Exodus 20:20
And Moses said unto the people, Fear not: for God is come to prove you, and that his fear may be before your faces, that ye sin not.
Original Language Analysis
הָעָם֮
unto the people
H5971
הָעָם֮
unto the people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
4 of 19
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
אַל
H408
אַל
Strong's:
H408
Word #:
5 of 19
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
כִּ֗י
H3588
כִּ֗י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
7 of 19
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
וּבַֽעֲב֗וּר
to
H5668
וּבַֽעֲב֗וּר
to
Strong's:
H5668
Word #:
8 of 19
properly, crossed, i.e., (abstractly) transit; used only adverbially, on account of, in order that
אֶתְכֶ֔ם
H853
אֶתְכֶ֔ם
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
10 of 19
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הָֽאֱלֹהִ֑ים
not for God
H430
הָֽאֱלֹהִ֑ים
not for God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
12 of 19
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
וּבַֽעֲב֗וּר
to
H5668
וּבַֽעֲב֗וּר
to
Strong's:
H5668
Word #:
13 of 19
properly, crossed, i.e., (abstractly) transit; used only adverbially, on account of, in order that
תִּֽהְיֶ֧ה
H1961
תִּֽהְיֶ֧ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
14 of 19
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
יִרְאָת֛וֹ
you and that his fear
H3374
יִרְאָת֛וֹ
you and that his fear
Strong's:
H3374
Word #:
15 of 19
fear (also used as infinitive); morally, reverence
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
16 of 19
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
פְּנֵיכֶ֖ם
may be before your faces
H6440
פְּנֵיכֶ֖ם
may be before your faces
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
17 of 19
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
Cross References
Deuteronomy 13:3Thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for the LORD your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul.Proverbs 3:7Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.1 Samuel 12:20And Samuel said unto the people, Fear not: ye have done all this wickedness: yet turn not aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart;Isaiah 8:13Sanctify the LORD of hosts himself; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread.Proverbs 16:6By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.Genesis 22:1And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am.Deuteronomy 8:2And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no.Isaiah 41:10Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.Job 28:28And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.Proverbs 1:7The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Historical Context
Moses interprets the theophany—it's not punitive but pedagogical. God's awesome display aims at holy living, not terror. The distinction between servile and filial fear becomes crucial in biblical theology.
Questions for Reflection
- What is the difference between servile fear (terror of punishment) and filial fear (reverence for majesty)?
- How does godly fear of the LORD produce holiness and restrain sin in your life?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And Moses said unto the people, Fear not: for God is come to prove you, and that his fear may be before your faces, that ye sin not.
Moses says 'fear not' while urging 'that his fear may be before you'—paradoxical but profound. Don't fear annihilation (servile fear) but cultivate reverence (filial fear). God tests them (לְנַסּוֹת, lenassot)—not to discover their character (He knows) but to reveal it to them. Testing exposes strength and weakness, building endurance. 'That ye sin not' (לְבִלְתִּי תֶחֱטָאוּ, levilti techeta'u) shows fear's purpose—reverence restrains sin. The fear of the LORD is wisdom's beginning (Proverbs 9:10); it's clean, enduring forever (Psalm 19:9). Godly fear doesn't terrorize but transforms, producing holiness. Perfect love casts out servile fear (1 John 4:18) but deepens reverential fear.