Exodus 33
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
Unto the land - That is, towards it, or to the borders of it. See Exo 32:34 (note).
Open source ↗THE LORD REFUSES TO GO WITH THE PEOPLE. (Exo. 33:1-23) the Lord said--rather "had" said unto Moses. The conference detailed in this chapter must be considered as having occurred prior to the pathetic intercession of Moses, recorded at the close of the preceding chapter; and the historian, having mentioned the fact of his earnest and painful anxiety, under the overwhelming pressure of which he poured forth that intercessory prayer for his apostate countrymen, now enters on a detailed account of the circumstances.
Open source ↗And the Lord said unto Moses, depart, and go up hence,.... Not from the place where Moses was, which was the top of the mount, but where the camp of Israel was, at the bottom of the mount; where they had lain encamped some time, but were now ordered to proceed on their journey: thou, and the people which thou hast brought up out of the land of Egypt; though his wrath was in some measure mitigated, and he had so far forgave their sin, that he would not cut them off from being a people; yet still he does not call them his people, or own that he brought them out of Egypt, as he does in the preface to the commands they had now broke, as if they were not under his care and conduct; but speaks of them in a different manner, as a people that Moses had brought out from thence, and whom he orders to go on with: unto the land which I sware unto Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, saying, unto thy seed will I give it: meaning the land of Canaan, which as he had promised with an oath to their fathers to give it to them, he would faithfully observe it, though they were unworthy of such a favour.
Open source ↗Moses' negotiations with the people, for the purpose of bringing them to sorrow and repentance, commenced with the announcement of what Jehovah had said. The words of Jehovah in Exo 33:1-3, which are only a still further expansion of the assurance contained in Exo 32:34, commence in a similar manner to the covenant promise in Exo 23:20, Exo 23:23; but there is this great difference, that whereas the name, i.e., the presence of Jehovah Himself, was to have gone before the Israelites in the angel promised to the people as a leader in Exo 23:20, now, though Jehovah would still send an angel before Moses and Israel, He Himself would not go up to Canaan (a land flowing, etc., see at Exo 3:8) in the midst of Israel, lest He should destroy the people by the way, because they were stiff-necked (אכלך for אכלך, see Ges. 27, 3, Anm. 2).
Open source ↗Here is, I. The message which God sent by Moses to the children of Israel, signifying the continuance of the displeasure against them, and the bad terms they yet stood upon with God. This he must let them know for their further mortification. 1. He applies to them a mortifying name, by giving them their just character - a stiff-necked people, Exo 33:3, Exo 33:5. "Go," says God to Moses, "go and tell them that they are so." He that knows them better than they know themselves says so of them. God would have brought them under the yoke of his law, and into the bond of his covenant, but their necks were too stiff to bow to them. God would have cured them of their corrupt and crooked dispositions, and have set them straight; but they were wilful and obstinate, and hated to be reformed, and would not have God to reign over them. Note, God judges of men by the temper of their minds. We know what man does; God knows what he is: we know what proceeds from man; God knows what is in man, and nothing is more displeasing to him than stiff-neckedness, as nothing in children is more offensive to their parents and teachers than stubbornness. 2. He tells them what they deserved, that he should come into the midst of them in a moment, and consume them, Exo 33:5. Had he dealt with them according to their sins, he had taken them away with a swift destruction. Note, Those whom God pardons must be made to know what their sin deserved, and how miserable they would have been if they had been unpardoned, that God's mercy may be the more magnified. 3. He bids them depart and go up hence to the land of Canaan, Exo 33:1. This mount Sinai, where they now were, was the place appointed for the setting up of God's tabernacle and solemn worship among them; this was not yet done, so that in bidding them…
Open source ↗33:1-6 God would not lead the people up to Canaan as he had previously led them (see 33:3; but see also 33:14-17). Instead, he would send an angel (33:2).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God דָבַר (dâbar, H1696) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a… מֹשֶׁה (Môsheh, H4872) — Mosheh, the Israelite lawgiver יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) עָלָה (ʻâlâh, H5927) — to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of… עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) מִצְרַיִם (Mitsrayim, H4714) — Mitsrajim, i.e. Upper and Lower Egypt שָׁבַע (shâbaʻ, H7650) — to seven oneself, i.e. swear (as if by repeating a declaration seven times) אַבְרָהָם (ʼAbrâhâm, H85) — Abraham, the later name of Abram יִצְחָק (Yitschâq, H3327) — Jitschak (or Isaac), son of Abraham יַעֲקֹב (Yaʻăqôb, H3290) — Jaakob, the Israelitish patriarch אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) זֶרַע (zeraʻ, H2233) — seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity
Open source ↗שָׁלַח (shâlach, H7971) — to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications) מֲלְאָךְ (mălʼâk, H4397) — a messenger; specifically, of God, i.e. an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher) פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… גָּרַשׁ (gârash, H1644) — to drive out from a possession; especially to expatriate or divorce כְּנַעַנִי (Kᵉnaʻanîy, H3669) — a Kenaanite or inhabitant of Kenaan; by implication, a pedlar (the Canaanites standing… אֱמֹרִי (ʼĔmôrîy, H567) — an Emorite, one of the Canaanitish tribes חִתִּי (Chittîy, H2850) — a Chittite, or descendant of Cheth פְּרִזִּי (Pᵉrizzîy, H6522) — a Perizzite, one of the Canaanitish tribes חִוִּי (Chivvîy, H2340) — a Chivvite, one of the aboriginal tribes of Palestine יְבוּסִי (Yᵉbûwçîy, H2983) — a Jebusite or inhabitant of Jebus
Open source ↗אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) זוּב (zûwb, H2100) — to flow freely (as water), i.e. (specifically) to have a (sexual) flux; figuratively, to… חָלָב (châlâb, H2461) — milk (as the richness of kine) דְּבַשׁ (dᵉbash, H1706) — honey (from its stickiness); by analogy, syrup עָלָה (ʻâlâh, H5927) — to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of… קֶרֶב (qereb, H7130) — properly, the nearest part, i.e. the center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial… קָשֶׁה (qâsheh, H7186) — severe (in various applications) עֹרֶף (ʻôreph, H6203) — the nape or back of the neck (as declining); hence, the back generally (whether literal… עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… כָּלָה (kâlâh, H3615) — to end, whether intransitive (to cease, be finished, perish) or transitived (to complete,… דֶּרֶךְ (derek, H1870) — a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
Open source ↗עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,… רַע (raʻ, H7451) — bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral) דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause אָבַל (ʼâbal, H56) — to bewail אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… שִׁית (shîyth, H7896) — to place (in a very wide application) עֲדִי (ʻădîy, H5716) — finery; generally an outfit; specifically, a headstall
Open source ↗יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) מֹשֶׁה (Môsheh, H4872) — Mosheh, the Israelite lawgiver בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity קָשֶׁה (qâsheh, H7186) — severe (in various applications) עֹרֶף (ʻôreph, H6203) — the nape or back of the neck (as declining); hence, the back generally (whether literal… עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… עָלָה (ʻâlâh, H5927) — to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of… קֶרֶב (qereb, H7130) — properly, the nearest part, i.e. the center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial… אֶחָד (ʼechâd, H259) — properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first רֶגַע (regaʻ, H7281) — a wink (of the eyes), i.e. a very short space of time כָּלָה (kâlâh, H3615) — to end, whether intransitive (to cease, be finished, perish) or transitived (to complete,… יָרַד (yârad, H3381) — to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the…
Open source ↗בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity נָצַל (nâtsal, H5337) — to snatch away, whether in a good or a bad sense עֲדִי (ʻădîy, H5716) — finery; generally an outfit; specifically, a headstall הַר (har, H2022) — a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively) חֹרֵב (Chôrêb, H2722) — Choreb, a (generic) name for the Sinaitic mountains
Open source ↗מֹשֶׁה (Môsheh, H4872) — Mosheh, the Israelite lawgiver לָקַח (lâqach, H3947) — to take (in the widest variety of applications) אֹהֶל (ʼôhel, H168) — a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance) נָטָה (nâṭâh, H5186) — to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used… חוּץ (chûwts, H2351) — properly, separate by awall, i.e. outside, outdoors מַחֲנֶה (machăneh, H4264) — an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or… רָחַק (râchaq, H7368) — to widen (in any direction), i.e. (intransitively) recede or (transitively) remove… קָרָא (qârâʼ, H7121) — to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of… מוֹעֵד (môwʻêd, H4150) — properly, an appointment, i.e. a fixed time or season; specifically, a festival;… בָּקַשׁ (bâqash, H1245) — to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God יָצָא (yâtsâʼ, H3318) — to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and…
Open source ↗מֹשֶׁה (Môsheh, H4872) — Mosheh, the Israelite lawgiver יָצָא (yâtsâʼ, H3318) — to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and… אֹהֶל (ʼôhel, H168) — a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance) עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… קוּם (qûwm, H6965) — to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative) נָצַב (nâtsab, H5324) — to station, in various applications (literally or figuratively) אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… פֶּתַח (pethach, H6607) — an opening (literally), i.e. door (gate) or entrance way נָבַט (nâbaṭ, H5027) — to scan, i.e. look intently at; by implication, to regard with pleasure, favor or care אַחַר (ʼachar, H310) — properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various… בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
Open source ↗מֹשֶׁה (Môsheh, H4872) — Mosheh, the Israelite lawgiver בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) אֹהֶל (ʼôhel, H168) — a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance) עָנָן (ʻânân, H6051) — a cloud (as covering the sky), i.e. the nimbus or thunder-cloud עַמּוּד (ʻammûwd, H5982) — a column (as standing); also a stand, i.e. platform יָרַד (yârad, H3381) — to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the… עָמַד (ʻâmad, H5975) — to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive) פֶּתַח (pethach, H6607) — an opening (literally), i.e. door (gate) or entrance way דָבַר (dâbar, H1696) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a…
Open source ↗עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,… עָנָן (ʻânân, H6051) — a cloud (as covering the sky), i.e. the nimbus or thunder-cloud עַמּוּד (ʻammûwd, H5982) — a column (as standing); also a stand, i.e. platform עָמַד (ʻâmad, H5975) — to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive) אֹהֶל (ʼôhel, H168) — a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance) פֶּתַח (pethach, H6607) — an opening (literally), i.e. door (gate) or entrance way קוּם (qûwm, H6965) — to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative) שָׁחָה (shâchâh, H7812) — to depress, i.e. prostrate (especially reflexive, in homage to royalty or God) אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term…
Open source ↗יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God דָבַר (dâbar, H1696) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a… מֹשֶׁה (Môsheh, H4872) — Mosheh, the Israelite lawgiver פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… רֵעַ (rêaʻ, H7453) — an associate (more or less close) שׁוּב (shûwb, H7725) — to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not… מַחֲנֶה (machăneh, H4264) — an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or… שָׁרַת (shârath, H8334) — to attend as a menial or worshipper; figuratively, to contribute to יְהוֹשׁוּעַ (Yᵉhôwshûwaʻ, H3091) — Jehoshua (i.e. Joshua), the Jewish leader בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… נוּן (Nûwn, H5126) — Nun or Non, the father of Joshua נַעַר (naʻar, H5288) — (concretely) a boy (as active), from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a… מוּשׁ (mûwsh, H4185) — to withdraw (both literally and figuratively, whether intransitive or transitive)
Open source ↗מֹשֶׁה (Môsheh, H4872) — Mosheh, the Israelite lawgiver אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,… עָלָה (ʻâlâh, H5927) — to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of… עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… יָדַע (yâdaʻ, H3045) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses,… שָׁלַח (shâlach, H7971) — to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications) שֵׁם (shêm, H8034) — an appellation, as amark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority,… מָצָא (mâtsâʼ, H4672) — properly, to come forth to, i.e. appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e. find or… חֵן (chên, H2580) — graciousness, i.e. subjective (kindness, favor) or objective (beauty) עַיִן (ʻayin, H5869) — an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
Open source ↗מָצָא (mâtsâʼ, H4672) — properly, to come forth to, i.e. appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e. find or… חֵן (chên, H2580) — graciousness, i.e. subjective (kindness, favor) or objective (beauty) עַיִן (ʻayin, H5869) — an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape) יָדַע (yâdaʻ, H3045) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses,… דֶּרֶךְ (derek, H1870) — a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,… גּוֹי (gôwy, H1471) — a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight… עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence…
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) נוּחַ (nûwach, H5117) — to rest, i.e. settle down; used in a great variety of applications, literal and…
Open source ↗Cross-references
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Then the LORD appeared to Abram and said, “I will give this land to your offspring.” So Abram built an altar there to the LORD, who had appeared to him.
Remember Your servants Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, to whom You swore by Your very self when You declared, ‘I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky, and I will give your descendants all this land that I have promised, and it shall be their inheritance forever.’”
Stay in this land as a foreigner, and I will be with you and bless you. For I will give all these lands to you and your offspring, and I will confirm the oath that I swore to your father Abraham.
Then the LORD said to Moses, “Go down at once, for your people, whom you brought up out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves.
But the people thirsted for water there, and they grumbled against Moses: “Why have you brought us out of Egypt—to make us and our children and livestock die of thirst?”
On that day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, “To your descendants I have given this land—from the river of Egypt to the great River Euphrates—
Now go, lead the people to the place I described. Behold, My angel shall go before you. But on the day I settle accounts, I will punish them for their sin.”
Now when the people saw that Moses was delayed in coming down from the mountain, they gathered around Aaron and said, “Come, make us gods who will go before us. As for this Moses who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has happened to him!”