Bible Commentaries
Exodus 24

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 15:0 , 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; 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.