Exodus 19:8-13

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Exodus 19:1-8

Here is, I. The date of that great charter by which Israel was incorporated. 1. The time when it bears date (Exod. 19:1)--in the third month after they came out of Egypt. It is computed that the law was given just fifty days after their coming out of Egypt, in remembrance of which the feast of Pentecost was observed the fiftieth day after the passover, and in compliance with which the Spirit was poured out upon the apostles at the feast of pentecost, fifty days after the death of Christ. In... read more

Matthew Henry

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 19:8

And all the people answered together ,.... By their heads and representatives, the elders, summoned before Moses, to whom he declared the whole will of God; or this being communicated by them to their respective tribes and families, they were all of one mind; there was not a contradicting voice among them, they all gave the same answer, or all united in returning for answer what follows: all that the Lord hath spoken we will do ; obey his voice in all things he directs unto, or commands... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 19:9

And the Lord said unto Moses ,.... As the Targum of Jonathan, on the third day; though Jarchi says the fourth; which seems not so well to agree with his words on the preceding verse, since it seems to be at the same time that Moses returned the words of the people to the Lord, that he said what follows to him: lo, I come unto thee in a thick cloud ; which was different from the pillar of cloud in which he went before the people, and now stood in it on the top of the mount; for he speaks... 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

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

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