Exodus 20:18 - Exposition

The people saw the thunderings . The use of a specific verb for a generic one, with terms to all of which it is not, strictly speaking, applicable, is common to many writers, and is known to grammarians as zengma. "Saw" here means "perceived, witnessed." The mountain smoking . Compare Exodus 19:18 . In Deuteronomy 5:23 it is said that "the mountain did burn with fire." When the people saw it, they removed . It appears, from Deuteronomy 5:23 , that. before retiring, the people sent a deputation of heads of tribes and elders up to Moses in the mount, to convey to him their wishes, and suggest that he should be their intermediary with God. Moses laid their wishes before God, and was directed to give them his sanction, whereupon they withdrew to their tents ( Deuteronomy 5:30 ).