Commentary on Genesis and Exodus, Chapter 34 · Analysis – Questions
1. The Method and Argument.
IN this Chapter is set forth, the reconciliation it selfe of the Lord with his people, consisting of three parts. 1. The signes of this reconciliation going before, to vers. 8. 2. The substance of the reconciliation it selfe, to vers. 29. 3. The signes which followed after Moses was come downe.
1. There are two signes of this reconciliation. The first is externall and visible, the preparing of the two tables of stone. 1. Commanded to be made by the Lord, vers. 1. 2. With the manner of Moses comming up, and the reverent behaviour of the people in the meane time, vers. 3. 3. And Moses obedience, vers. 4. The second is spirituall, in the proclayming of the Lords name, either shewing his substance, Iehovah, or his properties, merciemercy toward the righteous, or vengeance toward the wicked, to vers. 7. with the effect, Moses humbling of himselfe, vers. 8.
2. The reconciliation consisteth of Moses humble suite to the Lord, vers. 9. and the Lords gracious answer; wherein the Lord sheweth what he will doe for his people, v. 10, 11. then what he requireth of them: where are propounded: first, morall lawes concerning the avoiding of idolatrie, which are … in number, to vers. 17. then ceremoniall, which are three. 1. Of their anniversarie and weekly feasts, namely, the Sabbath, vers. 18, 21, 22, 23. 2. Of their first fruits of their cattell, vers. 19, 20. and of their increase, vers. 29. 3. Of the manner of their sacrifices, not to be offered with leaven, vers. 26.
3. The signes following are two: first, the bringing of the second tables, with their writing by the Lord, and Moses preparation thereunto, by his fortie dayes fast, vers. 28, 29. The second is the shining of Moses face, where is described. 1. The manner thereof, vers. 29. 2. The effects, the astonishment of the people, vers. 30. 3. The remedie which Moses used, which was double, the inviting and calling of the people to come unto him, vers. 31, 32. and the covering of his face, vers. 33. when he put it off, when he went in to speake with God, vers. 34. and when hee put it on, when he came out unto the people, vers. 35.
2. The divers readings.
I.Vers. 6. Iehovah, Iehovah, strong, I. Iehovah, Iehovah, God, B.G. cum caeter. It seemeth rather to be an appellative, than a proper name of the Lord here, because of the distinction, Rebia, over Iehovah, which separateth it from the sentence following.
I.V.G.Vers. 7. Not making the wicked innocent, B.G.V.I.S. better than, leaving one innocent, B. or with whom none is by himselfe innocent, L. See the reason hereof, quest. 11.
I.Vers. 10. Behold I will make a covenant: before all the people I will doe mervailes, I. better than, I will make a covenant before all the people, and I will worke, B.G. cum cater. for there is a distinction at covenant: and it is in the Hebrew, I will worke, not, and I will worke.
B.G.A.P.Vers. 30. His face shined, B.G.A.P. or, streamed, V. was glorious, S. the brightnesse thereof was multiplied, C. not, cornuta erat, was hornie, L. See afterward the question upon this verse.
I.G.Vers. 33. When Moses had made an end of comming, &c. hee put a covering, I. or, So Moses made an end, &c. and had put a covering, &c. G. better than, when he had made an end, &c. he put a covering, V.L.S.C. it is better translated in the preterpluperfectense: for then Moses had most need in respect of the peoples infirmitie, to put a vaile upon his face, when he spake unto them. See the 51. qu. following.