Exodus 33 14

Exodus 33:14 kjv

And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.

Exodus 33:14 nkjv

And He said, "My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest."

Exodus 33:14 niv

The LORD replied, "My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest."

Exodus 33:14 esv

And he said, "My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest."

Exodus 33:14 nlt

The LORD replied, "I will personally go with you, Moses, and I will give you rest ? everything will be fine for you."

Exodus 33 verses

Exodus 33 14 Meaning

Exodus 33:14 is a profound declaration from God to Moses, in which the Lord promises His personal and intimate presence to go with Israel. This presence is not a delegated agent but God Himself. The verse further assures that the ultimate outcome of His presence will be a state of "rest"—a comprehensive sense of peace, security, relief from struggle, and ultimate fulfillment, both physical in the land and spiritual for the soul.

Exodus 33 14 Context

Exodus chapter 33 occurs immediately after the disastrous incident of the Golden Calf (Ex 32), where Israel betrayed the covenant God had just established with them. God's anger was so great that He threatened to destroy the people (Ex 32:10) and, subsequently, declared that He would send an angel to lead them, but His own "presence" (פָּנַי - panai) would not go up among them, lest He consume them on the way due to their stubbornness (Ex 33:2-3). This threat left the people mourning and Moses profoundly distressed. In response, Moses, acting as an extraordinary intercessor, pleads with God, asking for His continued personal presence to accompany Israel. He argues that without God's presence, Israel would be indistinguishable from any other nation and would lose the very sign of their unique relationship with Yahweh (Ex 33:15-16). Exodus 33:14 is God's direct and gracious response to Moses' impassioned plea, reversing His earlier pronouncement and affirming His covenant faithfulness.

Exodus 33 14 Word analysis

• My presence (פָּנַי - panai):

  • Word level: Hebrew word literally means "face" (plural form used here), but metaphorically signifies "presence," "person," "direct being." It implies an intimate and active personal engagement, not merely a detached oversight or delegated authority.
  • Significance: This is crucial as it contrasts with God's previous threat to send an angel (Ex 33:2). It underscores God's commitment to be personally present among His stiff-necked people, a profound act of grace following their sin. It also establishes the distinctive nature of Israel's relationship with Yahweh.

• will go (הָלַךְ - halakh):

  • Word level: A common Hebrew verb meaning "to walk," "to go," or "to journey."
  • Significance: It implies active, continuous companionship and leading throughout their journey in the wilderness and into the promised land. It is not a static promise but a dynamic, accompanying presence.

• with you (אִתְּךָ - itteka):

  • Word level: A personal pronoun "you" with a preposition "with." The suffix is masculine singular, referring to Moses, but implicitly for all of Israel whom Moses represents as their leader and intercessor.
  • Significance: Highlights the personal and direct nature of God's promise to Moses, which is extended to the entire community he leads. This promise is for their benefit, journey, and destination.

• and I will give you (וַהֲנִיחֹתִי לָךְ - vahanikhoṭi lakh):

  • Word level: "vahanikhoṭi" is the Hiphil perfect (causative) of the verb נוּחַ (nuach), meaning "to rest" or "to settle down." The Hiphil indicates God causing or bringing about this rest. "lakh" means "to you" (referring to Moses/Israel).
  • Significance: This phrase emphasizes God as the active giver of rest. It's not something Israel achieves on its own but is bestowed by God's own doing, intrinsically linked to His presence.

• rest (נוּחַ - nuach):

  • Word level: The root נוּחַ (nuach) denotes not just cessation of physical movement or labor but encompasses a state of security, peace, tranquility, and relief from enemies or troubles. It signifies being settled, at ease, and without disturbance.
  • Significance: In the immediate context, it speaks of resting from their nomadic wanderings, finding peace from enemies in the Promised Land. Theologically, "rest" has broader implications: the rest of creation (Gen 2:2), the Sabbath rest, and ultimately the eschatological spiritual rest found in God. It promises not merely arrival but a flourishing condition.

Words-group analysis:

• "My presence will go with you":

  • This phrase encapsulates the core of the promise: God Himself, in His personal glory and active care, will lead and accompany His people. This directly addresses Moses' fear and Israel's need, distinguishing them uniquely as God's chosen nation, not by their merit but by His covenant love. It’s the ultimate divine assurance.

• "and I will give you rest":

  • This specifies the blessed outcome and divine purpose of God's personal presence. "Rest" here is a comprehensive state of peace, security, and tranquility—cessation of wandering, victory over enemies, and ultimately a state of being truly settled and at peace, reflecting the completeness of God's salvation.

Exodus 33 14 Bonus section

The concept of God's "presence" (panai) here deeply intertwines with the "glory" (kavod) of the Lord, as seen in the verses immediately following, where Moses asks to see God's glory (Ex 33:18). God's presence is not abstract; it's manifested in His glory and character. This promise also points to the broader theological theme of Immanuel, "God with us," finding its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ (Mt 1:23) and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit (Jn 14:16-17), ensuring God's perpetual presence with His new covenant people, bringing an eternal and spiritual "rest." The "rest" also has strong typological links to the land of Canaan, but is never fully exhausted there, foreshadowing the greater rest of God's eternal Sabbath (Heb 4).

Exodus 33 14 Commentary

Exodus 33:14 stands as a pivot point of grace in the narrative of Israel’s redemption. Following the traumatic sin of the Golden Calf, God's personal presence, rather than an intermediary, was crucial for Israel's continued journey and identity. This verse is God's direct affirmation that He will indeed go with His people, signifying His steadfast love and commitment despite their failings. The promise of "rest" (nuach) is comprehensive. It transcends merely reaching a destination; it promises peace from their struggles, security from their foes, and an abiding tranquility that only divine presence can provide. This promise not only secured their journey to Canaan but laid a foundational understanding of what true peace and security meant—rooted in Yahweh's immanent fellowship. It assures that it is not about where they go, but Who goes with them that defines their identity and ensures their blessed state. The ultimate rest, foretold here, points forward to the spiritual rest found in Christ.