Definition: And the LORD said unto him, Away, get thee down, and thou shalt come up, thou, and Aaron with thee: but let not the priests and the people break through to come up unto the LORD, lest he break forth upon them.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Exodus 19:24. It’s a really important and somewhat mysterious passage in the Bible. Here's an explanation in simpler terms: Basically, it’s about God’s protection and a special arrangement. Here’s what it means, piece by piece: “And the LORD said unto him…” : This tells us that God is speaking to Moses, who is leading the Israelites out of Egypt. It's a serious conversation. “…away, get thee down…” : Moses is instructing someone (likely Aaron) to lower themselves down, perhaps to be in a more protected position. It’s about avoiding danger. "...and thou shalt come up, thou, and Aaron with thee:” : This is the crucial part. Moses tells Aaron to rise or come up – meaning to lift themselves up. He’s instructing Aaron to join him. "...lest he break forth upon them." : This is where it gets a little tricky. The Lord isn't saying Aaron will directly attack the Israelites. Instead, he’s warning that if the Israelites get too close – especially with their crowds – they could be overwhelmed and cause harm. “Break forth” means to explode or overwhelm. So, what does it all mean? This verse describes a moment of intense divine intervention when God is protecting his people from danger. It’s a symbolic representation of a special arrangement between God and the Israelites. Why is this important? It shows God's Sovereignty: He's in control, even over seemingly dangerous situations, because he’s protecting his chosen people. It establishes a covenant: It’s a promise that God will be with them and safeguard them. It foreshadows later events: This event is seen as a key step towards the establishment of Israel as a nation. Important Note: The exact meaning and interpretation of this verse have been debated throughout history. It's often seen as a symbolic representation of God’s presence and protection, rather than a literal account of a physical event. --- Do you want me to: Explain another part of the chapter? Talk about the context of this passage in the story of the Exodus?