Exodus 33:1

¶ And the LORD said unto Moses, Depart, [and] go up hence, thou and the people which thou hast brought up out of the land of Egypt, unto the land which I sware unto Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, saying, Unto thy seed will I give it:

And the LORD {H3068} said {H1696} unto Moses {H4872}, Depart {H3212}, and go up {H5927} hence, thou and the people {H5971} which thou hast brought up {H5927} out of the land {H776} of Egypt {H4714}, unto the land {H776} which I sware {H7650} unto Abraham {H85}, to Isaac {H3327}, and to Jacob {H3290}, saying {H559}, Unto thy seed {H2233} will I give {H5414} it:

ADONAI said to Moshe, "Leave, you and the people you brought up from the land of Egypt; and move on from here toward the land of which I swore to Avraham, Yitz'chak and Ya'akov, 'I will give it to your descendants.'

Then the LORD said to Moses, “Leave this place, you and the people you brought up out of the land of Egypt, and go to the land that I promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob when I said, ‘I will give it to your descendants.’

And Jehovah spake unto Moses, Depart, go up hence, thou and the people that thou hast brought up out of the land of Egypt, unto the land of which I sware unto Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, saying, Unto thy seed will I give it:

Commentary

Exodus 33:1 marks a pivotal moment in the Israelites' journey from Egypt to the Promised Land. Occurring immediately after the devastating sin of the golden calf, this verse reveals the LORD's directive to Moses and the people to continue their journey, even as the relationship between God and His people has been profoundly strained.

Context

This verse follows the dramatic events of Exodus chapter 32, where the Israelites, impatient for Moses' return from Mount Sinai, pressured Aaron to construct a golden calf for worship. This act of idolatry provoked God's fierce anger, leading Him to declare His intention to destroy the rebellious nation and start anew with Moses. However, through Moses' fervent intercession, God relented from His immediate wrath. Exodus 33:1 then presents God's command to move forward, but with an underlying tension regarding His direct presence among such a stiff-necked people, which becomes clearer in the verses that follow.

Key Themes

  • Divine Command and Unwavering Purpose: Despite the Israelites' grievous sin, God reiterates His command for them to "Depart, and go up hence." This demonstrates God's steadfastness in His ultimate plan for His people and His commitment to the covenant.
  • The Promised Land: The destination remains "the land which I sware unto Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob." This highlights God's faithfulness to His foundational promise to Abraham and his descendants, a promise made centuries earlier and reaffirmed to Isaac and Jacob. The land itself is central to Israel's identity and destiny.
  • Covenant Faithfulness: The phrase "which I sware unto Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob" underscores the solemn and binding nature of God's oath. The Hebrew word for "sware" (shaba) implies a deep, unbreakable commitment, showing that God's promises are not contingent on human perfection but on His own character and word.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "which I sware unto Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob" is crucial. The Hebrew verb for "sware" (שָׁבַע - shaba) signifies making a solemn oath, often accompanied by a self-curse if the oath is broken. This emphasizes the absolute certainty and reliability of God's covenant promises to the patriarchs, even when the people themselves have been unfaithful. God's faithfulness to His word is paramount.

Significance and Application

Exodus 33:1 reveals several profound truths:

  • God's Faithfulness Amidst Human Failure: Even after a monumental act of rebellion, God does not abandon His ultimate plan for His people. He remains committed to His covenant promises, offering a path forward despite their sin. This is a powerful testament to God's grace and patience.
  • The Consequences of Sin: While the command to proceed to the land stands, the full implications of their sin are not erased. The subsequent verses in Exodus 33 (e.g., Exodus 33:3) reveal God's decision not to go up in their midst, indicating a relational distance due to their stiff-neckedness. This shows that while God's purposes endure, sin still has significant consequences for the relationship.
  • Moving Forward: For believers today, this verse serves as a reminder that even when we stumble and fall short, God's ultimate purposes for us can still prevail through repentance and His enduring grace. We are called to "depart" from our past mistakes and "go up" in obedience to His continued call, trusting in His faithfulness to His promises.
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Cross-References

  • Genesis 12:7 (5 votes)

    And the LORD appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land: and there builded he an altar unto the LORD, who appeared unto him.

  • Exodus 32:13 (4 votes)

    Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, thy servants, to whom thou swarest by thine own self, and saidst unto them, I will multiply your seed as the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have spoken of will I give unto your seed, and they shall inherit [it] for ever.

  • Exodus 32:7 (3 votes)

    ¶ And the LORD said unto Moses, Go, get thee down; for thy people, which thou broughtest out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted [themselves]:

  • Genesis 26:3 (3 votes)

    Sojourn in this land, and I will be with thee, and will bless thee; for unto thee, and unto thy seed, I will give all these countries, and I will perform the oath which I sware unto Abraham thy father;

  • Genesis 15:18 (2 votes)

    In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates:

  • Exodus 32:34 (2 votes)

    Therefore now go, lead the people unto [the place] of which I have spoken unto thee: behold, mine Angel shall go before thee: nevertheless in the day when I visit I will visit their sin upon them.

  • Genesis 22:16 (2 votes)

    And said, By myself have I sworn, saith the LORD, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only [son]: