Exodus 33:14-17

14 And He said, "1My presence shall go with you, and 2I will give you rest."
15 Then he said to Him, "3If Your presence does not go with us, do not lead us up from here.
16 "For how then can it be known that I have found favor in Your sight, I and Your people? Is it not by Your going with us, so that 4we, I and Your people, may be distinguished from all the other people who are upon the face of the earth?"
17 The LORD said to Moses, "I will also do this thing of which you have spoken; 5for you have found favor in My sight and I have known you by name."

Exodus 33:14-17 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.

Cross References 5

  • 1. Deuteronomy 4:37; Isaiah 63:9
  • 2. Deuteronomy 12:10; Deuteronomy 25:19; Joshua 21:44; Joshua 22:4
  • 3. Ps 80:3, 7, 19
  • 4. Leviticus 20:24, 26
  • 5. Exodus 33:12

Footnotes 1

New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, California.  All rights reserved.