Exodus 19:9
ESV
And the Lord said to Moses, "Behold, I am coming to you in a thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with you, and may also believe you forever." When Moses told the words of the people to the Lord,
NIV
The Lord said to Moses, "I am going to come to you in a dense cloud, so that the people will hear me speaking with you and will always put their trust in you." Then Moses told the Lord what the people had said.
NASB
Then the Lord said to Moses, 'Behold, I will come to you in a thick cloud, so that the people may hear when I speak with you and may also trust in you forever.' Then Moses told the words of the people to the Lord.
CSB
The Lord said to Moses, "I am going to come to you in a dense cloud, so that the people will hear when I speak with you and will always believe you." Moses reported the people’s words to the Lord,
NLT
Then the Lord said to Moses, 'I will come to you in a thick cloud, Moses, so the people themselves can hear me when I speak with you. Then they will always trust you.' Moses told the Lord what the people had said.
KJV
And the Lord said unto Moses, Lo, I come unto thee in a thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with thee, and believe thee for ever. And Moses told the words of the people unto the Lord.
NKJV
And the Lord said to Moses, “Behold, I come to you in the thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with you, and believe you forever.” So Moses told the words of the people to the Lord.
What does Exodus 19:9 mean?
The Lord will come to Mount Sinai (Exodus 19:2, 11) to communicate His laws to Moses. The mountain will also be filled with fire, lightning, noise, and tremors (Exodus 19:18–19). These elements emphasize the Lord's holiness and terrible power (Psalm 47:2; 97:1–5; Hebrews 12:18–21). The spectacle reminds Israel that Moses is the chosen messenger for this covenant (Exodus 19:24–25). The words God delivers will be part of Israel's national identity forever (Deuteronomy 14:2).Covering the mountain in smoke also serves to protect the people from fatal exposure to God's glory (Exodus 33:20). It might have allowed them to be close enough to audibly hear God speaking with Moses (Exodus 20:18–22; Deuteronomy 4:12). This reference to people being able to "hear" might also mean paying attention (Deuteronomy 4:10; Zechariah 7:13), thanks to the vivid sights and sounds.
