Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Exodus 20:21
And the people stood afar off, and Moses drew near unto the thick darkness where God [was].
21. thick darkness ] ‘rphel, the word, mostly poetical (Psa 18:9, 1Ki 8:12), used in Deu 4:11; Deu 5:22 [Heb. 19].
With the preceding narrative, especially the parts that belong to E Exo 9:16-19, Exo 20:1-21), comp. the rhetorically amplified descriptions
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
And the people stood afar off,…. Still kept their distance in their camp and tents; or the heads and elders of the people having had this conversation with Moses, returned to their tents as they were bid, De 5:30 and to the people in the camp, and there they continued while Moses went up to God with their request:
and Moses drew near to the thick darkness where God was; the thick cloud, Ex 19:9 as Jarchi interprets it, and who observes from their doctors that there were three enclosures about the divine Majesty, darkness, a cloud, and thick darkness; and so Moses passed through the darkness, and the cloud, to the thick darkness where Jehovah was, and where he is said to dwell when the temple was built, 1Ki 8:8 and they have an observation that the word rendered “drew near” is transitive, and should be translated, “he was brought near” or, “made to draw nigh”; Michael and Gabriel being sent to him, took hold of his hands and brought him against his will unto the thick darkness r; but if the word will admit of such a version, the sense is either that he was caused to draw near through the importunity of the people; or rather through the call of God to him, or an impulse of his upon his mind, which obliged him to it.
r Pirke Eliezer, c. 41.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
“ So the people stood afar off ” (as in Exo 20:18), not “went far away,” although, according to Deu 5:30, Moses was directed by God to tell the people to return to their tents. This is passed over here, and it is merely observed, for the purpose of closing the first act in the giving the law, and preparing the way for the second, that the people remained afar off, whereas Moses (and Aaron, cf. Exo 19:24) drew near to the darkness where God was, to receive the further commands of the Lord.
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
21. The people stood afar off As stated in Exo 20:18. After Moses had gone up unto the thick darkness where God was, the people returned to their tents as they had been instructed . Comp . Deu 5:30. It would seem from Exo 19:24, that when Moses at this time drew near unto the divine presence, Aaron accompanied him . In the profound and various symbolism by which God revealed himself through the Mosaic legislation, it was fitting that his own divine person should be hidden in thick darkness, ( ,) and no manner of likeness or similitude of Deity be exhibited to any eye. So, later, in the construction of the tabernacle, the most holy place, the immediate throne-chamber of Jehovah, was made in the form of a perfect cube, and veiled in darkness. Comp. Exo 25:22; Lev 16:2; 1Ki 8:12. Jehovah thus signifies that his power and wisdom and ways are wrapped in mystery, and cannot be searched by mortal eyes .
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Exo 20:21. Moses drew near unto the thick darkness See note on ch. Exo 19:20. See also ch. 24:
REFLECTIONS.With pomp of terrible majesty God thus proclaims his holy will: an emblem of the dispensation the people were under, begetting terror and bondage; and designed to make the reception of the grace and truth which comes by Jesus Christ the more welcome. Observe,
1. The people’s apprehensions. They are now cured of their curiosity, and trembling retreat even from the nearness permitted them; so fearful are they of the presence of God. They entreat Moses to be their mediator, whose terror cannot make them afraid. Who would have thought, that after such a scene the golden calf could on that spot have reared its guilty head?
2. Moses encourages them. Dejected hearts must be supported against their fears: God was come to prove, not to punish them; to put his fear before them that they sin not. A filial fear of offending is the great preservative from evil.
3. Moses, at God’s command, returns to the thick darkness to commune with God. It is the property of divine faith to see through the thick cloud of sense, and hold communion with him who is invisible.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
How delightful in this view of Moses is it to discover the type of Christ! Jer 30:21 .
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Exo 20:21 And the people stood afar off, and Moses drew near unto the thick darkness where God [was].
Ver. 21. Stood afar off. ] Yea, God, tendering their infirmity, gave them leave to go home to their tents. Deu 5:30-31
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
afar off. Note the difference between law and grace. (Eph 2:13).
drew near. Moses’ fourth ascent. See note on Exo 19:3.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
the people: Exo 19:16, Exo 19:17, Deu 5:5
thick: 1Ki 8:12, 2Ch 6:1, Psa 18:9, Psa 18:12, Psa 97:2, Psa 104:2, 1Ti 6:16
Reciprocal: Exo 10:22 – thick darkness Exo 19:3 – went up Exo 19:9 – Lo Exo 24:1 – Come up Exo 24:2 – General 2Sa 22:10 – darkness Job 26:9 – General Psa 103:7 – He made Psa 139:12 – the darkness Joe 2:2 – A day of darkness
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Exo 20:21-23. While the people continued to stand afar off Afraid of Gods wrath, Moses drew near unto the thick darkness He was made to draw near; so the word is: Of himself he durst not have ventured into the thick darkness: if God had not called him, and encouraged him. And being gone into the thick darkness where God was, God there spoke, in his hearing only, all that follows from hence to the end of chapter 23., which is mostly an exposition of the ten commandments; and he was to transmit it to the people. The laws in these verses relate to Gods worship. Ye have seen that I have talked with you from heaven Such was his wonderful condescension; ye shall not make gods of silver This repetition of the second commandment comes in here, because they were more addicted to idolatry than to any other sin.