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Exodus 33:5

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For the LORD had said unto Moses, Say unto the children of Israel, Ye [are] a stiffnecked people: I will come up into the midst of thee in a moment, and consume thee: therefore now put off thy ornaments from thee, that I may know what to do unto thee.

For the LORD {H3068} had said {H559} unto Moses {H4872}, Say {H559} unto the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478}, Ye are a stiffnecked {H7186}{H6203} people {H5971}: I will come up {H5927} into the midst {H7130} of thee in a {H259} moment {H7281}, and consume {H3615} thee: therefore now put off {H3381} thy ornaments {H5716} from thee, that I may know {H3045} what to do {H6213} unto thee.

ADONAI said to Moshe, "Tell the people of Isra'el, 'You are a stiffnecked people! If I were to go up with you for even one moment, I would exterminate you! Now, keep your ornaments off; then I will decide what to do to you.'"

For the LORD had said to Moses, “Tell the Israelites, ‘You are a stiff-necked people. If I should go with you for a single moment, I would destroy you. Now take off your jewelry, and I will decide what to do with you.’”

And Jehovah said unto Moses, Say unto the children of Israel, Ye are a stiffnecked people; if I go up into the midst of thee for one moment, I shall consume thee: therefore now put off thy ornaments from thee, that I may know what to do unto thee.

Commentary

Exodus 33:5 comes at a pivotal moment in Israel's journey, immediately following their egregious sin with the golden calf incident at Mount Sinai. The verse highlights God's righteous anger, the people's stubbornness, and the call to a visible act of repentance.

Context

After God revealed His Law and entered into a covenant with Israel, the people quickly turned to idolatry, fashioning a golden calf while Moses was on the mountain receiving the Ten Commandments. This act provoked God's wrath, leading Him to threaten to consume them (Exodus 32:10). Through Moses' fervent intercession, God relented from His immediate destructive judgment, but His presence among such a rebellious people remained a dangerous prospect. In Exodus 33:3, God declared He would not go up in their midst, lest He consume them on the way. Verse 5 is a direct command from the Lord, confirming and explaining the people's spontaneous act of mourning mentioned in Exodus 33:4.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment and Mercy: The verse vividly portrays God's readiness to execute judgment on a sinful people ("consume thee"), yet it also implies a window for mercy based on their response. His declaration, "that I may know what to do unto thee," is an anthropomorphic expression of His conditional intent, awaiting their genuine humility.
  • The "Stiffnecked" People: This phrase, repeatedly used to describe Israel throughout the Old Testament (e.g., Acts 7:51 in the New Testament), signifies their stubbornness, obstinacy, and unwillingness to submit to God's will and commands. It underscores the severity of their rebellion.
  • Symbolic Repentance: The command to "put off thy ornaments" was a significant act of humility and mourning. Ornaments often represented status, beauty, or even pride. Removing them was a public declaration of sorrow for sin and a willingness to humble themselves before God, akin to wearing sackcloth and ashes (Jonah 3:6).

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew term for "stiffnecked" (קְשֵׁה־עֹרֶף, q'sheh-oreph) literally means "hard of neck." This vivid metaphor depicts an ox that refuses to submit to the yoke, stubbornly resisting the farmer's guidance. Applied to people, it means resistant to discipline, instruction, and divine authority. The phrase "that I may know what to do unto thee" is an example of divine anthropomorphism, where God describes His actions in human terms to make His intentions understandable. It does not imply God lacks knowledge, but rather emphasizes His desire for a response from humanity before He acts decisively.

Practical Application

Exodus 33:5 serves as a powerful reminder of the seriousness of sin and the importance of genuine repentance. It teaches us that:

  • Sin has Consequences: God takes sin seriously, and it can provoke His righteous anger. Our rebellion can separate us from His full blessing and presence.
  • Humility Precedes Restoration: A visible or internal act of humility, acknowledging our sin and turning away from it, is crucial for seeking God's mercy and restoration. This might involve confessing wrongs, making restitution, or setting aside things that hinder our relationship with God.
  • God Desires Our Response: Even in His anger, God often provides an opportunity for humanity to respond in repentance. He waits to "know what to do" based on our willingness to humble ourselves and turn back to Him, signifying His patience and desire for reconciliation, as ultimately demonstrated through Christ (2 Corinthians 5:19).
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Numbers 16:21 (5 votes)

    Separate yourselves from among this congregation, that I may consume them in a moment.

  • Exodus 33:3 (4 votes)

    Unto a land flowing with milk and honey: for I will not go up in the midst of thee; for thou [art] a stiffnecked people: lest I consume thee in the way.

  • Exodus 33:4 (4 votes)

    And when the people heard these evil tidings, they mourned: and no man did put on him his ornaments.

  • Psalms 139:23 (4 votes)

    Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:

  • Numbers 16:45 (4 votes)

    Get you up from among this congregation, that I may consume them as in a moment. And they fell upon their faces.

  • Numbers 16:46 (4 votes)

    And Moses said unto Aaron, Take a censer, and put fire therein from off the altar, and put on incense, and go quickly unto the congregation, and make an atonement for them: for there is wrath gone out from the LORD; the plague is begun.

  • Isaiah 22:12 (3 votes)

    And in that day did the Lord GOD of hosts call to weeping, and to mourning, and to baldness, and to girding with sackcloth: