Context 19:21 The Lord said to Moses, “Go down and solemnly warn1 the people, lest they force their way through to the Lord to look, and many of them perish.2
[19:21]1tn The imperative הָעֵד (ha’ed) means “charge” them – put them under oath, or solemnly warn them. God wished to ensure that the people would not force their way past the barriers that had been set out.