Map Mt. Sinai

Map Mt. Sinai

Legendary

Mount Sinai is the mountain where the Bible says God gave Moses the Ten Commandments, and that was a game-changer in the history of religions.

Geography of the hill

The mountain, also known as Jebel Musa, is located in the southern part of the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt. It's a rugged, iconic peak standing at approximately 7,497 feet (2,285 meters) above sea level. The mountain is characterized by its barren, rocky terrain, with steep and winding paths leading to its summit. Surrounding it, you'll find a stark desert landscape, which adds to the mystique of this historically significant mountain. We'll find the story in the second book in the Bible, the book of Exodus. In Exodus 19, God told Moses to bring the Israelites to Mount Sinai.

When God scared the people

The scene was dramatic. The mountain became shrouded in smoke and lightning, with God's voice booming like thunder. That's how he decided to introduce himself to the people. It made an impression. The people asked Moses to deal with God in the future. They didn't want to go through that again. When Moses climbed the mountain, he received God's instructions. It's captured there in Exodus 20:2-17. God said, "I am your God. You don't need any other gods or idols. Keep the Sabbath holy. Respect your parents. Don't lie or steal. And definitely don't murder." Those Ten Commandments became the blueprint for a just and moral society.

Israel makes a golden calf idol

Let's not forget the famous incident of the golden calf in Exodus 32. While Moses was on Sinai talking with the Almighty, the Israelites got restless and built themselves a shiny new idol. Not a good move. When Moses came down, he was so upset that he smashed those stone tablets. God had him make the second copy himself.

Elijah goes to Sinai

In 1 Kings 19, Elijah headed to Mount Horeb, another name for Sinai. There, he had a chat with God in a cave. No fireworks this time, just a still, small voice reminding Elijah that he wasn't alone in his mission. So, Mount Sinai has become a symbol of divine revelation and a reminder of the moral code that's guided countless folks for millennia. It's like the spiritual heart of the Bible, where God's wisdom was etched in stone and passed down for all of us regular folks to follow.

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For more about Mount Sinai and other places and people in the Bible: Who's Who & Where's Where in the Bible, by Stephen M. Miller