Exodus 20: 26 Commentary

Ex. 20:23-26
#313: Not to make any figures for ornament, even if they are not worshipped (Ex. 20:20, should be 20:23)
#426: Not to build an altar of hewn stone (Ex. 20:22, should be 20:25)
#427: Not to mount the altar by steps (Ex. 20:23, should be 20:26)
Command #313 is very similar to #312 (“Not to make a graven image…”) which is also part of the 2nd of the Ten Commandments (refer to commentary at Ex. 20:17). However, #313 seems to be more restrictive. Don’t even make something that could be mistaken for an idol. Actually, the actual context of 20:23 doesn’t seem to support the restriction. But I can imagine a conversation between an authority and a suspect went something like this:
Authority – “You’re a suspect accused of having a golden calf idol.”
Suspect – “That’s not an idol; I just like collecting calf figurines. It’s not as if I worship it.”
Authority – “That doesn’t matter! If it looks like an idol then you shouldn’t have it.”
Commands #426 & #427 are concerning building an altar. First if stones are used in making the altar, don’t hew (chisel) them. But once the altar was correctly completed, this command should be considered fulfilled. Both commands are considered to be not applicable. On the other hand, saying this particular command is obsolete might give one the idea that he is allowed to make his own altar out of hewn stone.
Second don’t step up to the altar because of the risk of exposing yourself. Don’t know why you just couldn’t ensure you had clean underwear. This one is kinda sorta like #313. Then the law was don’t even look like you have an idol, now it is don’t even look like there is a mix of sex and worship. The book/movie The Da Vinci Code had at least two faults: First it suggested that Jesus was married to Mary of Magdala who had a child. Second it had believers engaging in combining masculine with the “divine” feminine. The ancient Hebrews were commanded not to mix the act of sex with the act of worship. Don’t even look like a pagan. “The mere thought hadn’t even begun to speculate about the merest possibility of crossing my mind”.

By Terik Q (wrote 65 Bible Commentaries - permalink to this Commentary)
Posted on: 8/19/2010 13:35 pm