Draw not nigh hither; keep thy distance; whereby he checks his curiosity and forwardness, and works him to the greater reverence and humility. Compare Exodus 19:12,21 Jos 5:15. Put off thy shoes: this he requires as an act and token,
1. Of his reverence to the Divine Majesty, then and there eminently present.
2. Of his humiliation for his sins, whereby he was unfit and unworthy to appear before God; for this was a posture of humiliation, 2 Samuel 15:30 Isaiah 20:2,4 Eze 24:17,23.
3. Of purification from the filth of his feet, or ways, or conversation, that he might be more fit to approach to God. See 1 Thessalonians 13:10 Hebrews 10:22.
4. Of this submission and readiness to obey God's will, for which reason slaves used to be bare-footed. Holy ground; with a relative holiness at this time, because of my special presence in it.