There were thunders . Literally, "voices," as in Exodus 9:23 ; but there can be no doubt that "thunder" is meant. A thick cloud . Compare above, Exodus 9:9 , and the comment ad loc. The voice of the trumpet . Literally, "a trumpet's voice." The word used for "trumpet" is not the same as in Exodus 9:13 ; but the variation does not seem to have any importance. read more
Sinai and Sion. In studying these verses we cannot but be reminded of the picture drawn by the writer of the Epistle to the Hebrews of the contrast in respect of Church state and privilege between believers of the Old and believers of the New Testament dispensations. "Ye are not come," he says, "unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest … But ye are come unto Mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly... read more
God's various modes of manifesting himself. It has been well said that "when God reveals himself it is in a manner suitable to the occasion." No revelation that he has made of himself has ever been so terrible in its material accompaniments as that at Sinai; and no occasion can ever be conceived of as more needing the employment of solemn, startling, and impressive circumstances. Here was a people gross of heart, delighting in flesh-pots, debased by slavery, careless of freedom, immoral,... read more
Moses brought forth the people out of the camp . The camp itself must have been withdrawn to some little distance from the foot of the mount, so that a vacant space intervened between the first tents and the "fence" which Moses had caused to be erected almost close to the mount. Into this vacant space Moses now led "the people"— i.e; the chief of the people—so bringing them as near as they might come to God. read more
Prepare to meet thy God. God's revelation of himself to man is gradual, as man can bear it. [Cf. the way in which a parent reveals himself to his child, Isaiah 28:11 , with stammering lips and a feigned tongue.] Israel had learnt to know God as a deliverer; must learn to know him further as a lawgiver and ruler. I. THE SCENE . A long, broad valley. Rocks on each side widening out into a natural amphitheatre. Facing down the valley is a steep, precipitous mountain; grey,... read more
Mount Sinai was altogether on a smoke . Literally, smoked, all of it. Kalisch suggests that "the dense clouds from which the thunders broke forth had the appearance of smoke." But the reason assigned—"because the Lord descended on it in fire," seems to imply real smoke; and. the same re-suits from the comparison of it to "the smoke of a furnace." The whole mount quaked greatly . Scarcely "through the vehemence of the thunder" (Kalisch), for thunder does not shake the earth, though it... read more
When the voice of the trumpet sounded long, and waxed louder and louder . This is a somewhat free translation; but it gives well the real meaning of the Hebrew. We may conclude that the trumpet's blast was not continuous. It sounded when the manifestation began ( Exodus 19:16 ). It sounded again, much louder and with a much more prolonged note, to herald the actual descent of God upon the mount. This time the sound was so piercing, so terrible, so intolerable, that Moses could no longer... read more
Only a voice. The people were expecting a revelation—a vision of the hitherto unseen Jehovah—it came, but not as they expected; no vision , only a voice (cf. Deuteronomy 4:12 ). The fact was the law was not a final , only a preparatory revelation; it is related to the Gospel as John Baptist was related to Christ. " A voice crying in the wilderness, prepare ye the way of the Lord. Consider in this view:— I. THE STRENGTH OF THE LAW . 1 . It was a voice—a Divine... read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 19:15
Come not at your wives . Compare 1 Samuel 21:4 , 1 Samuel 21:5 ; 1 Corinthians 7:5 . A similar obligation lay on the Egyptian priests (Porphyr. De Abstin . 4.7); and the idea which underlies it was widespread in the ancient world The subject is well treated, from a Christian point of view, by Pope Gregory the First, in his answers to S . Augustine's questions (Bode, Hist . Eccl . 2.). read more