Definition: And Moses said unto the LORD, The people cannot come up to mount Sinai: for thou chargedst us, saying, Set bounds about the mount, and sanctify it.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Exodus 19:23. It's a really important part of God’s plan for Israel! Here’s what it means in simple terms: “The people cannot come up to mount Sinai: for thou chargedst us, saying, Set bounds about the mount, and sanctify it.” "The people cannot come up to mount Sinai..." – This refers to the time God chose Mount Sinai as a special place for worship and communion with Him. It was a really important spot where they felt close to God. "...for thou chargedst us, saying, Set bounds about the mount, and sanctify it." - God told Moses (and the Israelites) that they had to stay away from this specific location. He gave them a very clear instruction: “Set boundaries around the mountain.” And then he added, "And sanctify it" – meaning, make it holy and special. Basically, God is saying: “We need to keep this place separate and holy for worship. It’s a sacred space where we’ll be able to connect with Him in a meaningful way." What's the significance? This verse tells us that God wanted a specific, dedicated area for his people to come together and experience His presence. It was a foundational step in establishing Israel as a nation, and it highlights God’s desire for intimacy and reverence within his chosen community. --- Do you want me to: Explain any of these concepts further? Connect this verse to other parts of the Bible? Discuss what this might have been about in the ancient world?