Exodus 34:5

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

And the LORD {H3068} descended {H3381} in the cloud {H6051}, and stood {H3320} with him there, and proclaimed {H7121} the name {H8034} of the LORD {H3068}.

Complete Jewish Bible

ADONAI descended in the cloud, stood with him there and pronounced the name of ADONAI.

Berean Standard Bible

And the LORD descended in a cloud, stood with him there, and proclaimed His name, the LORD.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 34:5 captures a pivotal moment of divine condescension and self-revelation following Israel's egregious sin with the golden calf. Here, the LORD, in an act of profound grace and covenant faithfulness, descends in a cloud to meet Moses on Mount Sinai, not for judgment, but to re-establish His presence and to declare the very essence of His character, setting the stage for the renewal of the covenant and a deeper understanding of His nature.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows God's instruction to Moses to prepare two new tablets of stone, promising to rewrite the Ten Commandments upon them, replacing those Moses had shattered in righteous anger after the golden calf idolatry. This command, found in [Exodus 34:1-4](/exodus/34-1-4 "Exodus 34:1-4 - New Tablets and Ascent to Sinai"), sets the scene on Mount Sinai, a place previously marked by awe-inspiring theophanies and the initial giving of the Law, as detailed in [Exodus 19](/exodus/19 "Exodus 19 - God Appears on Sinai"). This encounter is a direct continuation of Moses' fervent intercession for Israel after their sin, particularly his bold request to see God's glory in [Exodus 33:18](/exodus/33-18 "Exodus 33:18 - Moses' Request to See God's Glory"). God partially granted this by promising to make "all My goodness pass before you" and to "proclaim the name of the LORD before you," as stated in [Exodus 33:19](/exodus/33-19 "Exodus 33:19 - God's Promise to Proclaim His Name"). Thus, Exodus 34:5 is the dramatic fulfillment of this promise, initiating the most profound revelation of God's character in the Old Testament.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The immediate historical backdrop is the catastrophic breach of the covenant at Mount Sinai, where the Israelites, impatient with Moses' absence, coerced Aaron into fashioning a golden calf for worship, as recounted in [Exodus 32:1-6](/exodus/32-1-6 "Exodus 32:1-6 - The Golden Calf"). This act of idolatry was a direct violation of the first two commandments and provoked God's righteous wrath, leading Him to declare His intention to destroy the rebellious nation and raise a new people from Moses, as seen in [Exodus 32:7-10](/exodus/32-7-10 "Exodus 32:7-10 - God's Anger and Threat"). Moses' courageous and persistent intercession, appealing to God's covenant promises and reputation in [Exodus 32:11-14](/exodus/32-11-14 "Exodus 32:11-14 - Moses' Intercession for Israel"), ultimately averted complete destruction. The subsequent dialogue between God and Moses in [Exodus 33](/exodus/33 "Exodus 33 - God's Presence and Moses' Plea") reveals God's initial reluctance to go with the people due to their "stiff-necked" nature, yet also His eventual concession to Moses' plea for His presence to accompany them. Culturally, the "name" (שֵׁם, _shem_) in ancient Near Eastern thought was far more than a mere label; it encapsulated the very essence, character, and reputation of an individual or deity. Therefore, God "proclaiming His name" was a profound act of self-disclosure, revealing the attributes that define His being and His relationship to His covenant people.
* **Key Themes:** Exodus 34:5 is a pivotal moment that encapsulates several profound themes central to the Pentateuch and biblical theology. Foremost among these is **Divine Condescension**, as the transcendent God actively lowers Himself to meet with humanity, demonstrating His desire for relationship despite human sin. This act initiates the **Renewal of the Covenant**, highlighting God's faithfulness even when His people are unfaithful. The "proclamation of the name" is a powerful act of **God's Self-Revelation**, unveiling His essential character as merciful, gracious, and just, which will be elaborated upon in the subsequent verses, [Exodus 34:6-7](/exodus/34-6-7 "Exodus 34:6-7 - The LORD's Proclamation of His Character"). This encounter also underscores the critical role of **Moses' Intercession** in [Exodus 32:11-14](/exodus/32-11-14 "Exodus 32:11-14 - Moses' Intercession for Israel") in mediating between God and His people, and the overarching theme of **Grace and Mercy** triumphing over judgment, setting the trajectory for Israel's continued journey with God.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **descended (Hebrew, _yârad'_):** This verb signifies a movement from a higher to a lower place. In the context of God, it powerfully conveys divine condescension – God, the transcendent Creator of the universe, willingly lowers Himself to meet with a human being. It emphasizes His initiative in drawing near to His people, even after their profound rebellion, demonstrating His desire for relationship rather than His aloofness.
* **cloud (Hebrew, _ʻânân'_):** The cloud is a recurring motif in the Old Testament, consistently associated with the visible manifestation of God's presence (theophany). It symbolizes God's glory, holiness, and often His protective or guiding presence (e.g., the pillar of cloud in [Exodus 13:21-22](/exodus/13-21-22 "Exodus 13:21-22 - Pillar of Cloud and Fire")). Here, it functions as a veil, indicating God's hidden majesty and the inability of humans to fully behold His unmediated glory, while still making His presence tangibly known.
* **proclaimed (Hebrew, _qârâʼ'_):** While often meaning simply "to call" or "to read," in this context, "proclaiming the name" (קָרָא בְשֵׁם יְהוָה, _qara' b'shem YHWH_) signifies a public, authoritative declaration of the essence, attributes, and character of the one named. It is not merely uttering the divine name YHWH, but unveiling what that name truly means in terms of God's nature and His covenant relationship with Israel. This act sets the stage for the detailed revelation of God's attributes in the subsequent verses, [Exodus 34:6-7](/exodus/34-6-7 "Exodus 34:6-7 - The LORD's Proclamation of His Character").

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the LORD descended in the cloud":** This clause describes a direct, visible, and tangible manifestation of God's presence (a theophany). It highlights God's sovereign initiative to engage with Moses and His people, demonstrating His willingness to bridge the gap between His transcendent holiness and humanity's fallen state. The "cloud" serves as both a sign of His glory and a protective barrier, veiling the fullness of His presence.
* **"and stood with him there":** This phrase conveys an intimate and personal encounter. Despite Israel's recent betrayal, God does not abandon His chosen mediator, Moses. The act of "standing with" implies a close, deliberate, and sustained presence, signifying God's faithfulness to His covenant and His commitment to His relationship with Moses, and by extension, with Israel. It speaks to God's unwavering resolve to restore the broken fellowship.
* **"and proclaimed the name of the LORD":** This is the climactic action of the verse. It is not merely the utterance of the divine name YHWH (Yahweh), but a profound act of self-revelation. God is about to declare the very attributes and character that define Him as YHWH – the covenant-keeping God. This proclamation is foundational, setting the stage for the detailed description of God's mercy, grace, patience, goodness, truth, and forgiveness that follows in [Exodus 34:6-7](/exodus/34-6-7 "Exodus 34:6-7 - The LORD's Proclamation of His Character"), which becomes a cornerstone for all subsequent understanding of God's character in the Old Testament.

#### Literary Devices
Exodus 34:5 is rich in literary devices that amplify its theological significance. The primary device is **Theophany**, the visible manifestation of God, specifically through the **Symbolism** of the cloud. The cloud consistently represents God's glorious, holy, and often mysterious presence throughout the Old Testament, serving as a tangible sign of His descent and engagement with humanity while simultaneously veiling His unapproachable majesty. The phrase "the LORD descended" employs **Anthropomorphism**, attributing human-like actions (descending, standing) to God, making His interaction more relatable and comprehensible to human experience, without diminishing His divine transcendence. The entire verse also functions as a powerful moment of **Foreshadowing**, as the "proclamation of the name" sets the stage for the detailed and foundational revelation of God's character that immediately follows in [Exodus 34:6-7](/exodus/34-6-7 "Exodus 34:6-7 - The LORD's Proclamation of His Character"), which is arguably one of the most significant theological statements in the Pentateuch.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 34:5 is a profound testament to God's unwavering grace and covenant faithfulness, even in the face of human rebellion. It underscores the theme of divine initiative in reconciliation, demonstrating that God actively seeks to restore relationship rather than abandon His people. The act of God descending and proclaiming His name reveals that knowing God is not merely about intellectual assent to His existence, but a deep understanding of His character, which is defined by mercy, compassion, and truth. This self-revelation forms the bedrock of Israel's theology, providing the basis for their appeals to God's character throughout their history and shaping their understanding of His redemptive purposes. It highlights that God's presence is not contingent on human perfection but on His steadfast love and commitment to His promises.

* [Exodus 33:18-23](/exodus/33-18-23 "Exodus 33:18-23 - God's Partial Revelation to Moses")
* [Exodus 34:6-7](/exodus/34-6-7 "Exodus 34:6-7 - The LORD's Full Proclamation of His Character")
* [Numbers 14:18](/numbers/14-18 "Numbers 14:18 - Moses Appeals to God's Character")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Exodus 34:5 offers profound encouragement for believers today, reminding us that God is not a distant, unapproachable deity, but one who actively desires to draw near to His people, even in their brokenness and failure. Just as He descended to Moses after the golden calf incident, God continues to extend His grace to us, inviting us into a deeper knowledge of His character. This passage challenges us to move beyond a superficial understanding of God, urging us to seek a profound encounter with His revealed attributes – His mercy, patience, goodness, and truth. It assures us that even when we stumble, God's faithfulness remains steadfast, and His desire is to renew our relationship and unveil His glorious nature to us. Our response should be one of humble seeking, trusting that He is eager to make Himself known to those who earnestly pursue Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does God's initiative to "descend" and "stand with" Moses, despite Israel's recent sin, challenge your perceptions of God's character?**
* **In what ways do you seek to know God's "name" or character more deeply in your daily life?**
* **How does the revelation of God's character in this passage (and the verses that follow) provide comfort or challenge in your own spiritual journey?**

### FAQ

**What is the significance of "the cloud" in this verse?**

Answer: The cloud in [Exodus 34:5](/exodus/34-5 "Exodus 34:5 - The LORD Descends in the Cloud") is a powerful symbol of God's visible presence, known as a theophany. Throughout the Old Testament, the cloud often signifies God's glory, holiness, and sometimes His protective or guiding presence (e.g., the pillar of cloud leading Israel in [Exodus 13:21](/exodus/13-21 "Exodus 13:21 - Pillar of Cloud and Fire")). Here, it serves as a veil, indicating that while God is making His presence known, His full, unmediated glory is too immense for human eyes to behold directly. It represents both God's accessibility and His transcendent majesty.

**Why is it important that God "proclaimed the name of the LORD" rather than just speaking His name?**

Answer: In ancient Near Eastern culture, a "name" (Hebrew: _shem_) was far more than a label; it encapsulated the very essence, character, and reputation of an individual. Therefore, God "proclaiming the name of the LORD" (YHWH) is a profound act of self-revelation. It means God is declaring and unveiling the attributes that define His being and His covenant relationship with Israel. This act sets the stage for the detailed description of His character as merciful, gracious, longsuffering, abundant in goodness and truth, and forgiving of iniquity, transgression, and sin, which immediately follows in [Exodus 34:6-7](/exodus/34-6-7 "Exodus 34:6-7 - The LORD's Proclamation of His Character"). It's a declaration of who He truly is, not just what He is called.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Exodus 34:5, with its depiction of the LORD descending in a cloud to proclaim His name and character, finds its ultimate and most complete fulfillment in the person of Jesus Christ. While God revealed His attributes partially to Moses on Sinai, the New Testament declares that "No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known," as affirmed in [John 1:18](/john/1-18 "John 1:18 - Jesus Makes God Known"). Jesus is the ultimate "descent" of God, the Word made flesh who "dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth," beautifully articulated in [John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Incarnation"). He is the perfect embodiment and living proclamation of God's name and character. In Christ, the attributes of mercy, grace, patience, and truth, first declared on Sinai, are not merely spoken but perfectly lived out and supremely demonstrated through His life, ministry, and sacrificial death on the cross. When Philip asked Jesus to "show us the Father," Jesus replied, "Whoever has seen me has seen the Father," as recorded in [John 14:9](/john/14-9 "John 14:9 - Jesus is the Way to the Father"). Thus, the partial revelation in the cloud to Moses is fully unveiled in the person of Jesus, who is the "radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature," as revealed in [Hebrews 1:3](/hebrews/1-3 "Hebrews 1:3 - Jesus, the Radiance of God's Glory"), making God's name and character fully known and accessible to all who believe.

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

Exodus 33:19

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.

Luke 9:34

While he thus spake, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them: and they feared as they entered into the cloud.

Luke 9:35

And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.

Exodus 33:9

And it came to pass, as Moses entered into the tabernacle, the cloudy pillar descended, and stood [at] the door of the tabernacle, and [the LORD] talked with Moses.

Numbers 11:25

And the LORD came down in a cloud, and spake unto him, and took of the spirit that [was] upon him, and gave [it] unto the seventy elders: and it came to pass, [that], when the spirit rested upon them, they prophesied, and did not cease.

Numbers 11:17

And I will come down and talk with thee there: and I will take of the spirit which [is] upon thee, and will put [it] upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with thee, that thou bear [it] not thyself alone.

Proverbs 18:10

¶ The name of the LORD [is] a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.