Exodus 34:6

KJV

And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth,

KJV (with Strong's)

And the LORD {H3068} passed by {H5674} before him {H6440}, and proclaimed {H7121}, The LORD {H3068}, The LORD {H3068} God {H410}, merciful {H7349} and gracious {H2587}, longsuffering {H750}{H639}, and abundant {H7227} in goodness {H2617} and truth {H571},

Complete Jewish Bible

ADONAI passed before him and proclaimed: "YUD-HEH-VAV-HEH!!! Yud-Heh-Vav-Heh [ADONAI] is God, merciful and compassionate, slow to anger, rich in grace and truth;

Berean Standard Bible

Then the LORD passed in front of Moses and called out: “The LORD, the LORD God, is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion and faithfulness,

American Standard Version

And Jehovah passed by before him, and proclaimed, Jehovah, Jehovah, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abundant in lovingkindness and truth;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 34:6 stands as a profound and foundational self-revelation of God's character to Moses, occurring at a critical juncture in Israel's history. Following the devastating incident of the golden calf and the subsequent breaking of the covenant tablets, God graciously passes before Moses, proclaiming His essential attributes. This pivotal declaration unveils the divine nature as merciful, gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in steadfast love and faithfulness, setting the theological bedrock for understanding God's benevolent disposition towards His people despite their failures.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This divine proclamation is situated immediately after the catastrophic sin of the golden calf, detailed in [Exodus 32](/exodus/32 "Exodus 32 - The Golden Calf"). Moses, having shattered the original tablets in righteous anger ([Exodus 32:19](/exodus/32-19 "Exodus 32:19 - Moses Breaks the Tablets")), then interceded passionately for the rebellious Israelites, appealing to God's covenant promises and character ([Exodus 32:11-14](/exodus/32-11 "Exodus 32:11-14 - Moses' Intercession for Israel")). Following this, Moses makes a bold request to see God's glory ([Exodus 33:18](/exodus/33-18 "Exodus 33:18 - Moses' Request to See God's Glory")). God responds by promising to make all His goodness pass before Moses and to proclaim His name ([Exodus 33:19](/exodus/33-19 "Exodus 33:19 - God's Promise to Moses")). Exodus 34:6 is the direct fulfillment of that promise, preceding the renewal of the covenant and the inscription of new tablets ([Exodus 34:1](/exodus/34-1 "Exodus 34:1 - New Tablets of the Law")). It serves as the theological preamble to the renewed covenant, emphasizing God's character as the basis for His continued relationship with Israel.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The giving of the Law at Mount Sinai established a unique covenant relationship between Yahweh and Israel, distinguishing them from all other nations. In the ancient Near East, covenants often involved a deity's self-identification and a declaration of their attributes, but none matched the moral and relational depth of Yahweh's self-revelation. The incident of the golden calf represented a profound breach of the first commandment, a direct rejection of Yahweh's exclusive claim on Israel's worship, and a return to the idolatrous practices of Egypt. In this context, God's self-proclamation as merciful and longsuffering is astonishing. It highlights His unique patience and willingness to restore a relationship that had been severely broken, rather than immediately enacting the full measure of judgment. This moment underscores the mediatorial role of Moses, who stands between a holy God and a sinful people, facilitating the renewal of a covenant based not on Israel's merit, but on God's unchanging character.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Merciful (Hebrew, _rachum'_):** This word is derived from the Hebrew root for "womb" (רֶחֶם, _rechem_), suggesting a deep, visceral, and tender compassion, akin to a mother's love for her child. It denotes an inner yearning and pity for those in distress or those who are vulnerable. God's mercy here is not merely an intellectual understanding of suffering but an active, heartfelt response to the plight of His people, even in their rebellion.
* **Longsuffering (Hebrew, _erekh appayim'_):** Literally translated as "long of nostrils" or "long of face," this is a vivid Hebrew idiom for being "slow to anger." The nose was associated with anger, as a person's nostrils would flare when enraged. Thus, "long of nostrils" signifies patience, forbearance, and a delay in expressing wrath, providing ample opportunity for repentance. This attribute is particularly striking given Israel's recent egregious sin.
* **Goodness (Hebrew, _chesed'_):** One of the most significant theological terms in the Old Testament, _chesed_ is often translated as "lovingkindness," "steadfast love," "loyal love," or "mercy." It describes a loyal, covenantal love that is unfailing and actively demonstrated through kindness and faithfulness. It speaks to God's unwavering commitment to His promises and His people, even when they are unfaithful. It's a love that endures and acts on behalf of the beloved.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the LORD passed by before him":** This phrase describes a theophany, a visible manifestation of God, albeit one where His full glory is veiled to protect Moses, as previously established in [Exodus 33:20-23](/exodus/33-20 "Exodus 33:20-23 - God's Manifestation to Moses"). It signifies God's personal and direct engagement with Moses, fulfilling His promise to reveal His "goodness" and "name."
* **"and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God":** God's self-proclamation (not Moses' description) emphasizes His sovereignty and self-existence. The repetition of "The LORD" (YHWH, Yahweh) underscores His covenant name, signifying His unchanging, faithful, and personal relationship with Israel. "God" (אֵל, _El_) further asserts His supreme deity and power.
* **"merciful and gracious":** These two attributes are often paired, highlighting God's compassionate nature. "Merciful" (_rachum_) speaks to His deep, womb-like compassion, while "gracious" (_channun_) refers to His unmerited favor and kindness shown to those who do not deserve it, particularly in the context of sin and failure.
* **"longsuffering":** This attribute, _erekh appayim_, emphasizes God's immense patience and slowness to anger. Despite Israel's profound rebellion, God does not immediately unleash His wrath but extends forbearance, providing space for repentance and restoration.
* **"and abundant in goodness and truth":** This final phrase describes the overflowing nature of God's character. "Goodness" (_chesed_) signifies His loyal, covenantal love and unfailing kindness, while "truth" (_emet_) denotes His faithfulness, reliability, and trustworthiness. God is not merely good and true, but "abundant" in these qualities, meaning they are inexhaustible and foundational to His very being.

#### Literary Devices
Exodus 34:6 is rich in literary devices that amplify its theological significance. The passage begins with a **Theophany**, describing God's visible manifestation to Moses, a powerful and direct encounter that underscores the divine initiative in revelation. The **Repetition** of "The LORD, The LORD" (YHWH, YHWH) serves as an emphatic declaration of God's covenant name and His unique, self-existent nature, drawing attention to His identity as the faithful God of Israel. The list of attributes itself employs a form of **Climax** or **Ascension**, moving from the internal compassion of mercy to the active demonstration of grace, the restraint of longsuffering, and finally culminating in the overflowing abundance of His steadfast love and faithfulness. The pairing of "goodness and truth" can be seen as a form of **Merism**, where two complementary terms are used to express a complete concept – in this case, the comprehensive reliability and benevolence of God's character.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 34:6 is arguably one of the most significant theological statements in the Old Testament, serving as the foundational self-definition of Yahweh's character. It reveals a God who is not distant or capricious, but intimately involved, deeply compassionate, and profoundly committed to His covenant people, even in the face of their profound unfaithfulness. This declaration establishes the very nature of God as merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and overflowing with steadfast love and truth. It is this character, rather than human merit, that forms the basis for the renewed covenant and God's ongoing relationship with Israel. This verse becomes a recurring refrain throughout the Hebrew Bible, shaping Israel's understanding of God's willingness to forgive and restore.

* [Numbers 14:18](/numbers/14-18 "Numbers 14:18 - God's Patience with Israel")
* [Psalm 86:15](/psalms/86-15 "Psalm 86:15 - A Prayer Invoking God's Attributes")
* [Joel 2:13](/joel/2-13 "Joel 2:13 - Call to Repentance Based on God's Character")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The profound truth of Exodus 34:6 offers immense comfort and a deep challenge to believers today. To encounter God as "merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth" is to be invited into a relationship founded on His unwavering character, not on our fluctuating performance. This verse reminds us that even in our moments of greatest failure and rebellion, God's nature is to extend compassion and patience, desiring restoration over immediate judgment. It calls us to approach Him with humility and repentance, confident in His willingness to forgive and embrace. Furthermore, understanding God's abundance in _chesed_ (steadfast love) and _emet_ (truth) assures us of His faithfulness to His promises and the reliability of His word. As those created in His image and recipients of His grace, we are also called to reflect these divine attributes in our own lives—to be merciful, gracious, patient, and abundant in love and truth towards others, especially those who have wronged us. This passage is a cornerstone for understanding the benevolent heart of God and the pattern for our own Christ-like living.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does God's self-revelation in Exodus 34:6 challenge or affirm your understanding of His character, especially in light of human sin?**
* **In what specific areas of your life do you most need to lean on God's mercy, grace, or longsuffering, and how does this verse encourage you to do so?**
* **Considering God's abundance in "goodness and truth," how should this understanding impact your trust in His promises and your approach to difficult circumstances?**
* **How can you, as a follower of Christ, better embody the attributes of mercy, grace, and longsuffering in your relationships with others?**

### FAQ

**Why is this verse considered so important in the Old Testament and beyond?**

Answer: Exodus 34:6 is considered a foundational theological statement because it is a direct, divine self-revelation of God's character, given at a critical moment of covenant renewal after Israel's profound sin. It provides the core attributes that define Yahweh's nature: His compassion, unmerited favor, patience, and unfailing covenant loyalty. This declaration became a recurring motif and confession throughout the Old Testament, shaping Israel's understanding of God's identity and serving as the basis for their hope, repentance, and worship. Its influence extends into the New Testament, where these same attributes are seen perfectly embodied in Jesus Christ.

**Does "longsuffering" imply God is slow to punish, or that He is patient with sin?**

Answer: "Longsuffering" (אֶרֶךְ אַפַּיִם, _erekh appayim_) primarily emphasizes God's patience and His slowness to anger. It signifies that God is not quick to unleash His righteous wrath, even in the face of egregious sin. Instead, He extends forbearance, providing ample time and opportunity for repentance and reconciliation. While God is just and will ultimately judge sin, His longsuffering demonstrates His desire for humanity to turn back to Him, reflecting His merciful and gracious nature before His punitive justice. This attribute is a profound expression of His love, as seen in [2 Peter 3:9](/2_peter/3-9 "2 Peter 3:9 - The Lord's Patience for Salvation"), which states that God is "not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance."

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The profound self-revelation of God in Exodus 34:6 finds its ultimate and most complete fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The attributes proclaimed at Sinai—merciful, gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth—are not merely abstract concepts but are perfectly embodied in the incarnate Son of God. John's Gospel declares that Jesus is "full of grace and truth" ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")), directly echoing the divine attributes. Jesus' entire ministry was a demonstration of God's mercy towards the sick, the outcast, and the sinner ([Matthew 9:13](/matthew/9-13 "Matthew 9:13 - Jesus Calls Sinners")). His graciousness is evident in His willingness to extend unmerited favor to those who least deserved it, such as the woman caught in adultery ([John 8:1-11](/john/8-1 "John 8:1-11 - Jesus and the Adulterous Woman")). Christ's patience with His disciples, despite their slowness to understand and their frequent failures, perfectly illustrates God's longsuffering. Ultimately, the cross of Christ is the supreme revelation of God's goodness and truth, where His steadfast love (_chesed_) is poured out to reconcile a sinful humanity, and His truth (_emet_) is upheld as justice is satisfied through the sacrifice of the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). Thus, the character of God unveiled at Sinai is not only reaffirmed but made accessible and redemptive through the saving work of Jesus, who is the exact imprint of God's nature ([Hebrews 1:3](/hebrews/1-3 "Hebrews 1:3 - The Radiance of God's Glory")).

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

Psalms 86:15

But thou, O Lord, [art] a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.

Joel 2:13

And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he [is] gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.

Psalms 103:8

The LORD [is] merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.

Psalms 103:13

Like as a father pitieth [his] children, [so] the LORD pitieth them that fear him.

Psalms 145:8

The LORD [is] gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy.

Nehemiah 9:17

And refused to obey, neither were mindful of thy wonders that thou didst among them; but hardened their necks, and in their rebellion appointed a captain to return to their bondage: but thou [art] a God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and forsookest them not.

Jonah 4:2

And he prayed unto the LORD, and said, I pray thee, O LORD, [was] not this my saying, when I was yet in my country? Therefore I fled before unto Tarshish: for I knew that thou [art] a gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repentest thee of the evil.