Exodus 32:33

33 The Lord answered, "It is those who have sinned against me whose names I will remove from my book.

Exodus 32:33 Meaning and Commentary

Exodus 32:33

And the Lord said unto Moses
In answer to his request:

whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book;
not that anyone that is really in the book of life is ever blotted out, or that anyone predestinated or ordained to eternal life ever perish: but some persons may think themselves, and they may seem to be written in that book, or to be among the number of God's elect, but are not, and turn out obstinate impenitent sinners, and live and die in impenitence and unbelief; when it will appear that their names were never written in it, which, is the same thing as to be blotted out of it, see ( Psalms 69:28 ) . Now by this answer the Lord does not absolutely refuse the request of Moses with respect to the people, though he does with regard to himself, and the blotting his name out of his book; and it is plain, by what follows, he meant to show mercy to the people, since he bids Moses go and lead them on towards Canaan, and promises an angel to go before them; though he reserves to himself a liberty to chastise this people for this sin, as he should have opportunity, along with others.

Exodus 32:33 In-Context

31 Moses then returned to the Lord and said, "These people have committed a terrible sin. They have made a god out of gold and worshiped it.

32 Please forgive their sin; but if you won't, then remove my name from the book in which you have written the names of your people."

33 The Lord answered, "It is those who have sinned against me whose names I will remove from my book.

34 Now go, lead the people to the place I told you about. Remember that my angel will guide you, but the time is coming when I will punish these people for their sin."

35 So the Lord sent a disease on the people, because they had caused Aaron to make the gold bull-calf.