Exodus 33:16

16 How will anyone know that you are pleased with your people and with me if you do not go with us? Your presence with us will distinguish us from any other people on earth."

Exodus 33:16 Meaning and Commentary

Exodus 33:16

For wherein shall it be known here
At Sinai, among the mountains in the wilderness:

that I and thy people have found grace in thy sight:
were acceptable to him, highly esteemed by him, and had received peculiar favours from him; what evidence would there be of this? how would it appear to others? what knowledge could they have of it?

[is it] not in that thou goest with us?
in such a grand majestic manner, and so visible as in a pillar of cloud by day, and a pillar of fire by night: this is a full proof, and a strong and convincing argument, even to a demonstration, that they were a special and peculiar people, the favourites of God, highly esteemed and honoured by him; but should this be discontinued, as seemed to be threatened, there would be nothing to demonstrate that they had found more grace and favour than other people; but this being the case,

so shall we be separated, I and thy people, from all the people
[that are] upon the face of the earth;
distinguished by this favour from them, and that in a very wonderful and marvellous manner, as the word signifies; and so some render it, "marvellously separated" F1; for the pillar of cloud and fire was a very marvellous thing, and distinguished the people of Israel from all others in a surprising manner, none having been ever favoured in the like manner.


FOOTNOTES:

F1 (wnylpn) "marvellously separated", Ainsworth.

Exodus 33:16 In-Context

14 The Lord said, "I will go with you, and I will give you victory."
15 Moses replied, "If you do not go with us, don't make us leave this place.
16 How will anyone know that you are pleased with your people and with me if you do not go with us? Your presence with us will distinguish us from any other people on earth."
17 The Lord said to Moses, "I will do just as you have asked, because I know you very well and I am pleased with you."
18 Then Moses requested, "Please, let me see the dazzling light of your presence."
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.