Exodus 24:11 - Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible

The nobles; or, separated or select ones, i.e. the persons who were singled out to go up with Moses, Exodus 24:1,9, the same of whom it is said here, and Exodus 24:10, that they saw God. He laid not his hand, i.e. did not hurt or destroy them, as they might expect according to the vulgar opinion, Genesis 16:13, Genesis 32:20, &c., and the conscience of their own guilt, as being now before their Lord and Judge. And so the phrase of putting or stretching forth the hand is most frequently used, as Genesis 37:22 1 Samuel 26:11,23 Es 2:21 Job 1:11,12 Psa 138:7, &c. Did eat and drink; so far they were from being destroyed, that they were not affrighted at this glorious appearance of God, but were refreshed and comforted by it, and did joyfully eat and drink together in God's presence, celebrating the sacred feast made of the remnant of the peace-offerings, according to the manner. Thus God gave them a taste of his grace and mercy in this covenant, and an assurance that he would not deal with them according to the rigours of the law, but for the sake of the blood of Christ typically represented there, would graciously pardon and accept all those that sincerely, though imperfectly, obey him.