Exodus 19:2-8a

Exodus 19:2-8a
Proper 6A

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They journeyedA from Rephidim,B enteredC

Notes on verse 2a

A “journeyed” = nasa. This is properly pulling up as when one pulls up tent pegs or stakes. This would imply striking tents in order to start a journey. So this could be bring, pullout, set out, journey, or cause to go away.
B “Rephidim” = Rephidim.  5x in OT. From raphad (to spread, make a bed, refresh, comfort). This is Rephidim, meaning supports.
C “entered” = bo. This is to enter, come in, advance, fulfill, bring offerings, enter to worship, attack. It can also have a sexual connotation.

the wildernessD of Sinai,E and campedF in the wilderness;

Notes on verse 2b

D “wilderness” = midbar. From dabar (to speak, command, declare). This is mouth or speech. It can also be desert or wilderness. Additionally, it can be used for a pasture to which one drives cattle.
E “Sinai” = Sinai. Probably from the same as Sin (Sin, a city meaning “clay” or “bush); {perhaps from asam (to gather, store) OR from seneh (thorn bush) OR related to Aramaic siyn (a god called Sin) OR perhaps Hebrew siyn (related to mud or clay)}. This is Sinai – a place whose name may mean “bush of the Lord” or “muddy.” See https://www.abarim-publications.com/Meaning/Sinai.html
F “camped” = chanah. This is decline, bending down, or living in tents. It can be camping to create a home or camping as a part of battle.

IsraelG camped there in front ofH the mountain.I 

Notes on verse 2c

G “Israel” = Yisrael. From sarah (to persist, exert oneself, contend, persevere, wrestle, prevail) + El (God or god). This is Israel, meaning God strives or one who strives with God; new name for Jacob and for his offspring. This refers to the people and to the land.
H “in front of” = neged. From nagad (to declare, make conspicuous, stand in front, manifest, predict, explain). This is in front of, opposite to. It can refer to a counterpart or partner, one corresponding to or in the sight of.
I “mountain” = har. From harar (hill or mountain). This is mountain, hill, hilly region.

Then MosesJ went upK to God;L the LordM calledN to him from the mountain,

Notes on verse 3a

J “Moses” = Mosheh. From mashah (to pull out in a literal or figurative sense, to draw out) OR from Egyptian mes or mesu (child, son i.e. child of…). This is Moses – the one drawn out from the water, which is to say, rescued. If derived from the Egyptian, his name would share a root with Rameses and Thutmose.
K “went up” = alah. This is to go up, approach, ascend, be high, be a priority; to arise in a literal or figurative sense.
L “God” = Elohim. Related to “Israel” in v2. See note G above.
M “Lord” = YHVH. From havah (to be, become) or hayah (to come to pass, become, be). This is the name of the God of Israel, the self-existent and eternal one, the tetragrammaton. This pronunciation has been lost to time so “Lord” is generally used in its place.
N “called” = qara. This is to call or call out – to call someone by name. Also used more broadly for calling forth.

“Thus you shall say to the houseO of JacobP and tellQ the Israelites:R 

Notes on verse 3b

O “house” = bayit. Probably from banah (to build, make, set up, obtain children; to build literally or figuratively). This is house, court, family, palace, temple.
P “Jacob” = Yaaqob. From the same as aqeb (heel, hind part, hoof, rear guard of an army, one who lies in wait, usurper). This is Isaac’s son and his descendants. The name means heel-catcher or supplanter.
Q “tell” = nagad. Related to “in front of” in v2. See note H above.
R “Israelites” = ben + Yisrael. Literally, “children of Israel.” Ben is related to “house” in v3. From banah (see note O above). This is son, age, child. It is son in a literal or figurative sense. Yisrael is the same as “Israel” in v2. See note G above.

‘You have seenS what I didT to the EgyptiansU and how I boreV you on eagles’W wingsX and broughtY you to myself. 

Notes on verse 4

S “seen” = raah. This is to see in a literal or figurative sense so stare, advise, think, view.
T “did” = asah. This is to make, do, act, appoint, become in many senses.
U “Egyptians” = mitsri. From the same as mitsrayim (Egypt); perhaps from matsor (besieged or fortified place, bulwark, entrenchment; something hemmed in; a siege or distress or fastness); from tsur (to confine, besiege, to cramp). This is Egyptian.
V “bore” = nasa. This is to lift in a broad sense, literally and figuratively. So it could be to carry, take, or arise. It could also be bring forth, advance, accept.
W “eagles’” = nesher. This is an eagle or vulture – some kind of large bird of prey. Its root may mean lacerate.
X “wings” = kanaph. This is wing, edge, corner, extremity. It can also be a flap or fold of a garment or the pinnacle of a building.
Y “brought” = bo. Same as “entered” in v2. See note C above.

Now, therefore, if you obeyZ my voiceAA and keepBB my covenant,CC

Notes on verse 5a

Z “obey” = shama + shama. This is to hear, call, consent, or consider. It implies listening intelligently, giving attention, and, because of these two factors, obedience and action are often implied. The word is repeated twice – the first time as an Infinitive Absolute. The Infinitive Absolute serves to emphasize the sentiment of the word. It is rather like Foghorn Leghorn’s speech pattern, “I said, I said.”
AA “voice” = qol. This is a sound, used often for human voices. Also used when God speaks or angels, animals or instruments. It can be a cry or a noise, thunder or earthquakes and so on.
BB “keep” = shamar. This is to keep, watch, or preserve. It means to guard something or to protect it as a thorny hedge protects something.
CC “covenant” = berit. Perhaps from barah (to eat, choose, make clear); perhaps from bar (grain, wheat); from bara (to select, purify, cleanse, test, brighten, polish). This is a compact, covenant, alliance, treaty, or league.

you shall beDD my treasured possessionEE out of allFF the peoples.GG

Notes on verse 5b

DD “be” = hayah. Related to “Lord” in v3. See note M above.
EE “treasured possession” = segullah. 8x in OT. Root may mean to shut up – as treasure or wealth that is kept. Could be property, jewel, or any possession.
FF “all” = kol. From kalal (to complete). This is all or every.
GG “peoples” = am. From amam (to darken, hide, associate; creating shadows by huddling together). This is people or nation. It can be used specifically for a tribe, collectively of troops or armies, or figuratively to refer to a flock of animals.

Indeed, the wholeHH earthII is mine, but you shall be for me a priestlyJJ kingdomKK

Notes on verses 5c-6a

HH “whole” = kol. Same as “all” in v5. See note FF above.
II “earth” = erets. Root may mean to be firm. This is earth, ground, field land, or country.
JJ “priestly” = kohen. This is literally the one who officiates i.e. the priest. This is where the Jewish last name “Cohen” (and its variants) comes from.
KK “kingdom” = mamlakah. From the same as melek (king, royal). This is kingdom, dominion, sovereignty, rule. It can also refer to the realm.

and a holyLL nation.’MM These are the wordsNN that you shall speakOO to the Israelites.”

Notes on verse 6b

LL “holy” = qadosh. From qodesh (set apart and so sacred; God is different from us and so God is holy/set apart; things we dedicate to God’s service are set apart for God and so they, too, are holy); related to qadash (set apart, consecrated, hallowed, sanctified; something or someone set apart for a holy purpose or use – ceremonially or morally clean). This is sacred or holy in a ritual or moral sense. As a noun, it refers to a holy one (like a saint or angel), a holy place (the sanctuary), or God (the Holy One).
MM “nation” = goy. From the same root as gevah (the back, person, or body); related to gev (among); related to gaah (to rise up). This is nation or people. Often used to refer to Gentiles or foreign nations. It can also be used figuratively for a group of animals. This is where the Yiddish “goy” comes from.
NN “words” = dabar. Related to “wilderness” in v2. From dabar (see note D above). This is speech, a word, a matter, an affair, charge, command, message, promise, purpose, report, request. It is a word, which implies things that are spoken of in a wide sense.
OO “speak” = dabar. Related to “wilderness” in v2 & “words” in v6. See note D above.

So Moses went,PP summonedQQ the eldersRR of the people, and setSS beforeTT them all these words that the Lord had commandedUU him. 

Notes on verse 7

PP “went” = bo. Same as “entered” in v2. See note C above.
QQ “summoned” = qara. Same as “called” in v3. See note N above.
RR “elders” = zaqen. From the same as zaqan (beard or chin – the beard represents old age). This is old, aged, or elder.
SS “set” = sim. This is to put or place in a literal or figurative sense. It can be appoint, care, change, make, and may other things.
TT “before” = paneh. From panah (to turn, face, appear). This is face in a literal or figurative sense. It could be face, presence, anger, respect. It can also be used of God to indicate divine favor or presence.
UU “commanded” = tsavah. This is to charge, command, order, appoint, or enjoin. This is the root that the Hebrew word for “commandment” comes from (mitsvah).

The people all answeredVV as one,WW “EverythingXX that the Lord has spoken we will do.” Moses reportedYY the words of the people to the Lord.

Notes on verse 8

VV “answered” = anah. This is answer, respond, announce, sing, shout, or testify. It means to pay attention, which implies responding and, by extension, starting to talk. Used in a specific sense for singing, shouting, testifying, etc.
WW “one” = yachad. From yachad (to join, be united). This is a unit, both, altogether, unitedness, alike.
XX “everything” = kol. Same as “all” in v5. See note FF above.
YY “reported” = shub. To turn back, return, turn away – literally or figuratively. Doesn’t necessarily imply going back to where you started from. This is also the root verb for the Hebrew word for repentance “teshubah.”


Image credit: “Person in White Blanket on Mountaintop Above Clouds” by Image Catalog, Unsplash, 2010.

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