Ex. 19 The people come to Sinai, Ex. 19:1–2. God’s proposal to them by Moses. Of the terms of the covenant, Ex. 19:3–6. Moses lays before them what God had commanded, Ex. 19:7. The people’s acceptance of the same, Ex. 19:8. God directeth Moses how to sanctify the people, Ex.

BC 1491 Heb. Third new moon, called Sivan, including the latter part of May, and the former part of June. The same day, Heb. in that day, to wit, when the month or new moon began, and when they departed from Rephidim, to note, that there was no station between these two.

To the desert of Sinai, i.e. to that part of the desert which adjoined to Mount Sinai, as Rephidim, from whence they came, was in that part of the wilderness adjoining to Horeb, which was another part of the same mountain. See Ex. 17:6.

Moses went up into the mount of God, to the place where God had now fixed his cloudy pillar, and where he was about to manifest himself in a glorious manner. So it is an anticipation.

i. e. Safely, out of the reach of danger; and strongly, against all opposition. Compare Deut. 32:11, Isa. 63:9, Rev. 12:14. Unto myself, into my presence, and favour, and fellowship, to be my peculiar people, to serve and worship me as your only Lord and King.

If ye will obey my voice indeed; Heb. obeying ye will obey; i.e. if ye will obey me sincerely, diligently, and constantly. A peculiar treasure, highly prized and loved, and carefully kept by me, as men’s treasures generally are.

A kingdom of priests; so they are called in regard, 1. Of their exemption and separation from all the people of the world, as priests are taken out of the multitude of men. 2.

Not for God’s information, but for the people’s greater obligation, and to learn what answer he should return from God to them.

I come unto thee, as to the mediator between me and them, and the interpreter of my mind to them. In a thick cloud: Ex. 19:16, 1 Kings 8:12, 2 Chron. 6:1. The words of the people; those mentioned Ex. 19:8. This is here repeated, because God’s answer to them now follows.

i.e. Command them to sanctify and cleanse themselves from all filthiness of flesh and spirit, and to prepare their hearts for the right receiving of my laws, and solemn entering into covenant with me. Compare Lev. 11:45, Josh. 3:5, Josh. 7:13.

For the third day from this time, and the fiftieth day from the passover, as was noted before, the Lord will come down in a visible and glorious manifestation of his presence.

By this symbolical injunction God designed, 1. To restrain men’s curious and bold inquiries into the things of God. 2. To possess the Israelites then present, and all succeeding generations, with the dread and reverence of the Divine Majesty, and of his holy law. 3.

There shall not an hand touch it, i.e. the mountain. But, 1. This seems to be a gross tautology, for it was twice forbidden in the words next foregoing. 2. So the word hand would seem to be ascribed both to man and beast. Others therefore render it touch him, i.e.

Moses sanctified the people, by commanding them to sanctify themselves, and directing them how to do it.

Abstain from the use of the marriage-bed, partly because your wives may haply have their uncleanness upon them, though unknown to themselves, at least to you, whereby you may be legally defiled; see Lev.

The thunders and lightnings were sent partly as evidences and tokens both of God’s glorious presence, and of the anger of God, and the dreadful punishments due to the transgressors of the law now to be delivered; and partly as means to humble, and awaken, and convince, and terrify proud and secure…

Therefore one part of the mount they might come to, though not to another, to wit, the higher; which may clear the difficulty and seeming contradiction betwixt Ex. 19:12–13.

The Lord descended in fire for further terror to obstinate sinners. Hence this law is called a fiery law, Deut. 33:2. The whole mount quaked greatly, by an earthquake, as appears from Ps. 60:2, Ps. 104:32.

Waxed louder and louder; Heb. went on, or increased and grew very strong, or vehement, or loud. This is opposed to the sounding long, Ex. 19:13. God answered him by a voice, i.e. by plain, distinct, and audible words, as Ps. 81:7, John 12:29, so as the people also might hear, as appears from Ex.

So here are three parts of the mount manifestly distinguished; the top, where the cloud was; the middle part, where Moses now stood, and about which the bounds seem to have been put; and the nether or lower part, where the people were.

Through curiosity to know in what form or manner I appear to thee.

For though the Aaronical priesthood was not yet appointed, it is certain, that as there were sacrifices before, so there were priests to offer them, which were either the first-born, who were consecrated to God, and did execute the office of priests, as may be gathered from Ex. 13:2, Ex. 24:5, Num.

The people are sufficiently admonished in that particular, because as thou didst command this same thing before, Ex. 19:12, so I have informed and warned them of it; so that it may seem superfluous for me to go down again to acquaint them herewith.