Exodus 29:46

KJV

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.

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}.

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.

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.

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.

Commentary

### 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](/exodus/29-38-42 "Exodus 29:38-42 - The Daily Burnt Offering and God's Promise of Presence"), 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](/exodus/12 "Exodus 12 - The Passover and Exodus"). 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](/exodus/12 "Exodus 12 - The Passover and 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](/exodus/13 "Exodus 13 - The Pillar of Cloud and Fire")) is the foundational act that enables His intimate dwelling and their knowing Him.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Know (Hebrew, _yâdaʻ'_):** 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'_):** This is God's sacred covenant name, the Tetragrammaton, revealed to Moses at the burning bush ([Exodus 3:14](/exodus/3-14 "Exodus 3:14 - God Reveals His Name 'I AM'")). 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'_):** 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.

* [Leviticus 26:11-12](/leviticus/26-11-12 "Leviticus 26:11-12 - God's Promise to Dwell Among His People and Be Their God")
* [Ezekiel 37:27-28](/ezekiel/37-27-28 "Ezekiel 37:27-28 - God's Covenant of Peace and Perpetual Dwelling")
* [Zechariah 2:10-11](/zechariah/2-10-11 "Zechariah 2:10-11 - God's Dwelling in Zion and Nations Joining Him")

### 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](/exodus/12 "Exodus 12 - The Passover and Exodus"). 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](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh and Tabernacled Among Us") 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](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). 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](/1_corinthians/3-16 "1 Corinthians 3:16 - Believers as God's Temple")). This divine desire for intimacy, first articulated in Exodus, culminates in the new heavens and new earth, where [Revelation 21:3](/revelation/21-3 "Revelation 21:3 - God's Dwelling with Humanity in New Creation") 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.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

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;