And the LORD came down upon mount Sinai, on the top of the mount: and the LORD called Moses up to the top of the mount; and Moses went up.
The Lord called Moses up to the top of the mount; and Moses went up. Assuming that Moses was in the plain of Sebayeh, whither he had brought forth the people out of the camp, his ascent now would be from that valley, 'crossing the Hutberg (which connects the Jebel Musa with the Jebel ed-Deir in the form of a saddle), and in that case his ascent would be witnessed by no stranger's eye, and be concealed from all below' (Kurtz, 'History of the Old Covenant,' vol. 3:, p. 101).
While the people were filled with solemn feelings of awe Moses himself went up into "the thick cloud" with fear and trembling (Hebrews 12:21). The design of this last ascent, previous to the promulgation, was doubtless to receive fresh instructions as to the pattern of that religious order which he was to be the main instrument of establishing in Israel. But scarcely had he reached "the top of the mount" when he was ordered back, 'to take the strictest measures for repressing the presumptuous curiosity of a carnal and ignorant rabble, who were in high expectation of some extraordinary advantages, and elated with the distinguished tokens of the divine favour they had received, but incapable to a great extent of entering into the meaning and intention of their sacred calling, or cherishing the reverence due to the supreme Majesty of heaven.