Exodus 20:21-26

21 The people stayed at a distance, and Moshe drew near to the thick darkness where God was.

22 The LORD said to Moshe, "This is what you shall tell the children of Yisra'el: 'You yourselves have seen that I have talked with you from heaven.

23 You shall most certainly not make alongside of me gods of silver, or gods of gold for yourselves.

24 You shall make an altar of eretz for me, and shall sacrifice on it your burnt offerings and your peace-offerings, your sheep and your oxen. In every place where I record my name I will come to you and I will bless you.

25 If you make me an altar of stone, you shall not build it of hewn stones; for if you lift up your tool on it, you have polluted it.

26 Neither shall you go up by steps to my altar, that your nakedness may not be exposed to it.'

Exodus 20:21-26 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO EXODUS 20

In this chapter we have an account of the giving of the law on Mount Sinai; the preface to it, Ex 20:1,2, the ten commandments it consists of, Ex 20:8-17, the circumstances attending it, which caused the people to remove at some distance, Ex 20:18, when they desired of Moses, that he would speak to them and not God, who bid them not fear, since this was for the trial of them; but still they kept at a distance, while Moses drew nigh to God, Ex 20:19-21 who ordered him to caution the children of Israel against idolatry, and directed what sort of an altar he would have made whereon to offer their sacrifices, promising that where his name was recorded he would grant his presence and blessing, Ex 20:22-26.