Exodus 33 1

Exodus 33:1 kjv

And the LORD said unto Moses, Depart, and go up hence, thou and the people which thou hast brought up out of the land of Egypt, unto the land which I sware unto Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, saying, Unto thy seed will I give it:

Exodus 33:1 nkjv

Then the LORD said to Moses, "Depart and go up from here, you and the people whom you have brought out of the land of Egypt, to the land of which I swore to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, saying, 'To your descendants I will give it.'

Exodus 33:1 niv

Then the LORD said to Moses, "Leave this place, you and the people you brought up out of Egypt, and go up to the land I promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, saying, 'I will give it to your descendants.'

Exodus 33:1 esv

The LORD said to Moses, "Depart; go up from here, you and the people whom you have brought up out of the land of Egypt, to the land of which I swore to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, saying, 'To your offspring I will give it.'

Exodus 33:1 nlt

The LORD said to Moses, "Get going, you and the people you brought up from the land of Egypt. Go up to the land I swore to give to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. I told them, 'I will give this land to your descendants.'

Exodus 33 verses

Exodus 33 1 Meaning

Exodus 33:1 opens a pivotal chapter following the grievous sin of the golden calf. The Lord instructs Moses and the Israelites to depart from Mount Sinai and continue their journey to the promised land. This command reiterates God's unwavering covenant promise to the patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob) regarding the land, even amidst the recent profound rebellion of His people. The verse highlights God's resolve to fulfill His word, while subtly hinting at the altered nature of His presence with them due to their stiff-neckedness, a theme developed further in the subsequent verses of the chapter.

Exodus 33 1 Context

Exodus 33:1 follows directly from the cataclysmic event of the Golden Calf and Moses' subsequent intercession for the sinful Israelites. In chapter 32, the people made and worshipped an idol, leading to God's righteous wrath and initial threat to consume them and raise up a new nation from Moses. Moses' impassioned prayers, appealing to God's character and covenant promises, resulted in God relenting from that severe judgment. However, the depth of their rebellion, referred to as their "stiff-necked" nature (Exo 32:9; 33:3), has profound consequences for the nature of God's presence among them as they proceed to the land. Verse 1 is God's direct command for them to resume their journey, signifying that the journey and the promise of the land will still be fulfilled, but it is issued with a new, somber tone reflecting the strained relationship caused by their sin.

Exodus 33 1 Word analysis

• Then the Lord said: This is a recurring formula (wa-yedaber Yahweh) indicating a divine decree, an important message from God directly. It establishes the ultimate authority behind the command. The continuity with the previous chapter, where God was speaking with Moses about the calf, highlights that this command arises directly from the aftermath of that crisis.
• Moses: The central human mediator between God and Israel, to whom God directly conveys His will. Moses’ unique relationship with God is foundational.
• Depart: (Heb. נָסַע, nasa). Meaning "to pull up stakes," "to set out," "to break camp," "to journey." This verb signifies immediate action to leave their current encampment at Sinai. It suggests the need to move on from a place associated with the broken covenant.
• and go up: (Heb. עָלָה, alah). Meaning "to ascend," "to go up," "to rise." This reinforces the onward movement. Geographically, Canaan was elevated relative to Sinai. Spiritually, it implies progressing towards the goal of God's purpose.
• from here: Referring to Mount Sinai, where they had camped since Exodus 19. Sinai was the place of the covenant's giving, but also where it was spectacularly broken. God commands them to leave the scene of their great apostasy.
• you and the people: God explicitly addresses Moses as the leader, yet encompasses "the people" with him. This reinforces Moses' indispensable role and responsibility, even as the people collectively bear their own accountability.
• whom you have brought up: This phrase (Heb. אֲשֶׁר הֶעֱלֵיתָ, asher he‘elita) is critically nuanced. Earlier in Exodus (e.g., Exo 3:10-12), it is God who brings them out of Egypt. But in Exodus 32:7, God had used this same phrasing to Moses in anger, "your people, whom you brought up out of the land of Egypt," indicating a temporary distancing or disavowal by God of a people who had just disowned Him by worshipping a calf. Here in 33:1, the repetition underscores this shift in responsibility. While God is the ultimate Deliverer, His use of "you" hints at the breakdown in relationship and perhaps a burden placed upon Moses for leading such a wayward group. It's a poignant rhetorical device, emphasizing Moses' direct charge over this problematic nation.
• out of the land of Egypt: Re-establishing their origins as a people delivered from slavery, reminding them of the divine act of redemption, which gives purpose to their journey despite their recent sin.
• to the land of which I swore: The destination is non-negotiable and divinely determined. The fulfillment of the promise of land remains certain. The phrase "I swore" (Heb. נִשְׁבַּעְתִּי, nishba‘ti) indicates an unbreakable, solemn oath by God.
• to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob: Identifying the recipients of the ancient, unconditional Abrahamic Covenant. This anchors the present command firmly in the history of God's faithfulness to His patriarchs.
• saying, 'To your offspring I will give it.': A direct quote of the core land promise. This repetition highlights God's unyielding commitment to His sworn word. Despite Israel’s repeated failures, God's promise to their ancestors persists, providing a bedrock of hope and purpose for the journey.

Exodus 33 1 Bonus section

The Hebrew word for "Lord" used here is YHWH (Yahweh), emphasizing God's covenant name and His relational commitment to Israel, even in a context of discipline. The very fact that God still speaks to Moses and commands them to proceed towards the Promised Land demonstrates His unfailing commitment to His oath. This highlights a crucial theological point: while aspects of the Mosaic Covenant could be broken by Israel's disobedience (as demonstrated by the Golden Calf), the earlier Abrahamic Covenant (which centered on the land promise) was unconditional and established God’s foundational plan. God’s instructions in this verse show His sovereign will prevailing despite human failure, ensuring His grand narrative of redemption moves forward. The command to depart from Sinai is also symbolic, as it represents leaving the place of judgment and the initial (failed) covenant establishment to continue towards the ultimate fulfillment of the land promise.

Exodus 33 1 Commentary

Exodus 33:1 is a command, but it's loaded with significant theological and practical implications. The abrupt instruction to "Depart and go up" signifies the immediacy and necessity of movement following the deep sin of the golden calf. God’s commitment to His ancient covenant oath to give the land to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob’s descendants stands firm. This shows God's faithfulness transcending human unfaithfulness, providing a fundamental truth that His plans for redemption are immutable, not dependent solely on human merit. However, the phrasing "the people whom you have brought up" is poignant; it reflects a temporary divine disassociation or an emphasis on Moses’s responsibility, given the profound breach of the covenant by the Israelites themselves. It serves as a reminder that sin carries consequences, even if the ultimate divine purpose of the journey remains. God is not abandoning the destination, but the path forward, and specifically His presence on that path, is now conditional on their repentance and obedience. The chapter subsequently reveals the implications of this distancing.