Exodus 34 10

Exodus 34:10 kjv

And he said, Behold, I make a covenant: before all thy people I will do marvels, such as have not been done in all the earth, nor in any nation: and all the people among which thou art shall see the work of the LORD: for it is a terrible thing that I will do with thee.

Exodus 34:10 nkjv

And He said: "Behold, I make a covenant. Before all your people I will do marvels such as have not been done in all the earth, nor in any nation; and all the people among whom you are shall see the work of the LORD. For it is an awesome thing that I will do with you.

Exodus 34:10 niv

Then the LORD said: "I am making a covenant with you. Before all your people I will do wonders never before done in any nation in all the world. The people you live among will see how awesome is the work that I, the LORD, will do for you.

Exodus 34:10 esv

And he said, "Behold, I am making a covenant. Before all your people I will do marvels, such as have not been created in all the earth or in any nation. And all the people among whom you are shall see the work of the LORD, for it is an awesome thing that I will do with you.

Exodus 34:10 nlt

The LORD replied, "Listen, I am making a covenant with you in the presence of all your people. I will perform miracles that have never been performed anywhere in all the earth or in any nation. And all the people around you will see the power of the LORD ? the awesome power I will display for you.

Exodus 34 verses

Exodus 34 10 Meaning

Exodus 34:10 marks God's renewed commitment to His covenant with Israel, following their grievous sin with the golden calf. God declares His intention to perform unprecedented and awe-inspiring acts, demonstrating His unique power and presence, not only to His chosen people but also to surrounding nations. These divine interventions are meant to establish Israel distinctly and reveal Yahweh's glory as the one true God, solidifying His covenant relationship with them through visible, extraordinary works that no other nation or deity could replicate.

Exodus 34 10 Context

Exodus 34:10 is spoken immediately after God reveals His compassionate and righteous character to Moses (Exod 34:6-7) on Mount Sinai. This follows the profound national crisis of the golden calf idolatry (Exod 32), which shattered the covenant previously established. Moses interceded on Israel's behalf, pleading for God's continued presence and forgiveness. God, in His faithfulness and mercy, chooses to renew the covenant, reaffirming His commitment despite Israel's unfaithfulness.

The preceding verses set the stage for this new beginning. Moses has returned to God, humbled and desperate for God's forgiveness and restoration of their relationship. The promise in verse 10 serves as God's initiative to rebuild the covenant based on His grace and powerful demonstration. It assures Israel that their unique relationship with God will not be severed, and their journey into Canaan will be accompanied by divine power that proves His distinctiveness from all pagan deities. The verses immediately following detail further covenant stipulations, particularly regarding worship practices, warnings against idolatry, and separation from the idolatrous inhabitants of Canaan. Historically, this renewal prepared Israel for their subsequent journey, conquest, and establishment as God's distinct people in the land. The cultural context involves widespread polytheism among surrounding nations, each claiming powerful deities. God's declaration of "marvels" is a direct polemic, asserting His supreme, unparalleled authority over all perceived gods of the earth.

Exodus 34 10 Word analysis

• And he said: (וַיֹּאמֶר - Va'yomer) God is the speaker, indicating a direct divine declaration. This emphasizes the solemn and authoritative nature of the ensuing promise, flowing from God's own will and character.
• "Behold,": (הִנֵּה - Hineh) An interjection signaling immediacy, emphasis, and a call to attention. It draws focus to the significant and profound statement that follows, highlighting God's self-initiation of a critical new phase.
• "I make": (אָנֹכִי כֹּרֵת - Anokhi koret) Literally, "I myself am cutting." The verb karat (כָּרַת) means "to cut," and is universally used in Hebrew for "making a covenant," recalling ancient rituals where animals were "cut" as a symbol of the binding nature and the consequences of breaking the pact. The emphatic Anokhi ("I myself") underscores God's personal, sovereign agency in establishing this binding agreement.
• "a covenant.": (בְּרִית - Berit) A solemn, legally binding agreement or treaty, characterized by promises, obligations, and usually a demonstration of loyalty. Here, it is God's initiative to restore the relationship with Israel after the golden calf idolatry. It's more than a mere contract; it’s a profound bond established by divine oath.
• "Before all your people": (נֶגֶד כָּל-עַמְּךָ - Neged kol-`ammekha) Denotes visibility and public declaration. The ensuing "marvels" will not be hidden but performed openly for all Israel to witness, solidifying their faith and acknowledging God's mighty presence among them. This ensures undeniable witness to His acts.
• "I will do": (אֶעֱשֶׂה - E'eseh) "I will make" or "I will perform." Emphasizes God's active, deliberate, and sovereign intention to carry out these promised works. It is not a passive observation but a purposeful divine action.
• "marvels": (נִפְלָאֹת - Nifla'ot) From the root pele' (פֶלֶא), meaning "wonder, miracle, extraordinary deed." These are not natural phenomena but supernatural, astounding acts that transcend human ability or explanation, designed to reveal God's unique power and nature. They demonstrate His omnipotence.
• "such as have not been created": (אֲשֶׁר לֹא-נִבְרָא - Asher lo-nivra') This hyperbolic statement means "unparalleled," "unprecedented," "unique." God will produce something completely new in its nature or scale, distinguishing His works from any previous divine or human action. This phrase is a powerful assertion of God's unmatched creative and performing power, acting as a polemic against the limitations of pagan deities.
• "in all the earth or in any nation,": (בְּכָל-הָאָרֶץ וּבְכָל-הַגּוֹיִם - B'khol-ha'aretz u'v'khol-hagoyim) Broadens the scope universally. No other land, no other people, no other "gods" have or will experience such unique demonstrations of power. This underscores Israel's distinct chosen status and Yahweh's exclusive sovereignty over all creation and nations.
• "and all the people among whom you dwell": (וְרָאָה כָל-הָעָם אֲשֶׁר בְּקִרְבֶּךָ - V'ra'ah kol-ha'am asher b'kirbecha) This refers to the nations or groups residing near or within the territories where Israel will live (e.g., the Canaanites, later groups). This ensures that God's work for Israel will serve as a global testimony, drawing attention to Him from outside Israel. It shows that God's purpose for Israel had a missional aspect even in its early stages.
• "shall see the work of the Lord,": (אֶת-מַעֲשֵׂה יְהוָה - Et ma'aseh YHWH) They will directly witness and discern God's active hand. Ma'aseh refers to specific actions, deeds, or accomplishments. This emphasizes that these aren't random occurrences but direct interventions by Yahweh (the LORD, God's personal covenant name), making His identity undeniable to the observers.
• "for it is an awesome thing": (כִּי נוֹרָא - Ki nora') Nora' (נוֹרָא) means "fearful," "dreadful," "awe-inspiring," "terrible." Not in a negative sense of terror, but inspiring reverence, holy fear, and deep respect due to overwhelming power, majesty, and unique holiness. It compels acknowledgment of God's unparalleled greatness.
• "that I will do with you.": (אֲשֶׁר אָנֹכִי עֹשֶׂה עִמָּךְ - Asher Anokhi Osehimmakh) Reaffirms God's active role and His intimate involvement in Israel's destiny. These awesome acts are performed specifically with Israel, as a direct manifestation of His covenant relationship, signifying His continuous presence and blessing among His chosen people.

Exodus 34 10 Bonus section

• This verse provides a theological framework for understanding Israel's history as a series of divine acts. Their existence, deliverance, sustenance, and eventual entry into the Promised Land are all manifestations of these unique "marvels" performed by God alone.
• The "awesome thing" can be linked to God's continued presence in the tabernacle/temple, His protection in warfare, His provision, and ultimately, His judgments upon nations who oppose Israel. It speaks to God making Himself visible and known through His interactions with humanity, particularly Israel.
• The promise of unique "marvels" implicitly set Israel apart from any nation's claim to a superior deity or magic. It's a statement of theological exclusivity.
• While primarily fulfilled in Old Testament events, this principle finds ultimate expression in the "awesome things" God did through Christ: His virgin birth, sinless life, miraculous works, sacrificial death, and resurrection—marvels unparalleled and offered for all people to witness and receive through faith.

Exodus 34 10 Commentary

Exodus 34:10 marks a profound moment of divine grace and covenant renewal. Despite Israel's catastrophic failure with the golden calf, God, in His merciful character just revealed to Moses, recommits to His chosen people. He promises to initiate unprecedented and awe-inspiring works—"marvels" of a kind "not been created in all the earth or in any nation." These "marvels" are not mere coincidences but deliberate divine interventions intended to publicly display God's unique power and holiness. They serve a dual purpose: to assure Israel of God's unwavering faithfulness and to declare His glory and exclusive sovereignty to all surrounding nations. This verse underpins Israel's special status as a nation through whom God chooses to reveal Himself to the world. The promised "awesome thing" signifies the majesty and overwhelming nature of God's future works, commanding reverent fear and respect. It highlights that Israel's very existence and journey into Canaan would be a continuous testament to Yahweh's incomparable might and His special, enduring relationship with His covenant people, a relationship continually initiated and sustained by Him.