Bible Commentaries
Exodus 19

Verse 1

third month. App-50 . Fifty days from Rameses, vii 1, 2.

children = sons.

Verse 3

went up unto God : Moses' first ascent. From the Structures T, U, and U (p. 85), it will be seen that we have here the first occurrence of this expression, and the first of the six ascents and descents of Moses to receive and give His laws and ordinances. The following is a summary:. Ascents. Descents. Exodus 19:3-6 . First. Exodus 19:7 , Exodus 19:8 -. Exodus 19:8-13 . Second. Exodus 19:14-19 . Exodus 19:20-24 . Third. Exodus 19:25 . Exodus 24:9 - Exodus 32:14 . Fourth. Exodus 32:15-30 . Exodus 32:31-33 . Fifth. Exodus 32:34 - Exodus 34:3 . Exodus 34:4-28 . Sixth. Exodus 34:29-35 .

Note that the two sets of three each are marked off by the two great events: the giving of the Law, and the setting up of the Tabernacle; while the fourth and sixth ascents are marked by the giving of the first and second tables (See App-10 ). The fourth and sixth ascents are the fullest, and receive special expansion. See above X4 (p. 94), Exodus 20:21 - Exodus 24:2 , and X5 (p. 94), Exodus 24:9 - Exodus 32:15 .

God . Hebrew. that. ' Elohim. See App-4 .

the LORD (Hebrew. Jehovah. called. The only occurance of this expression in Exodus. in Exodus 8:4 , it is "God (Elohim) called".

children of Israel . A reading called Sevir reads "house of Israel". See App-34 .

Verse 4

I bare you, &c. Compare Deuteronomy 32:11 , Deuteronomy 32:12 .

Verse 5

peculiar treasure = a treasure acquired for a possession. Compare 1 Chronicles 29:3 . Ecc 2:8 . 1 Peter 2:9 . Hebrew. segullah. First occurance. Eight times: Exodus 19:5 , and Deuteronomy 7:6 ; Deuteronomy 14:2 ; Deuteronomy 26:18 . Psalms 135:4 , Malachi 1:0 Exodus 3:17 , where it is used of Israel; and in 1 Chronicles 29:3 and Ecclesiastes 7:8 , where it is used of purchased and personal property. It denotes a treasure reserved for one's self. The Latin sigillo, to seal up, is from this Hebrew word. Compare Matthew 13:44 .

people = peoples. God's People are A separated People. Exodus 33:16 . A People of inheritance. Deuteronomy 4:20 . A special People. Deuteronomy 7:6 . A purchased People. Exodus 15:16 ; Psalms 74:2 . A holy People. Deuteronomy 7:6 ; Deuteronomy 7:14 . A redeemed People. Exodus 15:13 . A sanctified People. Isaiah 63:18 .

all the earth is Mine . Compare Psalms 24:1 ; Psalms 50:12 .

Verse 6

kingdom of priests . Not the genitive of character ( App-17 ), which would be priestly kingdom. But by the Figure of speech Antiptosis ( App-6 ) = "a royal priesthood", as explained in 1 Peter 2:9 . The whole nation being a priest with respect to other nations, as the tribe of Levi for Israel. Now in abeyance, because Israel did not fulfil the condition in Exodus 19:5 . But in the future it will be realised (Isaiah 61:6 ; Isaiah 66:21 ).

Verse 7

came . Moses' first descent. See note on Exodus 19:3 .

Verse 8

returned. Moses' second ascent, verses: Exodus 19:8-13 . See note on Exodus 19:3 .

Verse 9

the LORD said . See note on Exodus 3:7 , and p. note on Exodus 6:10 .

Lo. Figure of speech Asterismos. App-6 .

speak . . . believe . Compare Romans 10:17 . "Faith cometh by hearing".

Verse 12

surely put to death . Figure of speech Polyptoton. App-6 . "A dying he shall die. "See note on Genesis 2:17 .

Verse 13

it = him: i.e. not arrested or seized lest trespass on mount incurred.

surely be stoned . Figure of speech Polyptoton ( App-6 ). Compare Genesis 26:28 .

Verse 14

went down. Moses' second descent, verses: Exodus 19:14-19 . See note on Exodus 19:3 .

Verse 19

answered him by a voice . Hebrew denotes re peated speaking, and thus tells us how the next and Yellowing chapters were given to Moses.

Verse 20

on = to.

went up. Moses' third ascent.

Verse 24

priests . See App-15 . The firstborn were priests.

Verse 25

went down . Moses' third descent. See note on Exodus 19:3 . spake. Figure of speech Ellipsis ( App-6 ): i.e. "repeated [these things] to the People". Here, the three subjects, Thought, Word, and Deed, are repeated in the second table in inverse order. The law given in Arabia. The same country witnessed the giving of Mahomet's Law. The moral law given in public at Horeb. Compare Malachi 4:4 . The ceremonial law given to Moses in the Tabernacle. The judicial law given at sundry times; neither so public and solemn as the former, nor so private as the latter.