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 presents a pivotal and profound 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 declaration unveils the divine nature as profoundly merciful, gracious, longsuffering, and overflowing with steadfast love and faithfulness, establishing the theological bedrock for understanding God's benevolent disposition towards His people despite their profound failures and His unwavering commitment to His covenant.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This divine proclamation is strategically situated immediately after the catastrophic sin of the golden calf, detailed comprehensively in [Exodus 32](/exodus/32 "Exodus 32 - The Golden Calf"). Moses, having shattered the original tablets in righteous anger due to Israel's idolatry ([Exodus 32:19](/exodus/32-19 "Exodus 32:19 - Moses Breaks the Tablets")), then engaged in fervent intercession for the rebellious Israelites, appealing to God's covenant promises and His very character ([Exodus 32:11-14](/exodus/32-11-14 "Exodus 32:11-14 - Moses' Intercession for Israel")). Following this intense intercession and a period of divine judgment and reconciliation, Moses makes a bold, intimate 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 and climactic fulfillment of that promise, immediately 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 fundamental basis for His continued, gracious relationship with Israel.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The giving of the Law at Mount Sinai established a unique and exclusive covenant relationship between Yahweh and Israel, distinguishing them profoundly 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, relational, and redemptive depth of Yahweh's self-revelation. The incident of the golden calf represented a profound and immediate breach of the first commandment, a direct rejection of Yahweh's exclusive claim on Israel's worship, and a shocking return to the idolatrous practices reminiscent of Egypt. In this context of severe covenant infidelity, God's self-proclamation as merciful and longsuffering is astonishing and counter-cultural. 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 crucial 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 fleeting merit, but on God's unchanging, benevolent character.

* **Key Themes:** This verse is central to several overarching themes within Exodus and the broader Pentateuch. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Revelation**, as God directly unveils His nature, not through abstract theology, but through a personal encounter. It profoundly develops the theme of **God's Covenant Faithfulness**; despite Israel's egregious breach, God remains true to His promises and His character, demonstrating that His steadfast love is the foundation of the covenant, not human obedience. The theme of **Divine Mercy and Grace** is powerfully articulated, showing God's willingness to forgive and restore even the most rebellious. This stands in stark contrast to the immediate judgment often expected in ancient Near Eastern divine-human interactions. Furthermore, it reinforces the theme of **God's Sovereignty and Transcendence**, as the LORD (YHWH) is proclaimed as the self-existent, all-powerful God who dictates the terms of relationship based on His own attributes. This declaration becomes a foundational theological statement, echoed throughout the Old Testament, shaping Israel's understanding of God's enduring patience and redemptive heart, even in the face of repeated sin and the need for a mediator like Moses, foreshadowing the ultimate mediator in Christ.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Merciful (Hebrew, _rachûwm_):** Derived from the Hebrew root for "womb" (רֶחֶם, _rechem_), this term suggests a deep, visceral, and tender compassion, akin to a mother's profound love and empathy for her child. It denotes an inner yearning and pity for those in distress, vulnerability, or suffering. 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 and unworthiness.
* **Longsuffering (Hebrew, _ʼârêk ʼaph_):** This is a vivid Hebrew idiom, literally translated as "long of nose" or "long of anger." The nose (or nostrils) was associated with anger, as a person's nostrils would flare when enraged. Thus, "long of nostrils" signifies immense patience, forbearance, and a delay in expressing wrath, providing ample opportunity for repentance and reconciliation. This attribute is particularly striking and crucial given Israel's recent egregious sin of idolatry.
* **Goodness (Hebrew, _chêçêd_):** One of the most significant theological terms in the Old Testament, _chêçêd_ 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 sustains, acts on behalf of the beloved, and is a cornerstone of God's covenant relationship.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the LORD passed by before him":** This phrase describes a unique **theophany**, a visible manifestation of God's presence, albeit one where His full glory is veiled to protect Moses, as previously established in [Exodus 33:20-23](/exodus/33-20-23 "Exodus 33:20-23 - God's Manifestation to Moses"). It signifies God's personal, direct, and intimate engagement with Moses, fulfilling His promise to reveal His "goodness" and "name" in a profound encounter.
* **"and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God":** This is God's own majestic self-proclamation, not Moses' description, emphasizing His absolute sovereignty and self-existence. The repetition of "The LORD" (YHWH, Yahweh – H3068) underscores His covenant name, signifying His unchanging, faithful, and personal relationship with Israel. "God" (אֵל, _ʼêl_ – H410) further asserts His supreme deity, power, and authority over all creation.
* **"merciful and gracious":** These two attributes are often paired, highlighting the compassionate and benevolent aspects of God's nature. "Merciful" (_rachûwm_) speaks to His deep, womb-like compassion and pity for the vulnerable, while "gracious" (_channûwn_) 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, _ʼârêk ʼaph_, emphasizes God's immense patience and slowness to anger. Despite Israel's profound rebellion with the golden calf, God does not immediately unleash His wrath but extends forbearance, providing space and opportunity for repentance and restoration, demonstrating His desire for relationship over immediate judgment.
* **"and abundant in goodness and truth":** This final phrase describes the overflowing, inexhaustible nature of God's character. "Goodness" (_chêçêd_) signifies His loyal, covenantal love and unfailing kindness, a steadfast love that endures through all circumstances. "Truth" (_ʼemeth_) denotes His faithfulness, reliability, trustworthiness, and adherence to His promises. God is not merely good and true, but "abundant" in these qualities, meaning they are foundational to His very being and are poured out without limit.

#### Literary Devices
Exodus 34:6 is rich in literary devices that amplify its theological significance and underscore the gravity of God's self-revelation. The passage begins with a **Theophany**, describing God's visible manifestation to Moses, a powerful and direct encounter that underscores the divine initiative in revealing His character. 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 profound 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, visceral compassion of mercy (_rachûwm_) to the active demonstration of unmerited favor (grace, _channûwn_), the restraint of longsuffering (_ʼârêk ʼaph_), and finally culminating in the overflowing abundance of His steadfast love (_chêçêd_) and unwavering faithfulness (truth, _ʼemeth_). The pairing of "goodness and truth" can be seen as a form of **Merism**, where two complementary terms are used to express a complete and comprehensive concept – in this case, the full reliability, benevolence, and covenantal integrity 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, capricious, or solely punitive, 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 or performance, 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, restore, and remain faithful to His promises despite human sin.

* [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, deep assurance, and a significant 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 or worthiness. This verse powerfully reminds us that even in our moments of greatest failure, rebellion, or doubt, God's nature is to extend compassion and patience, desiring restoration over immediate judgment. It calls us to approach Him with humility, genuine repentance, and unwavering confidence in His willingness to forgive and embrace us. Furthermore, understanding God's abundance in _chêçêd_ (steadfast love) and _ʼemeth_ (truth) assures us of His absolute faithfulness to His promises and the complete reliability of His word, providing a steadfast anchor in life's storms. As those created in His image and profound recipients of His boundless 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 or are difficult to love. This passage is a cornerstone for understanding the benevolent heart of God and the pattern for our own Christ-like living in a broken world.

#### 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 and your own shortcomings?**
* **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 with confidence?**
* **Considering God's abundance in "goodness and truth," how should this understanding impact your trust in His promises and your approach to difficult circumstances or unanswered prayers?**
* **How can you, as a follower of Christ, better embody the attributes of mercy, grace, and longsuffering in your daily interactions and relationships with others, particularly those who are challenging?**

### 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 with the golden calf. 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 deeply into the New Testament, where these same attributes are seen perfectly embodied and fulfilled in Jesus Christ.

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

Answer: "Longsuffering" (אֶרֶךְ אַפַּיִם, _ʼârêk ʼaph_) primarily emphasizes God's immense 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 and repeated rebellion. Instead, He extends forbearance, providing ample time and opportunity for repentance and reconciliation. While God is perfectly just and will ultimately judge sin, His longsuffering demonstrates His profound 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 redemptive work of Jesus Christ. The very attributes proclaimed by God at Sinai—merciful, gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth—are not merely abstract concepts but are perfectly and tangibly embodied in the incarnate Son of God. John's Gospel powerfully declares that Jesus is "full of grace and truth" ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")), directly echoing and personifying the divine attributes revealed to Moses. Jesus' entire earthly ministry was a living demonstration of God's mercy towards the sick, the outcast, the marginalized, 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 and radical acceptance to those who least deserved it, such as the woman caught in adultery ([John 8:1-11](/john/8-1-11 "John 8:1-11 - Jesus and the Adulterous Woman")). Christ's unwavering patience with His disciples, despite their slowness to understand, their frequent failures, and their moments of doubt, perfectly illustrates God's longsuffering. Ultimately, the cross of Christ is the supreme revelation of God's goodness (_chêçêd_) and truth (_ʼemeth_), where His steadfast love is poured out to reconcile a sinful humanity, and His truth is upheld as perfect justice is satisfied through the sacrificial death 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, redemptive, and eternally real through the saving work of Jesus, who is the exact imprint of God's nature and the radiance of His glory ([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.