Exodus 34 6

Exodus 34:6 kjv

And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth,

Exodus 34:6 nkjv

And the LORD passed before him and proclaimed, "The LORD, the LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth,

Exodus 34:6 niv

And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, "The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness,

Exodus 34:6 esv

The LORD passed before him and proclaimed, "The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness,

Exodus 34:6 nlt

The LORD passed in front of Moses, calling out, "Yahweh! The LORD!
The God of compassion and mercy!
I am slow to anger
and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness.

Exodus 34 verses

Exodus 34 6 Meaning

This verse is God's profound self-revelation to Moses on Mount Sinai, uttered immediately after Israel's devastating sin with the golden calf. It stands as the defining summary of His essential character and covenant nature, affirming that despite human sinfulness, He is a God of enduring love, grace, and faithfulness. It reveals the divine attributes that make relationship and redemption possible, laying the foundation for all subsequent divine interaction with humanity.

Exodus 34 6 Context

Exodus 34:6 occurs directly after the catastrophic event of the golden calf worship (Ex 32). Moses had ascended Mount Sinai, received the Law, and broken the first set of tablets in righteous anger upon witnessing Israel's idolatry. He then interceded on behalf of a sinful nation, begging God not to destroy them (Ex 32:30-32). Following this profound intercession and Moses's request to see God's glory, God descended in a cloud and proclaimed this declaration of His own character. This self-proclamation is foundational; it establishes the basis for God's continued covenant relationship with a people who had just egregiously sinned, demonstrating that His essence is grace and love, not merely justice or vengeance. It signifies a re-covenant, a fresh start, revealing God's character as the foundation for redemption rather than retribution alone.

Exodus 34 6 Word analysis

• The LORD, the LORD (YHWH, YHWH): The repetition of God's covenant name emphasizes His absolute identity and personal relationship with His people. It points to His unique, unchanging, self-existent nature. This name is not just a title but encapsulates His being as the God who reveals Himself and enters into covenant.
• a God (El): While 'YHWH' highlights His personal covenant nature, 'El' is the more general Hebrew term for God, denoting strength, power, and deity. Its inclusion indicates that these attributes belong to the very essence of the Almighty Creator, not just a localized deity.
• merciful (rachum): Derived from rechem, meaning "womb," it conveys a deep, compassionate, tender love, like a mother's pity for her child. It speaks of an intimate, heartfelt responsiveness to the suffering and vulnerability of others.
• gracious (chanun): This attribute denotes God's disposition to bestow favor, grace, and undeserved kindness. It implies a free, spontaneous act of giving or showing favor even when it is not earned or expected, driven purely by God's benevolence.
• slow to anger (erekh apayim): Literally meaning "long of nostrils" (anger often being depicted as flaring nostrils), this phrase emphasizes God's patience and forbearance. He does not rush to judgment or punishment but allows time for repentance, reflecting His enduring longsuffering even in the face of provocation.
• abounding in (rav): This means "great in" or "rich in," signifying an overflowing, boundless, or superabundant quality. It indicates that the subsequent attributes are not just present, but present in great measure.
• steadfast love (chesed): One of the most significant terms in the Hebrew Bible, chesed denotes loyal love, covenant faithfulness, unwavering kindness, and mercy that flows from a covenant relationship. It is not mere emotion but a committed, active loyalty to His promises and people, often enduring despite human failure. It implies a bond that cannot be broken.
• faithfulness (emet): This word means truth, reliability, firmness, and trustworthiness. God's faithfulness means He is true to His word, reliable in His character, and unchangeable in His promises. It guarantees the stability and certainty of His covenant dealings.
• Words-Group Analysis:
  • "merciful and gracious": These two attributes often appear together, describing God's inherent disposition to show compassion and favor. They underscore His proactive benevolence towards His creatures.
  • "slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness": This phrase showcases the practical outworking of God's character. His patience and abundant supply of loyal love and truth are fundamental to His interaction with His people, preventing immediate retribution and offering ongoing grace within the covenant framework. These qualities enable the continuation of a relationship with a frequently rebellious people.

Exodus 34 6 Bonus section

• Polemical Statement: This description of Yahweh's character stands in stark contrast to the volatile, capricious, and vengeful deities common in the Ancient Near East. Yahweh is presented as inherently merciful and predictable in His kindness, rather than demanding appeasement to prevent arbitrary wrath.
• Liturgical Function: This declaration became a core liturgical confession for Israel, often recited in prayer, lament, and praise (as seen in the numerous cross-references). It provided a common language for describing and appealing to God's unchanging nature.
• Basis for Redemption: The attributes listed in Ex 34:6 provide the theological framework for God's plan of redemption. His mercy and grace explain why He would save humanity, and His steadfast love and faithfulness ensure that He will perfectly carry out His saving purposes, culminating in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who perfectly embodies all these attributes (John 1:14).
• Harmonious Attributes: It is crucial to note that God's mercy and grace do not negate His justice (which is elaborated upon in Ex 34:7). Instead, these attributes are harmonized within the divine character, allowing for both punishment of sin and forgiveness for the repentant.

Exodus 34 6 Commentary

Exodus 34:6 is not merely a descriptive list but a confessional creed, foundational to Israel's understanding of God and continually invoked throughout their history. Spoken after the crisis of the golden calf, it reassures Moses and Israel that God's covenant loyalty remains unbroken despite their profound failure. It reveals that God's core essence is not solely about His omnipotence or justice, but fundamentally about His compassion and unwavering love (chesed) and reliability (emet). His "slowness to anger" is not indifference but patient waiting, born from His desire for His people's repentance and restoration. This declaration ensures hope for reconciliation and serves as the bedrock upon which all future interactions, from the wilderness wanderings to the Prophets and ultimately the New Covenant in Christ, are built. It means that prayer, repentance, and renewed relationship with God are always possible because He Himself has defined His character in terms of enduring mercy and faithfulness.