Charles Ellicott Commentary Exodus 19:15

"And he said unto the people, Be ready against the third day: come not near a woman." — Exodus 19:15 (ASV)

Come not at your wives. —Compare 1 Samuel 21:4–5; 1 Corinthians 7:5. It was the general sentiment of antiquity that a ceremonial uncleanness attached even to the chastest sexual connection. (Herodotus I. 189, ii. 64; Hesiod, Op. et D., ll. 733-4; Tibullus, Carmina II. 1, ll. 11, 12; Porphyry, De Abstinentia 4.7.) The Levitical law took the same view (Leviticus 15:18), as did the Indian law (Menu, V. 63), the Persian (Zendavesta, quoted by Bähr, Symbolik, vol. II, p. 466), and the Islamic (Koran, IV. 5).

Come not at your wives. —Compare 1 Samuel 21:4–5; 1 Corinthians 7:5. It was the general sentiment of antiquity that a ceremonial uncleanness attached even to the chastest sexual connection. (Herod. I. 189, ii. 64; Hesiod. Op. et D., ll. 733-4; Tibull. Carni. ii. 1, ll. 11, 12; Porphyr., De Abstinentia, 4:7.) The Levitical law took the same view (Leviticus 15:18), as did the Indian law (Menu, v. 63), the Persian (Zendavesta, quoted by Bähr, Symbolik, vol. ii., p. 466), and the Islamic (Koran, iv. 5).