Exodus 34:6-8

6 And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness,

7 maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation.”

8 Moses bowed to the ground at once and worshiped.

Exodus 34:6-8 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO EXODUS 34

In this chapter Moses has orders to hew two tables of stone, that God might write on them the ten commands, and bring them up with him to the mount, Ex 34:1-4 where the Lord proclaimed his name, and caused his glory and his goodness to pass before him, Ex 34:5-7 when Moses took this favourable opportunity that offered to pray for the people, that God would forgive their sin, and go along with them, Ex 34:8,9 upon which he made a covenant with them, which on his part was to do wonders for them, and drive out the inhabitants of Canaan before them; and on their part, that they should have no confederacy and communion with these nations, and shun their idolatry, and everything that might lead unto it, Ex 34:10-17 and he repeated several laws before given, and urged the observance of them, which Moses was to acquaint the people with, Ex 34:18-27 and after a stay of forty days and forty nights on the mount, he came down with the two tables of the law; and the skin of his face shone so bright, that the people of Israel were afraid to come nigh him, and therefore he put a vail over his face while he conversed with them, Ex 34:28-35.

Cross References

• 1. S Exodus 22:27; S Numbers 14:20; S Psalms 86:15
• 2. Numbers 14:18; Psalms 78:38; Jeremiah 15:15; Romans 2:4
• 3. S Genesis 19:16; Nehemiah 9:17; Psalms 103:8; Joel 2:13
• 4. Psalms 61:7; Psalms 108:4; Psalms 115:1; Psalms 138:2; Psalms 143:1; Lamentations 3:23; James 5:11
• 5. S Exodus 20:6; Deuteronomy 5:10
• 6. 1 Kings 8:30; Psalms 86:5; Psalms 103:3; Psalms 130:4,8; Isaiah 43:25; Daniel 9:9; 1 John 1:9
• 7. Exodus 23:7; Joshua 24:19; Job 7:20-21; Job 9:28; Job 10:14; Micah 6:1-16; Nahum 1:3
• 8. S Exodus 20:5