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 declaration from the LORD to Moses, emphasizing the principle of individual accountability for sin in the wake of Israel's egregious idolatry with the golden calf. This divine pronouncement clarifies that while collective consequences may affect the nation, the ultimate and most severe judgment of being "blotted out" from God's record is reserved for those who have personally and directly rebelled against Him, underscoring the precision and unwavering nature of divine justice.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a direct and pivotal response within the dramatic narrative of Israel's apostasy at Mount Sinai. Immediately preceding it, Moses has engaged in fervent intercession for the rebellious nation, even offering himself as a substitute for their sin, pleading with God to "blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written" ([Exodus 32:32](/exodus/32-32 "Exodus 32:32 - Moses' Intercession")) if it would spare the people. The LORD's statement in Exodus 32:33 directly answers Moses' sacrificial offer, clarifying that divine justice is not arbitrary or collective in this ultimate sense, but meticulously applied to the individual transgressor. It follows God's initial 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 character and covenant promises ([Exodus 32:11-14](/exodus/32-11 "Exodus 32:11-14 - Moses Pleads with God")), and the subsequent confrontation with the people and the Levites' zealous action against the idolaters ([Exodus 32:19-29](/exodus/32-19 "Exodus 32:19-29 - Moses' Anger and the Levites' Action")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The incident of the golden calf occurred shortly after Israel had witnessed God's majestic presence and received the Ten Commandments at Mount Sinai, signifying a profound and immediate betrayal of their covenant relationship. The making of an idol was a direct violation of the first two commandments ([Exodus 20:3-5](/exodus/20-3 "Exodus 20:3-5 - The First and Second Commandments")), representing a return to the polytheistic practices of Egypt from which they had just been delivered. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, kings and gods were often depicted with "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 cultural understanding amplifies the gravity of God's declaration, signifying a removal from His covenant favor, protection, and potentially, from the community of the living or from eternal life. The immediate context is the establishment of a new nation under God's law, where obedience and loyalty are paramount for survival and blessing.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Sinned (Hebrew, _chata'_):** This verb signifies "to miss the mark," "to go astray," or "to incur guilt." 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.
* **Blot out (Hebrew, _machah'_):** This powerful verb means "to wipe away," "to erase," "to obliterate," or "to utterly destroy." 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, _sepher'_):** While not explicitly called "the book of life" here, this term refers to a scroll or register. 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 God Himself speaking, not through an intermediary, underscoring the solemnity and immutability of the declaration. It is a direct response to Moses' intercession, highlighting God's immediate engagement with the consequences of sin.
* **"Whosoever hath sinned against me,"**: This phrase 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.
* **"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" 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. **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 book, but a powerful image conveying divine knowledge, remembrance, and record-keeping. The act of "blotting out" is also a **metaphor** for ultimate spiritual condemnation and removal from God's covenant and life. This imagery is a form of **anthropomorphism**, attributing human-like actions (writing, erasing) to God to make His judgment comprehensible. 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 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 God.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 32:33 is foundational for understanding several critical theological themes: divine justice, individual accountability, and the concept of a "Book of Life." It reveals that while God is merciful and responsive to intercession, His justice is not compromised; direct 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."

* [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 reminder of the gravity of sin and the unwavering precision of God's justice. It compels us to consider the seriousness of our own relationship with God, highlighting that while He extends grace and mercy, deliberate and unrepentant rebellion against His commands carries dire consequences. This verse challenges any notion of collective salvation apart from individual faith and obedience. It calls us to introspection, urging us to examine our hearts for any idolatry or unfaithfulness that might distance us from God's favor. For the believer, it underscores the preciousness of having our names written in God's book, a privilege secured not by our own merit, but by His grace through Christ. It should motivate us to live lives that honor Him, valuing our covenant relationship and seeking genuine repentance when we fall short, trusting in His provision for atonement.

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

### 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 and record-keeping. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, kings kept registers of their citizens, and to be removed from such a list meant disinheritance or 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 believers?**

Answer: The phrase "blot out" (Hebrew _machah_) signifies a complete removal or erasure. In the Old Testament context of Exodus 32:33, it refers to the consequences of direct and unrepentant rebellion against God, particularly idolatry and covenant breaking. 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 severe, the New Testament clarifies that true salvation, once granted through faith in Christ, is eternally secure ([John 10:28-29](/john/10-28 "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 ([Philippians 4:3](/philippians/4-3 "Philippians 4:3 - Names Written in the Book of Life")). Therefore, for a genuine believer, 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, not their own fluctuating obedience. The warning in Exodus 32:33 serves to highlight the seriousness of sin and the need for genuine faith and repentance, underscoring that those who ultimately reject God will not be found in His book of life.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Exodus 32:33, with its stark declaration of individual accountability and the threat of being "blotted out" from God's book, finds its ultimate and glorious fulfillment in the person and 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 or even Moses' selfless intercession could fully span. Moses' willingness to be "blotted out" ([Exodus 32:32](/exodus/32-32 "Exodus 32:32 - Moses' Selfless Plea")) foreshadows the perfect substitutionary atonement of Christ. Jesus, the true 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 sacrifice, He took upon Himself the very consequence of being "blotted out" so that those 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 threat of erasure for sin is definitively addressed and 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.