And the LORD said unto Moses, Go down, charge the people, lest they break through unto the LORD to gaze, and many of them perish.
Lord said unto Moses, Go down. No sooner had Moses proceeded a little up the mount than he was suddenly ordered to return, in order to keep the people from breaking through to gaze-a course adopted to heighten the impressive solemnity of the scene. The strict injunctions renewed to all, whatever their condition, at a time and in circumstances when the whole multitude of Israel were standing at the base of the mount, was calculated in the highest degree to solemnize and awe every heart.