Exodus 20:22

Laws About Altars

22 And the LORD said to Moses, "Thus you shall say to the people of Israel: 'You have seen for yourselves that I have 1talked with you from heaven.

Exodus 20:22 Meaning and Commentary

Exodus 20:22

And the Lord said unto Moses
When Moses was come near the thick darkness where God was:

thus thou shalt say unto the children of Israel;
at his return unto them, and which he was to deliver in the name of God, and as his words:

ye have seen that I have talked with you from heaven;
descending from heaven on Mount Sinai in a cloud and fire, he talked with them out of the cloud and fire, and delivered to them with an audible voice the above ten commands; the cloud and fire they saw with their eyes, and the words expressed from thence they heard with their ears; or heaven may mean the air on the top of Sinai, from whence Jehovah spoke.

Exodus 20:22 In-Context

20 Moses said to the people, "Do not fear, for God has come to test you, that the fear of him may be before you, that you may not sin."
21 The people stood far off, while Moses drew near to the thick darkness where God was.
22 And the LORD said to Moses, "Thus you shall say to the people of Israel: 'You have seen for yourselves that I have talked with you from heaven.
23 You shall not make gods of silver to be with me, nor shall you make for yourselves gods of gold.
24 An altar of earth you shall make for me and sacrifice on it your burnt offerings and your peace offerings, your sheep and your oxen. In every place where I cause my name to be remembered I will come to you and bless you.

Cross References 1

  • 1. Deuteronomy 4:36; Nehemiah 9:13; Hebrews 12:25
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.