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Exodus 3:6
Moreover he said, Iam the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. And Moses hid his face; for he was afraid to look upon God.

Exodus 33:20,23
And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live…

Genesis 32:30
And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.

of a sapphire stone.

Ezekiel 1:26,27
And above the firmament thatwas over their headswas the likeness of a throne, as the appearance of a sapphire stone: and upon the likeness of the thronewas the likeness as the appearance of a man above upon it…

Ezekiel 10:1
Then I looked, and, behold, in the firmament that was above the head of the cherubims there appeared over them as it were a sapphire stone, as the appearance of the likeness of a throne.

Revelation 4:3
And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: andthere was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald.

in his clearness

Song of Solomon 6:10
Whois shethat looketh forth as the morning, fair as the moon, clear as the sun,and terrible asan army with banners?

Matthew 17:2
And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.

Revelation 1:16
And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenancewas as the sun shineth in his strength.

Under His feet was a work like a pavement made of sapphire,
The description of the pavement as "sapphire" suggests a scene of divine majesty and purity. Sapphire, a precious stone, symbolizes beauty and value, often associated with heavenly realities. This imagery is echoed in Ezekiel's vision of God's throne, where a similar expanse is described (Ezekiel 1:26). The pavement under God's feet signifies His authority and the foundation of His throne, highlighting the transcendence and glory of God. In a typological sense, this can be seen as a precursor to the New Jerusalem, where the streets are made of pure gold (Revelation 21:21).

as clear as the sky itself.
The clarity "as the sky" conveys the purity and perfection of God's presence. In ancient Near Eastern culture, the sky was often associated with the divine realm, representing vastness and unapproachable holiness. This description emphasizes the transparency and brilliance of the divine vision, suggesting an unobstructed view of God's glory. The clear sky also symbolizes peace and order, reflecting the harmony of God's creation. This imagery connects to the New Testament, where believers are promised to see God face to face in the new creation (1 Corinthians 13:12,Revelation 22:4).

• Moses, Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and the seventy elders are granted an extraordinary, literal vision (Exodus 24:9–11).

• Scripture normally stresses that “no one can see Me and live” (Exodus 33:20;1 Timothy 6:16), yet here God graciously reveals Himself in a theophany, veiling His glory enough for them to survive, much like Isaiah’s temple vision (Isaiah 6:1) or Abraham’s encounter at Mamre (Genesis 18:1).

• The event confirms the covenant just ratified with blood (Exodus 24:8), assuring Israel’s leaders that the One who gave the Law is personally present and trustworthy.

• The phrase locates God above a visible platform, underscoring His sovereign transcendence while still drawing near.

• “Heaven is My throne, and the earth is My footstool” (Isaiah 66:1) echoes this picture: God reigns, yet sits close enough for His people to witness.

• In Ezekiel’s inaugural vision, creatures and wheels support a platform beneath God’s throne (Ezekiel 1:22–23). The Sinai scene reveals a similar heavenly architecture, now intersecting the mountain.

• Sapphire—deep blue and precious—conveys majesty, beauty, and permanence. The high priest later bears a sapphire stone on his breastplate (Exodus 28:18), linking worship on earth to the heavenly reality.

• Ezekiel also sees “something like sapphire” beneath God’s throne (Ezekiel 1:26), tying the prophets’ visions together into one consistent revelation.

•Revelation 21:19 places sapphire among the foundations of the New Jerusalem, hinting that what the elders saw is a foretaste of the eternal city.

• Transparency stresses purity: nothing obscures God’s holiness. Compare the “sea of glass, like crystal” before the throne (Revelation 4:6).

• The sky’s clarity echoesPsalm 19:1, where the heavens declare God’s glory; on Sinai, that glory touches the mountain in tangible form.

•Job 37:18 speaks of the heavens “hard as a mirror of cast bronze,” reinforcing the idea of a flawless, polished expanse beneath His feet.

Exodus 24:10 records a real, historical moment when Israel’s leaders were invited into God’s presence, witnessing His glory on a sapphire-like platform as clear as the sky. The scene affirms God’s covenant faithfulness, displays His sovereign majesty, and offers a preview of the heavenly throne room later described by prophets and apostles. God both transcends creation and draws near, revealing Himself in purity, beauty, and unshakable authority.

A paved work of a sapphire stone.--Heb.,a work of the clearness of sapphire.The "sapphire" (sappir) of the Pentateuch is probablylapis lazuli.

The body of heaven--i.e., "the very heaven," or "the heaven itself."