
Text -- Exodus 24:1-10 (NET)




Names, People and Places, Dictionary Themes and Topics



collapse allCommentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per phrase)
Wesley: Exo 24:1 - -- Before they came near, they must worship. Thus we must enter into God's gates with humble and solemn adorations.
Before they came near, they must worship. Thus we must enter into God's gates with humble and solemn adorations.

Wesley: Exo 24:2 - -- Being therein a type of Christ, who as the high priest entered alone into the most holy place. In the following verses we have the solemn covenant mad...
Being therein a type of Christ, who as the high priest entered alone into the most holy place. In the following verses we have the solemn covenant made between God and Israel and the exchanging of the ratifications: typifying the covenant of grace between God and believers through Christ.

Wesley: Exo 24:3 - -- He laid before them all the precepts, in the foregoing chapters, and put it to them, whether they were willing to submit to these laws or no? And all ...
He laid before them all the precepts, in the foregoing chapters, and put it to them, whether they were willing to submit to these laws or no? And all the people answered, All the words which the Lord hath said we will do - They had before consented in general to be under God's government; here they consent in particular to these laws now given.

Wesley: Exo 24:4 - -- That there might be no mistake; as God dictated them on the mount, where, it is highly probable, God taught him the use of letters. These Moses taught...
That there might be no mistake; as God dictated them on the mount, where, it is highly probable, God taught him the use of letters. These Moses taught the Israelites, from whom they afterwards travelled to Greece and other nations. As soon as God had separated to himself a peculiar people, he governed them by a written word, as he has done ever since, and will do while the world stands.

Wesley: Exo 24:4 - -- These were to represent the people, the other party to the covenant; and we may suppose they were set up over against the altar, and that Moses as med...
These were to represent the people, the other party to the covenant; and we may suppose they were set up over against the altar, and that Moses as mediator passed to and fro between them. Probably each tribe set up and knew its own pillar, and their elders stood by it. He then appointed sacrifices to be offered upon the altar.

Wesley: Exo 24:6 - -- 1. The blood of the sacrifice which the people offered was (part of it) sprinkled upon the altar, which signified the people's dedicating themselves t...
1. The blood of the sacrifice which the people offered was (part of it) sprinkled upon the altar, which signified the people's dedicating themselves to God, and his honour. In the blood of the sacrifices, all the Israelites were presented unto God as living sacrifices, Rom 12:1. 2. The blood of the sacrifice which God had owned and accepted was (the remainder of it) sprinkled, either upon the people themselves, or upon the pillars that represented them, which signified God's conferring his favour upon them, and all the fruits of that favour, and his giving them all the gifts they could desire from a God reconciled to them, and in covenant with them. This part of the ceremony was thus explained, Behold the blood of the covenant; see here how God sealed to you to be a God, and you seal to be to him a people; his promises to you, and yours to him, are yea and amen. Thus our Lord Jesus, the Mediator of the new covenant (of whom Moses was a type) having offered up himself a sacrifice upon the cross, that his blood might be indeed the blood of the covenant, sprinkled it upon the altar in his intercession (Heb 9:12,) and sprinkles it upon his church by his word and ordinances, and the influences and operations of the Spirit of promise by whom we are sealed.

Wesley: Exo 24:10 - -- That is, they had some glimpse of his glory, in light and fire, though they saw no manner of similitude. They saw the place where the God of Israel st...
That is, they had some glimpse of his glory, in light and fire, though they saw no manner of similitude. They saw the place where the God of Israel stood, so the seventy, something that came near a similitude, but was not; whatever they saw it was certainly something of which no image or picture could be made, and yet enough to satisfy them that God was with them of a truth. Nothing is described but that which was under his feet, for our conceptions of God are all below him. They saw not so much as God's feet, but at the bottom of the brightness they saw (such as they never saw before or after, and as the foot - stool or pedestal of it) a most rich and splendid pavement, as it had been of sapphires, azure, or sky - coloured. The heavens themselves are the pavement of God's palace, and his throne is above the firmament.
JFB: Exo 24:3-4 - -- The rehearsal of the foregoing laws and the ten commandments, together with the promises of special blessings in the event of their obedience, having ...
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.

JFB: Exo 24:5 - -- Priests (Exo 19:22), probably the oldest sons of particular families, who acted under the direction of Moses.
Priests (Exo 19:22), probably the oldest sons of particular families, who acted under the direction of Moses.

JFB: Exo 24:6 - -- 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 ...
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.

JFB: Exo 24:8 - -- 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 impo...
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).

JFB: Exo 24:9 - -- In obedience to a command given (Exo 24:1-2; also Exo 19:24), previous to the religious engagement of the people, now described.
In obedience to a command given (Exo 24:1-2; also Exo 19:24), previous to the religious engagement of the people, now described.

JFB: Exo 24:9 - -- 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 ...
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.

JFB: Exo 24:10 - -- That there was no visible form or representation of the divine nature, we have expressly intimated (Deu 4:15). But a symbol or emblem of His glory was...
That there was no visible form or representation of the divine nature, we have expressly intimated (Deu 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 Gal 3:24).

JFB: Exo 24:10 - -- 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 (se...
Clarke: Exo 24:1 - -- Come up unto the Lord - Moses and Aaron were already on the mount, or at least some way up, (Exo 19:24), where they had heard the voice of the Lord ...
Come up unto the Lord - Moses and Aaron were already on the mount, or at least some way up, (Exo 19:24), where they had heard the voice of the Lord distinctly speaking to them: and the people also saw and heard, but in a less distinct manner, probably like the hoarse grumbling sound of distant thunder; see Exo 20:18. Calmet, who complains of the apparent want of order in the facts laid down here, thinks the whole should be understood thus: - "After God had laid before Moses and Aaron all the laws mentioned from the beginning of the 20th chapter to the end of the 23d, before they went down from the mount to lay them before the people, he told them that, when they had proposed the conditions of the covenant to the Israelites, and they had ratified them, they were to come up again unto the mountain accompanied with Nadab and Abihu the sons of Aaron, and seventy of the principal elders of Israel. Moses accordingly went down, spoke to the people, ratified the covenant, and then, according to the command of God mentioned here, he and the others reascended the mountain. Tout cela est raconté ici avec assez peu d’ ordre ."

Clarke: Exo 24:2 - -- Moses alone shall come near - The people stood at the foot of the mountain. Aaron and his two sons and the seventy elders went up, probably about ha...
Moses alone shall come near - The people stood at the foot of the mountain. Aaron and his two sons and the seventy elders went up, probably about half way, and Moses alone went to the summit.

Clarke: Exo 24:3 - -- Moses - told the people all the words of the Lord - That is, the ten commandments, and the various laws and ordinances mentioned from the beginning ...
Moses - told the people all the words of the Lord - That is, the ten commandments, and the various laws and ordinances mentioned from the beginning of the 20th to the end of the 23d chapter.

Clarke: Exo 24:4 - -- Moses wrote all the words of the Lord - After the people had promised obedience, (Exo 24:3), and so entered into the bonds of the covenant, "it was ...
Moses wrote all the words of the Lord - After the people had promised obedience, (Exo 24:3), and so entered into the bonds of the covenant, "it was necessary,"says Calmet, "to draw up an act by which the memory of these transactions might be preserved, and confirm the covenant by authentic and solemn ceremonies."And this Moses does
1. As legislator, he reduces to writing all the articles and conditions of the agreement, with the people’ s act of consent
2. As their mediator and the deputy of the Lord, he accepts on his part the resolution of the people; and Jehovah on his part engages himself to Israel, to be their God, their King, and Protector, and to fulfill to them all the promises he had made to their fathers
3. To make this the more solemn and affecting, and to ratify the covenant, which could not be done without sacrifice, shedding and sprinkling of blood, Moses builds an altar, probably of turf, as was commanded, Exo 20:24, and erects twelve pillars, no doubt of unhewn stone, and probably set round about the altar. The altar itself represented the throne of God; the twelve stones, the twelve tribes of Israel. These were the two parties, who were to contract, or enter into covenant, on this occasion.

Clarke: Exo 24:5 - -- He sent young men - Stout, able, reputable young men, chosen out of the different tribes, for the purpose of killing, flaying, and offering the oxen...
He sent young men - Stout, able, reputable young men, chosen out of the different tribes, for the purpose of killing, flaying, and offering the oxen mentioned here

Clarke: Exo 24:5 - -- Burnt-offerings - They generally consisted of sheep and goats, Lev 1:10. These were wholly consumed by fire
Burnt-offerings - They generally consisted of sheep and goats, Lev 1:10. These were wholly consumed by fire

Clarke: Exo 24:5 - -- Peace-offerings - Bullocks or goats; see Heb 9:19. The blood of these was poured out before the Lord, and then the priests and people might feast on...
Peace-offerings - Bullocks or goats; see Heb 9:19. The blood of these was poured out before the Lord, and then the priests and people might feast on the flesh.

Clarke: Exo 24:7 - -- The book of the covenant - The writing containing the laws mentioned in the three preceding chapters. As this writing contained the agreement made b...
The book of the covenant - The writing containing the laws mentioned in the three preceding chapters. As this writing contained the agreement made between God and them, it was called the book of the covenant; but as no covenant was considered to be ratified and binding till a sacrifice had been offered on the occasion, hence the necessity of the sacrifices mentioned here
Half of the blood being sprinkled on the Altar, and half of it sprinkled on the People, showed that both God and They were mutually bound by this covenant. God was bound to the People to support, defend, and save them; the People were bound to God to fear, love, and serve him. On the ancient method of making covenants, see Clarke on Gen 6:18 (note); and see Clarke on Gen 15:18 (note). Thus the blood of the new covenant was necessary to propitiate the throne of justice on the one hand, and to reconcile men to God on the other. On the nature and various kinds of the Jewish offerings, see Clarke’ s note on Lev 7:1, etc.

Clarke: Exo 24:10 - -- They saw the God of Israel - The seventy elders, who were representatives of the whole congregation, were chosen to witness the manifestation of God...
They saw the God of Israel - The seventy elders, who were representatives of the whole congregation, were chosen to witness the manifestation of God, that they might be satisfied of the truth of the revelation which he had made of himself and of his will; and on this occasion it was necessary that the people also should be favored with a sight of the glory of God; see Exo 20:18. Thus the certainty of the revelation was established by many witnesses, and by those especially of the most competent kind

Clarke: Exo 24:10 - -- A paved work of a sapphire stone - Or sapphire brick-work. I suppose that something of the Musive or Mosaic pavement is here intended; floors most c...
A paved work of a sapphire stone - Or sapphire brick-work. I suppose that something of the Musive or Mosaic pavement is here intended; floors most curiously inlaid with variously coloured stones or small square tiles, disposed in a great variety of ornamental forms. Many of these remain in different countries to the present day. The Romans were particularly fond of them, and left monuments of their taste and ingenuity in pavements of this kind, in most countries where they established their dominion. Some very fine specimens are found in different parts of Britain
Sapphire is a precious stone of a fine blue color, next in hardness to the diamond. The ruby is considered by most mineralogists of the same genus; so is also the topaz: hence we cannot say that the sapphire is only of a blue color; it is blue, red, or yellow, as it may be called sapphire, ruby, or topaz; and some of them are blue or green, according to the light in which they are held; and some white. A very large specimen of such a one is now before me. The ancient oriental sapphire is supposed to have been the same with the lapis lazuli. Supposing that these different kinds of sapphires are here intended, how glorious must a pavement be, constituted of polished stones of this sort, perfectly transparent, with an effulgence of heavenly splendor poured out upon them! The red, the blue, the green, and the yellow, arranged by the wisdom of God, into the most beautiful emblematic representations, and the whole body of heaven in its clearness shining upon them, must have made a most glorious appearance. As the Divine glory appeared above the mount, it is reasonable to suppose that the Israelites saw the sapphire pavement over their heads, as it might have occupied a space in the atmosphere equal in extent to the base of the mountain; and being transparent, the intense brightness shining upon it must have greatly heightened the effect
It is necessary farther to observe that all this must have been only an appearance, unconnected with any personal similitude; for this Moses expressly asserts, Deu 4:15. And though the feet are here mentioned, this can only be understood of the sapphirine basis or pavement, on which this celestial and indescribable glory of the Lord appeared. There is a similar description of the glory of the Lord in the Book of Revelation, Rev 4:3 : "And he who sat [upon the throne] was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone; and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald."In neither of these appearances was there any similitude or likeness of any thing in heaven, earth, or sea. Thus God took care to preserve them from all incentives to idolatry, while he gave them the fullest proofs of his being. In Scheuchzer’ s Physica Sacra, among his numerous fine engravings, there is one of this glorious manifestation, which cannot be too severely reprehended. The Supreme Being is represented as an old man, sitting on a throne, encompassed with glory, having a crown on his head, and a scepter in his hand, the people prostrate in adoration at the foot of the piece. A print of this kind should be considered as utterly improper, if not blasphemous.
Calvin: Exo 24:1 - -- 1.Come up unto the Lord, thou, and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu. Before Moses erected the tabernacle and consecrated it by a solemn ceremony, it was necess...
1.Come up unto the Lord, thou, and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu. Before Moses erected the tabernacle and consecrated it by a solemn ceremony, it was necessary for him to fetch the Tables of the Covenant, which were a pledge of God’s favor; otherwise, if the ark had nothing in it, the sanctuary would have been in a manner empty. For this reason, he is commanded to go up into the mount, but not without a splendid train of companions, in order that an appropriate preparation might arouse their minds for a fit reception of this especial blessing. He is, therefore, commanded to take with him Aaron his brother, and Nadab and Abihu, together with seventy of the elders of the people. This was the number of witnesses selected to behold the glory of God. Before, however, they ascended the mount, a sacrifice was offered by the whole people, and the Book of the Law was read. Finally, Moses alone was received into the top of the mount, to bring from thence the Tables written by the hand of God.
Here, however, (See this subject further discussed on Num 11:16, infra.) arises a question respecting the seventy elders; for we shall see elsewhere that the seventy were not chosen till the people had departed from Mount Sinai; whereas mention is made of them here, before the promulgation of the Law, which seems to be by no means consistent. But this difficulty is removed, if we allow, what we gather from this passage, that, even before they came to Mount Sinai, each tribe had appointed its governors ( praefectos), who would make up this number, since there were six of every tribe; but that when Moses afterwards desired to be relieved of his burdens, part of the government was transferred 305 to these seventy persons, since this number was already sanctioned by custom and use. Certainly, since it is plainly stated that there were 306 seventy from the very first, it is probable that this number of coadjutors was given to Moses in order to make as little change as possible. For we know that, when a custom has obtained, men are very unwilling to depart from it. But it might have also been that the desire and intention of the Israelites was thus to celebrate the memory of their origin; for seventy persons had gone down into Egypt with Jacob, and, in less than two hundred and twenty years after they went there, their race had increased to six hundred thousand, besides women and children. It is not, therefore, contrary to probability that seventy persons were appointed to preside over the whole people, in order that so marvelous a blessing of God might continue to be testified in all ages, as if to trace the commencement of their race up to its very source.

Calvin: Exo 24:2 - -- 2.And Moses alone shall come near the Lord. Three gradations are here marked. A station is prescribed for the people, from whence they may “worship...
2.And Moses alone shall come near the Lord. Three gradations are here marked. A station is prescribed for the people, from whence they may “worship afar off;†the elders and the priests are appointed to be the companions of Moses, to come closer, and thus to be witnesses to the people of all the things which we shall afterwards see to be shewn them; whilst, as they were separated from the multitude, so finally Moses alone was received up into the higher glory; for he was caught up on high in the covering of the cloud. This 307 distinction is marked in the words, “Moses alone shall come near...; but they shall not come nigh; neither shall the people go up.†Some translators render the verbs in the past tense; but improperly, in my opinion; for Moses is not yet relating what was done, but only what God had commanded, as is plain from the next verse, wherein also the modesty and humility of the people is commended, because they received with reverence a command which was not in itself very agreeable or likely to be approved. For, such is the ambition of men, that it might have appeared insulting that they should be set afar off and prohibited from approaching the mountain, like strangers and heathens. It is, therefore, an evidence of their pious reverence, that they should submit to be placed at a distance, and should be contented with a position apparently less honorable. And Moses more clearly expresses their promptitude to obey, when he reports their words, that they would do all that he had declared to them from the mouth of God.

Calvin: Exo 24:4 - -- 4.And Moses 308 wrote all the words of the Lord. This parenthesis is opportunely inserted; for we shall see a little further on that the book was re...
4.And Moses 308 wrote all the words of the Lord. This parenthesis is opportunely inserted; for we shall see a little further on that the book was read before the people; but, in order to awaken greater attention, before the reading he built an altar and offered victims in the sight of all the people. Moreover, it must be observed that statues 309 were erected near the altar according to the number of the tribes, that they might know that they were not kept afar off in token of rejection, but only that, conscious of their own unworthiness, they might humble themselves before God in fear and trembling; for, though they were removed to a considerable distance, still they were remembered before God, and thus He embraced them all, as it were, by means of these statues. What Moses, however, calls by this name, were not images bearing the shape of a man, but heaps of stones, which might be as monuments representing the twelve tribes; that they might know that they were by no means excluded from the sanctity of the altar.

Calvin: Exo 24:5 - -- 5.And he sent young men of the children of Israel. He either means that they were the sacrificial attendants ( victimarios,) by whose hands the victi...
5.And he sent young men of the children of Israel. He either means that they were the sacrificial attendants ( victimarios,) by whose hands the victims were killed, or that some were chosen who might be active and strong to drag the oxen to the altar. The tribe of Levi was not yet consecrated; whereas the word used for “offering,†310 is only applied to the priests, where a distinction is marked between the Levites and the rest of the people. The first meaning is, therefore, the most suitable.
We have stated elsewhere that the 311 sacrifices of prosperities were designed as acts of thanksgiving; and yet that they were not only expressions of gratitude, but also that prayers were mixed with them in supplication of good success. This offering, however, comprised in it a ratification of the Covenant, as appears immediately afterwards; for, in order to increase the sanctity and security of covenants, they have in all ages, and even 312 amongst heathen nations, been accompanied with sacrifices. To this end Moses, the victims being slain, pours half the blood upon the altar, and keeps half in basins to sprinkle the people, that by this 313 symbol the Covenant might be ratified, whereof he was the mediator and surety. Paul, in allusion to this custom, says, that he should rejoice, if he were “offered upon the sacrifice and service of their faith†whom he had gained for Christ, ( Phi 2:17;) and he uses the word
We must now carefully observe the course of the proceeding. First, Moses states that he read the book before the people; and then adds that the people themselves embraced the covenant proposed to them. Finally, he relates that when the people had professed their obedience, he sprinkled the blood, not without adding his testimony, and that in a loud voice. The context here shews us the true and genuine nature of the Sacraments, together with their correct and proper use; for unless doctrine precede them to be a connecting link between God and man, they will be empty and delusive signs, however honorable may be the encomiums passed on them. But inasmuch as mutual consent is required in all compacts, so, when God invites His people to receive grace, He stipulates that they should give Him the obedience of faith, so as to answer, Amen. Thus nothing can be more preposterous than the invention of dumb sacraments: such as those childish charms which the Papists hawk about as sacraments, without the word of God; whilst, at the same time, it must be added that the word, which gives life to the Sacraments, is not an obscure whisper, like that magical incantation of the Papists, when they blow on the bread and the cup, and which they call the consecration; but it is a clear and distinct voice which is addressed to men, and avails to beget faith in them. Thus Moses here speaks aloud to the people, and reminds them that God enters into covenant with him.
Now, although the profession here recorded might seem to be derived from too great confidence, when the people declare that they will do whatsoever God commands, still it contains nothing amiss or reprehensible; inasmuch as the faithful among them promised nothing, except in reliance on the help of God: and gratuitous reconciliation, if they should sin, was included in it. This was not indeed the proper office of the Law, to incline men’s hearts to the obedience of righteousness; as also under the Law there was no true and real expiation to wash away the guilt of sins; but the office of the Law was to lead men step by step to Christ, that they might seek of Him pardon and the Spirit of regeneration. It is, therefore, unquestionable that the elect of God embraced by faith the substance and truth of the shadows when they voluntarily offered themselves to keep the covenant of God.
9.Then went up Moses and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu. Thus it is that I connect the history: Moses, having finished reading the Law, and having sprinkled the blood, took with him the companions pointed out to him by God, and having left the people, went with these some way up the mountain. I have thought it well slightly to touch upon this, because some translators render the verb improperly in the pluperfect tense, as if he and the elders had already before 316 been separated from the people; but this is very absurd, for it was necessary for him to remain in the plain, in order to address the people.
There the glory of God was beheld more closely by the elders, that they might afterwards relate to the people what they had seen, and that thus the thing, being proved by competent witnesses, might obtain undoubted credit. For this reason he says, that “they saw the God of Israel,†not in all His reality and greatness, but in accordance with the dispensation which He thought best, and which he accommodated to the capacity of man. The form of God is indeed nowhere described, but the pediment ( basis) on which He stood was like a work of sapphire. 317 The word
Finally, on the footstool Infinite Majesty appeared, such as to strike the elders with astonishment, so that they might humble themselves with greater reverence before the incomprehensible glory of God.
Defender: Exo 24:10 - -- How these men could "see God" and yet live (contrast Exo 33:20), is perhaps resolved by the reference to this event in Deu 4:12 : "And the Lord spake ...
How these men could "see God" and yet live (contrast Exo 33:20), is perhaps resolved by the reference to this event in Deu 4:12 : "And the Lord spake unto you out of the midst of the fire: ye heard the voice of the words, but saw no similitude; only ye heard a voice." No man has seen God in His triune essence at any time (Joh 1:18). Thus no man can - or should ever attempt - to make an image of the Godhead. This supper in the presence of God after the great covenant of the Law had been accepted by the people and sealed with a blood sacrifice on the twelve-pillared altar is a type of the coming "marriage supper of the Lamb" (Rev 19:6-9).
TSK: Exo 24:1 - -- Come up : Exo 24:15, Exo 3:5, Exo 19:9, Exo 19:20, Exo 19:24, Exo 20:21, Exo 34:2
Nadab : Exo 6:23, Exo 28:1; Lev 10:1, Lev 10:2; 1Ch 6:3
seventy : Ex...

TSK: Exo 24:2 - -- Exo 24:13, Exo 24:15, Exo 24:18, Exo 20:21; Num 16:5; Jer 30:21, Jer 49:19; Heb 9:24, Heb 10:21, Heb 10:22

TSK: Exo 24:3 - -- all the judgments : Exod. 21:1-23:33; Deu 4:1, Deu 4:5, Deu 4:45, Deu 5:1, Deu 5:31, Deu 6:1, Deu 11:1
All the words : Exo 24:7, Exo 19:8; Deu 5:27, D...

TSK: Exo 24:4 - -- wrote : Deu 31:9; Jos 24:26
and builded : Exo 20:24-26
twelve pillars : Gen 28:18, Gen 28:22, Gen 31:45; Jos 24:27; Gal 2:9
according : Exo 28:21; Lev...

TSK: Exo 24:5 - -- young men : Exo 19:22
burnt offerings : Exo 18:12; Lev. 1:1-17
peace offerings : Lev. 3:1-17, Lev 7:11-21
young men : Exo 19:22
burnt offerings : Exo 18:12; Lev. 1:1-17
peace offerings : Lev. 3:1-17, Lev 7:11-21

TSK: Exo 24:6 - -- the blood he : Exo 24:8, Exo 12:7, Exo 12:22; Col 1:20; Heb 9:18, Heb 12:24; 1Pe 1:2, 1Pe 1:19
on the altar : Exo 29:16, Exo 29:20; Lev 1:5, Lev 1:11,...

TSK: Exo 24:7 - -- the book : Exo 24:4; Heb 9:18-23
read : Deu 31:11-13; Act 13:15; Col 4:16; 1Th 5:27
All that : Exo 24:3; Jer 7:23, Jer 7:24
the book : Exo 24:4; Heb 9:18-23
read : Deu 31:11-13; Act 13:15; Col 4:16; 1Th 5:27

TSK: Exo 24:8 - -- sprinkled : Exo 24:6; Lev 8:30; Isa 52:15; Eze 36:25; Heb 9:18-21
Behold : Zec 9:11; Mat 26:28; Mar 14:24; Luk 22:20; 1Co 11:25; Eph 1:7; Heb 9:20, He...

TSK: Exo 24:10 - -- saw : Exo 24:10, Exo 3:6, Exo 33:20, Exo 33:23; Gen 32:30; Jdg 13:21, Jdg 13:22; 1Ki 22:19; Isa 6:1-5; Eze 1:28; Joh 1:18, Joh 14:9; 1Ti 6:16; 1Jo 4:1...
saw : Exo 24:10, Exo 3:6, Exo 33:20, Exo 33:23; Gen 32:30; Jdg 13:21, Jdg 13:22; 1Ki 22:19; Isa 6:1-5; Eze 1:28; Joh 1:18, Joh 14:9; 1Ti 6:16; 1Jo 4:12
of a sapphire stone : The Hebrew
in his clearness : Son 6:10; Mat 17:2; Rev 1:16, Rev 21:11, Rev 21:18

collapse allCommentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per Verse)
Are placed by some with great probability between Exo 24:8-9.

Barnes: Exo 24:4 - -- Twelve pillars - As the altar was a symbol of the presence of Yahweh, so these twelve pillars represented the presence of the Twelve tribes wit...
Twelve pillars - As the altar was a symbol of the presence of Yahweh, so these twelve pillars represented the presence of the Twelve tribes with whom He was making the covenant.

Barnes: Exo 24:5 - -- Young men of the children of Israel - See Exo 19:22; Exo 28:1; Lev 1:5. Burnt offerings ... peace offerings - The burnt offerings Lev. 1 ...

Barnes: Exo 24:7 - -- The book of the covenant - See Exo 20:22 note. The people had to repeat their assent to the book of the covenant before the blood was thrown up...

Barnes: Exo 24:8 - -- The blood which sealed the covenant was the blood of burnt offerings and peace offerings. The sin-offering Lev. 4 had not yet been instituted. That ...
The blood which sealed the covenant was the blood of burnt offerings and peace offerings. The sin-offering Lev. 4 had not yet been instituted. That more complicated view of human nature which gave to the sin-offering its meaning, had yet to be developed by the law, which was now only receiving its ratification. The covenant between Yahweh and His people therefore took precedence of the operation of the law, by which came the knowledge of sin. Rom 3:20.
Upon the people - Either upon the elders or those who stood foremost; or, upon the twelve pillars representing the Twelve tribes, as the first half had been cast upon the altar, which witnessed to the presence of Yahweh. The blood thus divided between the two parties to the covenant signified the sacramental union between the Lord and His people. Cf. Psa 50:5; Zec 9:11.

Barnes: Exo 24:9 - -- It would appear that Moses, Aaron with his two sons, and seventy of the elders Exo 19:7 went a short distance up the mountain to eat the meal of the...
It would appear that Moses, Aaron with his two sons, and seventy of the elders Exo 19:7 went a short distance up the mountain to eat the meal of the covenant (compare Gen 31:43-47), which must have consisted of the flesh of the peace offerings Exo 24:5. Joshua accompanied Moses as his servant Exo 24:13.

Barnes: Exo 24:10 - -- And they saw the God of Israel - As they ate the sacrificial feast, the presence of Yahweh was manifested to them with special distinctness. In...
And they saw the God of Israel - As they ate the sacrificial feast, the presence of Yahweh was manifested to them with special distinctness. In the act of solemn worship, they perceived that He was present with them, as their Lord and their Deliverer. It is idle to speculate on the mode of this revelation. That no visible form was presented to their bodily eyes, we are expressly informed, Deu 4:12; see Exo 33:20; compare Isa 6:1. The latter part of this verse may be read: "under His feet, it was like a work of bright sapphire stone, and like the heaven itself in clearness."On the sapphire, see Exo 28:18; compare Eze 1:26. The pure blue of the heaven above them lent its influence to help the inner sense to realize the vision which no mortal eye could behold.
Poole: Exo 24:2 - -- Moses alone i.e. without the persons now mentioned, though not without Joshua his minister, as some conceive from Exo 24:13 , though even there Moses...
Moses alone i.e. without the persons now mentioned, though not without Joshua his minister, as some conceive from Exo 24:13 , though even there Moses seems to ascend into the mount without Joshua.
Neither shall the people go up with him to any part of the mount, as Aaron, and Nadab, &c. did, but they shall tarry at the bottom. See Exo 19:12 .

Poole: Exo 24:3 - -- Moses came down from the mount to the people, after he had received the laws from God.
All the words which the Lord hath said will we do: this they...
Moses came down from the mount to the people, after he had received the laws from God.
All the words which the Lord hath said will we do: this they so readily and rashly promise, because they were not sensible of their own weakness, and because they did not understand the comprehensiveness, and spirituality, and strictness of God’ s law, but thought it consisted only in the external performances and abstinences expressed.

Poole: Exo 24:4 - -- Moses wrote to wit, in a book, Heb 9:19 . And the ten commandments God himself wrote also in tables of stone, Exo 31:18 .
Builded an altar represen...
Moses wrote to wit, in a book, Heb 9:19 . And the ten commandments God himself wrote also in tables of stone, Exo 31:18 .
Builded an altar representing God in Christ, as one party in the covenant.
Twelve pillars representing the people of Israel, the other party. So here are the outward signs and symbols of a covenant made between God and the Israelites.

Poole: Exo 24:5 - -- It matters not whether they were the first-born, or others; it is sufficient that they were persons appointed and authorized for the present service...
It matters not whether they were the first-born, or others; it is sufficient that they were persons appointed and authorized for the present service, not without God’ s direction.
Peace-offerings of oxen one kind, as the principal is named for all; for there were offered also goats, as appears both from Heb 9:19 , and from hence, that burnt-offerings were usually made of the goats, Lev 1:10 Num 7:28 .

Poole: Exo 24:6 - -- Half of the blood of the beasts killed, which for conveniency of sprinkling was mixed with a little water, Heb 9:19 , whereby also Christ was most fi...
Half of the blood of the beasts killed, which for conveniency of sprinkling was mixed with a little water, Heb 9:19 , whereby also Christ was most fitly represented, who came by water and blood, 1Jo 5:6 .
Half of the blood he sprinkled on the altar to signify, as well that God was appeased and atoned by this blood, as it represented the blood of Christ, as also that Christ was sanctified with his own blood, Heb 9:12 .

Poole: Exo 24:7 - -- The book of the covenant wherein Moses had written the conditions of this covenant, to wit, the words and laws of God, above, Exo 24:4 .
In the audi...
The book of the covenant wherein Moses had written the conditions of this covenant, to wit, the words and laws of God, above, Exo 24:4 .
In the audience of the people i.e. in the hearing of a great number of them, or of some in the name of all the people, by whom it was read, or otherwise published to all the people successively.

Poole: Exo 24:8 - -- Moses took the blood the other half of the blood, which was put in the basons for this end, Exo 24:6 .
On the people either upon the twelve pillars...
Moses took the blood the other half of the blood, which was put in the basons for this end, Exo 24:6 .
On the people either upon the twelve pillars representing the people; or upon the people’ s representatives, to wit, the elders mentioned Exo 24:1 , as when the people are commanded to lay on their hands, the elders do it in their name and stead, Lev 4:15 Deu 21:2 ; or upon those of the people which are nearest him, which was imputed to all the rest, and was to be taken by them as if it had reached unto them all. Now this sprinkling of the blood upon the people did signify,
1. Their ratification of the covenant on their parts, and their secret wishing of the effusion of their own blood if they did not keep it.
2. Their sprinkling of their consciences with the blood of Christ, and their obtaining redemption, justification, and access to God through it alone. See Heb 9:20,22 13:20 .
The blood of the covenant whereby the covenant is made and confirmed, as was usual both in Scripture, Mat 26:28 Luk 22:20 , and among heathens.

Poole: Exo 24:10 - -- They saw the God of Israel not any visible resemblance of the Divine nature, which is expressly denied, Deu 4:15 1Ti 6:16 , and was refused to Moses ...
They saw the God of Israel not any visible resemblance of the Divine nature, which is expressly denied, Deu 4:15 1Ti 6:16 , and was refused to Moses when he desired it, Exo 33:18,20 , and therefore surely would never be granted to the elders of Israel; but some glorious appearance or token of God’ s special presence; or rather, the Second Person in the Trinity, who now showed himself to them in a human and glorious shape, as an essay and testimony of his future incarnation. This may seem probable,
1. Because here is mention of his feet.
2. Because this way of Christ’ s appearance was not unusual. See Ge 18 , &c.
3. Because the person who delivered the law in Sinai was Christ, as appears from Act 7:38 , though he be there called an angel, a name oft given to Christ, as hath been formerly showed.
A sapphire stone is of a clear sky colour, mixed with golden spots like stars in the sky.
In his clearness or, for clearness . A clear sky in prophetical style signifying God’ s favour, as a cloudy sky notes his anger.
Haydock: Exo 24:1 - -- You, Aaron, &c. The people had heard the voice of the Lord, as it were the sound of thunder, giving the foregoing commands; which Moses explains to ...
You, Aaron, &c. The people had heard the voice of the Lord, as it were the sound of thunder, giving the foregoing commands; which Moses explains to them distinctly (ver. 3,) by the mouth of Aaron; and afterwards draws up a memorial of their solemn ratification. (Haydock)

Haydock: Exo 24:4 - -- Titles. That is, pillars; (Challoner) or altars, round that made of turf; (chap. xx. 24); which represented God. Part of the blood was poured upon ...
Titles. That is, pillars; (Challoner) or altars, round that made of turf; (chap. xx. 24); which represented God. Part of the blood was poured upon this altar, and the rest upon the Hebrews, to remind them, that if they proved rebellious, their blood should be spilt. (Calmet)

Haydock: Exo 24:5 - -- Holocausts: whole burnt-offerings: in which the whole sacrifice was consumed with fire, upon the altar. (Challoner) ---
It is not said that these y...
Holocausts: whole burnt-offerings: in which the whole sacrifice was consumed with fire, upon the altar. (Challoner) ---
It is not said that these young men were to officiate as priests. Moses acted alone in this capacity, pouring the blood. ---
Calves, and he-goats also, Hebrews ix. 19. The book was also sprinkled with the blood (Calmet) mixed with water; for which purpose scarlet wool and hyssop were employed, as St. Paul learnt from tradition, or by inspiration. (Haydock)

Haydock: Exo 24:8 - -- Covenant. Thus Christ confirmed the new covenant, by the effusion of his blood. (Tirinus) ---
This is daily renewed upon our altars for ever. (Cal...
Covenant. Thus Christ confirmed the new covenant, by the effusion of his blood. (Tirinus) ---
This is daily renewed upon our altars for ever. (Calmet) ---
Our Saviour alludes to this transaction in the consecration of the chalice. (Du Hamel) ---
If wine alone had been substituted instead of blood, the figure would have surpassed the reality. (Isichius.) (Worthington)
Gill: Exo 24:1 - -- And he said unto Moses,.... Who said? no doubt a divine Person, and yet what this Person said is:
come up unto the Lord; meaning either to himself,...
And he said unto Moses,.... Who said? no doubt a divine Person, and yet what this Person said is:
come up unto the Lord; meaning either to himself, or one divine Person called to Moses to come up to another: according to the Targum of Jonathan, it was Michael, the prince of wisdom; not a created angel, but the eternal Word, Wisdom, and Son of God; who said this on the seventh day of the month, which was the day after the giving of the law, or ten commands; though Jarchi says this paragraph was before the ten commands, and was said on the fourth of Sivan; but the Targumist seems most correct:
come up unto the Lord, thou and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel; Nadab and Abihu were the two eldest sons of Aaron, Exo 6:23 and the seventy elders were not all the elders of Israel, but were so many of them selected out of them, the chief and principal; who were heads of tribes and families, and were no doubt many, if not all of them, of those who by the advice of Jethro were chosen to be rulers of thousands, hundreds, and fifties; these were called to come up to the Lord on the mountain, but not to the top of it, only Moses went thither:
and worship ye afar off: from the people, and even at a distance from Moses; for he only was admitted near to God, as the following verse shows.

Gill: Exo 24:2 - -- And Moses alone shall come near the Lord,.... Into the cloud where he was, and talk with him face to face, as a man talketh with his friend; which was...
And Moses alone shall come near the Lord,.... Into the cloud where he was, and talk with him face to face, as a man talketh with his friend; which was great nearness indeed, and a peculiar favour and high honour was this:
but they shall not come nigh; Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and the seventy elders of Israel:
neither shall the people go up with him; not any of them, much less the whole body. It seems, by this account, that Moses had been down from the mount after he had received the laws recorded in the two preceding chapters; though as yet he had not related them to the people, but did before he went up again by the above order, as appears from what follows.

Gill: Exo 24:3 - -- And Moses came and told the people all the words of the Lord, and all the judgments,.... Which according to Jarchi were the seven commands given to th...
And Moses came and told the people all the words of the Lord, and all the judgments,.... Which according to Jarchi were the seven commands given to the sons of Noah, the laws concerning the sabbath, and honouring parents, the red heifer, and the judgments at Marah; but all these they were acquainted with before, excepting that of the red heifer, and the law, for that was not yet delivered to Moses, nor were these the ten commands, for they had heard them from the Lord themselves; but they doubtless were the judgments, or judicial laws, which he was ordered to set before the people, contained in the two preceding chapters, which were chiefly of the judicial kind, and related to the civil polity of the people of Israel:
and all the people answered with one voice; one speaking for, and in the name of the rest, or they all lift up their voice together, and being unanimous in their sentiments, expressed them in the same words:
and said, all the words which the Lord hath said will we do; that is, they would be careful to observe all the laws, statutes, judgments, and commands which the Lord had enjoined them; and less than this they could not say, for they had promised Moses, that if he would draw nigh to God, and hear what he should say, and deliver it to them, they would hearken to it, and obey it, as if they had heard God himself speak it; only they entreated the Lord would speak no more to them, as he did the ten commands, it being so terrible to them.

Gill: Exo 24:4 - -- And Moses wrote all the words of the Lord,.... Jarchi says, all from the creation, to the giving of the law, and the commands at Marah; but though the...
And Moses wrote all the words of the Lord,.... Jarchi says, all from the creation, to the giving of the law, and the commands at Marah; but though these were written by him, yet not at this time; but as Aben Ezra more truly observes, what are mentioned in this "parashah", or section, or what is contained in the two preceding chapters, he not only related to them from his memory, but he wrote them in a book, which is after mentioned, that they might be seen and read hereafter; for these were not the ten commands, they were written as well as spoken by the Lord himself, but the judicial laws before mentioned:
and rose up early in the morning: not on the fifth of Sivan, as Jarchi, the day before the giving of the law, but on the eighth of that month, two days after it:
and built an altar under the hill: under Mount Sinai, about the place where the bounds were set, beyond which the people were not to go:
and twelve pillars, according to the twelve tribes of Israel: to answer to them, and which were to represent them, as seems by the following account; these probably were made of marble stone, of which Mount Sinai consisted, and of which there was plenty thereabout.

Gill: Exo 24:5 - -- And he sent young men of the children Israel,.... To the altar under the hill he had these young men, according to Jarchi, were the firstborn of the c...
And he sent young men of the children Israel,.... To the altar under the hill he had these young men, according to Jarchi, were the firstborn of the children of Israel; and so the Targums Onkelos and Jonathan; and the latter adds,"for unto this hour the worship was among the firstborn, as yet the tabernacle of the covenant was not made, and as yet the priesthood was not given to Aaron.''But though this is a notion that has obtained among learned men, both Jews and Christians, it has been called in question by some, who have such reasons against it, as are not easily refuted. And very probably, as the seventy elders were such as were selected from the senior and graver part of the people, so these were choice young men, that were separated from others for this service, without any regard to birthright:
which offered burnt offerings, and sacrificed peace offerings of oxen unto the Lord; by way of thankfulness; and such were used at making covenants, when the parties ate and drank together. The Vulgate Latin version has it, "twelve calves", without any authority for it.

Gill: Exo 24:6 - -- And Moses took half of the blood, and put it in basins,.... Half of the blood of the above sacrifices, this he put into basins, and set by, in order t...
And Moses took half of the blood, and put it in basins,.... Half of the blood of the above sacrifices, this he put into basins, and set by, in order to sprinkle on the people:
and half of the blood he sprinkled on the altar; the Targum of Onkelos adds, to atone for the people. But the altar here seems to represent the Lord, who was one of the parties covenanting, and therefore is sprinkled with blood as a ratification of the covenant on his part, and the promises of it.

Gill: Exo 24:7 - -- And he took the book of the covenant,.... Which contained the words of the Lord he is said to write, Exo 24:4, and consisted both of laws and judgment...
And he took the book of the covenant,.... Which contained the words of the Lord he is said to write, Exo 24:4, and consisted both of laws and judgments required of the people, and to which they had given their assent, and promised obedience to; and of promises made by the Lord of sending his angel before them to guide them in the way, and bring them to Canaan, and to drive the Canaanites from thence, and put the Israelites into the possession of it; so that here were promises on both sides, a restipulation of parties, which made a formal covenant:
and read in the audience of the people; he had rehearsed what was contained in it from his memory, by word of mouth, to which they had assented, Exo 24:3 and having written the same in a book, he read it to them distinctly, that they might the better take notice of the contents of it:
and they said, all that the Lord hath said will we do, and be obedient; which is a repetition and confirmation of what they had before said, and is expressed in stronger terms; so that this was not done suddenly and inconsiderately, and yet they seem not to be so well apprised of their own inability to keep the laws of God, and of the treachery of their own hearts as to their regard to them; see Deu 5:28.

Gill: Exo 24:8 - -- And Moses took the blood,.... The other half of the blood which was in the basins:
and sprinkled it on the people; not on the whole body of the peo...
And Moses took the blood,.... The other half of the blood which was in the basins:
and sprinkled it on the people; not on the whole body of the people, who could not be brought nigh enough, and were too numerous to be all sprinkled with it; though the apostle so expresses it, a part being put for the whole, Heb 9:19 either this was sprinkled on the young men that offered the sacrifices in the name of all the people; or on the seventy elders, as the heads of them, so Aben Ezra; or upon the twelve pillars, which answered to the twelve tribes, and represented them as the altar did the Lord:
and said, behold the blood of the covenant, which the Lord hath made with you concerning all these words; being a ratification of the covenant on both sides, having been sprinkled both upon the altar, and upon the people. In allusion to which, the blood of Christ is sometimes called the blood of sprinkling, and which, sprinkled upon the mercy seat, calls for pardon for men; and sprinkled on their consciences, speaks peace and pardon to them, and cleanses from all sin; and sometimes the blood of the everlasting covenant, the covenant of grace made with him, by which it is ratified and confirmed; and our Lord may have regard to this rite and mode of expression in Mat 26:28.

Gill: Exo 24:9 - -- Then went up Moses and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu,.... After the above things were done, the words of the Lord were told the people, and the book of the c...
Then went up Moses and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu,.... After the above things were done, the words of the Lord were told the people, and the book of the covenant read unto them, to which they agreed, sacrifices were offered, and the blood of them sprinkled on the altar, and on the people. The Samaritan version adds to these, Eleazar and Ithamar, the two younger sons of Aaron:
and seventy of the elders of Israel, who were called up to the mountain to the Lord, Exo 24:1.

Gill: Exo 24:10 - -- And they saw the God of Israel,.... The Targum of Jonathan restrains this to Nadab and Abihu whereas it is doubtless true of Moses and Aaron, and the ...
And they saw the God of Israel,.... The Targum of Jonathan restrains this to Nadab and Abihu whereas it is doubtless true of Moses and Aaron, and the seventy elders, who all saw him, and who were witnesses to the people that it was a divine Person that spoke to Moses, and delivered the laws unto him, to be observed by them; which seems to be the reason of their being called up, and favoured with this sight which must not be understood as of anything criminal in them, as if they curiously looked and pried to see something they should not, for which they deserved some sort of punishment, as the Targum intimates; but of a privilege, and a very high one they were favoured with: and this sight they had was not by a vision of prophecy, or with the eyes of their understanding, but corporeally; they saw the Son of God, the God of Israel, in an human form, as a pledge and presage of his future incarnation, who is the Angel that spoke to Moses on Mount Sinai, as Stephen says, and the Lord that was among the angels there, who afterwards became incarnate, and having done his work on earth, ascended on high, Act 7:38.
and there was under his feet; which shows that there was a visible form, and that human; nor is this contrary to what is said, "ye saw no similitude"; Deu 4:12, since what is here related does not respect the same time, nor the same persons; this was after the giving of the ten commands, that at the time of it; this is said of the seventy elders, with Moses, Aaron, and his two sons, that of all the people:
as it were paved work of a sapphire stone: like a pavement pitched with sapphire. The Septuagint version is,"and they saw the place where the God of Israel stood, and what were under his feet, as the work of a sapphire brick.''The sapphire stones, of which the pavement was, were as broad as bricks, and being like a brick, was a memorial, as the Targum of Jonathan says, of the servitude the Egyptians made the children of Israel to serve with in clay and bricks; but being a sapphire, bright and glorious, may denote the liberty they now enjoyed in exchange for their bondage. And the Targum of Jonathan understands it of the colour, and not of the form of the sapphire, and renders it, the white sapphire; and so do some Jewish writers w; though the colour of the sapphire is azure, or sky coloured, with which agrees what follows:
and as it were the body of heaven in his clearness; and Ruaeus x says, the sapphire is sky coloured, and some of them shine and sparkle with golden points or spots, and are reckoned the best sapphires; so that this represents the heaven as quite clear and serene, bespangled with stars; and as the heavens, covered with clouds, may denote the displeasure of God, so a serene heaven his favour and good will, and in such an amiable light was he now beheld.

expand allCommentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes
NET Notes -> Exo 24:1; Exo 24:1; Exo 24:1; Exo 24:1; Exo 24:2; Exo 24:2; Exo 24:2; Exo 24:3; Exo 24:3; Exo 24:3; Exo 24:3; Exo 24:4; Exo 24:4; Exo 24:4; Exo 24:4; Exo 24:5; Exo 24:5; Exo 24:6; Exo 24:7; Exo 24:7; Exo 24:7; Exo 24:8; Exo 24:8; Exo 24:9; Exo 24:9; Exo 24:10; Exo 24:10; Exo 24:10; Exo 24:10
NET Notes: Exo 24:1 These seventy-four people were to go up the mountain to a certain point. Then they were to prostrate themselves and worship Yahweh as Moses went furth...

NET Notes: Exo 24:2 Now the imperfect tense negated is used; here the prohibition would fit (“they will not come near”), or the obligatory (“they must n...

NET Notes: Exo 24:3 The verb is the imperfect tense (נַעֲשֶׂה, na’aseh), although the form could be classified as a ...

NET Notes: Exo 24:4 The thing numbered is found in the singular when the number is plural – “twelve standing-stone.” See GKC 433 §134.f. The “...

NET Notes: Exo 24:5 The verbs and their respective accusatives are cognates. First, they offered up burnt offerings (see Lev 1), which is וַיּ...

NET Notes: Exo 24:6 The people and Yahweh through this will be united by blood, for half was spattered on the altar and the other half spattered on/toward the people (v. ...

NET Notes: Exo 24:7 A second verb is now added to the people’s response, and it is clearly an imperfect and not a cohortative, lending support for the choice of des...

NET Notes: Exo 24:8 The construct relationship “the blood of the covenant” means “the blood by which the covenant is ratified” (S. R. Driver, Exod...

NET Notes: Exo 24:9 This next section is extremely interesting, but difficult to interpret. For some of the literature, see: E. W. Nicholson, “The Interpretation of...

NET Notes: Exo 24:10 Heb “and like the body of heaven for clearness.” The Hebrew term שָׁמַיִם (shamayim) may b...
Geneva Bible: Exo 24:1 And he ( a ) said unto Moses, Come up unto the LORD, thou, and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel; and worship ye afar off. ...

Geneva Bible: Exo 24:3 ( b ) And Moses came and told the people all the words of the LORD, and all the judgments: and all the people answered with one voice, and said, All t...

Geneva Bible: Exo 24:5 And he sent young ( c ) men of the children of Israel, which offered burnt offerings, and sacrificed peace offerings of oxen unto the LORD.
( c ) For...

Geneva Bible: Exo 24:8 And Moses took the blood, and sprinkled [it] on the people, and said, Behold the ( d ) blood of the covenant, which the LORD hath made with you concer...

Geneva Bible: Exo 24:10 And they ( e ) saw the God of Israel: and [there was] under his feet as it were a paved work of a sapphire stone, and as it were the body of heaven in...

expand allCommentary -- Verse Range Notes
TSK Synopsis -> Exo 24:1-18
TSK Synopsis: Exo 24:1-18 - --1 Moses is called up into the mountain.3 The people promise obedience.4 Moses builds an altar, and twelve pillars.6 He sprinkles the blood of the cove...
Maclaren -> Exo 24:1-12
Maclaren: Exo 24:1-12 - --Exodus 24:1-12
An effort is needed to feel what a tremendous and unique fact is narrated in these words. Next to the incarnation, it is the most wonde...
MHCC -> Exo 24:1-8; Exo 24:9-11
MHCC: Exo 24:1-8 - --A solemn covenant was made between God and Israel. Very solemn it was, typifying the covenant of grace between God and believers, through Christ. As s...

MHCC: Exo 24:9-11 - --The elders saw the God of Israel; they had some glimpse of his glory, though whatever they saw, it was something of which no image or picture could be...
Matthew Henry -> Exo 24:1-8; Exo 24:9-11
Matthew Henry: Exo 24:1-8 - -- The first two verses record the appointment of a second session upon mount Sinai, for the making of laws, when an end was put to the first. When a c...

Matthew Henry: Exo 24:9-11 - -- The people having, besides their submission to the ceremony of the sprinkling of blood, declared their well-pleasedness in their God and his law, ag...
Keil-Delitzsch: Exo 24:1-2 - --
These two verses form part of the address of God in Ex 20:22-23:33; for ×מר משׁה ו×ל (" but to Moses He said ") cannot be the commenceme...

Keil-Delitzsch: Exo 24:3-4 - --
The ceremony described in Exo 24:3-11 is called "the covenant which Jehovah made with Israel"(Exo 24:8). It was opened by Moses, who recited to the ...

Keil-Delitzsch: Exo 24:5 - --
After the foundation and soil had been thus prepared in the place of sacrifice, for the fellowship which Jehovah was about to establish with His peo...

Keil-Delitzsch: Exo 24:6-8 - --
The blood was divided into two parts. One half was swung by Moses upon the altar ( זרק to swing, shake, or pour out of the vessel, in distinction...

Keil-Delitzsch: Exo 24:9-11 - --
Through their consecration with the blood of the covenant, the Israelites were qualified to ascend the mountain, and there behold the God of Israel ...
Constable: Exo 15:22--Lev 1:1 - --II. THE ADOPTION OF ISRAEL 15:22--40:38
The second major section of Exodus records the events associated with Go...

Constable: Exo 19:1--24:12 - --B. The establishment of the Mosaic Covenant 19:1-24:11
The Lord had liberated Israel from bondage in Egy...

Constable: Exo 20:22--24:1 - --4. The stipulations of the Book of the Covenant 20:22-23:33
Israel's "Bill of Rights" begins her...

Constable: Exo 24:1-11 - --5. The ratification of the Covenant 24:1-11
"The great event in chapter 24 is the climax of the Book of Exodus."413
24:1-8 The remaining verses in thi...
Guzik -> Exo 24:1-18
Guzik: Exo 24:1-18 - --Exodus 24 - The Covenant Is Made
A. The "signing" of the Mosaic covenant.
1. (1-3) Moses relates all the words of the LORD and all the jud...

expand allCommentary -- Other
Critics Ask: Exo 24:4 EXODUS 24:4 —How could Moses have written this when modern scholars say several different authors (JEPD) are responsible for it? PROBLEM: Moder...

Critics Ask: Exo 24:9 EXODUS 24:9-11 —How could these people see God when God said in Exodus 33:20 , “no man shall see me and live� PROBLEM: Exodus 24:9-11 reco...
