Exodus 20:21

And the people stood afar off, and Moses drew near unto the thick darkness where God was.

Cross-reference

Exodus 19:16 Historical context

Exodus 19:16 describes the same Sinai theophany—thunder, lightning, thick cloud—that leads to Moses entering the thick darkness.

Exodus 19:17 Historical context

Exodus 19:17 records Moses leading the people to meet God; here they stand at the foot, setting the scene for his approach into darkness.

Exodus 19:9 Parallel

Exodus 19:9 has God coming in a thick cloud — the same veiled presence as the thick darkness here, where God speaks with Moses.

Exodus 24:1 Parallel

Exodus 24:1 calls Moses and others to come up to the LORD — continuing the mountain ascent begun when Moses entered the thick darkness.

Exodus 24:2 Parallel

Exodus 24:2 reiterates that Moses alone may approach God — the same exclusive access shown when he entered the thick darkness while people stayed at a distance.

Exodus 19:3 Parallel

Exodus 19:3 records Moses first going up the mountain — the same ascent that leads to him entering the thick darkness here.

1 Timothy 6:16 describes God dwelling in unapproachable light — the same divine transcendence as the thick darkness here, but with opposite imagery.

Psalm 97:2 Allusion

Psalm 97:2 directly states 'clouds and thick darkness surround him,' exactly matching the thick darkness where God was at Sinai.

Deuteronomy 5:5 Historical context

Deuteronomy 5:5 recalls Moses’ mediatorial role between God and fearful people—the same context as his approach into the thick darkness.

2 Samuel 22:10 Related theme

2 Samuel 22:10 uses the same 'thick darkness' imagery for God's coming down — matching the divine presence veiled in darkness here.

Psalm 103:7 Allusion

Psalm 103:7 recalls that God made known his ways to Moses — the very revelation Moses received when he approached the thick darkness.

1 Kings 8:12 echoes the Sinai theophany—God dwelling in a dark cloud—the same 'thick darkness' Moses entered.

2 Chronicles 6:1 repeats Solomon's statement that God dwells in a dark cloud, referencing the same Sinai darkness Moses approached.

Joel 2:2 Allusion

Joel 2:2 uses the same 'thick darkness' imagery to describe the day of the Lord — echoing the divine presence at Sinai.

Job 26:9 Related theme

Job 26:9 describes God covering the moon with clouds — the same theme of divine veiling as the thick darkness that hides God's presence.

Psalm 18:9 Allusion

Psalm 18:9 poetically describes God descending with dark clouds—imagery reminiscent of the thick darkness at Sinai.

Psalm 18:12 Allusion

Psalm 18:12 continues the storm theophany—clouds and lightning from God's presence—similar to Sinai's thick darkness.

Psalm 139:12 affirms that darkness is not dark to God — contrasting with the thick darkness that veils his presence, yet both show God's mastery over darkness.