Exodus 31

Exodus 31:13

13. — my sabbaths ye shall keep.] This is repeated after having been thrice mentioned before, chap. xvi. 23; xx. 8; xxiii. 12; on this special occasion, in order to shew that a breach of the sabbath would not be warranted, even by the important work on which they were to be now employed. The sabbath was to be “a sign between God and them,” that He was their deliverer from Egyptian slavery, and that He “sanctified” them to be His peculiar people. This command is again given at chap. xxxv. 2. Bp. Patrick.

Exodus 31:14

14. — that soul shall be cut off.] If any man worked openly on the sabbath day, so that witnesses could be procured, he was to be stoned, according to Numb. xv. 35: thus the meaning seems here to be, that if any one committed the deed secretly, so as not to be punished

therefore; for it is holy unto you: every one that defileth it shall surely be put to death: for whosoever doeth any work therein, that soul shall be cut off from among his people.

Exodus 31:18

18. — written with the finger of God.] That is, framed by the operation of God Himself, without Moses or any other person being employed. As human beings use their hands and fingers in doing these things, the same form of words is used to express that which is wrought by the power of God. Bp. Patrick.

Chap. XXXII. ver. 1. — make us gods.] Or rather, “make us a god;” for so the Hebrew word is often translated. The meaning is, Make us a sacred symbol or sign, which may represent God to us in a visible manner. They hankered probably after the idolatrous worship which they had learned in Egypt. St. Stephen calls their behaviour on this occasion a turning back of their hearts unto Egypt, Acts vii. 39. Bp. Patrick.

How great was the madness and ingratitude of the