Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Exodus 19:14
And Moses went down from the mount unto the people, and sanctified the people; and they washed their clothes.
14 15. The sequel in E to vv. 10, 11a. Moses comes down from the mountain, and sanctifies the people as instructed in vv. 10, 11a.
15b. Cf. 1Sa 21:4; and the Minaean inscr. cited in ATLAO. p. 433.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Moses sanctified the people, by commanding them to sanctify themselves, and directing them how to do it.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
And Moses went down from the mount unto the people,…. The same day that he went up, the fourth day of the month:
and sanctified the people; instructed them and ordered them what they should do for their sanctification, in order to their hearing the law from the mouth of the Lord:
and they washed their clothes; as the Lord had directed Moses to enjoin them, and as he had commanded them, [See comments on Ex 19:10].
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Verses 14, 15:
Moses returned from the mountain to call the people to consecration. The first step: ceremonial washing of clothes.
The second step: abstain from sexual relations. This is not to imply that marital relations are sinful or unclean. It was a provision of self-denial, in preparation for a deep spiritual experience, see 1Sa 21:4, 5; 1Co 7:5.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
‘And Moses went down from the Mount to the people and sanctified the people, and they washed their clothes. And he said to the people, “Be ready against the third day. Do not come near a woman.” ’
The sanctifying by Moses was possibly by the offering of sacrifices (compare Exo 29:1) after which the people washed their clothes in readiness for God’s call. From then on they had to avoid anything that would make them ritually unclean, including sexual intercourse. Sexual intercourse produced uncleanness on the body (Lev 15:16-18) and they were required to be ritually pure for the whole three days (compare 1Sa 21:5).
It is significant that sexual intercourse was seen as an earthly activity excluded from the heavenly. This may well partly have been because of its association with certain religious rituals elsewhere, as well as because it was associated with man’s first sin. But Jesus will later point out that the angels in Heaven ‘neither marry nor are given in marriage’. It is very much a ‘fleshly’ activity.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
See Exo 19:10 .
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Exo 19:14 And Moses went down from the mount unto the people, and sanctified the people; and they washed their clothes.
Ver. 14. And they washed their clothes. ] In token of washing their hearts, and “cleansing themselves from all filthiness of flesh and spirit.” The Gentiles also washed, that they might go to sacrifice: and the primitive Christians before prayer. a
a Plaut., in Alul., act. iii. scen. 6. Tertul., De Orat., cap. 11.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
went down. Moses’ second descent, verses: Exo 19:14-19. See note on Exo 19:3.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
and sanctified: Exo 19:10
Reciprocal: Gen 35:2 – clean Exo 19:22 – sanctify Lev 11:25 – and be unclean Lev 14:8 – wash his Lev 21:8 – sanctify 1Sa 16:5 – sanctify yourselves 1Ch 15:12 – sanctify 2Ch 5:11 – sanctified Joh 11:55 – to purify Act 21:24 – and purify