Exodus 32:33

KJV

And the LORD said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the LORD {H3068} said {H559} unto Moses {H4872}, Whosoever {H834} hath sinned {H2398} against me, him will I blot out {H4229} of my book {H5612}.

Complete Jewish Bible

ADONAI answered Moshe, "Those who have sinned against me are the ones I will blot out of my book.

Berean Standard Bible

The LORD replied to Moses, “Whoever has sinned against Me, I will blot out of My book.

American Standard Version

And Jehovah said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 32:33 presents a solemn and definitive declaration from the LORD to Moses, unequivocally stating the principle of individual accountability for sin in the aftermath of Israel's grievous idolatry with the golden calf. This divine pronouncement clarifies that while collective consequences may befall the nation, the ultimate and most severe judgment—that of being "blotted out" from God's divine register—is reserved for those who have personally and directly rebelled against Him, thereby underscoring the precision, unwavering nature, and profound seriousness of divine justice.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as a pivotal divine response within the dramatic and tragic narrative of Israel's apostasy at Mount Sinai. It directly follows Moses' profound act of intercession for the rebellious nation, where he courageously pleaded with God, even offering himself as a substitute for their sin by saying, "Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin—; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written" ([Exodus 32:32](/exodus/32-32 "Exodus 32:32 - Moses' Selfless Intercession")). The LORD's statement in [Exodus 32:33](/exodus/32-33 "Exodus 32:33 - God's Judgment on Individual Sinners") directly answers Moses' sacrificial offer, clarifying that divine justice, in this ultimate sense, is not arbitrary or purely collective, but meticulously applied to the individual transgressor. This declaration is set against the backdrop of God's initial righteous fury and threat to consume the people ([Exodus 32:10](/exodus/32-10 "Exodus 32:10 - God's Anger and Threat")), Moses' successful appeal to God's covenant character and promises ([Exodus 32:11-14](/exodus/32-11-14 "Exodus 32:11-14 - Moses Pleads with God")), and the subsequent confrontation with the people, culminating in the Levites' zealous action against the idolaters ([Exodus 32:19-29](/exodus/32-19-29 "Exodus 32:19-29 - Moses' Anger and the Levites' Action Against Idolatry")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The incident of the golden calf occurred remarkably soon after Israel had experienced God's awe-inspiring presence and received the Ten Commandments at Mount Sinai, representing an immediate and profound betrayal of their newly established covenant relationship. The creation of an idol was a direct and egregious violation of the first two commandments ([Exodus 20:3-5](/exodus/20-3-5 "Exodus 20:3-5 - The First and Second Commandments")), signifying a swift return to the polytheistic practices of Egypt from which they had just been miraculously delivered. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, kings and deities were commonly depicted as possessing "books" or "registers" where the names of loyal subjects, citizens, or those destined for life or death were recorded. To have one's name "blotted out" from such a record was a severe act of disinheritance, excommunication, or condemnation, often leading to literal death or social ostracization. This prevalent cultural understanding profoundly amplifies the gravity of God's declaration, signifying a definitive removal from His covenant favor, protection, and potentially, from the community of the living or from eternal life. The immediate context is the formative stage of a new nation under God's explicit law, where obedience and loyalty were paramount for their very survival and the reception of divine blessing.
* **Key Themes:** [Exodus 32:33](/exodus/32-33 "Exodus 32:33 - God's Judgment on Individual Sinners") contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Exodus and the broader Pentateuch. Foremost among these is the theme of **divine justice and holiness**, demonstrating that God's character demands a response to sin, even amidst His mercy. It highlights **individual accountability**, emphasizing that despite collective sin, ultimate judgment for direct rebellion rests on the personal transgressor, a principle echoed throughout the Mosaic Law. The concept of a **divine register or "book"** is introduced, foreshadowing later biblical developments of a "Book of Life" where names are recorded for inclusion in God's eternal purposes. This verse also underscores the **seriousness of idolatry** as a direct affront to God's unique sovereignty and a breach of the covenant. Finally, it subtly reinforces the theme of **intercession**, even as God clarifies the limits of such appeals in the face of unrepentant, personal sin, setting the stage for the need for a perfect mediator.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **sinned (Hebrew, _châṭâʼ'_):** This primitive root (H2398) properly means "to miss," and hence, figuratively and generally, "to sin." In the context of the golden calf, it refers to a deliberate and egregious act of rebellion against God's explicit commands and covenant. It encompasses both the act of idolatry itself and the deeper spiritual departure from loyalty to Yahweh, incurring guilt and forfeiting divine favor.
* **blot out (Hebrew, _mâchâh'_):** This primitive root (H4229) properly means "to stroke or rub," and by implication, "to erase" or "to obliterate." When applied to a name in a book, it denotes complete removal, annulment, or deletion. It communicates the finality and severity of God's judgment, indicating a permanent severance of relationship or a definitive condemnation. The imagery suggests a complete removal from a record of existence, favor, or life.
* **book (Hebrew, _çêpher'_):** This term (H5612) refers to "writing (the art or a document)" and by implication, "a book," "register," or "scroll." In this context, it represents a divine record or register where names are inscribed, signifying inclusion in God's covenant community, His favor, or even the continuation of one's life. To be "blotted out" from this book implies removal from that status, from divine remembrance, or from the realm of the living in a spiritual or even physical sense.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the LORD said unto Moses,"**: This opening clause establishes the divine authority and directness of the pronouncement. It is Yahweh (H3068, _Yᵉhôvâh_), the self-existent God of the covenant, speaking directly to Moses (H4872, _Môsheh_), His chosen mediator, underscoring the solemnity and immutability of the declaration. It is a direct response to Moses' intercession, highlighting God's immediate and personal engagement with the consequences of sin.
* **"Whosoever hath sinned against me,"**: This phrase, utilizing the relative pronoun "whosoever" (H834, _ʼăsher_), emphasizes individual accountability. Despite the collective sin of Israel, God's ultimate judgment for this specific consequence is precise and personal. It refers to those who have directly and deliberately engaged in idolatry and rebellion against Him, distinguishing them from those who may have been passively involved or ignorant. It underlines that God's justice is not indiscriminate or merely collective, but meticulously applied to the personal transgressor.
* **"him will I blot out of my book."**: This is the core declaration of judgment. "My book" refers to a divine register, a record of those who are in covenant relationship with God, or perhaps those destined for life and blessing. To "blot out" (H4229, _mâchâh'_) signifies a permanent and complete removal from this record, implying a loss of divine favor, covenant standing, and potentially, eternal life. It is a stark warning of the ultimate spiritual consequence for direct and unrepentant rebellion against the Almighty.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices to convey its profound message. **Metaphor** is central, as "my book" functions as a metaphorical register of those in God's favor or those who belong to Him. This is not a literal physical book, but a powerful image conveying divine knowledge, remembrance, and record-keeping, akin to ancient royal registers. The act of "blotting out" is also a potent **metaphor** for ultimate spiritual condemnation and removal from God's covenant and life, signifying complete erasure from His divine remembrance and favor. This imagery is a form of **anthropomorphism**, attributing human-like actions (writing, erasing) to God to make His judgment comprehensible and relatable to human experience. The statement also functions as a **declarative sentence**, a direct and authoritative pronouncement of divine will and justice, leaving no room for ambiguity regarding the severe consequences of sin. There is also an element of **retribution**, where the punishment directly corresponds to the offense, emphasizing the severity of breaking covenant with the holy God.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 32:33 is foundational for understanding several critical theological themes: divine justice, individual accountability, and the evolving concept of a "Book of Life." It reveals that while God is merciful and responsive to intercession, His justice is immutable and uncompromising; direct, personal rebellion against Him carries severe, personal consequences. This verse establishes that inclusion in God's "book" signifies a precious covenant relationship and divine favor, and its removal represents a profound spiritual loss. This concept evolves throughout Scripture, pointing to a divine record of those who belong to God, culminating in the New Testament's "Lamb's Book of Life," which is a register of those redeemed by Christ.

* [Psalm 69:28](/psalms/69-28 "Psalm 69:28 - Blotted Out of the Book of the Living")
* [Revelation 3:5](/revelation/3-5 "Revelation 3:5 - Names Not Blotted Out")
* [Revelation 20:12](/revelation/20-12 "Revelation 20:12 - The Books Opened for Judgment")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Exodus 32:33 stands as a sobering and timeless reminder of the gravity of sin and the unwavering precision of God's justice. It compels us to consider the profound seriousness of our own relationship with God, highlighting that while He extends boundless grace and mercy, deliberate and unrepentant rebellion against His commands carries dire, personal consequences. This verse challenges any superficial notion of collective salvation apart from genuine individual faith and obedience. It calls us to deep introspection, urging us to examine our hearts for any form of idolatry, unfaithfulness, or unconfessed sin that might distance us from God's favor and covenant blessings. For the believer, it underscores the preciousness and security of having our names eternally written in God's book, a privilege secured not by our own fluctuating merit, but by His sovereign grace through the finished work of Christ. This truth should motivate us to live lives that honor Him, valuing our covenant relationship and seeking genuine repentance when we fall short, trusting in His perfect provision for atonement and reconciliation.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the concept of individual accountability in Exodus 32:33 challenge my understanding of sin and its consequences in my own life?**
* **What "idols" or forms of rebellion, subtle or overt, might exist in my own heart or life that need to be confessed and forsaken before God?**
* **How does the seriousness of being "blotted out" from God's book deepen my appreciation for the security of salvation found exclusively in Christ Jesus?**

### FAQ
**What is "my book" that God refers to in Exodus 32:33?**

Answer: "My book" in this context refers to a divine register or record, often understood as a "book of remembrance" or a "book of life." It is not a literal physical book, but a metaphorical representation of God's perfect knowledge, divine remembrance, and meticulous record-keeping. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, kings kept registers of their citizens, and to be removed from such a list meant disinheritance, excommunication, or even literal death. Similarly, God's "book" signifies a list of those who are in covenant relationship with Him, those who are His people, or those who are destined for life and blessing. To be "blotted out" means to be removed from this divine favor, protection, and potentially from the community of the living or from eternal life. This concept is further developed in later biblical texts, such as [Psalm 69:28](/psalms/69-28 "Psalm 69:28 - Blotted Out of the Book of the Living") and especially in the New Testament with the "Lamb's Book of Life" ([Revelation 20:12](/revelation/20-12 "Revelation 20:12 - The Books Opened for Judgment")).

**Does God literally "blot out" names from His book, implying a loss of salvation for genuine believers?**

Answer: The phrase "blot out" (Hebrew _machah_) signifies a complete removal or erasure. In the Old Testament context of [Exodus 32:33](/exodus/32-33 "Exodus 32:33 - God's Judgment on Individual Sinners"), it refers to the severe consequences of direct and unrepentant rebellion against God, particularly idolatry and covenant breaking within the Mosaic covenant. For Israel, it meant being cut off from the covenant community and its blessings, potentially leading to physical death or spiritual condemnation. While the imagery is profoundly severe, the New Testament clarifies that true salvation, once granted through genuine faith in Christ, is eternally secure ([John 10:28-29](/john/10-28-29 "John 10:28-29 - Jesus' Sheep Are Secure")). The "Book of Life" in the New Testament is primarily a record of those who are truly saved through Christ's atoning work ([Philippians 4:3](/philippians/4-3 "Philippians 4:3 - Names Written in the Book of Life")). Therefore, for a genuine believer whose faith is in Christ, the concept of being "blotted out" from the Lamb's Book of Life does not apply, as their salvation is grounded in Christ's finished work and God's faithfulness, not their own fluctuating obedience. The warning in [Exodus 32:33](/exodus/32-33 "Exodus 32:33 - God's Judgment on Individual Sinners") serves to highlight the seriousness of sin and the need for genuine faith and repentance, underscoring that those who ultimately reject God and His provision for salvation will not be found in His book of life.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Exodus 32:33, with its stark declaration of individual accountability for sin and the terrifying threat of being "blotted out" from God's divine register, finds its ultimate and glorious fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. The severe judgment pronounced against those who "sinned against me" highlights the unbridgeable chasm between a holy God and sinful humanity, a chasm that no human effort, nor even Moses' selfless intercession ([Exodus 32:32](/exodus/32-32 "Exodus 32:32 - Moses' Selfless Plea")), could fully span. Moses' willingness to be "blotted out" profoundly foreshadows the perfect substitutionary atonement of Christ. Jesus, the true Lamb of God ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), was not merely willing but actually *was* "blotted out" from the presence of God on the cross, enduring the full wrath and judgment for the sins of humanity ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")). Through His unparalleled sacrifice, He took upon Himself the very consequence of being "blotted out" so that all who believe in Him might have their names eternally written and secured in the "Lamb's Book of Life" ([Revelation 21:27](/revelation/21-27 "Revelation 21:27 - Only Those in the Lamb's Book of Life Enter")). Thus, the terrifying threat of erasure for sin, so prominent in [Exodus 32:33](/exodus/32-33 "Exodus 32:33 - God's Judgment on Individual Sinners"), is definitively addressed and eternally overcome in Christ, ensuring that for all who are "in Him," their standing before God is not dependent on their own flawed obedience but on His perfect righteousness, guaranteeing their eternal inclusion in God's divine record of salvation ([Romans 8:1](/romans/8-1 "Romans 8:1 - No Condemnation in Christ Jesus")).

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

Ezekiel 18:4

Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die.

Psalms 69:28

Let them be blotted out of the book of the living, and not be written with the righteous.

Deuteronomy 29:20

The LORD will not spare him, but then the anger of the LORD and his jealousy shall smoke against that man, and all the curses that are written in this book shall lie upon him, and the LORD shall blot out his name from under heaven.

Psalms 9:5

Thou hast rebuked the heathen, thou hast destroyed the wicked, thou hast put out their name for ever and ever.

Leviticus 23:30

And whatsoever soul [it be] that doeth any work in that same day, the same soul will I destroy from among his people.

Revelation 20:12

And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is [the book] of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

Revelation 13:8

And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.