King James Bible
"And mount Sinai was altogether on a smoke, because the LORD descended upon it in fire: and the smoke thereof ascended as the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mount quaked greatly."
God's presence manifests in consuming fire that engulfs the entire mountain in smoke, echoing ancient Near Eastern theophanies where deities appeared in storm and flame. This dramatic descent marks the pivotal moment when the transcendent God comes to establish his covenant with Israel. The furnace imagery intensifies the scene's overwhelming power while connecting to Israel's recent deliverance from Egypt's 'iron furnace' of slavery. The comparison emphasizes both the density of the smoke and the transformative heat of God's holy presence. The mountain's violent trembling completes the sensory assault—sight, smell, and now physical instability—demonstrating that even creation itself cannot remain unmoved before its Creator. This earthquake underscores the awesome, fearful nature of direct divine encounter.