Tyndale Open Study Notes on Exodus 20:22

A historical reference excerpt for this verse. Read it alongside the biblical text and other available sources.

Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Modern study notes
Source: BibleWord.ai's local reference edition of this named work.

20:22-26 The Lord is transcendent, as shown by his speaking to the people in a disembodied voice from heaven (20:22). This would have two effects upon their practice: They were not to use silver or gold to make gods in human form (idols, 20:23), and they were not to carve stones for an altar (20:25). Perhaps this is because they would be tempted to carve stone gods in the process. The altar was to be made of earth (20:24) and uncut stones (20:25). • The prohibition against revealing one’s nakedness (20:26) might have been to separate Israelite religious practice from the nature worship around them. Sexual activity was an integral part of many Canaanite rituals.

Read Exodus 20:22 →Read the full chapter →John Gill's Exposition →Jamieson, Fausset & Brown →Barnes' Notes →Wesley's Explanatory Notes →Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge →Keil & Delitzsch →

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