CHAPTER XIX _The children of Israel, having departed from_ Rephidim, _come to the_ _wilderness of_ Sinai _in the third month_, 1, 2. _Moses goes up into the mount to God, and receives a message which_ _he is to deliver to the people_, 3-6. _He returns and delivers it to the people before the el... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Exodus 19:3. _MOSES WENT UP UNTO GOD_] It is likely that the cloud which had conducted the Israelitish camp had now removed to the top of Sinai; and as this was the symbol of the Divine presence, Moses went up to the place, there to meet the Lord. _THE LORD CALLED UNTO HIM_] This, according... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Exodus 19:4. HOW _I BARE YOU ON EAGLES' WINGS_] Mr. Bruce contends that the word נשר _nesher_ does not mean the bird we term _eagle_; but a bird which the Arabs, from its _kind_ and _merciful_ disposition, call _rachama_, which is noted for its care of its young, and its carrying them upon it... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Exodus 19:6. _AND A HOLY NATION._] They should be a _nation_, one people; firmly united among themselves, living under their own laws; and powerful, because united, and acting under the direction and blessing of God. They should be a _holy_ nation, saved from their sins, righteous in their con... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Exodus 19:7. _THE ELDERS OF THE PEOPLE_] The head of each tribe, and the chief of each family, by whose ministry this gracious purpose of God was speedily communicated to the whole camp.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Exodus 19:8. _AND ALL THE PEOPLE ANSWERED, C._] The people, having such gracious advantages laid before them, most cheerfully consented to take God for their _portion_ as he had graciously promised to take them for his _people_. Thus a covenant was made, the parties being mutually bound to eac... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Exodus 19:9. _A THICK CLOUD_] This is interpreted by Exodus 19:18: _And Mount Sinai was altogether on a_ SMOKE-_and the_ SMOKE _thereof_ _ascended as the_ SMOKE _of a furnace_; his usual appearance was in the cloudy pillar, which we may suppose was generally _clear_ and _luminous_. _THAT THE... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Exodus 19:10. _SANCTIFY THEM_] See the meaning of this term, Exodus 13:2. _LET THEM WASH THEIR CLOTHES_] And consequently bathe their bodies; for, according to the testimony of the Jews, these always went together. It was necessary that, as they were about to appear in the presence of God, e... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Exodus 19:12. _THOU SHALT SET BOUNDS_] Whether this was a _line_ marked out on the ground, beyond which they were not to go, or whether a _fence_ was actually made to keep them off, we cannot tell; or whether this fence was made all round the mountain, or only at that part to which one wing of... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Exodus 19:13. _THERE SHALL NOT A HAND TOUCH IT_] בו _bo_, HIM, not the _mountain_, but the _man_ who had presumed to touch the mountain. He should be considered altogether as an unclean and accursed thing, not to be touched for fear of conveying defilement; but should be immediately stoned or... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Exodus 19:16. _THUNDERS AND LIGHTNINGS, AND A THICK CLOUD - AND THE_ _VOICE OF THE TRUMPET_] The _thunders, lightnings_, c., announced the coming, as they proclaimed the majesty, of God. Of the thunders and lightnings, and the _deep, dark, dismal, electric_ _cloud_, from which the thunders an... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Exodus 19:17. _AND MOSES BROUGHT FORTH THE PEOPLE - TO MEET WITH GOD_] For though they might not touch the mount till they had permission, yet when the trumpet sounded long, it appears they might come up to _the nether part of the mount_, (see Exodus 19:13, and Deuteronomy 4:11); and when the... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Exodus 19:20. _THE LORD CAME DOWN_] This was undoubtedly done in a _visible_ manner, that the people might witness the awful appearance. We may suppose that every thing was arranged thus: the _glory of the Lord_ occupied the _top_ of the mountain, and near to this _Moses_ was permitted to app... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Exodus 19:22. _LET THE PRIESTS ALSO - SANCTIFY THEMSELVES_] That there were _priests_ among the Hebrews _before_ the consecration of Aaron and his sons, cannot be doubted; though their functions might be in a considerable measure suspended while under persecution in Egypt, yet the persons exi... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Exodus 19:23. _THE PEOPLE CANNOT COME UP_] Either because they had been so solemnly forbidden that they would not dare, with the penalty of instant death before their eyes, to transgress the Divine command; or the _bounds_ which were set about the mount were such as rendered their passing them... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Exodus 19:24. _LET NOT THE PRIESTS AND THE PEOPLE BREAK THROUGH_] God knew that they were heedless, criminally curious, and stupidly obstinate; and therefore his mercy saw it right to give them line upon line, that they might not transgress to their own destruction. FROM the very solemn and... [ Continue Reading ]