Exodus 33:15

15 And he said to him, "If your presence will not go, do not carry us up from here.

Exodus 33:15 Meaning and Commentary

Exodus 33:15

And he said unto him
Moses said unto the Lord:

if thy presence go not [with me];
or with us, as it may be as well supplied, and which agrees with what follows:

carry us not up hence;
from the mount to the land of Canaan; though God had promised his presence, which was the thing requested, Moses could not forbear expressing himself after this manner, to show the high esteem he had of this blessing, and how worthless and insignificant everything else was without it; that even Canaan, the land of rest promised, was nothing in comparison of it: it is not much matter where we are, or what we have, if God is not with us; but if he grants his presence, the greatest hardships in a wilderness are made easy, and difficulties are got through with pleasure; though some read the words in the preceding verse by way of interrogation, "should my face" or "presence go", and "should it give thee rest" F26? as carrying in it a kind of denial, which makes Moses here more urgent for it, and such a version those words seem to require.


FOOTNOTES:

F26 "An facies mea iret et quietem daret tibi?" Noldius, p. 243. so Junius & Tremellius, Piscator.

Exodus 33:15 In-Context

13 Now if I have found favor in your sight, show me your ways, so that I may know you and find favor in your sight. Consider too that this nation is your people."
14 He said, "My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest."
15 And he said to him, "If your presence will not go, do not carry us up from here.
16 For how shall it be known that I have found favor in your sight, I and your people, unless you go with us? In this way, we shall be distinct, I and your people, from every people on the face of the earth."
17 The Lord said to Moses, "I will do the very thing that you have asked; for you have found favor in my sight, and I know you by name."
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.