19 When the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses spoke, and God answered him by a voice.
*Minor differences ignored. Grouped by changes, with first version listed as example.
And when the voice of the trumpet sounded long, and waxed louder and louder, Moses spake, and God answered him by a (h) voice.
(h) He gave authority to Moses by plain words, that the people might understand him.
And when the voice of the trumpet sounded long,.... Not in one continued tone, as before, Exodus 19:13, where a different word is used, and when it decreased, and was about to cease, which was to summon the people to attend; but now they were come to the foot of the mount, and this sounding was a preparation to the giving of the law unto them, and was not one continued even tone: but waxed louder and louder; or, "going, and exceeding strong"; or, "strengthening itself exceedingly" (x); it went on to an high pitch, until it was exceeding vehement and strong, and so sonorous as scarce to be bore:
Moses spake; what he said is not here recorded; it is highly probable, as has been observed by some, that he uttered those words related of him in Hebrews 12:21 "I exceedingly fear and quake": such an impression did this loud and strong voice of the trumpet make upon him:
and God answered him by a voice; a still and gentle one, in order to encourage and comfort him; and so the Targum of Jonathan paraphrases it,"with a pleasant and audible voice, and with delightful words.''
(x) , Sept. "iens et fortificans se valde", Montanus; "roborans se", Vatablus; "quum pergeret et invalesceret valde", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator.
*More commentary available at chapter level.