What number verse is Exodus 29:46 in the Bible?

Exodus 29:46 is the 2,383rd verse of the Bible. Counting straight through the King James canon — all 31,102 verses from Genesis 1:1 to Revelation 22:21 — Exodus 29:46 sits at position 2,383.

29:4529:45

Exodus 29:46

Q: What is the significance of God's repeated declaration, "I [am] the LORD their God," in this verse?

The repetition of "I [am] the LORD their God" (Hebrew: Yᵉhôvâh ʼĕlôhîym) is highly significant. It serves as a powerful theological anchor, emphasizing God's unchanging identity, His covenant faithfulness, and His unique, exclusive relationship with Israel. By reiterating His covenant name, Yᵉhôvâh, God reminds them of His self-existence, His eternal nature, and His unwavering commitment to His promises. This declaration reinforces that the entire system of the Tabernacle and the priesthood is rooted in His initiative and His desire to be personally known by His people, whom He redeemed from the land of Egypt. It's a profound statement of ownership, commitment, and intimate relationship, setting Him apart from all other deities and assuring Israel of His faithful presence.

30:130:1

Translation

King James Version

And they shall know that I am the LORD their God, that brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, that I may dwell among them: I am the LORD their God.

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KJV (with Strong's)

And they shall know ^H3045 that I am the LORD ^H3068 their God ^H430, that brought them forth ^H3318 out of the land ^H776 of Egypt ^H4714, that I may dwell ^H7931 among ^H8432 them: I am the LORD ^H3068 their God ^H430.

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Complete Jewish Bible

they will know that I am ADONAI their God, who brought them out of the land of Egypt in order to live with them. I am ADONAI their God.

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Berean Standard Bible

And they will know that I am the LORD their God, who brought them out of the land of Egypt so that I might dwell among them. I am the LORD their God.

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American Standard Version

And they shall know that I am Jehovah their God, that brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, that I might dwell among them: I am Jehovah their God.

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World English Bible Messianic

They shall know that I am the LORD their God, who brought them out of the land of Egypt, that I might dwell among them: I am the LORD their God.

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Geneva Bible (1599)

Then shall they knowe that I am ye Lord their God, that brought them out of the lande of Egypt, that I might dwell among them: I am the Lord their God.

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Young's Literal Translation

and they have known that I am Jehovah their God, who hath brought them out of the land of Egypt, that I may tabernacle in their midst; I am Jehovah their God.

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Study This Verse

SUMMARY

Exodus 29:46 serves as a profound theological capstone to the elaborate instructions for the Tabernacle's construction and the priestly ordination, encapsulating God's ultimate purpose for His covenant relationship with Israel. It declares His desire for His people to experientially "know" Him as their delivering God, who miraculously redeemed them from Egyptian bondage, and whose ultimate aim is to intimately reside among them, thereby reaffirming His covenant identity and enduring presence.

CONTEXT

Literary Context: This verse provides a climactic theological summary for a lengthy and intricate section of Exodus (chapters 25-29) that details the precise divine blueprints for the Tabernacle, its sacred furnishings, and the elaborate rituals for consecrating Aaron and his sons as priests. The preceding verses, particularly Exodus 29:38-42, describe the perpetual daily burnt offering, emphasizing the ongoing need for atonement and communion to maintain holiness in the presence of a holy God. Exodus 29:46 functions as the grand "why" behind all these meticulous commands, articulating the overarching spiritual purpose: the ultimate goal of God's dwelling among His people and their experiential, relational knowledge of Him. It transitions the reader from the detailed mechanics of worship to its profound spiritual significance.
Historical & Cultural Context: The Israelites had recently experienced the miraculous deliverance from centuries of slavery in Egypt, an event foundational to their identity as God's chosen people, as recounted in Exodus 12. They were now a nascent nation, journeying through the harsh wilderness, utterly dependent on God's provision and guidance. In this precarious context, the Tabernacle was far more than a mere place of worship; it was a tangible, mobile symbol of God's immediate, active, and accessible presence in their midst. It signified His unwavering commitment to lead, protect, and communicate with them, profoundly differentiating them from surrounding pagan nations who worshipped localized, often capricious, deities. The entire system of priests, sacrifices, and the Tabernacle itself was divinely designed to bridge the chasm between a holy God and an imperfect, sinful people, making His dwelling possible without consuming them.
Key Themes: This verse powerfully encapsulates several major theological themes prevalent throughout Exodus and the Pentateuch. Foremost is the theme of Divine Presence (Immanence), as God explicitly states His desire to "dwell among them," which is the very purpose of the Tabernacle and the priestly system. Closely related is Covenant Relationship, where God reaffirms His identity as "the LORD their God," emphasizing His unique, binding commitment to Israel, forged through His redemptive act of the Exodus. The verse also highlights Experiential Knowledge of God, where "they shall know" Him not just intellectually, but through His mighty acts and His tangible presence. This knowledge implies a responsive, obedient relationship, reflecting the reciprocal nature of the covenant. Finally, it underscores Redemption as a Prerequisite for Communion, demonstrating that God's act of bringing them out of Egypt (Exodus 13) is the foundational act that enables His intimate dwelling and their knowing Him.

EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

Key Word Analysis

Know (Hebrew, yâdaʻ', H3045): This word signifies far more than mere intellectual apprehension. In biblical usage, yâdaʻ denotes an intimate, experiential, and relational knowledge, often implying covenant fidelity and personal relationship. Here, it means that through God's redemptive acts (like the Exodus) and His tangible presence in the Tabernacle, Israel would come to ascertain and comprehend His character, power, and faithfulness not just conceptually, but through lived experience and recognition. It implies a deep, personal relationship forged through shared history and ongoing communion, leading to acknowledgment and understanding.
LORD (Hebrew, Yᵉhôvâh', H3068): This is God's sacred covenant name, the Tetragrammaton, revealed to Moses at the burning bush (Exodus 3:14). It speaks of God's self-existence, His eternal nature, and His unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises. The repetition of "I [am] the LORD their God" underscores His unique identity as the sovereign, self-existent, and covenant-keeping God who is personally committed to Israel, setting Him apart as the one true God.
Dwell (Hebrew, shâkan', H7931): This verb literally means "to settle down," "to reside," or "to permanently stay." It is the root from which the word mishkan (Tabernacle) is derived, emphasizing its core purpose. Its use here highlights God's profound desire for a permanent, tangible, and accessible presence among His people. It speaks to His immanence, His willingness to condescend and make His abode with humanity, signifying intimacy, protection, guidance, and a continuous relationship.

Verse Breakdown

"And they shall know that I [am] the LORD their God,": This opening clause establishes the primary outcome and purpose of God's redemptive work and indwelling presence: Israel's experiential and relational knowledge of Him. It emphasizes God's self-revelation, asserting His unique covenant identity as Yᵉhôvâh, their personal and faithful deity, distinct from all other gods. This "knowing" is not passive but implies a responsive, obedient, and intimate relationship.
"that brought them forth out of the land of Egypt,": This phrase grounds God's identity and His right to dwell among them in His foundational act of redemption. The Exodus from Egyptian bondage was the definitive historical event that established Israel's identity as His chosen people and powerfully demonstrated His unparalleled power, faithfulness, and love. It is the irrefutable basis upon which the covenant relationship and His subsequent dwelling are predicated.
"that I may dwell among them:": This reveals the ultimate purpose and culmination of all the Tabernacle instructions and priestly consecrations detailed in the preceding chapters. God's desire is not merely to save them from bondage but to establish an intimate, tangible, and ongoing presence in their midst. The Tabernacle, and all its associated rituals, served as the divinely ordained means by which a holy God could reside among an unholy people, providing a consecrated space for communion, reconciliation, and ongoing relationship.
"I [am] the LORD their God.": This concluding phrase serves as a powerful reiteration and emphatic affirmation of the opening statement. It acts as an inclusio for the entire verse, reinforcing God's unchanging identity and His unwavering commitment to His covenant relationship with Israel. The repetition emphasizes the certainty and permanence of His claim, His ownership, and His deep desire for enduring intimacy with His redeemed people.

Literary Devices

The verse prominently employs Repetition, specifically of the phrase "I [am] the LORD their God." This repetition serves to underscore and deeply engrain God's covenant identity and His unwavering commitment to His people. It functions as a powerful Emphasis, highlighting the central truth that the entire Tabernacle system and the priestly ministry are ultimately about God's self-revelation and His desire for intimate relationship. The structure of the verse also demonstrates a clear Cause and Effect relationship, where God's mighty act of bringing them out of Egypt (the cause) leads directly to their experiential knowledge of Him and His ultimate desire to dwell among them (the effect). This logical progression reinforces the profound theological truth that redemption is the foundational prerequisite for true communion and indwelling.

THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS

Exodus 29:46 is a cornerstone verse, articulating the profound theological truth that God's ultimate desire is not merely to save humanity from sin but to restore intimate fellowship and dwell among His people. This theme of divine indwelling permeates the entire biblical narrative, from God's presence in the Garden of Eden to His future dwelling with humanity in the new creation. It underscores the relational nature of God and His unwavering commitment to His covenant people, revealing that all divine acts of redemption are ultimately purposed for communion and the establishment of a vibrant, personal relationship.

REFLECTION AND APPLICATION

Exodus 29:46 provides a timeless and profound reminder of God's deep desire for a personal, intimate relationship with His people. It reveals that the elaborate systems of worship and sacrifice in the Old Testament were not ends in themselves, but divinely ordained means to facilitate this divine indwelling and to enable humanity to truly "know" their God in an experiential, covenantal sense. For believers today, this verse challenges us to consider the depth of our own knowledge of God. Is it merely intellectual assent to theological facts, or is it an experiential, relational knowing that has been forged through His redemptive work in our lives? Recognizing that God's ultimate goal is to dwell among us should inspire us to cultivate His presence in our daily lives, pursuing holiness, obedience, and heartfelt communion. It assures us that our salvation is not just about escaping judgment, but about entering into a vibrant, ongoing fellowship with the living God who desires to be intimately known by His people, transforming us by His indwelling Spirit.

Questions for Reflection

How does understanding God's desire to "dwell among" His people reshape your view of His character and ultimate purposes for humanity?
In what tangible ways do you currently "know" God experientially, beyond mere intellectual understanding or religious ritual?
What practical steps can you take this week to cultivate a deeper sense of God's presence and foster more intimate communion with Him in your daily life?

FAQ

What is the significance of God's repeated declaration, "I [am] the LORD their God," in this verse?

Answer: The repetition of "I [am] the LORD their God" (Hebrew: Yᵉhôvâh ʼĕlôhîym) is highly significant. It serves as a powerful theological anchor, emphasizing God's unchanging identity, His covenant faithfulness, and His unique, exclusive relationship with Israel. By reiterating His covenant name, Yᵉhôvâh, God reminds them of His self-existence, His eternal nature, and His unwavering commitment to His promises. This declaration reinforces that the entire system of the Tabernacle and the priesthood is rooted in His initiative and His desire to be personally known by His people, whom He redeemed from the land of Egypt. It's a profound statement of ownership, commitment, and intimate relationship, setting Him apart from all other deities and assuring Israel of His faithful presence.

CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT

Exodus 29:46 finds its ultimate and glorious fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The Tabernacle, where God promised to "dwell among them," was a temporary, physical foreshadowing of a far greater reality. In the New Testament, John 1:14 declares, "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth." The Greek word translated "dwelt" (ἐσκήνωσεν, eskēnōsen) literally means "tabernacled," signifying that Jesus Himself is the ultimate dwelling place of God, the perfect embodiment of God's presence among humanity. He is the one through whom we truly "know" God, not merely intellectually, but experientially, as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Furthermore, in Christ, God's dwelling is no longer confined to a physical structure but extends to His people through the indwelling Holy Spirit, making believers corporate and individual temples of God (1 Corinthians 3:16). This divine desire for intimacy, first articulated in Exodus, culminates in the new heavens and new earth, where Revelation 21:3 proclaims, "Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God," a perfect and eternal realization of the promise.

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Commentary on Exodus 29 verses 38–46

38 ¶ Now this is that which thou shalt offer upon the altar; two lambs of the first year day by day continually.

39 The one lamb thou shalt offer in the morning; and the other lamb thou shalt offer at even:

40 And with the one lamb a tenth deal of flour mingled with the fourth part of an hin of beaten oil; and the fourth part of an hin of wine for a drink offering.

41 And the other lamb thou shalt offer at even, and shalt do thereto according to the meat offering of the morning, and according to the drink offering thereof, for a sweet savour, an offering made by fire unto the LORD.

42 This shall be a continual burnt offering throughout your generations at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation before the LORD: where I will meet you, to speak there unto thee.

43 And there I will meet with the children of Israel, and the tabernacle shall be sanctified by my glory.

44 And I will sanctify the tabernacle of the congregation, and the altar: I will sanctify also both Aaron and his sons, to minister to me in the priest's office.

45 And I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will be their God.

46 And they shall know that I am the LORD their God, that brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, that I may dwell among them: I am the LORD their God.

In this paragraph we have,

I. The daily service appointed. A lamb was to be offered upon the altar every morning, and a lamb every evening, each with a meat-offering, both made by fire, as a continual burnt-offering throughout their generations, Exo 29:38-41. Whether there were any other sacrifices to be offered or not, these were sure to be offered, at the public charge, for the benefit and comfort of all Israel, to make atonement for their daily sins, and to be an acknowledgement to God of their daily mercies. This was that which the duty of every day required. The taking away of this daily sacrifice by Antiochus, for so many evenings and mornings, was that great calamity of the church which was foretold, Dan 8:11. Note, 1. This typified the continual intercession which Christ ever lives to make, in virtue of his satisfaction, for the continual sanctification of his church: though he offered himself once for all, yet that one offering thus becomes a continual offering. 2. This teaches us to offer up to God the spiritual sacrifices of prayer and praise every day, morning and evening, in humble acknowledgement of our dependence upon him and our obligations to him. Our daily devotions must be looked upon as the most needful of our daily works and the most pleasant of our daily comforts. Whatever business we have, this must never be omitted, either morning or evening; prayer-time must be kept up as duly as meat-time. The daily sacrifices were as the daily meals in God's house, and therefore they were always attended with bread and wine. Those starve their own souls that keep not up a constant attendance on the throne of grace.

II. Great and precious promises made of God's favour to Israel, and the tokens of his special presence with them, while they thus kept up his institutions among them. He speaks as one well pleased with the appointment of the daily sacrifice; for, before he proceeds to the other appointments that follow, he interposes these promises. It is constancy in religion that brings in the comfort of it. He promises, 1. That he would keep up communion with them; that he would not only meet Moses, and speak to him, but that he would meet the children of Israel, (Exo 29:43), to accept the daily sacrifices offered up on their behalf. Note, God will not fail to give those the meeting who diligently and conscientiously attend upon him in the ordinances of his own appointment. 2. That he would own his own institutions, the tabernacle, the altar, the priesthood (Exo 29:43, Exo 29:44); he would take possession of that which was consecrated to him. Note, What is sanctified to the glory of God shall be sanctified by his glory. If we do our part, God will do his, and will mark and fit that for himself which is in sincerity given up to him. 3. That he would reside among them as God in covenant with them, and would give them sure and comfortable tokens of his peculiar favour to them, and his special presence with them (Exo 29:45, Exo 29:46): I will dwell among the children of Israel. Note, Where God sets up the tabernacle of his ordinances he will himself dwell. Lo, I am with you always, Mat 28:20. Those that abide in God's house shall have God to abide with them. I will be their God, and they shall know that I am so. Note, Those are truly happy that have a covenant-interest in God as theirs and the comfortable evidence of that interest. If we have this, we have enough, and need no more to make us happy.

Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 38–46. Public domain.

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Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.

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Cross-References

Exodus 20:2
I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.
Jeremiah 31:33
But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.
Leviticus 19:2
Speak unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say unto them, Ye shall be holy: for I the LORD your God am holy.
Leviticus 11:44
For I am the LORD your God: ye shall therefore sanctify yourselves, and ye shall be holy; for I am holy: neither shall ye defile yourselves with any manner of creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
Leviticus 18:30
Therefore shall ye keep mine ordinance, that ye commit not any one of these abominable customs, which were committed before you, and that ye defile not yourselves therein: I am the LORD your God.
Ezekiel 20:5
¶ And say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; In the day when I chose Israel, and lifted up mine hand unto the seed of the house of Jacob, and made myself known unto them in the land of Egypt, when I lifted up mine hand unto them, saying, I am the LORD your God;