Exodus 20:18-21

18 cunctus autem populus videbat voces et lampadas et sonitum bucinae montemque fumantem et perterriti ac pavore concussi steterunt procul

19 dicentes Mosi loquere tu nobis et audiemus non loquatur nobis Dominus ne forte moriamur

20 et ait Moses ad populum nolite timere ut enim probaret vos venit Deus et ut terror illius esset in vobis et non peccaretis

21 stetitque populus de longe Moses autem accessit ad caliginem in qua erat Deus

Exodus 20:18-21 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.