Exodus 24:4

“And Moses wrote all the words of the Lord, etc.] Jarchi says, all from the creation, to the giving of the law, and the commands at Marah; but though these were written by him, yet not at this time; but as Aben Ezra more truly observes, what are mentioned in this “parashah”, or section, or what is contained in the two preceding chapters, he not only related to them from his memory, but he wrote them in a book, which is after mentioned, that they might be seen and read hereafter; for these were not the ten commands, they were written as well as spoken by the Lord himself, but the judicial laws before mentioned: and rose up early in the morning: not on the fifth of Sivan, as Jarchi, the day…”

“Twelve pillars - As the altar was a symbol of the presence of Yahweh, so these twelve pillars represented the presence of the Twelve tribes with whom He was making the covenant. return to 'Top of Page'”

“And Moses wrote the words of the Lord - That there might be no mistake; as God dictated them on the mount, where, it is highly probable, God taught him the use of letters. These Moses taught the Israelites, from whom they afterwards travelled to Greece and other nations. As soon as God had separated to himself a peculiar people, he governed them by a written word, as he has done ever since, and will do while the world stands. Pillars according to the number of the tribes - These were to represent the people, the other party to the covenant; and we may suppose they were set up over against the altar, and that Moses as mediator passed to and fro between them. Probably each tribe set up and…”

“24:4 Pillars were erected as historical markers, witnessing in history that something momentous had occurred at a certain time at this place. In Hittite treaties, pagan gods were called upon to witness the agreement. In this case, the Hebrews were forbidden to recognize other gods, so pillars served the purpose.”

“wrote: Deu 31:9; Jos 24:26 and builded: Exo 20:24-26 twelve pillars: Gen 28:18, Gen 28:22, Gen 31:45; Jos 24:27; Gal 2:9 according: Exo 28:21; Lev 24:5; Num 17:2; Jos 4:2, Jos 4:3, Jos 4:8, Jos 4:9, Jos 4:20; Kg1 11:30; Ezr 6:17; Luk 22:30; Rev 21:14 Exodus 24:5”