Bible Commentaries

He (Elohim of Exodus 20:1) said. See note on Exodus 4:3.

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4.

Nadab, and Abihu. Aaron's eldest two sons.

seventy. See App-10.

afar off. See note on Exodus 20:21,

near = near unto.

came. Moses" fourth descent. See note on Exodus 19:3. all the words. (1) The Ten Commandments. Exodus 20:1-17. (2) all the judgments, chaps. 21-23.

wrote. See note on Exodus 17:14, and App-47.

the hill = the mountain.

young men. The whole nation as yet were priests, represented in the fathers and elder sons. Probably the redeemed firstborn from all the tribes.

children = sons.

offered. Hebrew. "alah. See App-43.

burnt offerings. Hebrew. "olah. See App-43.

sacrificed. Hebrew. zabach. App-43.

Peace offerings. Hebrew. shelem. App-43.

(5-8) This is the subject of Hebrews 9:15-23, where "testament "should be rendered covenant, and the word "men", which is not in the text, should be "over the dead sacrifices" referred to here. (Greek. epi nekrois.)

on the altar. This was pledging Jehovah to this conditional covenant. See Hebrews 9:19, where the book also is said to be sprinkled.

be obedient. Connect this with the sprinkling-of the blood in next verse; and connect both with 1 Peter 1:2.

the blood = the other half of the blood. Figure of speech Synecdoche (of the Part), App-6. See Hebrews 9:20.

the People. Thus pledging them to their part of the covenant, which was thereby made conditional; unlike that with Abraham in Genesis 15, which was unconditional.

Behold. Figure of speech Asterismos (App-6).

went up. Moses" fourth ascent. See note on Exodus 19:3. Exodus 19:10 they saw. Hebrew. hazah, to see with the mental eye, or in vision (Isaiah 1:1; Isaiah 2:1; Isaiah 13:1. Ezekiel 13:7. Amos 1:1. Micah 1:1. Habakkuk 1:1. Numbers 24:4, Numbers 24:16). Hence, to discern, observe, contemplate, understand. Job 34:32. Psalms 46:8. Proverbs 22:29; Proverbs 24:32; Proverbs 29:20. Psalms 62:2.

God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4.

under. Was this seen from beneath?

He laid not His hand = put not forth His hand [in vengeance]. Compare Exodus 3:20; Exodus 33:22.

eat and drink. Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), App-6, put for living, i.e. though they were favoured with this vision, they yet lived.

the LORD [Hebrew. Jehovah. said. See note on Exodus 3:7, and compare note on Exodus 6:10.

a = the.

commandments = the commandment.

written. See note on Exodus 17:14, and App-47.

a cloud = the cloud.

six days. See App-50.

went into. On 20-25th and 26th of Sever: The fourth Sabbath.