Charles Ellicott Commentary Exodus 24:17

"And the appearance of the glory of Jehovah was like devouring fire on the top of the mount in the eyes of the children of Israel." — Exodus 24:17 (ASV)

The sight of the glory of the Lord. —To the Israelites in the plain below, the appearance on the top of the Ras Sufsafeh was like devouring fire. A light like that of a conflagration rested on the top of the Ras Sufsafeh all the time that Moses was away.