And the LORD said unto Moses, Go down, charge the people, lest they break through unto the LORD to gaze, and many of them perish.
And the LORD said to Moses, 'Go down and warn the people strictly not to push forward to get a look at the LORD, or many of them will die.'
God is telling Moses to warn the people to keep their distance from His holy presence, because getting too close could be deadly for them.
📚 Historical Context
In the book of Exodus, the Israelites had recently escaped from slavery in Egypt and arrived at Mount Sinai, where God was preparing to reveal His law and establish a covenant with them. Moses was on the mountain receiving instructions from God, who warned him to prevent the people from approaching too closely or gazing upon the Lord, as God's holiness could cause them to perish. This event highlights the ancient Hebrew understanding of God's absolute holiness and the need for reverence to avoid divine judgment.
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