Exodus 19

“In the third month, when the children of Israel were gone forth out of the land of Egypt, the same day came they into…” Naming Egypt and Israel keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“For they were departed from Rephidim, and were come to the desert of Sinai, and had pitched in the wilderness; and…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“And Moses went up unto God, and the LORD called unto him out of the mountain, saying, Thus shalt thou say to the house…” Naming Israel keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles’ wings, and brought you unto myself.” Naming Egyptians keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me…” The promise, blessing, or covenant language needs its named recipient and scope. Those details prevent a personal word in the story from becoming a promise detached from context.

“And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And Moses came and called for the elders of the people, and laid before their faces all these words which the LORD…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And all the people answered together, and said, All that the LORD hath spoken we will do. And Moses returned the words…” Naming All and Moses keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“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…” Naming Moses keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And the LORD said unto Moses, Go unto the people, and sanctify them to day and to morrow, and let them wash their…” Naming Moses keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And be ready against the third day: for the third day the LORD will come down in the sight of all the people upon…” Naming Sinai keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And thou shalt set bounds unto the people round about, saying, Take heed to yourselves, that ye go not up into the…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“There shall not an hand touch it, but he shall surely be stoned, or shot through; whether it be beast or man, it shall…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And Moses went down from the mount unto the people, and sanctified the people; and they washed their clothes.” Naming Moses keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And he said unto the people, Be ready against the third day: come not at your wives.” The line’s distinctive content terms include people, ready, third. Its relationship to verses 16 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And it came to pass on the third day in the morning, that there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud upon…” This familiar narrative signal moves the clock forward. What follows is a new scene, consequence, or answer to an earlier tension.

“And Moses brought forth the people out of the camp to meet with God; and they stood at the nether part of the mount.” Naming Moses keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And mount Sinai was altogether on a smoke, because the LORD descended upon it in fire: and the smoke thereof ascended…” Naming Sinai keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And when the voice of the trumpet sounded long, and waxed louder and louder, Moses spake, and God answered him by a…” Naming Moses keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And the LORD came down upon mount Sinai, on the top of the mount: and the LORD called Moses up to the top of the…” Naming Moses and Sinai keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And the LORD said unto Moses, Go down, charge the people, lest they break through unto the LORD to gaze, and many of…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And let the priests also, which come near to the LORD , sanctify themselves, lest the LORD break forth upon them.” The line’s distinctive content terms include LORD, break, lest. Its relationship to verses 23 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And Moses said unto the LORD , The people cannot come up to mount Sinai: for thou chargedst us, saying, Set bounds…” Naming Moses and Set keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And the LORD said unto him, Away, get thee down, and thou shalt come up, thou, and Aaron with thee: but let not the…” Naming Aaron and Away keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“So Moses went down unto the people, and spake unto them.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.