Exodus 19 in the early church

179 passages quote, allude to, or echo Exodus 19, grouped by verse; passages on the same verse are in date order. Verse text from the Berean Standard Bible (public domain). References use the Protestant English Bible's numbering, with a writer's own numbering in brackets where it differs.

Verses: 1 · 2 · 3 · 5 · 6 · 9 · 10 · 11 · 12 · 13 · 15 · 16 · 17 · 18 · 19 · 20 · 21 · 22

Exodus 19:1

In the third month, on the same day of the month that the Israelites had left the land of Egypt, they came to the Wilderness of Sinai.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Exod 19:1Question 95, section 2 · Ambrosiasterallusion, medium confidenceca. 370–384
Exod 19:1Question 95, section 3 · Ambrosiasterallusion, high confidenceca. 370–384
Exod 19:1Question 95, section 4 · Ambrosiasterallusion, high confidenceca. 370–384
Exod 19:1Question 95, section 5 · Ambrosiasterallusion, high confidenceca. 370–384
Exod 19:1Letter 78.14 · Jeromequotation, high confidenceca. 370–419
Exod 19:1Exposition of Psalm 118 5.5.2 · Ambroseallusion, high confidenceca. 386-397
Exod 19:1Letter 55.30 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, high confidenceca. 386–430
Exod 19:1Sermon 8.13 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, medium confidenceca. 391-430
Exod 19:1Sermon 155.5 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, medium confidenceca. 391-430
Exod 19:1Against Faustus the Manichaean 12.30 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, medium confidenceca. 398–400
Exod 19:1Against Faustus the Manichaean 15.4 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, low confidenceca. 398–400
Exod 19:1Against Faustus the Manichaean 32.12 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, medium confidenceca. 398–400
Exod 19:1–3Exodus, lines 687–711 · Cyprianus Gallusallusion, high confidenceearly 5th cent.
Exod 19:1On the Spirit and the Letter 28 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, medium confidence412
Exod 19:1–2Part 1, chapter 40 · Quodvultdeus of Carthageallusion, medium confidenceca. 445-450

Exodus 19:2

After they had set out from Rephidim, they entered the Wilderness of Sinai, and Israel camped there in front of the mountain.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Exod 19:2Homilies on Exodus 8.1 · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410)
Exod 19:2Letter 78.14 · Jeromequotation, high confidenceca. 370–419
Exod 19:2Panarion (Adversus Haereses), Haer. 1-64 4.2.3 · Epiphanius of Salamisallusion, high confidence374-377

Exodus 19:3

Then Moses went up to God, and the LORD called to him from the mountain, “This is what you are to tell the house of Jacob and explain to the sons of Israel:

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Exod 19:3–6On Saint Athanasius 1.3 · Lucifer of Cagliariquotation, high confidenceca. 356–361
Exod 19:3Letter 78.14 · Jeromequotation, high confidenceca. 370–419
Exod 19:3–15Exodus, lines 712–738 · Cyprianus Gallusallusion, high confidenceearly 5th cent.

Exodus 19:5

Now if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, you will be My treasured possession out of all the nations—for the whole earth is Mine.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Exod 19:5–6On Pascha 68 · text not on this site · Melito of Sardisallusion, medium confidenceca. 160-180
Exod 19:5Exhortation to the Greeks 10.94 · Clement of Alexandriaquotation, high confidenceca. 190–200
Exod 19:5Miscellanies 1.18.89 · Clement of Alexandriaecho, medium confidenceca. 198–203
Exod 19:5On Prayer 27.7 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 233–234
Exod 19:5–6Letter 251 · Gregory of Nazianzusallusion, medium confidenceca. 360–390
Exod 19:5Apostolic Constitutions 7.36.2 · Anonymousallusion, medium confidenceca. 380
Exod 19:5On the Christian Faith 3.15 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 378–380

Exodus 19:6

And unto Me you shall be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you are to speak to the Israelites.”

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Exod 19:6Preparation for the Gospel 7.4.6 · Eusebius of Caesareaallusion, high confidenceca. 313–324
Exod 19:6Long recension, Philadelphians 4 · Anonymousallusion, medium confidencelater 4th century (probable)
Exod 19:6Oration 6.17 · Gregory of Nazianzusallusion, high confidenceca. 362–383
Exod 19:6Oration 13.4 · Gregory of Nazianzusecho, medium confidenceca. 362–383
Exod 19:6Oration 43.41 · Gregory of Nazianzusallusion, medium confidenceca. 362–383
Exod 19:6Apostolic Constitutions 2.26.1 · Anonymousquotation, high confidenceca. 380

Exodus 19:9

The LORD said to Moses, “Behold, I will come to you in a dense cloud, so that the people will hear when I speak with you, and they will always put their trust in you.” And Moses relayed to the LORD what the people had said.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Exod 19:9Homilies on Exodus 11.7 · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410)
Exod 19:9Homilies 8.5 · Anonymousquotation, high confidence4th century (reworking earlier material)
Exod 19:9Prophetic Extracts 1.10 · Eusebius of Caesareaquotation, high confidencebefore 325 (probably ca. 310–320)
Exod 19:9Demonstration of the Gospel 5.14.1 · Eusebius of Caesareaquotation, high confidenceca. 314–324
Exod 19:9Tractates on the Gospel of John 3.17 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, medium confidenceca. 406–420
Exod 19:9On the Governance of God 1.44 · Salvian of Marseillesquotation, high confidenceca. 439-451

Exodus 19:10

Then the LORD said to Moses, “Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow. They must wash their clothes

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Exod 19:10Eclogae on Exodus-Judges, column 293 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 220-254
Exod 19:10Homilies on Exodus 11.7 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410)
Exod 19:10–11To Quirinus 2.25 · Cyprian of Carthagequotation, high confidenceca. 248–250 (book 3 perhaps later)
Exod 19:10Prophetic Extracts 1.9 · Eusebius of Caesareaallusion, medium confidencebefore 325 (probably ca. 310–320)
Exod 19:10–11Demonstration of the Gospel 9.11.7 · Eusebius of Caesareaallusion, high confidenceca. 314–324
Exod 19:10–11Demonstration 18.4 · Aphrahatquotation, high confidence337-345
Exod 19:10–15Demonstration 18.6 · Aphrahatallusion, high confidence337-345
Exod 19:10Oration 18.13 · Gregory of Nazianzusallusion, high confidenceca. 362–383
Exod 19:10Oration 32.16 · Gregory of Nazianzusallusion, medium confidenceca. 362–383
Exod 19:10Question 112, section 1 · Ambrosiasterallusion, high confidenceca. 370–384
Exod 19:10Letter 78.14 · Jeromequotation, high confidenceca. 370–419
Exod 19:10–15On Cain and Abel 2.21 · Ambroseallusion, medium confidenceca. 375-378
Exod 19:10–19On the Lord's Prayer 1135 · Gregory of Nyssaallusion, high confidenceca. 380–394
Exod 19:10–15On the Lord's Prayer 1137 · Gregory of Nyssaallusion, high confidenceca. 380–394
Exod 19:10Altercatio, chapter 2, speech 47 · Evagrius of Gaulquotation, high confidenceca. 400
Exod 19:10–25On the Life of Moses 315 · Gregory of Nyssaallusion, high confidenceca. 385–395
Exod 19:10–14On the Life of Moses 373 · Gregory of Nyssaallusion, high confidenceca. 385–395
Exod 19:10On the Duties of the Clergy 1.50 · Ambroseallusion, high confidenceca. 386–390
Exod 19:10Letter 55.30 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 386–430
Exod 19:10Homilies on Matthew 2.1 · John Chrysostomallusion, high confidenceca. 390
Exod 19:10Homily 1 · Gregory of Nyssaallusion, high confidenceca. 390–394
Exod 19:10–16Homily 3 · Gregory of Nyssaallusion, high confidenceca. 390–394
Exod 19:10–15Against Jovinianus 1.20 · Jeromeallusion, high confidence393
Exod 19:10–15Sermon 59 · Peter Chrysologusallusion, high confidenceca. 425-450

Exodus 19:11

and be prepared by the third day, for on the third day the LORD will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Exod 19:11Homilies on Exodus 11.7 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410)
Exod 19:11Question 112, section 1 · Ambrosiasterallusion, high confidenceca. 370–384
Exod 19:11Letter 78.14 · Jeromequotation, high confidenceca. 370–419
Exod 19:11Altercatio, chapter 2, speech 47 · Evagrius of Gaulquotation, high confidenceca. 400
Exod 19:11Letter 55.30 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 386–430

Exodus 19:12

And you are to set up a boundary for the people around the mountain and tell them, ‘Be careful not to go up on the mountain or touch its base. Whoever touches the mountain shall surely be put to death.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Exod 19:12Miscellanies 5.12.78 · Clement of Alexandriaallusion, medium confidenceca. 198–203
Exod 19:12–17Commentary on Matthew 18 · Hilary of Poitiersallusion, medium confidenceca. 353–355
Exod 19:12Oration 45.13 · Gregory of Nazianzusallusion, medium confidenceca. 362–383
Exod 19:12–13On the Life of Moses 375 · Gregory of Nyssaallusion, medium confidenceca. 385–395
Exod 19:12Tractates on Matthew 3.1 · Chromatius of Aquileiaallusion, high confidenceca. 388–407
Exod 19:12On the Spirit and the Letter 29 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, high confidence412

Exodus 19:13

No hand shall touch him, but he shall surely be stoned or shot with arrows—whether man or beast, he must not live.’ Only when the ram’s horn sounds a long blast may they approach the mountain.”

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Exod 19:13Oration 2.40 · Gregory of Nazianzusallusion, high confidenceca. 362–383
Exod 19:13Oration 32.16 · Gregory of Nazianzusallusion, high confidenceca. 362–383
Exod 19:13Oration 40.45 · Gregory of Nazianzusallusion, high confidenceca. 362–383
Exod 19:13Letter 98.3 · Jeromeallusion, high confidenceca. 370–419
Exod 19:13Theological Oration 2 (Or. 28), On the Doctrine of God 2 · Gregory of Nazianzusallusion, high confidence380
Exod 19:13Theological Oration 5 (Or. 31), On the Holy Spirit 1 · Gregory of Nazianzusallusion, medium confidence380
Exod 19:13Homily 1 · Gregory of Nyssaallusion, high confidenceca. 390–394
Exod 19:13–25Exodus, lines 739–763 · Cyprianus Gallusallusion, high confidenceearly 5th cent.

Exodus 19:15

“Be prepared for the third day,” he said to the people. “Do not draw near to a woman.”

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Exod 19:15Miscellanies 3.11.73 · Clement of Alexandriaallusion, high confidenceca. 198–203
Exod 19:15Fragment on 1 Corinthians (Jenkins § 34, part 1) · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 226-254
Exod 19:15Homilies on Exodus 11.7 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410)
Exod 19:15To Quirinus 3.32 · Cyprian of Carthagequotation, high confidenceca. 248–250 (book 3 perhaps later)
Exod 19:15Demonstration 18.4 · Aphrahatquotation, high confidence337-345
Exod 19:15On Virginity 24 · Gregory of Nyssaallusion, high confidenceca. 370–371
Exod 19:15Letter 49.15 · Jeromeallusion, high confidenceca. 370–419
Exod 19:15Letter 78.14 · Jeromeallusion, high confidenceca. 370–419
Exod 19:15On the Duties of the Clergy 1.50 · Ambroseallusion, medium confidenceca. 386–390
Exod 19:15Homilies on Matthew 2.1 · John Chrysostomallusion, high confidenceca. 390
Exod 19:15Homily 1 · Gregory of Nyssaallusion, high confidenceca. 390–394
Exod 19:151 Corinthians 7:5 · Pelagiusallusion, high confidenceca. 405–410

Exodus 19:16

On the third day, when morning came, there was thunder and lightning. A thick cloud was upon the mountain, and a very loud blast of the ram’s horn went out, so that all the people in the camp trembled.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Exod 19:16Miscellanies 6.3.32 · Clement of Alexandriaallusion, high confidenceca. 198–203
Exod 19:16–20Against Marcion 4.22 · Tertullianallusion, medium confidence207/208 (third edition, completed later)
Exod 19:16Homilies 2.44 · Anonymousallusion, medium confidence4th century (reworking earlier material)
Exod 19:16Prophetic Extracts 1.9 · Eusebius of Caesareaquotation, high confidencebefore 325 (probably ca. 310–320)
Exod 19:16Preparation for the Gospel 8.10.13 · Eusebius of Caesareaallusion, medium confidenceca. 313–324
Exod 19:16–19Demonstration 18.4 · Aphrahatallusion, high confidence337-345
Exod 19:16–20On the Trinity 5.23 · Hilary of Poitiersallusion, high confidenceca. 356–360
Exod 19:16–18Tractates on the Psalms 67.18 · Hilary of Poitiersallusion, high confidenceca. 360–367
Exod 19:16Oration 2.40 · Gregory of Nazianzusallusion, high confidenceca. 362–383
Exod 19:16Oration 20.2 · Gregory of Nazianzusallusion, high confidenceca. 362–383
Exod 19:16Question 114, section 25 · Ambrosiasterallusion, high confidenceca. 370–384
Exod 19:16Letter 78.3 · Jeromeallusion, medium confidenceca. 370–419
Exod 19:16Letter 78.14 · Jeromeallusion, high confidenceca. 370–419
Exod 19:16–19Book of Heresies 138.2 · Philastrius of Bresciaallusion, medium confidenceca. 380s
Exod 19:16On the Life of Moses 375 · Gregory of Nyssaallusion, high confidenceca. 385–395
Exod 19:16–20On the Life of Moses 425 · Gregory of Nyssaallusion, high confidenceca. 385–395
Exod 19:16–19Letter 169.9 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, high confidenceca. 386–430
Exod 19:16Homilies on Matthew 1.1 · John Chrysostomallusion, high confidenceca. 390
Exod 19:16Homilies on Matthew 12.2 · John Chrysostomallusion, high confidenceca. 390
Exod 19:16On Elijah and Fasting 16 · Ambroseallusion, high confidenceca. 387-390
Exod 19:16–18Homily 1 · Gregory of Nyssaallusion, high confidenceca. 390–394
Exod 19:16Homily 11 · Gregory of Nyssaallusion, medium confidenceca. 390–394
Exod 19:16–20Homily 12 · Gregory of Nyssaallusion, high confidenceca. 390–394
Exod 19:16–18Sermon 156.14 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, high confidenceca. 391-430
Exod 19:16On the Trinity 2.6 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, high confidenceca. 399–419
Exod 19:16On the Trinity 2.7 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, high confidenceca. 399–419
Exod 19:16On the Trinity 3.5 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, high confidenceca. 399–419
Exod 19:16City of God 10.13 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, high confidence413–426
Exod 19:16–19City of God 16.43 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, high confidence413–426
Exod 19:16–20In Praise of the Desert 13 · Eucherius of Lyonallusion, high confidenceca. 427-428
Exod 19:16Theodotus, ACO I.1.2, homily 73.10 · Theodotus of Ancyraallusion, high confidence431
Exod 19:16On the Governance of God 1.43 · Salvian of Marseillesallusion, high confidenceca. 439-451
Exod 19:16On the Governance of God 1.44 · Salvian of Marseillesquotation, high confidenceca. 439-451

Exodus 19:17

Then Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet with God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Exod 19:17Prophetic Extracts 1.9 · Eusebius of Caesareaquotation, high confidencebefore 325 (probably ca. 310–320)

Exodus 19:18

Mount Sinai was completely enveloped in smoke, because the LORD had descended on it in fire. And the smoke rose like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain quaked violently.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Exod 19:18Miscellanies 6.3.32 · Clement of Alexandriaallusion, high confidenceca. 198–203
Exod 19:18Commentary on Daniel 4.10 · Hippolytus of Romeallusion, medium confidenceca. 202-204
Exod 19:18To Quirinus 3.101 · Cyprian of Carthagequotation, high confidenceca. 248–250 (book 3 perhaps later)
Exod 19:18Prophetic Extracts 1.9 · Eusebius of Caesareaquotation, high confidencebefore 325 (probably ca. 310–320)
Exod 19:18Preparation for the Gospel 8.10.13 · Eusebius of Caesareaallusion, high confidenceca. 313–324
Exod 19:18–20Catechetical Lecture 6.16 · Cyril of Jerusalemallusion, medium confidenceca. 350
Exod 19:18Catechetical Lecture 12.13 · Cyril of Jerusalemallusion, high confidenceca. 350
Exod 19:18Question 114, section 25 · Ambrosiasterallusion, high confidenceca. 370–384
Exod 19:18Pilgrimage (Itinerarium) 3.2 · Egeriaallusion, high confidenceca. 381-395
Exod 19:18Homilies on Matthew 11.5 · John Chrysostomallusion, high confidenceca. 390
Exod 19:18Homilies on Matthew 56.3 · John Chrysostomquotation, medium confidenceca. 390
Exod 19:18On Elijah and Fasting 16 · Ambroseallusion, high confidenceca. 387-390
Exod 19:18On True Religion 50 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, medium confidenceca. 389–391
Exod 19:18Homily 3 · Gregory of Nyssaallusion, high confidenceca. 390–394
Exod 19:18Sermon 155.6 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, high confidenceca. 391-430
Exod 19:18On the Trinity 2.15 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 399–419
Exod 19:18Sermon 68 · Peter Chrysologusallusion, high confidenceca. 425-450

Exodus 19:19

And as the sound of the ram’s horn grew louder and louder, Moses spoke and God answered him in the thunder.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Exod 19:19On First Principles 3.1.22 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 220–230 (Rufinus's translation 398)
Exod 19:19Fragments on Job, column 97 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 220-254
Exod 19:19Homily on Luke 11 · Origenallusion, medium confidenceca. 233–250
Exod 19:19Homily on Luke 18 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 233–250
Exod 19:19Commentary on the Song of Songs 3.231 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 240–245 (Rufinus's translation ca. 410)
Exod 19:19Prophetic Extracts 1.9 · Eusebius of Caesareaquotation, high confidencebefore 325 (probably ca. 310–320)
Exod 19:19Oration 6.17 · Gregory of Nazianzusallusion, high confidenceca. 362–383
Exod 19:19Letter 78.14 · Jeromeallusion, high confidenceca. 370–419
Exod 19:19Panarion (Adversus Haereses), Haer. 1-64 64.69.4 · Epiphanius of Salamisallusion, high confidence374-377
Exod 19:19On the Life of Moses 375 · Gregory of Nyssaallusion, high confidenceca. 385–395
Exod 19:19On the Trinity 2.15 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 399–419

Exodus 19:20

The LORD descended to the top of Mount Sinai and called Moses to the summit. So Moses went up,

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Exod 19:20Fragments on Genesis, column 95 · Origenallusion, medium confidenceca. 220-254
Exod 19:20Homilies on Numbers 17.1 · Origenallusion, medium confidenceca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410)
Exod 19:20Lines 191–214 · Commodianallusion, medium confidence3rd century (disputed)
Exod 19:20Prophetic Extracts 1.9 · Eusebius of Caesareaquotation, high confidencebefore 325 (probably ca. 310–320)
Exod 19:20Prophetic Extracts 3.18 · Eusebius of Caesareaallusion, low confidencebefore 325 (probably ca. 310–320)
Exod 19:20Preparation for the Gospel 8.10.12 · Eusebius of Caesareaallusion, high confidenceca. 313–324
Exod 19:20Oration II Against the Arians 68 · Athanasius of Alexandriaallusion, high confidenceca. 339–346
Exod 19:20On the Decrees of Nicaea 7 · Athanasius of Alexandriaallusion, high confidenceca. 350–356
Exod 19:20Tractates on the Psalms 124.3 · Hilary of Poitiersallusion, high confidenceca. 360–367
Exod 19:20Oration 41.13 · Gregory of Nazianzusallusion, medium confidenceca. 362–383
Exod 19:20Pilgrimage (Itinerarium) 2.5 · Egeriaallusion, high confidenceca. 381-395
Exod 19:20Exposition of Psalm 118 19.42.1 · Ambroseallusion, high confidenceca. 386-397
Exod 19:20Explanation of Twelve Psalms 43.40.3 · Ambroseallusion, high confidenceca. 387-397
Exod 19:20City of God 18.11 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, high confidence413–426
Exod 19:20On the Governance of God 1.44 · Salvian of Marseillesquotation, high confidenceca. 439-451
Exod 19:20Part 2, chapter 1 · Quodvultdeus of Carthageallusion, high confidenceca. 445-450

Exodus 19:21

and the LORD said to him, “Go down and warn the people not to break through to see the LORD, lest many of them perish.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Exod 19:21Dialogue with Trypho 127.3 · Justin Martyrallusion, medium confidenceca. 155–160

Exodus 19:22

Even the priests who approach the LORD must consecrate themselves, or the LORD will break out against them.”

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Exod 19:22Letter 65.2 · Cyprian of Carthagequotation, high confidence249/250–258
Exod 19:22Letter 67.1 · Cyprian of Carthagequotation, high confidence249/250–258
Exod 19:22Letter 72.2 · Cyprian of Carthagequotation, high confidence249/250–258
Exod 19:22Oration 26.1 · Gregory of Nazianzusecho, low confidenceca. 362–383
Exod 19:22Against the Letter of Parmenian 2.12 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 400