Exodus 33:1-6

1 The LORD spoke to Moshe, "Depart, go up from here, you and the people that you have brought up out of the land of Mitzrayim, to the land of which I swore to Avraham, to Yitzchak, and to Ya`akov, saying, 'I will give it to your seed.'

2 I will send an angel before you; and I will drive out the Kana`ani, the Amori, and the Hittite, and the Perizzi, the Hivvi, and the Yevusi:

3 to a land flowing with milk and honey: for I will not go up in the midst of you, for you are a stiff-necked people, lest I consume you in the way."

4 When the people heard this evil news, they mourned: and no one put on his jewelry.

5 The LORD said to Moshe, "Tell the children of Yisra'el, 'You are a stiff-necked people. If I were to go up into your midst for one moment, I would consume you. Therefore now take off your jewelry from you, that I may know what to do to you."

6 The children of Yisra'el stripped themselves of their jewelry from Mount Horev onward.

Exodus 33:1-6 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO EXODUS 33

This chapter informs us, that the Lord refusing to go with the people, only sending an angel with them, they are filled with concern, and troubled, Ex 33:1-6. Moses upon this pitched the tabernacle without the camp, where everyone that sought the Lord went; Moses entered into it himself, and the Lord talked to him in a friendly manner in the cloudy pillar that stood at the door of it, and the people worshipped, every man at his own tent door; all which foreboded good, and tended to reconciliation, Ex 33:7-11. Moses improved the opportunity, and entreats the presence of God to go with them, which was granted, Ex 33:12-17 and that he might have a sight of the glory of God; and this is promised to pass before him, he being put into the cleft of the rock, Ex 33:18-23.