themselves; their Spot is not the Spot of his Children; they are a Perverse and Crooked Generation. "
Deut. xxxii. 5.--"They have corrupted themselves; their spot is not the spot of his children; they are a perverse and crooked generation." We doubt this people would take well with such a description of themselves as Moses gives. It might seem strange to us, that God should have chosen such a people out of all the nations of the earth, and they to be so rebellious and perverse, if our own experience did not teach us how free his choice is, and how long-suffering he is, and constant in his choice.
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Civ. Jesus Arrives and is Feasted at Bethany.
(from Friday Afternoon Till Saturday Night, March 31 and April 1, a.d. 30.) ^D John XI. 55-57; XII. 1-11; ^A Matt. XXVI. 6-13; ^B Mark XIV. 3-9. ^d 55 Now the passover of the Jews was at hand: and many went up to Jerusalem out of the country before the passover, to purify themselves. [These Jews went up before the Passover that they might have time to purify themselves from ceremonial uncleanness before the feast. They were expected to purify before any important event (Ex. xix. 10, 11), and did
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

The Formation of the Old Testament Canon
[Sidenote: Israel's literature at the beginning of the fourth century before Christ] Could we have studied the scriptures of the Israelitish race about 400 B.C., we should have classified them under four great divisions: (1) The prophetic writings, represented by the combined early Judean, Ephraimite, and late prophetic or Deuteronomic narratives, and their continuation in Samuel and Kings, together with the earlier and exilic prophecies; (2) the legal, represented by the majority of the Old Testament
Charles Foster Kent—The Origin & Permanent Value of the Old Testament

Appendix ii. Philo of Alexandria and Rabbinic Theology.
(Ad. vol. i. p. 42, note 4.) In comparing the allegorical Canons of Philo with those of Jewish traditionalism, we think first of all of the seven exegetical canons which are ascribed to Hillel. These bear chiefly the character of logical deductions, and as such were largely applied in the Halakhah. These seven canons were next expanded by R. Ishmael (in the first century) into thirteen, by the analysis of one of them (the 5th) into six, and the addition of this sound exegetical rule, that where two
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

The King --Continued.
The years thus well begun are, in the historical books, characterized mainly by three events, namely, the bringing up of the ark to the newly won city of David, Nathan's prophecy of the perpetual dominion of his house, and his victories over the surrounding nations. These three hinges of the narrative are all abundantly illustrated in the psalms. As to the first, we have relics of the joyful ceremonial connected with it in two psalms, the fifteenth and twenty-fourth, which are singularly alike not
Alexander Maclaren—The Life of David

The Sermon on the Mount - the Kingdom of Christ and Rabbinic Teaching.
It was probably on one of those mountain-ranges, which stretch to the north of Capernaum, that Jesus had spent the night of lonely prayer, which preceded the designation of the twelve to the Apostolate. As the soft spring morning broke, He called up those who had learned to follow Him, and from among them chose the twelve, who were to be His Ambassadors and Representatives. [2500] [2501] But already the early light had guided the eager multitude which, from all parts, had come to the broad level
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

The Personality of Power.
A Personally Conducted Journey. Everyone enjoys the pleasure of travel; but nearly all shrink back from its tiresomeness and drudgery. The transportation companies are constantly scheming to overcome this disagreeable side for both pleasure and business travel. One of the popular ways of pleasure travel of late is by means of personally conducted tours. A party is formed, often by the railroad company, and is accompanied by a special agent to attend to all the business matters of the trip. A variation
S.D. Gordon—Quiet Talks on Power

Question of the Comparison Between the Active and the Contemplative Life
I. Is the Active Life preferable to the Contemplative? Cardinal Cajetan, On Preparation for the Contemplative Life S. Augustine, Confessions, X., xliii. 70 " On Psalm xxvi. II. Is the Active Life more Meritorious than the Contemplative? III. Is the Active Life a Hindrance to the Contemplative Life? Cardinal Cajetan, On the True Interior Life S. Augustine, Sermon, CCLVI., v. 6 IV. Does the Active Life precede the Contemplative? I Is the Active Life preferable to the Contemplative? The Lord
St. Thomas Aquinas—On Prayer and The Contemplative Life

The Preface to the Commandments
And God spake all these words, saying, I am the LORD thy God,' &c. Exod 20: 1, 2. What is the preface to the Ten Commandments? The preface to the Ten Commandments is, I am the Lord thy God.' The preface to the preface is, God spake all these words, saying,' &c. This is like the sounding of a trumpet before a solemn proclamation. Other parts of the Bible are said to be uttered by the mouth of the holy prophets (Luke 1: 70), but here God spake in his own person. How are we to understand that, God spake,
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

Of the Trinity and a Christian, and of the Law and a Christian.
EDITOR'S ADVERTISEMENT. These two short treatises were found among Mr. Bunyan's papers after his decease. They probably were intended for publication, like his 'Prison Meditations' and his 'Map of Salvation,' on a single page each, in the form of a broadside, or handbill. This was the popular mode in which tracts were distributed; and when posted against a wall, or framed and hung up in a room, they excited notice, and were extensively read. They might also have afforded some trifling profit to aid
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Covenanting Performed in Former Ages with Approbation from Above.
That the Lord gave special token of his approbation of the exercise of Covenanting, it belongs to this place to show. His approval of the duty was seen when he unfolded the promises of the Everlasting Covenant to his people, while they endeavoured to perform it; and his approval thereof is continually seen in his fulfilment to them of these promises. The special manifestations of his regard, made to them while attending to the service before him, belonged to one or other, or both, of those exhibitions
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting

Of the Public Fast.
A public fast is when, by the authority of the magistrate (Jonah iii. 7; 2 Chron. xx. 3; Ezra viii. 21), either the whole church within his dominion, or some special congregation, whom it concerneth, assemble themselves together, to perform the fore-mentioned duties of humiliation; either for the removing of some public calamity threatened or already inflicted upon them, as the sword, invasion, famine, pestilence, or other fearful sickness (1 Sam. vii. 5, 6; Joel ii. 15; 2 Chron. xx.; Jonah iii.
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

Mount Zion.
"For ye are not come unto a mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, and unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest, and the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard entreated that no word more should be spoken unto them: for they could not endure that which was enjoined, If even a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned; and so fearful was the appearance, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake: but ye are come unto Mount Zion, and unto
Thomas Charles Edwards—The Expositor's Bible: The Epistle to the Hebrews

The Second Coming of Christ.
^A Matt. XXIV. 29-51; ^B Mark XIII. 24-37; ^C Luke XXI. 25-36. ^b 24 But in those days, ^a immediately after the { ^b that} ^a tribulation of those days. [Since the coming of Christ did not follow close upon the destruction of Jerusalem, the word "immediately" used by Matthew is somewhat puzzling. There are, however, three ways in which it may be explained: 1. That Jesus reckons the time after his own divine, and not after our human, fashion. Viewing the word in this light, the passage at II. Pet.
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

John's Introduction.
^D John I. 1-18. ^d 1 In the beginning was the Word [a title for Jesus peculiar to the apostle John], and the Word was with God [not going before nor coming after God, but with Him at the beginning], and the Word was God. [Not more, not less.] 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him [the New Testament often speaks of Christ as the Creator--see ver. 10; I. Cor. viii. 6; Col. i. 13, 17; Heb. i. 2]; and without him was not anything made that hath been made. [This
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

John the Baptist
Matt. iii. 1-17; iv. 12; xiv. 1-12; Mark i. 1-14; vi. 14-29; Luke i. 5-25, 57-80; iii. 1-22; ix. 7-9; John i. 19-37; iii. 22-30. 72. The first reappearance of Jesus in the gospel story, after the temple scene in his twelfth year, is on the banks of the Jordan seeking baptism from the new prophet. One of the silent evidences of the greatness of Jesus is the fact that so great a character as John the Baptist stands in our thought simply as accessory to his life. For that the prophet of the wilderness
Rush Rhees—The Life of Jesus of Nazareth

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