Bible Commentaries
Exodus 33

Introduction

Overview

Exodus 33:1, The Lord refuses to go as he had promised with the people; Exodus 33:4, The people mourn thereat; Exodus 33:7, The tabernacle is removed out of the camp; Exodus 33:9, The Lord talks familiarly with Moses; Exodus 33:12, Moses prevails with God, and desires to see his glory.

Verse 1

Depart: Exodus 32:34

thou hast: Exodus 17:3, Exodus 32:1, Exodus 32:7

the land: Exodus 32:13, Genesis 22:16-18, Genesis 26:3, Genesis 28:13-15

Unto: Genesis 12:7, Genesis 13:14-17, Genesis 15:18

Reciprocal: Genesis 13:15 - General Genesis 50:24 - sware Exodus 6:27 - to bring Exodus 13:5 - sware Exodus 33:12 - See Deuteronomy 10:11 - Arise Jeremiah 32:22 - a land Acts 7:36 - brought

Verse 2

an angel: Exodus 23:20, Exodus 32:34, Exodus 34:11

the Canaanite: Exodus 3:8, Exodus 3:17, Deuteronomy 7:22, Joshua 24:11

Reciprocal: Genesis 15:21 - Amorites Genesis 24:7 - angel Genesis 24:40 - will Exodus 34:24 - I will Numbers 20:16 - sent an Deuteronomy 7:1 - the Hittites Joshua 3:10 - drive out from Joshua 17:15 - the Perizzites Joshua 23:5 - he shall 1 Chronicles 1:14 - Jebusite 2 Chronicles 20:7 - drive out Acts 7:35 - by

Verse 3

a land: Exodus 3:8, Exodus 13:5, Leviticus 20:24, Numbers 13:27, Numbers 14:8, Numbers 16:13, Joshua 5:6, Jeremiah 11:5

for I: Exodus 33:15-17, Exodus 32:10, Exodus 32:14, Numbers 14:12, Deuteronomy 32:26, Deuteronomy 32:27, 1 Samuel 2:30, Jeremiah 18:7-10, Ezekiel 3:18, Ezekiel 3:19, Ezekiel 33:13-16, Jonah 3:4, Jonah 3:10

stiffnecked: Exodus 32:9, Exodus 34:9, Deuteronomy 9:6-13, Psalms 78:8, Acts 7:51

lest I: Exodus 23:21, Exodus 32:10, Numbers 16:21, Numbers 16:45, Amos 3:13, Amos 3:14

Reciprocal: Exodus 33:5 - Ye are Isaiah 48:4 - obstinate Ezekiel 20:6 - flowing

Verse 4

they mourned: Numbers 14:1, Numbers 14:39, Hosea 7:14, Zechariah 7:3, Zechariah 7:5

and no: Leviticus 10:6, 2 Samuel 19:24, 1 Kings 21:27, 2 Kings 19:1, Ezra 9:3, Esther 4:1-4, Job 1:20, Job 2:12, Isaiah 32:11, Ezekiel 24:17, Ezekiel 24:23, Ezekiel 26:16, Jonah 3:6

Reciprocal: Exodus 32:25 - naked Exodus 33:6 - General 1 Peter 3:3 - that

Verse 5

Ye are: Exodus 33:3, Numbers 16:45, Numbers 16:46

in a moment: Numbers 16:21, Numbers 16:45, Job 34:20, Psalms 73:19, Lamentations 4:6

put off: Isaiah 22:12

I may: Genesis 18:21, Genesis 22:12, Deuteronomy 8:2, Psalms 139:23

Reciprocal: Exodus 32:9 - a stiffnecked Leviticus 10:6 - Uncover Psalms 78:8 - as their Isaiah 48:4 - obstinate Jeremiah 4:20 - in Ezekiel 26:16 - come Acts 7:51 - stiffnecked 1 Corinthians 15:52 - a moment

Verse 6

Exodus 33:4, Exodus 32:3, Jeremiah 2:19

Verse 7

the tabernacle: Eth haohel, the Tent, not eth hammishcan, the Tabernacle, for this was not erected; but probably the tent of Moses, which was before in the midst of the camp, and to which the people came for judgment; and where, no doubt, God frequently met his servant. This situation, as well as the superior elegance, of a chief's tent, was one mode by which he was honoured.

afar off: Psalms 10:1, Psalms 35:22, Proverbs 15:29, Isaiah 59:2, Hosea 9:12

the Tabernacle of: Exodus 29:42, Exodus 29:43

sought: Deuteronomy 4:29, 2 Samuel 21:1, Psalms 27:8, Isaiah 55:6, Isaiah 55:7, Matthew 7:7, Matthew 7:8

went out: Hebrews 13:11-13

Reciprocal: Leviticus 1:1 - out of Numbers 12:10 - the cloud

Verse 8

and stood: Numbers 16:27

Verse 9

cloudy: Exodus 13:21, Exodus 13:22, Psalms 99:7

talked: Exodus 33:11, Exodus 25:22, Exodus 31:18, Exodus 34:3, Exodus 34:9, Genesis 17:22, Genesis 18:33, Numbers 11:17, Ezekiel 3:22

Reciprocal: Exodus 34:5 - descended Exodus 40:34 - a cloud Numbers 7:89 - to speak Numbers 9:15 - the cloud Deuteronomy 31:15 - General

Verse 10

worshipped: Exodus 4:31, 1 Kings 8:14, 1 Kings 8:22, Luke 18:13

Reciprocal: Numbers 9:15 - the cloud Deuteronomy 31:15 - General

Verse 11

spake: Exodus 33:9, Genesis 32:30, Numbers 12:8, Deuteronomy 5:4, Deuteronomy 34:10

his friend: 2 Chronicles 20:7, Job 16:21, Isaiah 42:8, John 3:29, John 11:11, John 15:14, John 15:15, James 2:23

his servant: Exodus 17:9, Exodus 24:13, Exodus 32:17

Reciprocal: Numbers 14:14 - art seen Deuteronomy 1:38 - which standeth 1 Corinthians 13:12 - face 2 Peter 3:9 - not willing

Verse 12

See: Exodus 33:1, Exodus 32:34

I know: Exodus 33:17, Genesis 18:19, Psalms 1:6, Isaiah 43:1, Jeremiah 1:5, John 10:14, John 10:15, 2 Timothy 2:19

Reciprocal: Genesis 6:8 - General Genesis 33:10 - if now Exodus 31:2 - I have 2 Kings 4:30 - I will not Psalms 99:6 - they called Song of Solomon 1:3 - thy name Isaiah 45:3 - which call Haggai 2:5 - to the Acts 7:35 - by Romans 8:29 - whom 1 Corinthians 8:3 - is

Verse 13

if: Exodus 33:17, Exodus 34:9

show: Psalms 25:4, Psalms 27:11, Psalms 86:11, Psalms 119:33, Song of Solomon 1:7, Song of Solomon 1:8, Isaiah 30:21

that I: Exodus 33:18, John 17:3, Ephesians 1:17, Colossians 1:10, 2 Peter 3:18

consider: Exodus 32:7, Deuteronomy 9:26, Deuteronomy 9:29, Isaiah 63:17, Isaiah 63:19, Joel 2:17, Romans 11:28

Reciprocal: Genesis 18:32 - I will not Genesis 33:10 - if now Judges 6:17 - If now Esther 8:5 - if I Isaiah 51:4 - O my

Verse 14

My presence: Exodus 13:21, Joshua 1:5, Isaiah 63:9, Matthew 28:20

rest: Deuteronomy 3:20, Joshua 21:44, Joshua 22:4, Joshua 23:1, Psalms 95:11, Jeremiah 6:16, Matthew 11:28, Hebrews 4:8, Hebrews 4:9

Reciprocal: Genesis 18:32 - I will not Genesis 32:30 - I have Exodus 23:20 - Angel Exodus 32:1 - which shall Exodus 32:34 - mine Angel Exodus 34:9 - let my Lord Leviticus 22:3 - from my Numbers 9:17 - and in the Numbers 10:33 - went before Numbers 23:21 - the Lord Deuteronomy 31:8 - he it is that Judges 2:1 - And an angel Judges 6:13 - if the Lord 2 Samuel 7:6 - walked 1 Chronicles 17:6 - walked Psalms 90:1 - the man

Verse 15

Exodus 33:3, Exodus 34:9, Psalms 4:6

Reciprocal: Exodus 32:1 - which shall Exodus 32:34 - mine Angel Leviticus 22:3 - from my Numbers 9:17 - and in the Numbers 10:33 - went before 2 Samuel 7:6 - walked 1 Chronicles 17:6 - walked

Verse 16

in that: Numbers 14:14, Matthew 1:23

separated: Exodus 8:22, Exodus 19:5, Exodus 19:6, Exodus 34:10, Numbers 23:9, Deuteronomy 4:7, Deuteronomy 4:34, 2 Samuel 7:23, 1 Kings 8:53, Psalms 147:20, 2 Corinthians 6:17

Reciprocal: Leviticus 20:24 - which Numbers 6:2 - When Numbers 14:9 - the Lord Deuteronomy 33:28 - Israel Judges 6:17 - If now 1 Samuel 8:20 - General 2 Samuel 14:22 - I have found Ezra 9:1 - have not separated Esther 8:5 - if I Psalms 4:3 - that the Proverbs 18:1 - Through Isaiah 5:2 - fenced it Micah 7:14 - which

Verse 17

I will do: Genesis 18:32, Genesis 19:21, Isaiah 65:24, John 16:23, James 5:16, 1 John 5:14, 1 John 5:15

thou hast: Exodus 33:12, Genesis 6:8, Genesis 19:19, Genesis 19:21

Reciprocal: Exodus 31:2 - I have Exodus 33:13 - if Exodus 34:9 - If now Numbers 14:19 - and as thou Deuteronomy 9:19 - But the Deuteronomy 10:10 - the Lord hearkened 2 Samuel 14:22 - I have found Isaiah 43:1 - I have called Isaiah 45:3 - which call Jeremiah 1:5 - I knew Mark 9:5 - it is John 10:3 - and he John 20:16 - Mary Acts 10:3 - Cornelius Romans 8:29 - whom 1 Corinthians 8:3 - is Galatians 4:9 - are known

Verse 18

Exodus 33:20, Psalms 4:6, John 1:18, 2 Corinthians 3:18, 2 Corinthians 4:6, 1 Timothy 6:16, Titus 2:13, Revelation 21:23

Reciprocal: Genesis 16:13 - Thou Exodus 33:13 - that I Psalms 63:2 - To see Psalms 119:68 - good Psalms 138:5 - for great Isaiah 35:2 - they shall Ezekiel 1:28 - This Micah 7:18 - that Matthew 17:4 - it is Luke 9:32 - they saw John 12:41 - saw John 14:8 - show Romans 5:2 - the glory

Verse 19

all my goodness: Nehemiah 9:25, Psalms 25:13, *marg. Psalms 65:4, Jeremiah 31:12, Jeremiah 31:14, Zechariah 9:17, Romans 2:4, Ephesians 1:6-8

proclaim: Exodus 3:13-15, Exodus 34:5-7, Isaiah 7:14, Isaiah 9:6, Isaiah 12:4

I will be: Romans 9:15-18, Romans 9:23

Reciprocal: Genesis 32:30 - I have Exodus 34:14 - whose Numbers 6:25 - gracious Numbers 12:8 - similitude 2 Kings 13:23 - the Lord Job 33:24 - Then Psalms 63:2 - To see Psalms 119:68 - good Psalms 138:5 - for great Song of Solomon 1:3 - thy name Isaiah 35:2 - they shall Isaiah 52:6 - my people Isaiah 60:9 - unto Micah 7:18 - that Matthew 17:4 - it is Matthew 20:15 - it Ephesians 2:4 - who

Verse 20

Thou canst not: This is well explained by Rabbi Jehudah, in Sepher Cosri - P. iv. 3: "Of that divine glory mentioned in the Scripture, there is one degree which the eyes of the prophets were able to explore; another which all the Israelites saw, as the cloud and consuming fire; the third is so bright, and so dazzling, that no mortal is able to comprehend it; but should anyone venture to look on it, his whole frame would be dissolved." In such inconceivable splendour is the Divine Majesty revealed to the inhabitants of the celestial world, where he is said to "dwell in the light which no man can approach unto" - 1 Timothy 6:16. By the "face of God," therefore, we are to understand that light inaccessible before which angels may stand, but which would be so insufferable to mortal eyes, that no man could see it and live. Exodus 24:10, Genesis 32:30, Deuteronomy 5:24, Judges 6:22, Judges 13:22, Isaiah 6:5, John 1:18, 1 Timothy 6:16, Hebrews 1:13, Revelation 1:16, Revelation 1:17

Reciprocal: Exodus 19:21 - break Exodus 20:19 - let not Exodus 24:11 - laid not Exodus 33:18 - General Exodus 33:23 - thou shalt Exodus 34:6 - passed Deuteronomy 4:33 - General Job 26:9 - General Daniel 10:17 - talk Acts 7:32 - Then 1 John 4:12 - seen

Verse 21

place by: Deuteronomy 5:31, Joshua 20:4, Isaiah 56:5, Zechariah 3:7, Luke 15:1

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 19:9 - unto a cave 1 Kings 19:11 - the Lord passed 1 John 3:18 - let

Verse 22

in a clift: Psalms 18:2, Song of Solomon 2:3, Isaiah 2:21, Isaiah 32:2, 1 Corinthians 10:4, 2 Corinthians 5:19

cover thee: Deuteronomy 33:12, Psalms 91:1, Psalms 91:4, The rock on which Moses stood, and in the clift of which he was sheltered, was doubtless an emblem of Christ; in whose person, character, and salvation alone, sinners may by faith see the glory of God, and live; for there it appears in softened splendour; as the sun, when his brightness is diminished by a mist, is beheld more distinctly by the human eye. - Scott

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 19:9 - unto a cave Song of Solomon 2:14 - clefts

Verse 23

thou shalt: Exodus 33:20, Job 11:7, Job 26:14, John 1:18, 1 Corinthians 13:12, 1 Timothy 6:16

Reciprocal: Exodus 24:10 - saw Numbers 12:8 - similitude 1 Kings 19:13 - he wrapped his face Song of Solomon 2:14 - clefts