Exodus 20:24,Exodus 20:25

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Exodus 20:22-26

Moses having gone into the thick darkness, where God was, God there spoke in his hearing only, privately and without terror, all that follows hence to the end of Exod. 23:1-32, which is mostly an exposition of the ten commandments; and he was to transmit it by word of mouth first, and afterwards in writing, to the people. The laws in these verses related to God's worship. I. They are here forbidden to make images for worship (Exod. 20:22, 23): You have seen that I have talked with you from... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 20:24

An altar of earth thou shall make unto me ,.... This was a temporary precept, and only in force until the tabernacle was built, and respects occasional altars, erected while on their travels, and were to be made of turfs of earth, and so easily and quickly thrown up, as their case and circumstances required, and as easily thrown down, as it was proper they should, after they had no more use for them, lest they should be abused to superstitious uses; for afterwards the altar for burnt... read more

Adam Clarke

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

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 20:22-26

1 . Against idols; 2 . Concerning altars ( Exodus 20:23-26 ). Then follow the laws respecting what our legal writers call "the rights of persons"—which occupy thirty-two verses of Exodus 21:1-36 . and fall under some twenty different heads, beginning with the rights of slaves, and terminating with the compensation to be made for injuries to the person caused by cattle. The third section is upon "the rights of property," and extends from Exodus 21:33 , to Exodus 22:15 ,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 20:22-26

I will go unto the altar of God. The directions given shadow forth the essentials of genuine worship. Amongst the heathen the idol is the central figure, the human symbol of the unseen God. The true God will admit no such symbol; it is a barrier against, not a step towards, the worship he desires. In true worship there must be utter self-suppression. "Obedience is better than sacrifice;" it is only through obedience that the sacrifice becomes acceptable. In this light consider— I. THE... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 20:24

An altar of earth . Among the nations of antiquity altars were indispensable to Divine worship, which everywhere included sacrifice. They were often provided on the spur of the occasion, and were then "constructed of earth, sods, or stones, collected upon the spot." The patriarchal altars bad probably been of this character, and it was now provided that the same usage should continue: at any rate, elaborate structures of hewn and highly ornamented stone should not be allowed, lest thus... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Exodus 20:22-26

Nothing could be more appropriate as the commencement of the book of the covenant than these regulations for public worship. The rules for the building of altars must have been old and accepted, and are not inconsistent with the directions for the construction of the altar of the court of the tabernacle, Exodus 27:1-8 (compare Joshua 22:26-28). read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Exodus 20:24

Exodus 20:24. An altar of earth It is meant of occasional altars, such as they reared in the wilderness before the tabernacle was erected, and afterward upon special emergencies, for present use. They are appointed to make these very plain, either of earth or of unhewn stones. That they might not be tempted to think of a graven image, they must not so much as hew the stones into shape that they made their altars of, but pile them up as they were in the rough. In all places... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Exodus 20:18-26

Correct attitudes in worship (20:18-26)Moses was satisfied when he saw that the people, having witnessed the frightening events connected with God’s coming to Mount Sinai, were suitably humbled. They became aware of their shortcomings and at the same time developed a greater fear of God (18-21).People were to show a similarly humble attitude when they built altars at places of God’s special revelation (e.g. 17:14-16). Because Israel was a wandering people, such altars were not to be permanent;... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Exodus 20:22-26

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 20:24

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

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

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 20:22-26

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 20:22-26

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 20:24

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Exodus 20:22-26

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Exodus 20:24

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Exodus 20:18-26

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