This chapter marks the commencement of the series of events which immediately preceded the Exodus. Hitherto, the narrative has been studiously brief, stating only what was necessary to be known as preparatory to those events; but from this point Moses dwells minutely on the details, and enables us t... [ Continue Reading ]
JETHRO HIS FATHER-IN-LAW - Or “brother-in-law.” The word in the Hebrew is a word signifying relative by marriage. When Moses arrived in Midian, Reuel was an elderly man Exodus 2:16; Exodus 40 years later (Exodus 2:23 note), Reuel’s son, Jethro, had probably succeeded him. THE BACKSIDE - i. e. “to t... [ Continue Reading ]
THE ANGEL OF THE LORD - See the note at Genesis 12:7. What Moses saw was the flame of fire in the bush; what he recognized therein was an intimation of the presence of God, who maketh a flame of fire His angel. Compare Psalms 104:4. The words which Moses heard were those of God Himself, as all ancie... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LORD SAW - The interchange of the two divine names is to be observed; “Jehovah” (Yahweh) saw, “God” called.... [ Continue Reading ]
PUT OFF THY SHOES - The reverence due to holy places thus rests upon God’s own command. The custom itself is well known from the observances of the temple, it was almost universally adopted by the ancients, and is retained in the East. HOLY GROUND - This passage is almost conclusive against the ass... [ Continue Reading ]
Our Saviour adduces this passage as a proof that the doctrine of the Resurrection was taught in the Old Testament Matthew 22:32, and He calls this book “the Book of Moses” Mark 12:26, two points to be borne in mind by readers of the Pentateuch.... [ Continue Reading ]
TASKMASTERS - Oppressors. A different word from that in Exodus 1:11. I KNOW - The expression implies personal feeling, tenderness, and compassion (compare Exodus 2:25 margin).... [ Continue Reading ]
The natural richness of Palestine, the variety and excellence of its productions, are attested by sacred (compare Jeremiah 32:22; Ezekiel 20:6) and ancient writers, whose descriptions are strongly in contrast with those of later travelers. The expression “flowing with milk and honey” is used proverb... [ Continue Reading ]
WHO AM I - These words indicate humility (compare Numbers 12:3), not fear. He feared failure, owing to incompetency, especially in the power of expression.... [ Continue Reading ]
A TOKEN UNTO THEE - Or the sign. The word means a declaration or promise of God, which rests absolutely on His word, and demands faith. The promise that God would have the people serve Him in that place was an assurance, if fully believed, that all intervening obstacles would be removed by His power... [ Continue Reading ]
WHAT IS HIS NAME - The meaning of this question is evidently: “By which name shall I tell them that the promise is confirmed?” Each name of the Deity represented some aspect or manifestation of His attributes (compare the introduction to Genesis). What Moses needed was not a new name, but direction... [ Continue Reading ]
I AM THAT I AM - That is, “I am what I am.” The words express absolute, and therefore unchanging and eternal Being. The name, which Moses was thus commissioned to use, was at once new and old; old in its connection with previous revelations; new in its full interpretation, and in its bearing upon th... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LORD GOD ... - Better, Jehovah יהוה _y__e__hovâh_, God of your fathers, God of Abraham, God of Isaac, and God of Jacob. It corresponds exactly to the preceding verse, the words “I am” and “Jehovah” (Yahweh) being equivalent. This name met all the requirements of Moses, involving a two-fold pled... [ Continue Reading ]
THREE DAYS’ JOURNEY - i. e. a journey which would occupy three days in going and returning. This was a demand quite in accordance with Egyptian customs. The refusal of Pharaoh and the subsequent proceedings were revealed to Moses at once; but it is important to observe that the first request which P... [ Continue Reading ]
NO, NOT - See the marginal rendering. Others explain it to mean, Pharaoh will not let the people go even when severely smitten.... [ Continue Reading ]
SHALL BORROW - shall ask. The Egyptians had made the people serve “with rigor,” and the Israelites when about to leave the country for ever were to ask or claim the jewels as a just, though very inadequate, remuneration for services which had made “their lives bitter.” The Egyptians would doubtless... [ Continue Reading ]