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Commentary on Exodus 34 verses 10–17
Reconciliation being made, a covenant of friendship is here settled between God and Israel. The traitors are not only pardoned, but preferred and made favourites again. Well may the assurances of this be ushered in with a behold, a word commanding attention and admiration: Behold, I make a covenant. When the covenant was broken, it was Israel that broke it; now that it comes to be renewed, it is God that makes it. If there be quarrels, we must bear all the blame; if there be peace, God must have all the glory. Here is,
I. God's part of this covenant, what he would do for them, Exo 34:10, Exo 34:11. 1. In general: Before all thy people, I will do marvels. Note, Covenant-blessings are marvellous things (Psa 98:1), marvels in the kingdom of grace; those mentioned here were marvels in the kingdom of nature, the drying up of Jordan, the standing still of the sun, etc. Marvels indeed, for they were without precedent, such as have not been done in all the earth. They were the joy of Israel, and the confirmation of their faith: Thy people shall see, and own the work of the Lord. And they were the terror of their enemies: It is a terrible thing that I will do. Nay, even God's own people should see them with astonishment. 2. In particular: I drive out before thee the Amorite. God, as King of nations, plucks up some, to plant others, as it pleases him; as King of saints, he made room for the vine he brought out of Egypt, Psa 80:8, Psa 80:9. Kingdoms are sacrificed to Israel's interests, Isa 43:3, Isa 43:4.
II. Their part of the covenant: Observe that which I command thee. We cannot expect the benefit of the promises unless we make conscience of the precepts.
1.The two great precepts are, (1.) Thou shalt worship no other gods (Exo 34:14), not give divine honour to any creature, or any name whatsoever, the creature of fancy. A good reason is annexed. It is at thy peril if thou do: For the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God, as tender in the matters of his worship as the husband is of the honour of the marriage-bed. Jealousy is called the rage of a man (Pro 6:34), but it is God's holy and just displeasure. Those cannot worship God aright who do not worship him alone. (2.) "Thou shalt make thee no molten god (Exo 34:17); thou shalt not worship the true God by images." This was the sin they had lately fallen into, which therefore they are particularly cautioned against.
2.Fences are here erected about these two precepts by two others: (1.) That they might not be tempted to worship other gods, they must not join in affinity or friendship with those that did (Exo 34:12): "Take heed to thyself, for thou art upon thy good behaviour. It is a sin that thou art prone to and that will easily beset thee, and therefore be very cautious, and carefully abstain from all appearances of it and advances towards it. Make no covenant with the inhabitants of the land." If God, in kindness to them, drove out the Canaanites, they ought, in duty to God, not to harbour them. What could be insisted on more reasonable than this? If God make war with the Canaanites, let not Israel make peace with them. If God take care that the Canaanites be not their lords, let them take care that they be not their snares. It was for their civil interest to complete the conquest of the land; so much does God consult our benefit in the laws he gives us. They must particularly take heed of intermarrying with them, Exo 34:15, Exo 34:16. If they espoused their children, they would be in danger of espousing their gods; such is the corruption of nature that the bad are much more likely to debauch the good than the good to reform the bad. The way of sin is downhill: those that are in league with idolaters will come by degrees to be in love with idolatry; and those that are prevailed upon to eat of the idolatrous sacrifice will come at length to offer it. Obsta principiis - Nip the mischief in the bud. (2.) That they might not be tempted to make molten gods, they must utterly destroy those they found and all that belong to them, the altars and groves (Exo 34:13), lest, if these were left standing, they should be brought, in process of time, either to use them or to take pattern by them, or to abate in their detestation and dread of idolatry. The relics of idolatry ought to be abolished as affronts to the holy God and a great reproach to human nature. Let it never be said that men who pretend to reason were ever guilty of such absurdities as to make gods of their own and worship them.
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SUMMARY
Exodus 34:10 records a profound declaration from God to Moses, signifying the renewal of His covenant with Israel after the devastating sin of the golden calf. This pivotal verse underscores God's unwavering commitment to His chosen people, promising to perform unprecedented, awe-inspiring acts that will be undeniably visible to all nations. These divine "marvels" serve to establish His unique power, sovereignty, and faithfulness in the world, revealing a God who, despite human failure, remains steadfast in His redemptive purposes and inspires both reverence and wonder through His mighty deeds.
CONTEXT
Literary Context: This verse is strategically placed within the narrative of God's renewed covenant with Israel, following the profound breach caused by the golden calf incident in Exodus 32. After Moses' impassioned intercession, detailed in Exodus 32:11-14 and Exodus 33:12-17, God relents from His initial judgment. Moses is subsequently commanded to hew two new tablets of stone, replacing the ones he shattered, and to ascend Mount Sinai once more, as described in Exodus 34:1-4. Crucially, prior to the declaration of the covenant terms in verse 10, God reveals His very character to Moses in a majestic theophany, proclaiming 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; by no means clearing the guilty" (Exodus 34:6-7). Verse 10, therefore, serves as God's direct and powerful response to Moses' plea for continued divine presence and a re-establishment of the covenant, outlining the terms and promises of this renewed relationship, emphasizing divine action and a visible display of power before the world.
Historical & Cultural Context: The historical setting is the immediate aftermath of the Israelites' egregious idolatry at Mount Sinai, a mere forty days after receiving the initial covenant law. This event threatened to nullify God's unique relationship with Israel, a relationship forged through their miraculous deliverance from Egyptian bondage, as recounted in Exodus 12, Exodus 13, Exodus 14, Exodus 15. The covenant, established at Sinai, was intended to set Israel apart as God's treasured possession, a kingdom of priests and a holy nation (Exodus 19:5-6). The golden calf incident represented a profound betrayal of this covenant, a return to the pagan practices of the nations from which they had been delivered. In the ancient Near East, covenants often involved reciprocal obligations and severe consequences for breach. God's decision to renew the covenant, despite Israel's profound failure, highlights His unique character of steadfast love (Hebrew: hesed) and grace, distinguishing Him sharply from the capricious deities of surrounding cultures. The promise to do "marvels" before "all thy people" and "all the people among which thou art" emphasizes God's desire for His unique power and identity to be known, not only by Israel but also by the surrounding nations, serving as a powerful testimony to His singular sovereignty in a polytheistic world.
Key Themes: Exodus 34:10 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Exodus and the broader Pentateuch. Foremost is the theme of Covenant Faithfulness, demonstrating God's unwavering commitment to His promises despite human infidelity, a stark contrast to the conditional nature of human agreements. This verse also highlights God's Sovereignty and Omnipotence, emphasizing His unique ability to perform unprecedented acts that transcend all human and natural limitations, setting Him apart from all other deities. Furthermore, the promise that "all the people among which thou art shall see the work of the LORD" underscores the theme of God's Universal Witness, revealing His desire for His glory and power to be known not only by Israel but by all nations, fulfilling His redemptive purpose for humanity (Genesis 12:3). Finally, the description of God's work as "terrible" (awe-inspiring) reinforces the theme of Divine Majesty and Holy Fear, inviting a response of profound reverence and worship from all who witness His mighty deeds.
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Exodus 34:10 employs several potent literary devices to convey its profound message. The most prominent is Divine Declaration, where God Himself speaks directly, lending absolute authority and unchallengeable weight to the pronouncement. The phrase "Behold, I make a covenant" functions as a Covenant Formula, signaling the formal establishment or, in this context, the solemn renewal of a sacred agreement. The promise to do "marvels, such as have not been done in all the earth, nor in any nation" is a clear example of Hyperbole, an intentional exaggeration used to emphasize the utterly unique and unprecedented nature of God's impending actions. This hyperbole serves to underscore God's incomparable power and sovereignty over all creation and all other nations. Furthermore, the entire verse, particularly the promise of visible "work of the LORD" and a "terrible thing," points towards a Theophany or divine manifestation, where God's presence and power are made evident through His actions. The use of the word "terrible" (Hebrew yârêʼ) also carries a strong sense of Awe and Reverence, emphasizing the proper human response of profound respect and holy fear in the face of such divine majesty.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 34:10 profoundly articulates God's enduring faithfulness and His sovereign power, even in the face of human infidelity. It reveals a God who, despite Israel's profound failure at the golden calf, chooses to re-establish His covenant, not out of Israel's merit, but out of His own steadfast love and grace. This renewal underscores the unshakeable nature of God's promises and His commitment to His redemptive plan for humanity. The promised "marvels" highlight God's unique ability to intervene in history with supernatural power, demonstrating His omnipotence and His desire for His glory to be known among all nations. This passage sets the stage for future divine interventions, reminding us that God is actively at work in the world, performing deeds that inspire awe and demand recognition of His supreme authority, ultimately for the purpose of revealing His true identity to all people.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Exodus 34:10 offers profound lessons for contemporary believers, reminding us of God's incredible grace and His willingness to restore even after our most significant failures. It calls us to a deeper understanding of God's character: His enduring faithfulness (hesed) means that even when we falter, He remains true to His promises and His nature, offering fresh starts rather than total abandonment. This verse also compels us to stand in awe of God's might. The "marvels" and "terrible" (awesome) works He performs should inspire deep reverence and trust, knowing that He is capable of doing things beyond our imagination, intervening in our lives and the world in ways that transcend human limitations. Just as God promised to do wonders for ancient Israel, He continues to work in powerful and visible ways today, inviting us to expect His active hand in extraordinary circumstances and to acknowledge His presence. Ultimately, God's intention was for "all the people" to see His work, highlighting His desire for His glory and power to be known and recognized by all humanity, urging us to participate in making His wondrous deeds known, both through our testimony and our lives.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What does "a terrible thing" mean in Exodus 34:10?
Answer: The King James Version's translation of "terrible thing" can be misleading to modern readers. The original Hebrew word is yârêʼ (H3372), which more accurately conveys "awesome," "awe-inspiring," "dreadful," or "fear-inspiring" in a positive, reverential sense. It describes something that evokes profound reverence, wonder, and holy fear due to its immense power, majesty, or holiness. It is not about causing dread in a harmful way, but inspiring overwhelming respect and astonishment at God's greatness and might. This is the same root word used to describe the "awesome" (or "terrible") acts of God in Psalm 66:3 and Psalm 68:35, emphasizing His unparalleled majesty.
What "marvels" is God referring to in this verse?
Answer: While the verse doesn't specify particular events, the "marvels" (Hebrew: pâlâʼ, H6381) refer to a series of extraordinary, wondrous, and miraculous acts that God would perform on behalf of Israel, setting them apart and demonstrating His unique power. These would include continued divine provision in the wilderness (e.g., manna and water), supernatural victories over enemies (such as the detailed accounts in Numbers 21 and Deuteronomy 2, Deuteronomy 3), and the miraculous establishment of Israel in the Promised Land (as seen in Joshua 3, Joshua 4, Joshua 5, Joshua 6, Joshua 7, Joshua 8, Joshua 9, Joshua 10, Joshua 11). These acts would serve as undeniable proof of His presence and power among Israel, visible to both His people and the surrounding nations, fulfilling His promise to distinguish Israel.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Exodus 34:10, with its promise of unprecedented "marvels" and an "awe-inspiring" work of God, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The covenant renewed with Moses, though gracious, was still a covenant of law that Israel consistently failed to uphold. The truly "new covenant" that God promised, and which surpasses all previous covenants in its scope and efficacy, is established through the blood of Jesus, as prophesied in Jeremiah 31:31-34. The greatest "marvel" ever performed in all the earth, "such as have not been done in all the earth, nor in any nation," is the incarnation of God in human flesh, the sinless life, sacrificial death, and glorious resurrection of Jesus Christ. His victory over sin and death is the ultimate "work of the LORD" that "all the people" (Jew and Gentile alike) are invited to see and believe (John 1:14, John 3:16). The "terrible thing" (awe-inspiring work) God did "with thee" (Israel, and by extension, humanity) is the astonishing act of redemption, where God Himself bore the penalty for sin, demonstrating His justice and His mercy simultaneously (Romans 3:25-26). Through Christ, God has not just renewed a covenant, but has inaugurated an eternal one, offering forgiveness, transformation, and a direct relationship with Him, a work far more marvelous and awe-inspiring than any physical sign or wonder, culminating in the spiritual marvel of the indwelling Holy Spirit (Hebrews 8:6-13).