Exodus 33:19

KJV

And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy.

KJV (with Strong's)

And he said {H559}, I will make all my goodness {H2898} pass {H5674} before thee, and I will proclaim {H7121} the name {H8034} of the LORD {H3068} before {H6440} thee; and will be gracious {H2603} to whom I will be gracious {H2603}, and will shew mercy {H7355} on whom I will shew mercy {H7355}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He replied, "I will cause all my goodness to pass before you, and in your presence I will pronounce the name of ADONAI. Moreover, I show favor to whomever I will, and I display mercy to whomever I will.

Berean Standard Bible

“I will cause all My goodness to pass before you,” the LORD replied, “and I will proclaim My name—the LORD—in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.”

American Standard Version

And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and will proclaim the name of Jehovah before thee; and I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 33:19 records a pivotal moment in God's self-revelation to Moses, following the grave sin of the golden calf and Moses' audacious request to behold God's glory. In this profound declaration, the LORD promises to reveal the totality of His "goodness" and to "proclaim His name," signifying a comprehensive disclosure of His essential character and attributes. The verse culminates in a powerful affirmation of divine sovereignty, where God asserts His unconditioned freedom to bestow grace and mercy upon whomever He wills, highlighting that His favor is not earned but flows from His own benevolent, immutable, and sovereign nature.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a direct and profound response to Moses' audacious plea in [Exodus 33:18](/exodus/33-18 "Exodus 33:18 - Moses Asks to See God's Glory"), "I beseech thee, shew me thy glory." The immediate narrative flow details the aftermath of Israel's grievous sin with the golden calf, which provoked God's righteous anger and a threat to withdraw His personal presence, sending only an angel to guide them ([Exodus 33:3](/exodus/33-3 "Exodus 33:3 - God Threatens to Withdraw His Presence")). This led to national mourning and Moses' passionate intercession, where he pleaded for God's continued presence among His people, even declaring he would not lead them without it ([Exodus 33:15](/exodus/33-15 "Exodus 33:15 - Moses' Plea for God's Presence")). God relented, promising His presence with Moses ([Exodus 33:17](/exodus/33-17 "Exodus 33:17 - God's Assurance to Moses")), which emboldened Moses to seek an even deeper, more intimate revelation of God's very essence. Exodus 33:19-23 details God's partial granting of this request, where He reveals His character and passes by Moses, while protecting him from His full, unmediated glory, which no human can behold and live ([Exodus 33:20](/exodus/33-20 "Exodus 33:20 - No One Can See God and Live")). This encounter serves as the theological prelude to the renewed covenant and the detailed declaration of God's attributes in [Exodus 34:6-7](/exodus/34-6-7 "Exodus 34:6-7 - The LORD's Self-Declaration of Attributes"), making Exodus 33:19 a foundational statement of divine character.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting for this profound encounter is Mount Sinai, a sacred place where God had already revealed His law and established a covenant with Israel. In the ancient Near East, the "name" of a deity was not merely a label but encapsulated their very essence, power, and character. To "proclaim the name" was to make known the intrinsic nature, authority, and attributes of that being. This concept is crucial here, as God is not just identifying Himself, but revealing *who He is* in His deepest being. Unlike the capricious and often appeasable pagan deities, whose favor might be earned through ritual or sacrifice, the God of Israel here declares His absolute freedom and sovereignty in bestowing favor. This declaration profoundly challenges any notion of human manipulation or entitlement to divine blessing, positioning Yahweh as utterly transcendent and self-sufficient. The concept of God's "goodness" (Hebrew: *ṭûwb*) was not an abstract philosophical quality but manifested concretely in His actions—His faithful provision, miraculous protection, and unwavering commitment to His covenant people, even after their profound betrayal with the golden calf. This intimate encounter underscores the unique relationship between Yahweh and His chosen mediator, Moses, positioning Moses as an unparalleled prophet who experienced a direct, intimate, though veiled, encounter with the divine, distinct from any other in Israel's history.

* **Key Themes:** Exodus 33:19 is a cornerstone for several overarching theological themes. Foremost among them is **Divine Sovereignty**, as God emphatically declares His absolute freedom to dispense grace and mercy according to His own will, not based on human merit or compulsion. This underscores the theme of **Unmerited Favor**, emphasizing that salvation and blessing are entirely gifts from God's benevolent hand. The verse also highlights the theme of **Divine Revelation**, as God promises to make His "goodness pass before" Moses and "proclaim His name," signifying a profound unveiling of His character. This revelation of God's **Inherent Goodness** and His attributes of **Grace and Mercy** forms the very foundation of His covenant relationship with Israel, demonstrating His steadfast love and compassion even in the face of their sin. It also reinforces the theme of **God's Faithfulness to His Covenant**, as He chooses to remain present with His people despite their rebellion, a testament to His unchanging character. This passage sets the stage for God's detailed self-declaration in [Exodus 34:6-7](/exodus/34-6-7 "Exodus 34:6-7 - The LORD's Full Character Description"), which elaborates on these very attributes.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Goodness (Hebrew, טוֹב, _ṭûwb'_):** This term (H2898) refers to the totality of God's moral excellence, benevolence, and perfection. It encompasses all of God's positive attributes, His inherent kindness, and His beneficial actions. When God promises to make "all my goodness pass before thee," it is a promise to reveal the sum of His perfect character, not just a single attribute, but the comprehensive beauty, integrity, and beneficial nature of His being as manifested in His actions and nature. It speaks to His intrinsic quality of being good in every respect.
* **Gracious (Hebrew, חָנַן, _chânan'_):** This word (H2603) denotes a primitive root meaning to bend or stoop in kindness to an inferior; to favor, bestow. It describes unmerited favor, kindness, and a disposition to show favor without any basis in the recipient's worthiness. It is a free act of grace, flowing from God's own benevolent disposition, not from any human deserving. The repetition "I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious" powerfully emphasizes God's absolute freedom and sovereignty in bestowing this quality, highlighting that His grace is never coerced or earned.
* **Mercy (Hebrew, רָחַם, _râcham'_):** This word (H7355) is a primitive root meaning to fondle; by implication, to love, especially to compassionate. It conveys deep compassion, pity, and tender affection, often in response to suffering or distress, akin to the love a mother has for her child (related to the word for "womb"). Like grace, mercy is not earned; it is God's compassionate response to human need and brokenness. The parallel structure "and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy" reinforces God's sovereign prerogative in extending this profound compassion, demonstrating His boundless love and freedom to act as He pleases.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee":** God responds directly to Moses' audacious request to see His glory by promising a profound, experiential revelation of His comprehensive character. "Goodness" here signifies the full spectrum of God's benevolent attributes and moral perfection, which He will manifest to Moses in a tangible, though veiled, way. This is a promise of an intimate encounter with the very essence of God's nature, not merely a fleeting glimpse of His power, but the revelation of His inherent moral and relational excellence.
* **"and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee;":** This clause clarifies the nature of the promised revelation. It is not solely a visual spectacle but an audible, authoritative declaration of God's identity and attributes. To "proclaim the name of the LORD" (YHWH) means to articulate and make known His unique essence, His covenant character, and the specific qualities by which He is known and acts in the world. This is a verbal unveiling of who Yahweh truly is, setting the stage for the detailed attributes revealed in [Exodus 34:6-7](/exodus/34-6-7 "Exodus 34:6-7 - The LORD's Full Character Description").
* **"and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious,":** This is a powerful and absolute assertion of divine sovereignty. God declares His unconditioned freedom to bestow unmerited favor (grace) upon whomever He chooses. His decision to grant grace is not based on human merit, performance, or entitlement, but solely on His own sovereign will and benevolent disposition. This statement underscores that salvation, favor, and blessing are entirely gifts, flowing from God's character, rather than rights earned by human effort.
* **"and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy.":** Parallel to the preceding clause, this statement reiterates God's sovereign prerogative in extending compassion and pity (mercy). Like grace, mercy is not earned; it is God's tender affection and compassionate response to human suffering and sin, freely given according to His own divine will. This repetition emphasizes the absolute freedom and uncoerced nature of God's compassion, demonstrating His boundless love and His right to act as He pleases in His dealings with humanity.

#### Literary Devices
Exodus 33:19 is profoundly rich in literary devices that amplify its theological weight and underscore the nature of God's character. The most prominent is **Parallelism**, particularly in the latter half of the verse: "and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy." This is a classic example of synonymous parallelism, where the second clause reiterates and intensifies the meaning of the first, emphasizing God's absolute and unconditioned sovereignty in dispensing both grace and mercy. The deliberate **Repetition** of "I will be gracious" and "I will shew mercy" within their respective clauses serves to underscore the divine prerogative and the unearned, sovereign nature of these blessings. There is also an element of **Anthropomorphism** in the phrase "make all my goodness pass before thee," describing God's revelation in human-like terms of movement and visibility, making the divine encounter more comprehensible to Moses, though it is understood to be a veiled manifestation. Furthermore, the divine **Proclamation** of His name is a powerful form of **Self-Revelation**, where God actively defines Himself rather than being defined by human perception or expectation, highlighting His transcendence, authority, and the truth of His being.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 33:19 is a foundational text for understanding God's character and His absolute sovereignty. It unequivocally declares that God's grace and mercy are not earned by human merit or works but are freely given according to His divine will. This absolute freedom in bestowing favor is a core tenet of biblical theology, emphasizing that salvation, blessing, and relationship with God originate entirely from God's initiative and benevolent disposition. It highlights God's inherent goodness and His desire to reveal Himself to humanity, even while maintaining His holy transcendence and unapproachable glory. This passage deeply informs our understanding of God's unchangeable attributes and His covenant faithfulness, demonstrating that His compassion endures even in the face of human sin and rebellion. It sets the stage for all future revelations of God's saving character.

* [Romans 9:15-16](/romans/9-15-16 "Romans 9:15-16 - Paul Quotes Exodus 33:19 on God's Sovereignty")
* [Exodus 34:6-7](/exodus/34-6-7 "Exodus 34:6-7 - The LORD's Character Declared")
* [Ephesians 2:4-5](/ephesians/2-4-5 "Ephesians 2:4-5 - God, Rich in Mercy, Made Us Alive")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Exodus 33:19 invites us into a deeper awe of God's character and His sovereign ways. It profoundly reminds us that every good gift, every moment of grace, and every act of mercy in our lives is a direct outflow of His unmerited favor, not something we have earned or deserved. This liberating truth should cultivate profound humility within us, stripping away any sense of entitlement and fostering an overflowing spirit of gratitude for His boundless love. Understanding that God is gracious and merciful by His very nature, and that He bestows these gifts according to His perfect, wise, and loving will, provides immense comfort and security, especially in times of uncertainty, suffering, or when we feel most undeserving. It calls us to trust implicitly in His character, even when His ways are beyond our comprehension, and to rest in the knowledge that His love and favor are not contingent upon our fluctuating performance but upon His unchanging, benevolent nature. This understanding should also compel us to extend grace and mercy to others, reflecting the very character of the God we worship, recognizing that we too are recipients of His unmerited favor.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the declaration "I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy" challenge my preconceived notions of earning God's favor or blessings?**
* **In what specific areas of my life do I need to trust more deeply in God's sovereign goodness, grace, and mercy, particularly when circumstances are difficult or confusing?**
* **Given that God has shown me unmerited favor, how can reflecting on this truth transform my interactions, attitudes, and compassion towards others, especially those I find difficult to love?**

### FAQ
**What does it mean that God will "proclaim the name of the LORD"?**

Answer: To "proclaim the name of the LORD" (YHWH) is far more than simply speaking a word or identifying Himself. In biblical thought, a name encapsulates the very essence, character, authority, and reputation of a person. Therefore, when God promises to proclaim His name, He is promising to reveal His intrinsic nature, His attributes, and His covenant faithfulness in a profound, experiential way. This self-revelation is not merely an intellectual disclosure but a demonstration of who He is through His actions and presence. This promise is gloriously fulfilled in the detailed declaration of God's attributes in [Exodus 34:6-7](/exodus/34-6-7 "Exodus 34:6-7 - The LORD's Full Character Description"), where He describes Himself as "The LORD, the LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin."

**Does God's statement "I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious" negate human free will or responsibility?**

Answer: This statement emphatically highlights God's absolute sovereignty in dispensing grace and mercy, meaning His favor is not earned by human merit but is a free gift of His divine will. It underscores that salvation and blessing originate entirely from God's initiative. However, it does not necessarily negate human free will or responsibility. Rather, it emphasizes the divine priority and initiative in salvation. While humans are responsible to respond to God's call in faith and repentance, the very ability to do so, and the offer of salvation itself, are rooted in God's prior, sovereign choice to be gracious. The Bible consistently presents a tension between divine sovereignty and human responsibility, both of which are true and operate in concert. God's sovereign choice to extend grace is the foundational act upon which human response becomes possible, as seen in passages like [John 6:44](/john/6-44 "John 6:44 - No One Can Come Unless the Father Draws Him"), where Jesus states that no one can come to Him unless the Father draws them, and [Philippians 2:12-13](/philippians/2-12-13 "Philippians 2:12-13 - Work Out Your Own Salvation"), which encourages believers to "work out their own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure."

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Exodus 33:19 finds its ultimate and most glorious fulfillment in the person of Jesus Christ. The promise that God would "make all my goodness pass before thee" and "proclaim the name of the LORD" is perfectly realized in the Incarnation. While Moses saw only a veiled glimpse of God's glory and heard a proclamation of His attributes, the Apostle John tells us that "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" ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Incarnation of the Word")). Jesus is the visible embodiment of God's goodness, the very image of the invisible God ([Colossians 1:15](/colossians/1-15 "Colossians 1:15 - Christ, the Image of the Invisible God")), and the radiance of the Father's glory ([Hebrews 1:3](/hebrews/1-3 "Hebrews 1:3 - Christ, the Radiance of God's Glory")). Moreover, the sovereign declaration "I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy" is powerfully demonstrated in God's redemptive plan accomplished through Christ. God's sovereign choice to save humanity, not based on their merit but on His boundless love and unmerited favor, is fully expressed in sending His Son to die for sinners while they were still helpless and ungodly ([Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - God Demonstrates His Love")). In Jesus, we encounter the full revelation of God's name, His character, and His saving grace and mercy, freely extended to all who believe, demonstrating that salvation is entirely a work of God's sovereign love and compassion, "not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy" ([Titus 3:5](/titus/3-5 "Titus 3:5 - Saved Not by Works, But by Mercy")). He is the living manifestation of God's sovereign grace.

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

Romans 9:15

For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.

Romans 9:18

Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will [have mercy], and whom he will he hardeneth.

Ephesians 1:6

To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

Ephesians 1:8

Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;

Jeremiah 31:14

And I will satiate the soul of the priests with fatness, and my people shall be satisfied with my goodness, saith the LORD.

Jeremiah 31:12

Therefore they shall come and sing in the height of Zion, and shall flow together to the goodness of the LORD, for wheat, and for wine, and for oil, and for the young of the flock and of the herd: and their soul shall be as a watered garden; and they shall not sorrow any more at all.

Exodus 34:5

¶ And the LORD descended in the cloud, and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the LORD.