Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Exodus 20:19
And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die.
19. Speak thou (emph.), and we will hear ] i.e. it is implied, listen and obey (see Deu 5:27 end).
lest we die ] cf. Deu 5:25 f.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
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 Deu 5:27; 18:16; Gal 3:19.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
19. let not God speak with us, lestwe die, c.The phenomena of thunder and lightning had been oneof the plagues so fatal to Egypt, and as they heard God speaking tothem now, they were apprehensive of instant death also. Even Moseshimself, the mediator of the old covenant, did “exceedinglyquake and fear” (Heb 12:21).But doubtless God spake what gave him reliefrestored him toa frame of mind fit for the ministrations committed to him and henceimmediately after he was enabled to relieve and comfort them with therelief and comfort which he himself had received from God (2Co1:4).
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And they said unto Moses,…. Who was now come down from the mountain, and to whom the heads of the tribes and elders of the people came from the camp, and out of their tents, by whom the people said to him, as follows, see De 5:23,
speak thou with us, and we will hear; their request is, that whatsoever it was the will and pleasure of God to declare to them, that he would communicate it to Moses, and he deliver it to them, promising that they would hearken to it, and obey it, as if they had heard it from the mouth of God himself:
but let not God speak with us, lest we die; pray to him, that he would not speak immediately, but by a mediator, which they now saw the need of; that there was no drawing nigh to God, nor hearing nor receiving anything from him without one; that his law, as it came from him to them sinful creatures, was a killing letter, and the ministration of condemnation and death, and injected such terror into their minds, that if it was continued they must die under it: thus, as the apostle observes, when “they heard the voice of words, entreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more, for they could not endure that which was commanded”, Heb 12:19.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(19) Speak thou with us.Comp. Deu. 5:24-27, where the words of the people are reported at greater length :Behold, the Lord our God hath shewed us his glory and his greatness, and we have heard his voice out of the midst of the fire: we have seen this day that God doth talk with man, and he liveth. Now therefore why should we die? For this great fire will consume us: if we hear the voice of the Lord our God any more, then we shall die. For who is there of all flesh, that hath heard the voice of the living God speaking out of the midst of the fire, as we have, and lived? Go thou near, and hear all that the Lord our God shall say: and speak thou unto us all that the Lord our God shall speak unto thee; and we will hear it, and do it.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
19. Let not God speak with us, lest we die Comp . Deu 5:25-26. This sentiment accords with the prevalent belief of the ancient Hebrews, that the immediate vision of God must produce death. See notes on Gen 16:13; Gen 32:30, and Jdg 6:22.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Exo 20:19. And they said unto Moses, &c. They, that is, the heads of the tribes, the elders of the people. See ch. Exo 19:7 and Deu 5:23 where this event is related more at large.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Reader! pause over this verse, and consider your happy privilege in having Jesus to speak for you to God, and to you from God. 1Jn 2:1-2 . The apostle observes upon this, Heb 12:19 .
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Exo 20:19 And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die.
Ver. 19. Speak thou with us. ] See here what a mercy it is to have the mind of God made known by men like ourselves; that may say unto us, as Elihu did to Job, “Behold, I am according to thy wish in God’s stead: I also am cut out of the clay. Behold, my terror shall not make thee afraid, neither shall my hand be heavy upon thee.” Job 33:6-7
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Speak thou, &c. From Deu 5:28 with Deu 18:7 we learn that on that very day God promised to send “Him that speaketh from heaven” (Exo 18:15-18).
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Speak thou: Deu 18:16, Act 7:38
let not: Exo 33:20, Gen 32:30
Reciprocal: Exo 12:3 – Speak ye Exo 18:19 – Be thou Exo 19:8 – General Deu 4:11 – stood Deu 4:33 – General Deu 5:23 – General Deu 5:27 – General Deu 26:17 – avouched Jos 24:21 – Nay 1Sa 3:9 – Speak 1Sa 12:20 – Fear not Jer 42:5 – if we Eze 10:5 – the voice Luk 5:8 – Depart Luk 19:21 – I feared Joh 5:37 – Ye have Rom 8:15 – the spirit 2Co 3:9 – the ministration of condemnation Gal 3:19 – in Heb 12:19 – they that