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 presents a pivotal moment in God's self-revelation to Moses, following the golden calf incident and Moses' bold request to behold God's glory. In this profound declaration, the LORD promises to reveal His inherent "goodness" and to "proclaim His name," signifying a 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 and sovereign nature.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a direct 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 preceding verses detail the aftermath of Israel's grievous sin with the golden calf. God had threatened to withdraw His presence from the Israelites, sending an angel instead ([Exodus 33:3](/exodus/33-3 "Exodus 33:3 - God Threatens to Withdraw His Presence")), leading to national mourning. Moses, however, interceded passionately for the people, pleading for God's continued presence among them, 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 then emboldened Moses to ask for a deeper revelation of God's very essence. Exodus 33:19-23 details God's partial granting of this request, where He reveals His character while protecting Moses 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 sets the stage for the renewed covenant and the detailed declaration of God's attributes in [Exodus 34:6-7](/exodus/34-6 "Exodus 34:6-7 - The LORD's Self-Declaration").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is Mount Sinai, a place of profound divine encounter. In the ancient Near East, the "name" of a deity often encapsulated their essence, power, and character. To "proclaim the name" was to reveal the very nature of that being. Unlike pagan deities whose favor might be appeased or earned through ritual or sacrifice, the God of Israel here declares His absolute freedom and sovereignty in bestowing favor. This declaration challenges any notion of human manipulation or entitlement to divine blessing. The concept of God's "goodness" (Hebrew: *ṭûḇ*) was not merely an abstract quality but manifested in His actions—His provision, protection, and faithfulness to His covenant people, even after their profound betrayal. This 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.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Goodness (Hebrew, טוּבִי, _ṭûḇî'_):** This term 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 and integrity of His being as manifested in His actions and nature.
* **Proclaim the name of the LORD (Hebrew, קָרָא בְשֵׁם יְהוָה, _qārāʾ bəšēm YHWH'_):** More than simply uttering a word, this phrase signifies a public declaration or revelation of God's essential being, His attributes, and His covenant faithfulness. In ancient thought, a name represented the character and essence of a person. To "proclaim the name of the LORD" is to unveil Yahweh's identity, His unique nature as the self-existent, covenant-keeping God, and to make known the attributes by which He relates to His creation, particularly His people. This proclamation is further elaborated in [Exodus 34:6-7](/exodus/34-6 "Exodus 34:6-7 - The LORD's Full Self-Declaration").
* **Gracious (Hebrew, חָנַן, _ḥānan'_), Mercy (Hebrew, רָחַם, _raḥam'_):** These two words are often paired to describe God's compassionate nature. *Ḥānan* denotes unmerited favor, kindness, and a disposition to show favor without any basis in the recipient's worthiness. It is a free act of grace. *Raḥam* 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"). The repetition and parallel structure ("I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy") powerfully emphasize God's absolute freedom and sovereignty in bestowing these qualities. They are not coerced or earned but flow from His own divine will and character.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee":** God responds directly to Moses' request to see His glory by promising a revelation of His comprehensive character. "Goodness" here represents 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 a profound, experiential encounter with God's nature.
* **"and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee;":** This clause clarifies the nature of the revelation. It's not merely a visual spectacle but an audible declaration of God's identity and attributes. To "proclaim the name of the LORD" means to articulate and make known His unique essence, His covenant character, and the qualities by which He is known and acts in the world. This is a verbal unveiling of who Yahweh truly is.
* **"and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious,":** This is a powerful assertion of divine sovereignty. God declares His absolute 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. It underscores that salvation and blessing are gifts, not rights.
* **"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. God's tender affection and compassionate response to human need are freely given according to His own divine will, demonstrating His boundless love and freedom to act as He pleases.

#### Literary Devices
Exodus 33:19 is rich in literary devices that amplify its theological weight. The most prominent is **Parallelism**, particularly in the second 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 synonymous parallelism emphasizes God's absolute and unconditioned sovereignty in dispensing grace and mercy. The **Repetition** of "I will be gracious" and "I will shew mercy" within their respective clauses serves to underscore the divine prerogative and the unearned 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, making the divine encounter more comprehensible to Moses. Furthermore, the divine **Proclamation** of His name is a form of **Self-Revelation**, where God actively defines Himself rather than being defined by human perception or expectation, highlighting His transcendence and authority.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 33:19 is a foundational text for understanding God's character and sovereignty. It unequivocally declares that God's grace and mercy are not earned 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 and blessing originate entirely from God's initiative and benevolent disposition, rather than human merit or works. It highlights God's inherent goodness and His desire to reveal Himself to humanity, even while maintaining His holy transcendence. This passage deeply informs our understanding of God's unchangeable attributes and His covenant faithfulness, even in the face of human sin.

* [Romans 9:15-16](/romans/9-15 "Romans 9:15-16 - Paul Quotes Exodus 33:19 on God's Sovereignty")
* [Exodus 34:6-7](/exodus/34-6 "Exodus 34:6-7 - The LORD's Character Declared")
* [Ephesians 2:8-9](/ephesians/2-8 "Ephesians 2:8-9 - Salvation by Grace Through Faith")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Exodus 33:19 invites us into a deeper awe of God's character and His sovereign ways. It 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 truth should cultivate profound humility, stripping away any sense of entitlement and fostering a spirit of gratitude. Understanding that God is gracious and merciful by His very nature, and that He bestows these gifts according to His perfect will, provides immense comfort and security, especially in times of uncertainty or when we feel most undeserving. It calls us to trust in His character, even when His ways are beyond our comprehension, and to rest in the knowledge that His love is not contingent upon our performance but upon His unchanging nature. This understanding should also compel us to extend grace and mercy to others, reflecting the very character of the God we worship.

#### 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 understanding of earning God's favor?**
* **In what specific areas of my life do I need to trust more deeply in God's sovereign goodness, grace, and mercy?**
* **How can reflecting on God's unmerited favor in Exodus 33:19 transform my interactions and attitudes towards others?**

### 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. In biblical thought, a name encapsulates the very essence, character, and authority 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. This self-revelation is not merely an intellectual disclosure but an experiential one, demonstrating who He is through His actions and presence. This promise is fulfilled in the detailed declaration of God's attributes in [Exodus 34:6-7](/exodus/34-6 "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."

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

Answer: This statement emphasizes 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 will. It does not, however, necessarily negate human free will or responsibility. Rather, it highlights the divine 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. God's sovereign choice to extend grace is the foundation 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") and [Philippians 2:12-13](/philippians/2-12 "Philippians 2:12-13 - Work Out Your Own Salvation").

### 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, 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")). 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 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 ([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 ([Titus 3:5](/titus/3-5 "Titus 3:5 - Saved Not by Works, But by Mercy")).

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.