Adam Clarke's Bible Commentary Verse 3. I will not go up in the midst of thee] Consequently, the angel here promised to be their guide was not that angel in whom Jehovah's name was: and so the people understood it; hence the mourning which is afterwards mentioned.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-6 - Those whom God pardons, must be made to know what their sin deserved "Let them go forward as they are;" this was very expressive of God' displeasure. Though he promises to make good his covenant with Abraham in giving them Canaan, yet he denies them the tokens of his presenc they had been blessed with. The people mourned for their sin. Of all the bitter fruits and consequences of sin, true penitents most lament and dread most, God's departure from them. Canaan itself would be n pleasant land without the Lord's presence. Those who parted with ornaments to maintain sin, could do no less than lay aside ornaments in token of sorrow and shame for it.
Original Hebrew אל413 ארץ776 זבת2100 חלב2461 ודבשׁ1706 כי3588 לא3808 אעלה5927 בקרבך7130 כי3588 עם5971 קשׁה7186 ערף6203 אתה859 פן6435 אכלך3615 בדרך׃1870
