Exodus 20:21-26

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 20:24

Thy burnt-offerings, and thy peace-offerings - The law concerning which was shortly to be given, though sacrifices of this kind were in use from the days of Abel. In all places where I record my name - Wherever I am worshipped, whether in the open wilderness, at the tabernacle, in the temple, the synagogues, or elsewhere, I will come unto thee and bless thee. These words are precisely the same in signification with those of our Lord, Matthew 18:20 ; : For where two or three are... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 20:25

Thou shalt not build it of hewn stone - Because they were now in a wandering state, and had as yet no fixed residence; and therefore no time should be wasted to rear costly altars, which could not be transported with them, and which they must soon leave. Besides, they must not lavish skill or expense on the construction of an altar; the altar of itself, whether costly or mean, was nothing in the worship; it was only the place on which the victim should be laid, and their mind must be... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 20:26

Neither shalt thou go up by steps unto mine altar - The word altar comes from altus , high or elevated, though the Hebrew word מזבח mizbach , from זבח zabach , to slay, kill, etc., signifies merely a place for sacrifice; see Genesis 8:20 . But the heathens, who imitated the rites of the true God in their idolatrous worship, made their altars very high; whence they derived their name altaria , altars, i.e., very high or elevated places; which they built thus, partly through... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 20:24

Verse 24 24.An altar of earth thou shalt make. This precept differs from the other, which I have just explained; because although it refers to the choice of a place, (111) yet the mention of a place is omitted, and it only touches upon the material and form of the altar. God, therefore, commands that an altar should be built to Him, either of earth or of a heap of stones, which had not been artificially polished. But I understand this of the altars, which either in the desert or elsewhere... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 20:26

Verse 26 26.Neither shalt thou go up. When God had prescribed modesty to the priests in their whole life, and in their private actions, no wonder that He should require especial care of decency and propriety in the performance of their sacred duties. He had indeed already desired that the priests should wear drawers or breeches when they went into the sanctuary; yet not content with this symbol of purity, He forbids them to ascend the altar by steps, lest haply the drawers themselves should be... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 20:16-21

The ten words. "And God stake all these words." "And the people stood afar off: and Moses drew near unto the thick darkness where God was." ( Exodus 20:1 , Exodus 20:21 ). Our subject is the law of the ten commandments, and— I. The NAMES of the code, for names are oft the keys to things. There are five chief names; four in the Old Testament and one in the New. 1 . " The ten words ." ["The ten commandments" is an unscriptural phrase.] ( Exodus 34:28 ; Deuteronomy 4:13 ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 20:18-21

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 20:18-21

The Divine presence at once attractive and repellent. When Christ was upon the earth, so winning was his graciousness that crowds flocked to him, and one man at least exclaimed, "Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest." But at the same time so terrible was the manifestation of his power, that there were those who "besought him that he would depart out of their coasts." God is love, and God is power, and wherever he is, be exhibits both qualities; but there are some who sea... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 20:18-22

The terrors of Sinai their design and their effects. I. THEIR DESIGN . 1 . Not to slay the people. The people dreaded that if God spoke to them again, they would die ( Exodus 20:19 ). But Moses said—No; this was not the design of the manifestation. "Fear not" ( Exodus 20:20 ). The voice of the law in Scripture, though it is felt in the conscience to be a voice of death ( Romans 7:9-11 ), is not intended to be really so. It is meant to lead to Christ. 2 . To prove... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 20:20-22

The law of the altar. I. THE OBJECT Or WORSHIP . The true God, not gods of silver, or gods of gold ( Exodus 20:23 ). The God who had talked with them from heaven had appeared in no visible form. "Ye heard the voice of the words, but saw no similitude; only ye heard a voice" ( Deuteronomy 4:12 ). Let the sole object of our worship be the invisible, spiritual, infinite, yet revealed God. God's revelations of himself lay the basis of right worship. God has spoken. How reverently... read more

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