Ex. 20 The object of man’s worship, Ex. 20:1–2. The decalogue, Ex. 20:3–17. The people fear, Ex. 20:18. They desire Moses to speak to them, and not God, Ex. 20:19. Moses encourages them, Ex. 20:20. Moses drawing near the darkness, God speaks to him, Ex. 20:21–22.

Or, Then, to wit, when Moses was returned into the mount. God spake immediately, and not by an angel. For though an ambassador or messenger may act in the name of his master, yet it is against the use of all ages and places for such to call themselves by his name.

The only true God, and thy God by special title, having entered into covenant with thee, and chosen thee for my peculiar people, to protect, and rule, and bless thee above all others.

Heb. There shall not be to thee another god, or other gods, to wit, idols, which others have, esteem, and worship as gods, and therefore Scripture so calls them by way of supposition, Deut. 32:21, 1 Sam. 12:21, 1 Cor.

Thou shalt not make, either in thy mind, or with thy hand, Acts 17:29, or by thy command. Unto thee, i.e. for thy use, or for thee to worship; for otherwise they were not absolutely forbidden to make any images, but only to make them for worship, as may appear by comparing this place with Lev.

Not only inward reverence is forbidden, but also all outward gestures that naturally or customarily express reverence, whether bowing down the body, as here; or bending the knee, as 1 Kings 19:18; or kissing the idol, or one’s hand towards it, as Job 31:27, Hos.

Unto thousands, to wit, of their generations, i.e. for ever; whereas his punishment extended only to three or four of them: so far is God’s mercy exalted above his justice. Compare Ps. 103:17.

Or, not carry, or not take, or lift up, to wit, in or into thy mouth, as the phrase is more fully expressed, Job 4:2, Ps. 16:4, Ps. 50:16. So men are said to take up a proverb, or a lamentation, Isa. 14:4, Ezek. 26:17.

This word remember is here very emphatical; and, 1. It reminds us of a former delivery of the substance of this command, to wit, Gen. 2:3. 2. It insinuates the great necessity of consideration and preparation for the sabbath before it comes, 3.

This may be either, 1. A command to employ those days in our worldly occasions, yet so as God and religion be not neglected on those days, as many scriptures teach us. Or, 2. A permission to do so; which I prefer, 1. Because so it is a proper argument to enforce the observation of the sabbath: q.d.

The sabbath of the Lord, or, to the Lord, i.e. consecrated to his use, honour, and service. Hence God calls them my sabbaths, Lev. 26:2, Isa. 56:4, because they are commended by his example, and enjoined by his command. Any work; , i.e.

In six days, and neither in more nor less time, as he could have done. Rested, i.e. ceased from his creating works; otherwise he worketh still (John 5:17 by his providence and grace; and neither is idle nor weary, Isa. 40:28; but this rest is ascribed to him for our admonition and imitation.

The word honour doth not only note the reverence, love, and obedience we owe them, but also support and maintenance, as appears from Matt. 15:4–6, and from the like signification of that word, 1 Tim. 5:3, 1 Tim.

To wit any man or woman, without authority, and without just cause; which exception must necessarily be understood, because many other scriptures command the magistrate to kill great offenders.

Here is mentioned one kind of uncleanness, as being eminently sinful, and unjust, and pernicious to human society. But under this are comprehended and forbidden all other kinds of filthiness, as bestiality, sodomy, whoredom, fornication, &c., and all means, occasions, and appearances of them; as it…

i.e. Either by deceit or violence, or without his knowledge and consent, take away another man’s goods, Eph. 4:28; but, on the contrary, shalt preserve and increase them, as need requires, and occasion is offered.

Heb. not answer, viz. when thou art asked in judgment, Lev. 5:1, Lev. 19:16; or, not speak a false testimony, or as a false witness; which doth not only forbid perjury in judgment, but also all unjust censure, slander, backbiting, scorning, false accusation, and the like; and also requires a just…

The coveting here forbidden is either, 1. The inward and deliberate purpose and desire of a deceitful or violent taking away of another man’s goods; but this is forbidden in the eighth commandment. And it is hard to conceive that St.

Saw the thunderings, i.e. heard them. One sense is oft put for another, as seeing, Gen. 42:1, for hearing, Acts 7:12. They removed from the bottom of the mountain, where it seems they stood.

This they speak from a sense of their own guilt, and of the greatness and holiness of the Divine Majesty, to whom they durst not approach but by a mediator. See Deut. 5:27, Deut. 18:16, Gal. 3:19.

To prove you, or try, or search you, whether you are innocent, and such as delight in my presence; or conscious of your guilt, and therefore afraid of my appearance; whether you have such a righteousness as can abide the trial of a severe Judge; or whether you are such as have cause to fear my…

Ye have seen, i.e. heard, as Ex. 20:18. He may use the word seen here, to intimate that this was all they could see of God, to wit, his voice and speech, and that they saw no image of him, as is expressed in a parallel place, and therefore should make no resemblances of him, as it here follows.

With me, i.e. to worship together with me; I will allow no companion; or, to me, as it follows, unto you; and Ex. 20:24, unto me; and the particle eth is sometimes used for el, or lamed, as 1 Sam.

An altar thou shalt make for thy present use, or whilst thou art in the wilderness: this he commanded, partly, that they might easily and readily erect an altar upon all occasions, which it might be hard for them to do there of better materials; partly, to mind them how much more God regarded the…

An altar of stone in those rocky parts might be as easy for them to make as one of earth. Hewn stone would require both time, and cost, and art. The reasons of this precept are in part the same with the former, Ex. 20:24.

He seems to mean the steps of ladders, or others of the same nature, which could suddenly be made, and were proper for their present condition, where there was danger of the following inconvenience. For afterwards God appointed an altar ten cubits high, 2 Chron.