Exodus 33 3

Exodus 33:3 kjv

Unto a land flowing with milk and honey: for I will not go up in the midst of thee; for thou art a stiffnecked people: lest I consume thee in the way.

Exodus 33:3 nkjv

Go up to a land flowing with milk and honey; for I will not go up in your midst, lest I consume you on the way, for you are a stiff-necked people."

Exodus 33:3 niv

Go up to the land flowing with milk and honey. But I will not go with you, because you are a stiff-necked people and I might destroy you on the way."

Exodus 33:3 esv

Go up to a land flowing with milk and honey; but I will not go up among you, lest I consume you on the way, for you are a stiff-necked people."

Exodus 33:3 nlt

Go up to this land that flows with milk and honey. But I will not travel among you, for you are a stubborn and rebellious people. If I did, I would surely destroy you along the way."

Exodus 33 verses

Exodus 33 3 Meaning

Exodus 33:3 describes the LORD's conflicted directive to the Israelites after the Golden Calf incident. He confirms His commitment to bringing them to the Promised Land, depicted as a land of great abundance. However, due to their profound stubbornness and rebellion ("stiff-necked"), God declares that His personal, direct presence will not accompany them on the journey. This decision is driven by His absolute holiness; His immediate presence among such an unholy people would result in their destruction because His consuming nature would justly judge their persistent sin.

Exodus 33 3 Context

This verse follows the profound national sin of the Golden Calf (Exod 32). Immediately before this verse, the LORD had announced His intent to withdraw His direct presence (Exod 33:1-2), sending an angel instead to drive out the inhabitants. This announcement comes after Moses' passionate intercession, which prevented Israel's complete destruction. God had originally promised His presence to guide and fight for Israel (Exod 13:21, 14:14). His declaration here is a severe consequence of their broken covenant, highlighting His unwavering holiness. Culturally, for ancient peoples, the presence of their god was crucial for success in battle and daily life. God's withdrawal indicated a diminished, though still effective, divine involvement, a powerful symbol of their strained relationship. It served as a polemic against the idea that Israel's God was like pagan deities, who could be manipulated or ignored without consequence, demonstrating His unique sovereignty and unapproachable holiness to sinful humanity.

Exodus 33 3 Word analysis

• Go up (עֲלֵה - aleh): An imperative verb, "ascend" or "go up," signifying directed movement toward a higher elevation or specific goal, in this case, the Promised Land which was often geographically higher than their current location. It emphasizes that the destination remains despite the change in accompaniment.

• to a land (אֶל-אֶרֶץ - el-'erets): Emphasizes the physical territory that is their destined inheritance.

• flowing (זָבַת - zavat): A participle meaning "flowing" or "gushing." It denotes continuous and abundant production, not just a temporary presence.

• with milk (חָלָב - chalav): Refers to dairy products, indicating rich pasturage, flourishing livestock, and the provision of basic, sustaining nourishment. Symbolizes a land capable of supporting a pastoral economy.

• and honey (וּדְבַשׁ - u'devash): Often refers to fruit honey (from dates, figs, grapes) rather than just bee honey, signifying fertile agricultural land, abundance of fruits, and a pleasant, prosperous existence. The phrase "milk and honey" together is an idiom for extraordinary fertility and richness.

• but I will not go up (וְלֹא אֶעֱלֶה - vəlo' 'e'ĕleh): A stark contrast and strong negation. "I" ('ani, implied by verb form) emphasizes the Lord's own divine person. He is not making the journey personally with them. This withdrawal of His immediate, intimate presence (as opposed to leading by an angel) is a severe disciplinary measure.

• among you (בְּקִרְבְּךָ - bəqirbəḵā): Literally "in your midst" or "in your interior." This highlights the depth of God's intended presence, within their camp and their very journey, which He now withholds.

• lest I consume you (כִּי אֲכַלְתִּיךָ - ki 'ăkaltîḵā): ki can mean "for," "because," or "lest/otherwise." Here, it expresses the direct consequence of His holiness interacting with their sin. 'ăkaltîḵā means "I would devour/consume you." God's very nature is holy, like a "consuming fire" (Deut 4:24, Heb 12:29); persistent, unrepented sin cannot endure in His direct, unmediated presence without being destroyed.

• on the way (בַּדֶּרֶךְ - badderekh): Refers to their journey, the wilderness trek to the Promised Land. This indicates that their continuous sinfulness, if coupled with His direct presence, would lead to constant destruction throughout their pilgrimage.

• for you are (כִּי עַם - ki 'am): Introduces the reason for His decision. ki (for, because) directly links the withdrawal to their character. am (people) refers to Israel as a collective.

• a stiff-necked people (קְשֵׁה-עֹרֶף - qəsheh-'oreph): A vivid Hebrew idiom meaning "hard of neck," like an ox refusing the yoke or one who will not bow. It signifies stubbornness, obstinacy, obstinate rebellion against authority, unwillingness to humble oneself or listen to divine instruction. This description emphasizes their deep-seated refusal to obey God despite His grace and covenant with them.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "Go up to a land flowing with milk and honey": Reaffirmation of the covenant promise. Even amidst severe judgment, God does not revoke His promise of the destination, only the condition of the journey. This displays God's faithfulness to His word to Abraham.
  • "but I will not go up among you": The radical consequence of their sin. This declaration signals a shift from intimate, guiding divine presence (e.g., pillar of cloud and fire) to a more distant, delegated presence through an angel. It underscores that God's presence is conditional upon His people's holiness.
  • "lest I consume you on the way, for you are a stiff-necked people": This explains why God is withdrawing. It's not abandonment out of anger but a protective measure born of His holiness and justice. His character cannot tolerate their constant rebellion without bringing judgment upon them. The direct result of unholiness meeting perfect holiness is consumption.

Exodus 33 3 Bonus section

The phrase "stiff-necked people" (קְשֵׁה-עֹרֶף - qəsheh-'oreph) became a recurring epithet for Israel throughout their history, symbolizing their characteristic resistance to God's will despite His repeated acts of grace and intervention. This rejection of God's presence directly challenges the very foundation of the covenant established at Sinai, where God pledged to be "God with them" (Exod 29:45-46). Moses' subsequent pleas in Exodus 33, particularly 33:15-16, highlight the indispensable nature of God's presence for Israel's identity and success, underscoring that without His manifest presence, they are "no different" from other nations. This emphasizes that mere territorial acquisition (a land of milk and honey) was secondary to the relationship defined by God's indwelling presence among His people. The divine declaration also subtly sets the stage for the intercession that would be continually needed, culminating in the ultimate Mediator, Jesus Christ, who provides a new covenant wherein God promises to dwell within His people by the Holy Spirit without consuming them because of His Son's perfect sacrifice for sin.

Exodus 33 3 Commentary

Exodus 33:3 serves as a pivotal and somber declaration after Israel's profound failure at Mount Sinai. God, having witnessed their immediate rebellion with the Golden Calf, affirms His faithfulness to the covenant promise of the land while simultaneously announcing a severe disciplinary measure: He will not personally accompany them. This isn't arbitrary punishment but a direct consequence of His holy nature clashing with their "stiff-necked" disposition – their ingrained stubbornness and disobedience.

The divine logic is clear: His intimate presence (bəqirbəḵā) among such an obstinate and sinful people would inevitably lead to their utter destruction (lest I consume you). God's love and commitment to His covenant people do not override His holy justice. His holiness is a consuming fire to sin (Heb 12:29). This divine withdrawal is a display of both judgment and paradoxical mercy, as it prevents their total annihilation. The promise of the land remains, but the pathway to it is now marked by a lack of personal, manifest divine presence, forcing Israel to confront the gravity of their sin and the indispensable need for God's personal guidance and protection which they had so grievously jeopardized. It sets the stage for Moses' fervent intercession to restore that vital presence, underscoring his role as a mediator between God's holiness and man's sin.