Exodus 33:4-14

4 When the people heard this sad word, ¹they went into mourning, and none * of them put on his ornaments.

5 For the LORD had said to Moses, "Say to the sons of Israel, 'You are ²an obstinate * people; should I go up in your midst for one moment, I would destroy you. Now therefore, put off your ornaments from you, that I may know what I shall do with you.' "

6 So the sons of Israel stripped themselves of their ornaments, from Mount Horeb onward.

7 Now Moses used to take ³the tent and pitch it outside * the camp, a good distance from the camp, and he called it the tent of meeting. And ⁴everyone who sought the LORD would go out to the tent of meeting which was outside * the camp.

8 And it came about, whenever Moses went out to the tent, that all the people would arise and stand, each at the entrance of his tent, and gaze after Moses until he entered the tent.

9 Whenever Moses entered the tent, ⁵the pillar of cloud would descend and stand at the entrance of the tent; ⁶and the LORD would speak with Moses.

10 When all the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the entrance of the tent, all the people would arise and worship, each at the entrance of his tent.

11 Thus ⁷the LORD used to speak to Moses face to face, just as a man speaks to his friend. When Moses returned to the camp, ⁸his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, would not depart from the tent.

Moses Intercedes

12 Then Moses said to the LORD, "See, You say to me, '⁹Bring up this people!' But You Yourself have not let me know ¹⁰whom You will send with me. ¹¹Moreover, You have said, 'I have known you by name, and you have also found favor in My sight.'

13 "Now therefore, I pray You, if I have found favor in Your sight, ¹²let me know Your ways that I may know You, so that I may find favor in Your sight. ¹³Consider too, that this nation is Your people."

14 And He said, "¹⁴My presence shall go with you, and ¹⁵I will give you rest."

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Exodus 33:4-14 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.

Taken from John Gill's Exposition of the Bible

Cross References 15

1. Numbers 14:1, 39
2. Exodus 33:3
3. Ex 18:7, 12-16
4. Exodus 29:42
5. Exodus 13:21
6. Psalms 99:7
7. Numbers 12:8; Deuteronomy 34:10
8. Exodus 24:13
9. Exodus 3:10; Exodus 32:34
10. Exodus 33:2
11. Exodus 33:17
12. Psalms 25:4; Psalms 27:11; Psalms 51:13; Psalms 86:11; Psalms 119:33
13. Exodus 3:7, 10; Exodus 5:1; Exodus 32:12, 14; Deuteronomy 9:26, 29
14. Deuteronomy 4:37; Isaiah 63:9
15. Deuteronomy 12:10; Deuteronomy 25:19; Joshua 21:44; Joshua 22:4

Footnotes 4

[a]. Lit "evil"
[b]. Lit "a stiff-necked"
[c]. Lit "He"
[d]. Lit "he"