Exodus 33 16

Exodus 33:16 kjv

For wherein shall it be known here that I and thy people have found grace in thy sight? is it not in that thou goest with us? so shall we be separated, I and thy people, from all the people that are upon the face of the earth.

Exodus 33:16 nkjv

For how then will it be known that Your people and I have found grace in Your sight, except You go with us? So we shall be separate, Your people and I, from all the people who are upon the face of the earth."

Exodus 33:16 niv

How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?"

Exodus 33:16 esv

For how shall it be known that I have found favor in your sight, I and your people? Is it not in your going with us, so that we are distinct, I and your people, from every other people on the face of the earth?"

Exodus 33:16 nlt

How will anyone know that you look favorably on me ? on me and on your people ? if you don't go with us? For your presence among us sets your people and me apart from all other people on the earth."

Exodus 33 verses

Exodus 33 16 Meaning

Exodus 33:16 is Moses' pivotal argument for God's continued, manifest presence with the Israelite nation following their severe sin with the golden calf. Moses asserts that the sole evidence distinguishing Israel as God's chosen people, enjoying His grace, is His personal journeying with them. Without this divine companionship, they would be no different from any other people on Earth.

Exodus 33 16 Context

Exodus chapter 33 opens after the devastating sin of the golden calf, which jeopardized the covenant between God and Israel. God, in His righteous anger, had threatened to withdraw His direct presence from the Israelites on their journey, promising instead an angel to lead them (Exo 33:1-3). This proposal was met with mourning (Exo 33:4). Moses, deeply concerned for the nation's spiritual welfare and the very identity of Israel, interceded earnestly before God. He sought God's "presence" (Exo 33:12-13, 15). Verse 16 is the heart of Moses' powerful plea, arguing that God's personal journeying with Israel is the unmistakable mark of their special status and proof of God's grace towards them, distinguishing them from all other nations. It encapsulates Moses' profound understanding that Israel's very existence as God's peculiar people hinges on this unique relationship and tangible divine presence.

Exodus 33 16 Word analysis

• For wherein: A strong rhetorical question, implying "in what other way?" or "what other proof could there be?". It sets up Moses' undeniable argument.
• shall it be known: (Heb. יִוָּדַע, yivada). From the root יָדַע (yada), meaning "to know," in the Hophal stem (causative-passive), indicating "it shall be made known" or "it shall be caused to be known." It signifies public and evident recognition.
• here: Refers to "on earth," among all nations, or within human observation. It emphasizes a tangible, visible demonstration.
• that I and thy people: Moses boldly identifies himself with the entire nation, emphasizing his solidarity with them as their intercessor and co-beneficiary of God's favor.
• have found grace: (Heb. מָצָא חֵן, matza chen). A common biblical idiom meaning "to obtain favor," "to gain acceptance," or "to find unmerited kindness." After the calf incident, Israel certainly did not merit favor, highlighting the concept of undeserved grace.
• in thy sight: In God's own estimation and judgment. It’s about how God Himself sees and regards His people.
• is it not in that: (Heb. הֲלֹא, halo). Another strong rhetorical question particle, equivalent to "surely, is it not...?" or "indeed, it is only by..." This powerfully asserts the exclusivity of the stated condition.
• thou goest with us: (Heb. בְּלֶכְתְּךָ עִמָּנוּ, b'lekht'kha immanu). Literally, "by Your going with us." This is the core of Moses' argument. It signifies God's personal, active, and manifest presence and companionship, rather than mere omnipresence or a detached divine command. It denotes intimate fellowship and leading.
• so shall we be separated: (Heb. וְנִפְלִינוּ, v'niphlînu). From the root פָלָה (palah), meaning "to be distinct," "to be wondrously set apart," "to be marvelous." In the Niphal stem, it signifies being distinguished or made unique, often by divine action. This points to Israel's singular status as chosen by God.
• I and thy people: Repeats the shared identity, reinforcing that Moses and the Israelites collectively are the group distinguished.
• from all the people: A clear declaration of the unique standing Israel would have.
• that are upon the face of the earth: Emphasizes the global context, highlighting Israel's singular and distinct status among all humanity.

• "found grace in thy sight" (מָצָא חֵן בְּעֵינֶיךָ): This idiom is vital here. It underscores that despite their recent grave sin (the golden calf), any claim to divine favor Israel might have can only be attributed to God's undeserved kindness, not their merit. This grace is precisely what Moses appeals to.
• "thou goest with us" (בְּלֶכְתְּךָ עִמָּנוּ): This phrase represents God's active, dynamic, and personal involvement in the life and journey of His people. It is more than just leading; it implies a relationship of companionship and intimate presence. It means that God would dwell among them and be seen to be with them.
• "so shall we be separated... from all the people that are upon the face of the earth" (וְנִפְלִינוּ... מִכָּל הָעַמִּים אֲשֶׁר עַל־פְּנֵי הָאֲדָמָה): This entire clause defines Israel's unique identity. Their "separation" is not self-imposed isolation but a divinely wrought distinction that is contingent upon God's special presence. It confirms Israel's peculiar status as God's treasured possession (Exo 19:5), not due to their own righteousness, but due to His choosing and His decision to manifest His presence uniquely among them.

Exodus 33 16 Bonus section

• Moses' boldness in challenging God's initial refusal to go with them reveals his deep understanding of God's character and His covenant faithfulness, as well as his selfless dedication to the people.
• This verse highlights the importance of God's immanence (His nearness and involvement in creation) alongside His transcendence (His holy otherness). For Israel to be truly His people, God needed to be uniquely present among them in a discernible way.
• The argument made by Moses here implicitly foreshadows the Incarnation, where God literally dwells among humanity in the person of Jesus Christ (Jn 1:14). It also points to the New Covenant reality where God’s Spirit indwells believers, making them His temple (1 Cor 3:16).
• The desire for God's manifest presence and the recognition that it is the ultimate blessing for His people is a recurring theme from the wilderness journey through the establishment of the temple, the promises of a new covenant, and finally the hope of God dwelling with humanity in the new heavens and new earth (Rev 21:3).

Exodus 33 16 Commentary

Exodus 33:16 is a theological cornerstone, revealing Moses' profound understanding of what truly defines Israel. He argues that the tangible, manifest presence of God with His people, not mere rituals or laws, is the ultimate sign of divine grace and the sole differentiator setting them apart from all other nations. Moses recognizes that without God actively dwelling among and guiding them, Israel would lose its unique covenant identity and its purpose in the world. This verse beautifully captures the essence of divine election and grace: Israel's distinctiveness is a direct result of God's unmerited favor and His commitment to journeying with them, a principle that continues to resonate throughout salvation history, pointing ultimately to Christ—"God with us"—and the indwelling Spirit in believers.