Exodus 20:21

21 And the people stood at a distance as Moses approached the thick darkness where God was.

Exodus 20:21 Meaning and Commentary

Exodus 20:21

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, ( Deuteronomy 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, ( Exodus 19:9 Exodus 19:16 ) 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, ( 1 Kings 8:8-12 ) 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 ^F18; 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.

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FOOTNOTES:

F18 Pirke Eliezer, c. 41.

Exodus 20:21 In-Context

19 “Speak to us yourself and we will listen,” they said to Moses. “But do not let God speak to us, or we will die.”

20 “Do not be afraid,” Moses replied. “For God has come to test you, so that the fear of Him may be before you, to keep you from sinning.”

21 And the people stood at a distance as Moses approached the thick darkness where God was.

22 Then the LORD said to Moses, “This is what you are to tell the Israelites: ‘You have seen for yourselves that I have spoken to you from heaven.

23 You are not to make any gods alongside Me; you are not to make for yourselves gods of silver or gold.