Exodus 33:12

12 dixit autem Moses ad Dominum praecipis ut educam populum istum et non indicas mihi quem missurus es mecum praesertim cum dixeris novi te ex nomine et invenisti gratiam coram me

Exodus 33:12 Meaning and Commentary

Exodus 33:12

And Moses said unto the Lord
Having returned from the camp to the tabernacle again;

see, thou sayest unto me, bring up this people:
from hence to the land of Canaan, as in ( Exodus 33:1 )

and thou hast not let me know whom thou wilt send with me;
to guide and direct him, help and assist him, protect and defend him, and the people with him; he had signified something of this kind, but by some expressions, and by his present conduct, he was at a loss to know who was to go with him: he had told him that the uncreated Angel, in whom his name and he himself were, should go with them; but now it had been declared that he would not go up in the midst of them himself, but send an angel, a created one, but who that was he knew not; he thought he had reason to expect the pillar of the cloud and fire by day and night; but that had had so many motions that he could not be assured of the continuance of it:

yet thou hast said, I know thee by name;
have a particular and special knowledge of thee, and distinguished thee from others, and have a personal affection for thee:

and thou hast also found grace in my sight:
had an interest in his special favour and good will, was acceptable unto him, had received an abundance of spiritual grace, and many very extraordinary gifts from him, and had had many benefits bestowed on him, which were proofs of his being grateful and well pleasing to him.

Exodus 33:12 In-Context

10 cernentibus universis quod columna nubis staret ad ostium tabernaculi stabantque ipsi et adorabant per fores tabernaculorum suorum
11 loquebatur autem Dominus ad Mosen facie ad faciem sicut loqui solet homo ad amicum suum cumque ille reverteretur in castra minister eius Iosue filius Nun puer non recedebat de tabernaculo
12 dixit autem Moses ad Dominum praecipis ut educam populum istum et non indicas mihi quem missurus es mecum praesertim cum dixeris novi te ex nomine et invenisti gratiam coram me
13 si ergo inveni gratiam in conspectu tuo ostende mihi viam tuam ut sciam te et inveniam gratiam ante oculos tuos respice populum tuum gentem hanc
14 dixitque Dominus facies mea praecedet te et requiem dabo tibi
The Latin Vulgate is in the public domain.