4 And Moses H4872 wrote H3789 all the words H1697 of the LORD, H3068 and rose up early H7925 in the morning, H1242 and builded H1129 an altar H4196 under H8478 the hill, H2022 and twelve pillars, H4676 according to the twelve H8147 H6240 tribes H7626 of Israel. H3478
And Joshua H3091 wrote H3789 these words H1697 in the book H5612 of the law H8451 of God, H430 and took H3947 a great H1419 stone, H68 and set it up H6965 there under an oak, H427 that was by the sanctuary H4720 of the LORD. H3068 And Joshua H3091 said H559 unto all the people, H5971 Behold, this stone H68 shall be a witness H5713 unto us; for it hath heard H8085 all the words H561 of the LORD H3068 which he spake H1696 unto us: it shall be therefore a witness H5713 unto you, lest ye deny H3584 your God. H430
And the children H1121 of Israel H3478 did H6213 so as Joshua H3091 commanded, H6680 and took up H5375 twelve H8147 H6240 stones H68 out of the midst H8432 of Jordan, H3383 as the LORD H3068 spake H1696 unto Joshua, H3091 according to the number H4557 of the tribes H7626 of the children H1121 of Israel, H3478 and carried them over H5674 with them unto the place where they lodged, H4411 and laid them down H3240 there. And Joshua H3091 set up H6965 twelve H8147 H6240 stones H68 in the midst H8432 of Jordan, H3383 in the place where the feet H7272 of the priests H3548 which bare H5375 the ark H727 of the covenant H1285 stood: H4673 and they are there unto this day. H3117
Take H3947 you twelve H8147 H6240 men H582 out of the people, H5971 out of every H259 tribe H7626 a man, H376 And command H6680 ye them, saying, H559 Take H5375 you hence out of the midst H8432 of Jordan, H3383 out of the place where the priests' H3548 feet H7272 stood H4673 firm, H3559 twelve H8147 H6240 stones, H68 and ye shall carry them over H5674 with you, and leave H3240 them in the lodging place, H4411 where ye shall lodge H3885 this night. H3915
An altar H4196 of earth H127 thou shalt make H6213 unto me, and shalt sacrifice H2076 thereon thy burnt offerings, H5930 and thy peace offerings, H8002 thy sheep, H6629 and thine oxen: H1241 in all places H4725 where I record H2142 my name H8034 I will come H935 unto thee, and I will bless H1288 thee. And if thou wilt make H6213 me an altar H4196 of stone, H68 thou shalt not build H1129 it of hewn stone: H1496 for if thou lift up H5130 thy tool H2719 upon it, thou hast polluted H2490 it. Neither shalt thou go up H5927 by steps H4609 unto mine altar, H4196 that thy nakedness H6172 be not discovered H1540 thereon.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Exodus 24
Commentary on Exodus 24 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 24
Ex 24:1-18. Delivery of the Law and Covenant.
3, 4. Moses came and told the people all the words of the Lord—The rehearsal of the foregoing laws and the ten commandments, together with the promises of special blessings in the event of their obedience, having drawn forth from the people a unanimous declaration of their consent, it was forthwith recorded as the conditions of the national covenant. The next day preparations were made for having it (the covenant) solemnly ratified, by building an altar and twelve pillars; the altar representing God, and the pillars the tribes of Israel—the two parties in this solemn compact—while Moses acted as typical mediator.
5. young men—priests (Ex 19:22), probably the oldest sons of particular families, who acted under the direction of Moses.
oxen—Other animals, though not mentioned, were offered in sacrifice (Heb 9:18-20).
6. Moses took half of the blood … sprinkled—Preliminary to this was the public reading of the law and the renewed acceptance of the terms by the people; then the sprinkling of the blood was the sign of solemn ratification—half on each party in the transaction.
8. Moses took the blood, and sprinkled it on the people—probably on the twelve pillars, as representing the people (also the book, Heb 9:19), and the act was accompanied by a public proclamation of its import. It was setting their seal to the covenant (compare 1Co 11:25). It must have been a deeply impressive, as well as instructive scene, for it taught the Israelites that the covenant was made with them only through the sprinkling of blood—that the divine acceptance of themselves and services, was only by virtue of an atoning sacrifice, and that even the blessings of the national covenant were promised and secured to them only through grace. The ceremonial, however, had a further and higher significance, as is shown by the apostle (see as above).
9. Then went up Moses, and Aaron—in obedience to a command given (Ex 24:1, 2; also Ex 19:24), previous to the religious engagement of the people, now described.
Nadab, and Abihu—the two oldest sons of Aaron [Ex 6:23].
seventy of the elders—a select number; what was the principle of selection is not said; but they were the chief representatives, the most conspicuous for official rank and station, as well as for their probity and weight of character in their respective tribes.
10. And they saw the God of Israel—That there was no visible form or representation of the divine nature, we have expressly intimated (De 4:15). But a symbol or emblem of His glory was distinctly, and at a distance, displayed before those chosen witnesses. Many think, however, that in this private scene was discovered, amid the luminous blaze, the faint adumbrated form of the humanity of Christ (Eze 1:26; compare Ga 3:24).
sapphire—one of the most valuable and lustrous of the precious gems—of a sky-blue or light azure color and frequently chosen to describe the throne of God (see Eze 1:26; 10:1).
11. upon the nobles of the children of Israel he laid not his hand—The "nobles," that is, the elders, after the sprinkling of the blood, were not inspired with terror in presence of the calm, benign, radiant symbol of the divine majesty; so different from the terrific exhibitions at the giving of the law. The report of so many competent witnesses would tend to confirm the people's faith in the divine mission of Moses.
eat and drink—feasted on the peace offering—on the remnants of the late sacrifices and libations. This feast had a prophetic bearing, intimating God's dwelling with men.
12. I will give thee tables of stone—The ten commandments, which had already been spoken, were to be given in a permanent form. Inscribed on stone, for greater durability, by the hand of God Himself, they were thus authenticated and honored above the judicial or ceremonial parts of the law.
13. Moses went up into the mount of God—He was called to receive the divine transcript. Joshua was taken a little higher, and it would be a great comfort for the leader to have his company during the six days he was in patient waiting for the call on the seventh or sabbath day.
14. he said unto the elders, Tarry ye here for us—There is a circular valley or hollow a good way up on the brow of Jebel Musa, which was their halting place, while he alone was privileged to ascend the highest peak. The people stood below, as in the "outer court," the elders in the "holy place," Moses, as a type of Christ, in "the holy of holies."
18. Moses went into the midst of the cloud—the visible token of God's presence. Divine grace animated and supported him to enter with holy boldness.
Moses was in the mount forty days and forty nights—The six days spent in waiting are not included. During that protracted period he was miraculously supported (De 9:9), on a peak scarcely thirty paces in compass.