CHAPTER XXXIV _Moses is commanded to hew two tables similar to the first, and_ _bring them up to the mount, to get the covenant renewed_, 1-3. _He prepares the tables and goes up to meet the Lord_, 4. _The Lord descends, and proclaims his name_ JEHOVAH, 5. _What this name signifies_, 6, 7. _Mo... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Exodus 34:6. _AND THE LORD PASSED BY - AND PROCLAIMED_, _THE LORD, C._] It would be much better to read this verse thus: "And the Lord passed by before him, and proclaimed JEHOVAH," that is, showed Moses fully what was implied in this august name. Moses had requested God _to show him his glor... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Exodus 34:7. _THAT WILL BY NO MEANS CLEAR_ THE _GUILTY_] This last clause is rather difficult; literally translated it signifies, _in_ _clearing he will not clear_. But the Samaritan, reading לו _lo_, _to him_, instead of the negative _lo, not_, renders the clause thus: _With whom the innocen... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Exodus 34:9. _O LORD, LET MY LORD, I PRAY THEE, GO AMONG US_] The original is not יהוה _Jehovah_, but אדני _Adonai_ in both these places, and seems to refer particularly to the Angel of the Covenant, the Messiah. Genesis 15:8.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Exodus 34:10. _I WILL DO MARVELS_] This seems to refer to what God did in putting them in possession of the land of Canaan, causing the walls of Jericho to fall down; making the sun and moon to stand still, c. And thus God made his covenant with them binding _himself_ to put them in possession... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Exodus 34:13. _YE SHALL DESTROY THEIR IMAGES_] See the subjects of this and all the following verses, to Exodus 34:28, treated at large in the notes on _"_Exodus 23:24_"_.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Exodus 34:21. _IN EARING TIME AND IN HARVEST THOU SHALT REST._] This commandment is worthy of especial note; many break the Sabbath on the pretense of absolute necessity, because, if in harvest time the weather happens to be what is called _bad_, and the Sabbath day be _fair_ and _fine_, they... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Exodus 34:24. _NEITHER SHALL ANY MAN DESIRE THY LAND_] What a manifest proof was this of the power and particular providence of God! How easy would it have been for the surrounding nations to have taken possession of the whole Israelitish land, with all their fenced cities, when there were no... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Exodus 34:25. _THE BLOOD OF MY SACRIFICE_] That is, the paschal lamb. Exodus 23:18, Exodus 23:18.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Exodus 34:26. _THOU SHALT NOT SEETHE A KID IN HIS MOTHER'S MILK._] See this amply considered Exodus 23:19. Exodus 23:19, Exodus 23:19.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Exodus 34:27. _WRITE THOU THESE WORDS_] Either a _transcript_ of the whole law now delivered, or the words included from Exodus 34:11-2. God certainly wrote the _ten words_ on both sets of tables. Moses either wrote a _transcript_ of these and the accompanying precepts for the use of the peop... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Exodus 34:28. _FORTY DAYS AND FORTY NIGHTS_] Exodus 24:18.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Exodus 34:29. _THE SKIN OF HIS FACE SHONE_] קרן _karan, was horned_: having been long in familiar intercourse with his Maker, his _flesh_, as well as his _soul_, was penetrated with the effulgence of the Divine glory, and his looks expressed the light and life which dwelt within. Probably Mos... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Exodus 34:30. _THEY WERE AFRAID TO COME NIGH HIM._] A sight of his face alarmed them; their consciences were still guilty from their late transgression, and they had not yet received the atonement. The very appearance of superior sanctity often awes the guilty into respect.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Exodus 34:33. _AND TILL MOSES HAD DONE SPEAKING_] The meaning of the verse appears to be this: As often as Moses spoke in public to the people, he put the veil on his face, because they could not bear to look on the brightness of his countenance; but when he entered into the tabernacle to con... [ Continue Reading ]