Bible Commentaries
Exodus 33

Verse 1

the LORD [Hebrew. Jehovah. said . See note on Exodus 3:7 , and p. note on Exodus 6:10 .

Verse 2

the . Some codices, with Samaritan Pentateuch, Syriac, and Targum of Onkelos, read "and the".

Verse 3

milk and honey = all kinds of good things. Figure of speech Synecdoche (of Species), App-6 .

Verse 4

heard. This shows Moses had descended again. man. Hebrew 'ish ( App-14 ).

Verse 5

children = sons.

stiffneeked People . These have to be humbled; but an afflicted people is an object for Divine favour Compare Ch. Exodus 2:24 , Exodus 2:25 ; Exodus 3:7 ; Exodus 4:31 .

Verse 7

tabernacle = tent; eleven times called tent; Hebrew. 'ohel. Not the tabernacle, for this was not yet made, but a different building altogether, called "the tent of assembly "(see App-40 ).

without the camp . In presence of corporate failure God withdraws Himself. Typical of our own day. Those who seek Him must "go forth to Him. "Compare Hebrews 13:13 .

Verse 8

man. Hebrew. 'ish. See App-14 .

Verse 11

the LORD spake . See note on Exodus 6:10 , and compare note on Exodus 3:7 .

face to face . To emphasise the communion in the presence of corporate failure; this must ever be individual and personal.

servant = personal attendant, as in Exodus 24:13 . Hebrew n'ar, rendered "servant '. 2 Samuel 19:17 . 2 Kings 5:20 . Nehemiah 5:10 , &c. = assistant.

Joshua . See Exodus 17:9 . He had not been in the camp; and when Moses went out Joshua remained in the tent.

Verse 12

whom . As promised in Exodus 32:34 .

by name . Compare Isaiah 43:1 ; Isaiah 49:1 . In the presence of corporate failure all is individual, compare 2 Timothy 2:19 . (In 1Tim, we see corporate rule; in 2Tim, we see corporate ruin. Hence, 2Tim is individual throughout).

found grace : or, favour. All is of grace, Compare Exodus 34:9 , &c. Noah (Genesis 6:8 ); Abraham (Genesis 18:3 ); Moses (Exodus 34:9 ), &c.

Verse 13

Thy way . Different from Thy works. Compare Psalms 103:7 . "Ways " are esoteric, "acts " are exoteric; we must go "outside the camp "to learn the "ways". of Jehovah.

Verse 14

He [Jehovah] said . See note on Exodus 3:7 , and Compare Exodus 6:10 .

My presence. If this verse be punctuated as a question, then we can understand verse Exodus 33:15 , "Shall My presence go with thee, and shall I lead thee into rest? "as much as to say, How can My presence go with thee after this rejection of Me?

Verse 15

he = Moses.

Verse 16

wherein . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis ( App-6 ).

so shall we be : or, "and by our being".

earth . Hebrew. 'adamah, ground.

Verse 18

he = Moses.

Verse 19

goodness . The glory could not have been endured; grace comes first, glory is reserved for the future.

I will proclaim the name . This is done in Exodus 34:5-7 .

Verse 20

see My face . Compare notes on Exodus 23:15 with Exodus 34:20 .

man . Hebrew 'adder. App-14 .

Verse 21

a rock = the rock.

Verse 22

a cliff = the clift or hollow.

My hand . Figure of speech Anthropopatheia ( App-6 ).