Exodus 24 Study Notes

Tsiwwah has no clearly related words in other languages. It is related to mitswah (commandment, command) and occurs forty-three times with it, usually as give (Neh 9:14). Tsiwwah occurs mostly in narrative texts and means command (Gn 2:16), order (Lv 13:54), direct (Ex 18:23), decree (Ps 68:28), or tell (1Sm 20:29). It signifies issue an order (Nah 1:14) or give a command (Gn 50:16). Individuals commission (Nm 27:19) or appoint (Neh 5:14) others and put them in charge (Neh 7:2). God ordains/makes covenants (Ps 111:9), grants/appoints blessings (Dt 28:8), sends love (Ps 42:8), and requires sacrifices (1Sm 2:29). Fathers give charges to children (Gn 49:33). Kings give missions (1Sm 21:2) and warn people (Gn 26:11). People put/set their affairs in order (Is 38:1). Once tsiwwah implies forbid (Dt 4:23), control (Is 48:5), and dispatch (Est 4:5). Tsaw (9x) refers to law (Is 28:10) and what is worthless (Hs 5:11).

24:9-11 The description of what Moses and the Israelite leaders saw when they approached the God of Israel must employ comparisons. It was something like a pavement made of lapis lazuli, and it had a clarity like that of the sky. It was similar to, but beyond anything people knew of (likewise in v. 17). The description is further limited in that it offers the point of view of someone face down and able to see only what was beneath his feet. The mention that God did not harm the Israelite nobles (lit “stretch out his hand”) reflects ancient customs that gave kings the ability to call for a subject’s removal or death with just a hand gesture. Instead, he received them with favor. It also reflects the knowledge that no one can see God’s face and live (20:19; 33:20-23). This was presented as a unique, exceptional occasion.

24:12 The stone tablets are also mentioned in 31:18, forming a frame around the instructions for building the tabernacle in chaps. 25-31.

24:13-15 The departure of Moses and Joshua parallels that of Abraham and Isaac (Gn 22). In both cases the older man left instructions, and the younger man required an explanation of events from the older man. That the Israelites began worshiping the golden calf (Ex 32) rather than waiting as instructed showed that they failed to match either the faithfulness of Abraham or even of his servants. Meanwhile, Moses and Joshua in a sense continued the legacy of Abraham and Isaac’s faithful worship.

24:16-18 The Lord’s glory had appeared previously only in Ex 16:10. Six days may allude to creation or reflect how long it took Moses and Joshua to climb the mountain. Presumably Joshua stayed outside the cloud. Forty days signified a long time (see note at Gn 7:4).