Bible Commentaries
Exodus 24

Verses 1-8

Exodus 24:1 “Nadab, and Abihu” - Comments - Nadab and Abihu were Aaron's two sons.

Exodus 24:1 “and seventy of the elders of Israel” Comments - The number “seventy” occurs a number of times in Scriptures within the context of God laying beginning a new work and laying a foundation. For example, God called seventy nations at the tower of Babel to serve as the foundation for the nations of the earth (Genesis 10:1-32). God called seventy souls to found the nation of Israel (Exodus 1:1-7). We know that Moses called seventy elders to establish the laws of the nation of Israel (Exodus 24:1, Numbers 11:24-25). Jesus trained seventy disciples to carry the Gospel to the world (Luke 10:1; Luke 10:17).

Exodus 24:7 “the Book of the Covenant” - Comments - The phrase “book of the covenant probably refers to Moses initial writings (Exodus 20:1 to Exodus 23:33). However, it was probably expanded into the “book of the law” (Deuteronomy 31:26).

Exodus 24:8 And Moses took the blood, and sprinkled it on the people, and said, Behold the blood of the covenant, which the LORD hath made with you concerning all these words.

Exodus 24:8 Comments Moses took half of the blood and sprinkled it on the altar (Exodus 24:6), and half the blood he sprinkled on the people. Thus, the people were united in one blood covenant with the Lord.

The words Moses used in instituting the old covenant are reminiscent of the words Jesus used when He instituted the new covenant (Matthew 26:28).

Matthew 26:28, “For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.”

Scripture References - Note:

Hebrews 9:19-20, “For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people, Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you.”

Verses 9-18

Exodus 24:9 to Exodus 31:18 Instructions to Build Tabernacle (Ceremonial Law) In Exodus 24:9 to Exodus 31:18 God instructs Moses on the details of the building of the Tabernacle. In the description of the building of the articles, the Lord begins with those of the inner sanctuary, the ark of the covenant and mercy seat, then the altar of incense, followed by the table of showbread and the candlestick. Thus, the construction of these articles are arranged in a logical order, from the innermost sanctuary to the outermost. Perhaps one reason for this order is the fact that the order of the erection of the Tabernacle begins with the innermost articles and expands outward to the hangings of the outer court, as described in Exodus 40:1-33. Thus, the order of the construction of the Tabernacle follows the order of its erection.