Verse 1

He (Elohim of Exodus 20:1) said. See note on Exodus 4:3.

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4.

Nadab, and Abihu. Aaron"s eldest two sons.

seventy. See App-10.

afar off. See note on Exodus 20:21,

Verse 2

near = near unto.

Verse 3

came. Moses" fourth descent. See note on Exodus 19:3. all the words. (1) The Ten Commandments. Exodus 20:1-17. (2) all the judgments, chaps. 21-23.

Verse 4

wrote. See note on Exodus 17:14, and App-47.

the hill = the mountain.

Verse 5

young men. The whole nation as yet were priests, represented in the fathers and elder sons. Probably the redeemed firstborn from all the tribes.

children = sons.

offered. Hebrew. "alah. See App-43.

burnt offerings. Hebrew. "olah. See App-43.

sacrificed. Hebrew. zabach. App-43.

Peace offerings. Hebrew. shelem. App-43.

(5-8) This is the subject of Hebrews 9:15-23, where "testament "should be rendered covenant, and the word "men", which is not in the text, should be "over the dead sacrifices" referred to here. (Greek. epi nekrois.)

Verse 6

on the altar. This was pledging Jehovah to this conditional covenant. See Hebrews 9:19, where the book also is said to be sprinkled.

Verse 7

be obedient. Connect this with the sprinkling-of the blood in next verse; and connect both with 1 Peter 1:2.

Verse 8

the blood = the other half of the blood. Figure of speech Synecdoche (of the Part), App-6. See Hebrews 9:20.

the People. Thus pledging them to their part of the covenant, which was thereby made conditional; unlike that with Abraham in Genesis 15, which was unconditional.

Behold. Figure of speech Asterismos (App-6).

Verse 9

went up. Moses" fourth ascent. See note on Exodus 19:3. Exodus 19:10 they saw. Hebrew. hazah, to see with the mental eye, or in vision (Isaiah 1:1; Isaiah 2:1; Isaiah 13:1. Ezekiel 13:7. Amos 1:1. Micah 1:1. Habakkuk 1:1. Numbers 24:4, Numbers 24:16). Hence, to discern, observe, contemplate, understand. Job 34:32. Psalms 46:8. Proverbs 22:29; Proverbs 24:32; Proverbs 29:20. Psalms 62:2.

God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4.

under. Was this seen from beneath?

Verse 11

He laid not His hand = put not forth His hand [in vengeance]. Compare Exodus 3:20; Exodus 33:22.

eat and drink. Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), App-6, put for living, i.e. though they were favoured with this vision, they yet lived.

Verse 12

the LORD [Hebrew. Jehovah. said. See note on Exodus 3:7, and compare note on Exodus 6:10.

a = the.

commandments = the commandment.

written. See note on Exodus 17:14, and App-47.

Verse 15

a cloud = the cloud.

Verse 16

six days. See App-50.

Verse 18

went into. On 20-25th and 26th of Sever: The fourth Sabbath.