Exodus 19

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 19

The children of Israel, having departed from Rephidim, come to the wilderness of Sinai in the third month, Exodus 19:1 , Exodus 19:2 . Moses goes up into the mount to God, and receives a message which he is to deliver to the people, Exodus 19:3-6 . He returns and delivers it to the people before the elders, Exodus 19:7 . The people promise obedience, Exodus 19:8 . The Lord proposes to meet Moses in the cloud, Exodus 19:9 . He commands him to sanctify the people, and promises to... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 19:1

In the third month - This was called Sivan, and answers to our May. For the Jewish months, years, etc. The same day - There are three opinions concerning the meaning of this place, which are supported by respectable arguments. The same day means the same day of the third month with that, viz., the 15th, on which the Israelites had left Egypt. The same day signifies here a day of the same number with the month to which it is applied, viz., the third day of the third month. By the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 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 to St. Stephen, was the Angel of the Lord, Acts 7:38 . And from several scriptures we have seen that the Lord Jesus was the person intended; see Clarke's note on Genesis 16:7 ; see Clarke's note on Genesis... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 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 its back. See his Travels, vol. vii., pl. 33. It is not unlikely that from this part of the sacred history the heathens borrowed their fable of the eagle being a bird sacred to Jupiter, and which was employed to carry the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 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 conduct, holy in their hearts; every external rite being not only a significant ceremony, but also a means of conveying light and life, grace and peace, to every person who conscientiously used it. Thus they should be both a... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 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. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 19:8

And all the people answered, etc. - 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 each other. Moses returned the words - When the people had on their part consented to the covenant, Moses appears to have gone immediately up to the mountain and related to God the success of his mission; for he was... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 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 people may hear - See Clarke's note on Exodus 15:9 . The Jews consider this as the fullest evidence their fathers had of the Divine mission of Moses; themselves were permitted to see this awfully glorious sight, and to hear... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 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, every thing should be clean and pure about them; that they might be admonished by this of the necessity of inward purity, of which the outward washing was the emblem. From these institutions the heathens appear... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 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 the camp extended, is not evident. This verse strictly forbids the people from coming near and touching Mount Sinai, which was burning with Fire. The words therefore in Exodus 19:15 , אשה אל תגשו אל al tiggeshu el... read more

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 19

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 19:1

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 19:3

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 19:4

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 19:6

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 19:7

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 19:8

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 19:9

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 19:10

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 19:12

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