Exodus 19:10-14

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Exodus 19:9-15

Here, I. God intimates to Moses his purpose of coming down upon mount Sinai, in some visible appearance of his glory, in a thick cloud (Exod. 19:9); for he said that he would dwell in the thick darkness (2 Chron. 6:1), and make this his pavilion (Ps. 18:11), holding back the face of his throne when he set it upon mount Sinai, and spreading a cloud upon it, Job 26:9. This thick cloud was to prohibit curious enquiries into things secret, and to command an awful adoration of that which was... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 19:10

And the Lord said unto Moses ,.... On the fourth day, according to the Targum of Jonathan: go unto the people ; go down from the mountain, from the top of it, where he now was, to the camp of Israel, which was pitched before it: and sanctify them today and tomorrow ; the fourth and fifth days of the month; that is, he was, to instruct them how they were to sanctify themselves in an external way, by washing themselves, as after mentioned, their bodies and clothes, and by abstaining... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 19:11

And be ready against the third day ,.... Not the third day of the month, but the third day from hence, this being the fourth, and the morrow the fifth, and the third day, the day following that, the sixth, on which day it is generally agreed by the Jews that the law was given; see Gill on Exodus 19:16 . for the third day the Lord will come down in the sight of all the people upon Mount Sinai ; which must be understood, consistent with his omnipresence, and is only expressive of some... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 19:12

And thou shall set bounds to the people round about ,.... That is, round about the mountain, by drawing a line, throwing up a foss or ditch, or else by laying up heaps of stones or sand, which might be come at easily, or bushes and branches of trees, which grew thick on the mount, from whence it had its name; but be it what will that were used, these were to signify, that so far the people might go, but no further, which their curiosity might prompt them to: saying, take heed unto... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 19:13

There shall not a hand touch it ,.... The mountain or the border of it, which is repeated that it might be taken notice of; and to show that it would be resented if they were to stretch out their hand and only lightly touch it, much more should they set their feet upon it and attempt to ascend it: or rather, "shall not touch him" F15 לא תגע בש "non tanget eum", Vatablus, Drusius, "non feriet eum", Tigurine version. ; that is, the man that shall touch the mountain; he shall be so... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 19:14

And Moses went down from the mount unto the people ,.... The same day that he went up, the fourth day of the month: and sanctified the people ; instructed them and ordered them what they should do for their sanctification, in order to their hearing the law from the mouth of the Lord: and they washed their clothes ; as the Lord had directed Moses to enjoin them, and as he had commanded them; see Gill on Exodus 19:10 . 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

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 19:13

There shall not a hand touch it - בו bo , Him, not the mountain, but the man who had presumed to touch the mountain. He should be considered altogether as an unclean and accursed thing, not to be touched for fear of conveying defilement; but should be immediately stoned or pierced through with a dart, Hebrews 12:20 . read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 19:10

Verse 10 10.And the Lord said unto Moses. Before propounding His law, it is not unreasonable that God should command the people to be sanctified, lest He should cast pearls before swine, or give that which is holy unto dogs; for although by right of adoption they were holy, yet, as regarded themselves, the filthiness of their nature unfitted them for participating in so great a blessing. It was by no means right or just that the inestimable treasure should be polluted by foul and stinking... read more

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