Exodus 33:3

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

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.

Complete Jewish Bible:

You will go to a land flowing with milk and honey; but I myself will not go with you, because you are such a stiffnecked people that I might destroy you on the way."

Berean Standard Bible:

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

American Standard Version:

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.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Unto a land^{H776} flowing^{H2100} with milk^{H2461} and honey^{H1706}: for I will not go up^{H5927} in the midst^{H7130} of thee; for thou art a stiffnecked^{{H7186}{H6203}} people^{H5971}: lest I consume^{H3615} thee in the way^{H1870}.

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Exodus 33:3

Exodus 33:3 is a verse that captures a pivotal moment in the narrative of the Israelites' journey from slavery in Egypt to the Promised Land. The historical context is set during the Israelites' wanderings in the wilderness following their exodus from Egypt. The verse is part of a larger conversation between God and Moses after the Israelites had constructed and worshipped a golden calf, a grave sin that broke the covenant between God and His people.

In this verse, God reaffirms His promise to lead the Israelites to a "land flowing with milk and honey," a metaphor for the fertility and abundance of the land of Canaan, which He had promised to their ancestors. However, God also declares that He will not accompany them personally into the land as initially planned because of their idolatry and stubbornness, which is emphasized by the description of them as a "stiffnecked people." This term conveys their obstinacy and resistance to God's authority.

The themes present in this verse include God's faithfulness to His promises despite the people's unfaithfulness, the consequences of sin, and the importance of repentance and obedience. God's decision to withdraw His immediate presence is both a punishment and a protective measure, as His holiness would consume the people because of their sinfulness if He were to remain among them. This highlights the tension between God's justice and mercy, as well as the complex nature of His relationship with His chosen people, which is characterized by both deep affection and righteous judgment.

The verse speaks to the broader biblical theme of covenant relationship, where blessings are contingent upon adherence to God's commandments and statutes. It also prefigures the need for a new covenant that will be established through Christ, who will ultimately deal with the problem of human sin and restore the intimate relationship between God and His people.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H776
   There are 2739 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אֶרֶץ
   Transliteration: ʼerets
   Pronunciation: eh'-rets
   Description: from an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth (at large, or partitively a land); [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins, way, [phrase] wilderness, world.
   
2. Strong's Number: H2100
   There are 41 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: זוּב
   Transliteration: zûwb
   Pronunciation: zoob
   Description: a primitive root; to flow freely (as water), i.e. (specifically) to have a (sexual) flux; figuratively, to waste away; also to overflow; flow, gush out, have a (running) issue, pine away, run.
   
3. Strong's Number: H2461
   There are 44 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: חָלָב
   Transliteration: châlâb
   Pronunciation: khaw-lawb'
   Description: from the same as חֶלֶב; milk (as the richness of kine); [phrase] cheese, milk, sucking.
   
4. Strong's Number: H1706
   There are 54 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: דְּבַשׁ
   Transliteration: dᵉbash
   Pronunciation: deb-ash'
   Description: from an unused root meaning to be gummy; honey (from its stickiness); by analogy, syrup; honey(-comb).
   
5. Strong's Number: H5927
   There are 817 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עָלָה
   Transliteration: ʻâlâh
   Pronunciation: aw-law'
   Description: a primitive root; to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative; arise (up), (cause to) ascend up, at once, break (the day) (up), bring (up), (cause to) burn, carry up, cast up, [phrase] shew, climb (up), (cause to, make to) come (up), cut off, dawn, depart, exalt, excel, fall, fetch up, get up, (make to) go (away, up); grow (over) increase, lay, leap, levy, lift (self) up, light, (make) up, [idiom] mention, mount up, offer, make to pay, [phrase] perfect, prefer, put (on), raise, recover, restore, (make to) rise (up), scale, set (up), shoot forth (up), (begin to) spring (up), stir up, take away (up), work.
   
6. Strong's Number: H7130
   There are 220 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: קֶרֶב
   Transliteration: qereb
   Pronunciation: keh'-reb
   Description: from קָרַב; properly, the nearest part, i.e. the center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial (especially with preposition); [idiom] among, [idiom] before, bowels, [idiom] unto charge, [phrase] eat (up), [idiom] heart, [idiom] him, [idiom] in, inward ([idiom] -ly, part, -s, thought), midst, [phrase] out of, purtenance, [idiom] therein, [idiom] through, [idiom] within self.
   
7. Strong's Number: H7186
   There are 36 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: קָשֶׁה
   Transliteration: qâsheh
   Pronunciation: kaw-sheh'
   Description: from קָשָׁה; severe (in various applications); churlish, cruel, grievous, hard((-hearted), thing), heavy, [phrase] impudent, obstinate, prevailed, rough(-ly), sore, sorrowful, stiff(necked), stubborn, [phrase] in trouble.
   
8. Strong's Number: H6203
   There are 32 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עֹרֶף
   Transliteration: ʻôreph
   Pronunciation: o-ref'
   Description: from עָרַף; the nape or back of the neck (as declining); hence, the back generally (whether literal or figurative); back ((stiff-) neck((-ed).
   
9. Strong's Number: H5971
   There are 1654 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עַם
   Transliteration: ʻam
   Pronunciation: am
   Description: from עָמַם; a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock; folk, men, nation, people.
   
10. Strong's Number: H3615
    There are 200 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: כָּלָה
    Transliteration: kâlâh
    Pronunciation: kaw-law'
    Description: a primitive root; to end, whether intransitive (to cease, be finished, perish) or transitived (to complete, prepare, consume); accomplish, cease, consume (away), determine, destroy (utterly), be (when... were) done, (be an) end (of), expire, (cause to) fail, faint, finish, fulfil, [idiom] fully, [idiom] have, leave (off), long, bring to pass, wholly reap, make clean riddance, spend, quite take away, waste.
    
11. Strong's Number: H1870
    There are 627 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: דֶּרֶךְ
    Transliteration: derek
    Pronunciation: deh'-rek
    Description: from דָּרַךְ; a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb; along, away, because of, [phrase] by, conversation, custom, (east-) ward, journey, manner, passenger, through, toward, (high-) (path-) way(-side), whither(-soever).