24:10 they saw the God of Israel. They saw a visible manifestation of the Lord, but not the fullness of His glory and power. Moses was later privileged to view the “goodness” and the “back” of God (33:19–23 and notes), though the limited character of the manifestation is emphasized.

feet. The description concentrates only on God’s feet, an indication of the partial character of the divine manifestation.

pavement. Perhaps the vault of the sky under the throne (cf. Ezek. 1:26).

sapphire. The area beneath God’s feet is compared to a pavement of blue lapis lazuli. This semiprecious stone was available in a natural form from Cyprus and Scythia, and in artificial form from Egypt.