Welcome to my Hebrew reading & language series.

Exodus 19:6-9

We just started chapter 19 last week and we stopped mid-dialogue between Elohim (God) - Moshe (Moses) - The people - Moshe - Elohim which will continue for the (last and) next few posts. Even the verse numbers are placed mid-sentence. Last week we heard Elohim promising to treasure the people of Israel (sounds like a marriage proposal.) as long as they keep his covenant and obey his voice. Elohim told them that he owns the entire earth... that is where we left off.

He continues by telling them that they will be "a kingdom of priests and a holy nation." Then he tells Moshe to relay those words to the people.

Moshe gathered the elders and recounted everything that Elohim had said. It does not say whether or not they were given time to get the word out to everyone or what the other circumstances were, but if I were part of a million or so group out in the desert, I would take the deal from the all powerful entity that made the escape from slavery possible.

The Creator (and owner of) the world hears the people's acceptance and sends another message saying, "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."

I think El Shaddai knows that the people have doubted when problems arise and he gives us the reason for what comes next. He wants the people to experience some of what Moshe is used to already, see God's power, and hear HIS voice. But the main goal is that they believe Moshe when he says something.

There will be many more instructions coming including three days of preparation and washing of their clothes. This is an important part of the Tanak because we will be learning the first few of the 613 laws that make up the Torah. I have the urge to start a numbered list as we read the actual Torah for ourselves. What do you think?

Today's Reading

English

(partial from last week) ... for all the earth is mine;

and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. These are the words that you shall speak to the people of Israel."

So Moses came and called the elders of the people and set before them all these words that YHVH had commanded him. All the people answered together and said, "All that YHVH has spoken we will do." And Moses reported the words of the people to YHVH. And YHVH 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 YHVH... (next verse next week)

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Hebrew

Next week, beginning the consecration...

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Info on each letter starting at the beginning

If you are just starting, my lessons are all here starting at Alef, adding vowels (the dots and lines) as we go. I explain the meaning of each letter and its numerical value. Just go to my blog and scroll to the bottom or click here

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Thanks for reading.

Shabbat Shalom