Also let the priests who come near to the LORD consecrate themselves, lest the LORD break out against them.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
What's easily missed here is that God isn't just repeating a general warning; He's specifically calling out the priests. They, whose very job it was to approach God, were not exempt from the need for consecration and could face His wrath if they neglected it. This emphasizes that closeness to God doesn't grant immunity, but rather increases responsibility to be holy.
Also let the priests who come near to the LORD consecrate themselves, lest the LORD break out against them.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Just before this, God has instructed Moses to set boundaries around Mount Sinai, warning everyone, including the priests, not to approach too closely. This verse emphasizes that even those who regularly serve God in sacred duties are not exempt from His holy standards, and failure to consecrate themselves could result in divine judgment, just as it did for Uzzah later. This stern warning is part of God's preparation for directly giving His Law to the people.
God's presence is not to be taken lightly. Even those closest to Him need a solemn reminder of His holiness.
In Exodus 19, God is about to powerfully reveal Himself at Mount Sinai. He has already warned the people to stay within bounds, and now He gives a specific instruction for the priests.
The Priests' Special Role
The priests were those who regularly approached God on behalf of the people, offering sacrifices and prayers. Their role was sacred, drawing them nearer to God's presence than others.
A Stern Warning
Yet, even for them, God says, "let the priests also... consecrate themselves, lest the LORD break out against them." This isn't about punishment for a minor oversight, but about the absolute necessity of approaching a holy God in a holy way. The word for 'break out' implies a sudden, destructive judgment – a stark reminder that proximity to God does not grant a license for impurity. God's holiness is so intense that any improper approach can have severe consequences.
Modern Application
This highlights that even in our spiritual lives, when we feel closer to God, we must never let down our guard against sin or carelessness. True closeness to God is always marked by a deeper reverence for His holiness.
The text mentions priests before Aaron was officially appointed. Who were they, and what does this tell us about worship from the very beginning?
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Verse 22 mentions "priests" before the formal institution of the Levitical priesthood through Aaron.
A Recurring Theme
This isn't an anachronism, but reflects a consistent biblical pattern. Even before God established the specific priestly line of Aaron, there were individuals set apart for sacred duties.
Who Were They?
Scholars suggest these might have been:
Continuity in Worship
This understanding shows that the desire and necessity for mediation between God and humanity is ancient. While the Mosaic Law later formalized and restricted the priesthood to the tribe of Levi, the underlying principle of needing consecrated individuals to approach God remained constant.
Understand the original words
kohen · Hebrew Noun
Individuals set apart to perform sacred duties, acting as intermediaries between God and the people through the administration of sacrifices and offerings.
qadash · Hebrew Verb
To be set apart, sanctified, or made holy for God's use; it involves a state of ritual purity and separation from common or profane things.
parats · Hebrew Verb
To manifest divine wrath or judgment, often unexpectedly and powerfully, against those who violate the sanctity of God's presence.
This verse highlights that even before the formal establishment of the Levitical priesthood, God recognized and required consecrated individuals—likely family heads or firstborn—to approach Him. It shows God's consistent demand for holiness in those who serve Him, a principle that predates and continues beyond specific structures of worship.
c. 2000 BC
Abraham and Patriarchal Priesthood
Abraham, the ancestor of Israel, acts as a priest, offering sacrifices and blessing others, indicating an early form of priestly function within families.
c. 1500 BC
Israel in Egyptian Slavery
The Israelites are enslaved in Egypt. While their religious practices are suppressed, the lineage and potential for priestly duties likely continue among key figures or families.
c. 1446 BC
The Exodus from Egypt
God delivers Israel from slavery. Moses, as a leader and intercessor, performs priestly functions, and the need for formal priestly roles becomes evident.
c. 1446 BC— this verse
Giving of the Law at Mount Sinai
God descends on Mount Sinai to give the Law to Israel. He commands that priests, who historically had the privilege of drawing near to God, must consecrate themselves to avoid His wrath.
c. 1446 BC
Consecration of Aaron and his Sons
Following the events at Sinai, Aaron and his sons are formally consecrated as the first Levitical priests, establishing a distinct and official priesthood for Israel.
c. 1446 BC
Tabernacle Construction Begins
The construction of the Tabernacle, the central place of worship, commences, requiring the newly appointed priests to perform their sacred duties within its sacred space.
This passage directly parallels the 'breaking forth' mentioned in Exodus, describing the tragic death of Uzzah for touching the Ark of the Covenant, illustrating the severe consequences of approaching God improperly.
Leviticus 10:1-2This chapter shows the dire results of priests (Nadab and Abihu) not consecrating themselves properly before the LORD, offering 'unauthorized fire' and being consumed by divine judgment, echoing the warning in Exodus.
1 Corinthians 11:27-29Paul uses the concept of 'unworthy' or 'unholy' approaches to sacred things, specifically the Lord's Supper, warning that one can partake in a way that brings judgment, mirroring the principle of necessary consecration before God.
Hebrews 12:28-29The author of Hebrews emphasizes receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken and urges believers to worship God with reverence and awe, because our God is a consuming fire, reinforcing the sanctity and seriousness of approaching the divine presence.
pulpitExodus 19:22: "And let the priests also, which come near to the LORD, sanctify themselves, lest the LORD break forth upon them."
Verse 22. - Let the priests also. It has been objected, that no priests had been as yet appointed, and that we have here therefore an anachronism. But every nation in ancient times had priests, appointed on one principle or another: and the Levitical priesthood must be regarded as having superseded one previously existent, not as the first priesthood known to Israel.…
calvinExodus 19:21-25: "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 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.
Et dixit ei Jehova, Vade, descende, et ascendes tu et Aaron tecum, sacerdotes autem et populus non perrumpant ut ascendant ad Jehov…
What's easily missed here is that God isn't just repeating a general warning; He's specifically calling out the priests. They, whose very job it was to approach God, were not exempt from the need for consecration and could face His wrath if they neglected it. This emphasizes that closeness to God doesn't grant immunity, but rather increases responsibility to be holy.
Just before this, God has instructed Moses to set boundaries around Mount Sinai, warning everyone, including the priests, not to approach too closely. This verse emphasizes that even those who regularly serve God in sacred duties are not exempt from His holy standards, and failure to consecrate themselves could result in divine judgment, just as it did for Uzzah later. This stern warning is part of God's preparation for directly giving His Law to the people.
Just before this, God has instructed Moses to set boundaries around Mount Sinai, warning everyone, including the priests, not to approach too closely. This verse emphasizes that even those who regularly serve God in sacred duties are not exempt from His holy standards, and failure to consecrate themselves could result in divine judgment, just as it did for Uzzah later. This stern warning is part of God's preparation for directly giving His Law to the people.
"Also let the priests who come near to the LORD consecrate themselves, lest the LORD break out against them.”" — What's easily missed here is that God isn't just repeating a general warning; He's specifically calling out the priests. They, whose very job it was to approach God, were not exempt from the need f…
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Last reviewed October 2026