Moses' Story
A painting of Moses and Joshua climbing Mount Sinai toward the cloud

Moses' Story · Event 33 of 59

Forty Days on the Mountain

At Mount Sinai · Mount Sinai (Horeb)

Before thisAfter this

Exodus 24:12–18

12The LORD said to Moses, "Come up to me on the mountain and stay there. I will give you stone tablets with the law and commands I have written, so you can teach the people." 13Moses got up, along with his assistant Joshua, and Moses went up onto the mountain of God. 14He said to the elders, "Wait here for us until we come back to you. Look, Aaron and Hur are with you. If any man has any matters to do, let him come to them." 15Moses went up the mountain, and a cloud covered it. 16The glory of the LORD settled on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it for 6 days. On the 7th day, the LORD called out to Moses from inside the cloud. 17In the eyes of the children of Israel, the glory of the LORD appeared like a devouring fire on the top of the mountain. 18Moses stepped into the cloud and continued up the mountain. He stayed there for 40 days and 40 nights.

Read Exodus 24
Up nextThe Golden CalfExodus 32:1–35

About this event

What happened?

The LORD called Moses up the mountain to receive the tablets of stone. Moses went with Joshua his helper and told the elders to take any disputes to Aaron and Hur. A cloud covered the mountain for six days, and the glory of the LORD looked like a burning fire on the top. On the seventh day the LORD called Moses from the cloud. Moses went into the cloud and stayed on the mountain 40 days and 40 nights. There God gave him instructions for the tabernacle, a holy tent where God would live among his people. He also gave him two tablets of stone written by the finger of God.

Who is here?

  • Joshua
  • Aaron and Hur

Where did this happen?

Mount Sinai (Horeb)

The mountain of God in the wilderness, where God gave Israel his law. The Bible also calls it Horeb. Where it stands is not known for certain.

Where this fits

Event 4 of 10 in At Mount Sinai: God gives the Ten Commandments and his covenant. Israel worships a golden calf, and Moses pleads for them.

Keep exploring

Before thisThe Covenant Is SealedExodus 24:1–11After thisThe Golden CalfExodus 32:1–35

Moses' Story