Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Exodus 16:10
And it came to pass, as Aaron spoke unto the whole congregation of the children of Israel, that they looked toward the wilderness, and, behold, the glory of the LORD appeared in the cloud.
10. that they looked, &c.] Cf. the very similar passage, Num 16:42. The ‘wilderness’ is however remarkable: as Di. remarks, they were in the wilderness ( vv. 1, 2, 3), so that some more definite direction would be expected: originally, as he suggests, probably ‘toward the sanctuary,’ or ‘the tent of meeting’ (as Nu. l.c.), stood here (so B., McNeile).
the glory of Jehovah, &c.] A brilliant glow of fire (cf. on Exo 13:21 f.), symbolizing Jehovah’s presence, gleamed through the cloud, resting (if the conjecture in the last note be accepted) upon the Tent of Meeting. The cloud shrouds the full brilliancy of the glory, which human eye could not behold. The ‘glory of Jehovah’ is often mentioned in P in the same sense: Exo 24:16 f.; and in connexion with the Tent of Meeting, Exo 29:43, Exo 40:34-35 (cf. 1Ki 8:11, Eze 43:4-5); and especially Lev 9:6; Lev 9:23, Num 14:10; Num 16:19; Num 16:42; Num 20:6. Comp. in Ezekiel’s visions, Eze 1:28; Eze 3:12; Eze 3:23; Eze 8:4; Eze 9:3; Eze 10:4; Eze 10:18-19; Eze 11:22-23; Eze 43:2; Eze 43:4-5; Eze 44:4; also Luk 2:9. Cf. DB. ii. 184 6, v. 639 f.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Appeared in the cloud – Or, was seen in a cloud. The definite article would imply that the cloud was the same which is often mentioned in connection with the tabernacle. The people saw the cloud here spoken of beyond the camp.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 10. As Aaron spake] So he now became the spokesman or minister of Moses to the Hebrews, as he had been before unto Pharaoh; according to what is written, Ex 7:1, &c.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
An extraordinary brightness suddenly appearing in the pillar of cloud. See Lev 9:6,23.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
And it came to pass, as Aaron spoke to the whole congregation of the children of Israel,…. Before he had well done speaking:
that they looked toward the wilderness; they were already in the wilderness of Sin, and they looked straight forward toward that part of it which was yet before them, or to the wilderness of Sinai, which was right onward, and whither they were travelling:
and, behold, the glory of the Lord appeared in the cloud; which went before them; there was a more than common brightness in it, an effulgence and beam of light and glory shining in it. Christ, the brightness of his Father’s glory, and the express image of his person, appeared in it, in some visible displays of his majesty, which made it very observable to them.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(10) The glory of the Lord appeared in the cloud.The Hebrew, as at present pointed, has in a cloud, but there can be no reasonable doubt that the pillar of the cloud is meant. It was before this that they had been required to appear (Exo. 16:9), and from this almost certainly that some bright radiance was now made to stream forth. The object was at once to rebuke their murmurings, and to uphold the authority of Moses and Aaron.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
Exo 16:10. They looked toward the wilderness, andthe glory of the Lord, &c. It would seem, from this expression, as if the pillar of cloud was now removed to some distance from them; or perhaps it appeared not when they were stationed, being visible only when it conducted them in their marches: or, if it did constantly appear, the phrase toward the wilderness must here mean toward the front of their army.
REFLECTIONS.Fresh difficulties produce fresh murmurs. We have here,
1. The despairing impatience of the people for want of bread. Their provision being exhausted, they see nothing but death before them, and charge Moses as the murderer. What! had God so eminently spared their lives, to bring them to their graves in the wilderness? And had Moses any concern at heart but their good? Yet so deaf are they to reason, that they basely wish to be in Egypt again, though they should die there under the plague. Astonishing perverseness! Note; (1.) Discontent usually vilifies what it has, and magnifies what it loses. (2.) It is a great aggravation of our mistrusts, when we have experienced much mercy, and are promised so much greater in store.
2. The displeasure God shews against them. He heard their murmurings, and regarded their complaints against his servants as a charge against himself. Let those who find fault with God’s ministers remember, that they but deliver the message, and that to be displeased with them is to fly in the face of their Master.
3. The gracious supply, of which God first informs Moses. Himself, appearing in the cloud to put honour upon his servants, commands him to promise that to-morrow he would give bread for their hosts. God knows our wants, and will not suffer us to be destitute of any manner of thing which is needful for us; though, alas! many pretend to trust God with their souls for heaven, and yet, like Israel, distrust his providing bread for their bodies in the way thither.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
May we not spiritualize this passage, and say, when the word of God is delivered by his sent servants, it is in fact God himself speaking in the word, and by the word. So Paul thought, 1Th 2:13 .
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Exo 16:10 And it came to pass, as Aaron spake unto the whole congregation of the children of Israel, that they looked toward the wilderness, and, behold, the glory of the LORD appeared in the cloud.
Ver. 10. Toward the wilderness. ] Where the cloud was in the forefront of their armies.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
that they: Exo 16:7, Num 14:10, Num 16:19, Num 16:42
appeared: Exo 13:21, Exo 13:22, Exo 40:34-38, Lev 9:6, Num 16:42, 1Ki 8:10, 1Ki 8:11, Mat 17:5
Reciprocal: Exo 17:6 – I will Exo 24:16 – the glory Lev 9:4 – to day Num 20:6 – the glory 1Ki 8:9 – when Eze 1:28 – This Luk 2:9 – and the Luk 12:20 – God Rev 10:1 – clothed