Exodus 23:20
Behold, I send an Angel before thee, to keep thee in the way, and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared.
Original Language Analysis
שֹׁלֵ֤חַ
Behold I send
H7971
שֹׁלֵ֤חַ
Behold I send
Strong's:
H7971
Word #:
3 of 12
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
מַלְאָךְ֙
an Angel
H4397
מַלְאָךְ֙
an Angel
Strong's:
H4397
Word #:
4 of 12
a messenger; specifically, of god, i.e., an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher)
לְפָנֶ֔יךָ
before
H6440
לְפָנֶ֔יךָ
before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
5 of 12
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
לִשְׁמָרְךָ֖
thee to keep
H8104
לִשְׁמָרְךָ֖
thee to keep
Strong's:
H8104
Word #:
6 of 12
properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc
בַּדָּ֑רֶךְ
thee in the way
H1870
בַּדָּ֑רֶךְ
thee in the way
Strong's:
H1870
Word #:
7 of 12
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
וְלַהֲבִ֣יאֲךָ֔
and to bring
H935
וְלַהֲבִ֣יאֲךָ֔
and to bring
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
8 of 12
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
הַמָּק֖וֹם
thee into the place
H4725
הַמָּק֖וֹם
thee into the place
Strong's:
H4725
Word #:
10 of 12
properly, a standing, i.e., a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)
Cross References
Exodus 33:14And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.Psalms 91:11For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.Exodus 32:34Therefore 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.Exodus 14:19And the angel of God, which went before the camp of Israel, removed and went behind them; and the pillar of the cloud went from before their face, and stood behind them:Exodus 33:2And I will send an angel before thee; and I will drive out the Canaanite, the Amorite, and the Hittite, and the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite:Isaiah 63:9In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old.Matthew 25:34Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:John 14:3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.Malachi 3:1Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts.Joshua 6:2And the LORD said unto Joshua, See, I have given into thine hand Jericho, and the king thereof, and the mighty men of valour.
Historical Context
The Angel of the LORD is a mysterious figure in the Old Testament, appearing to Hagar, Abraham, Jacob, Moses, Joshua, and others. Often identified with God Himself yet distinct, suggesting pre-incarnate Christ.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the Angel going before Israel to prepare the way prefigure Christ's promise (John 14:2)?
- What does God 'preparing a place' before His people arrive teach about His providence?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Behold, I send an Angel before thee, to keep thee in the way, and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared.
God promises His Angel (מַלְאָךְ, malakh) to guide and guard—the Angel of the LORD, likely a Christophany (pre-incarnate Christ appearance). 'Keep thee in the way' (לִשְׁמָרְךָ בַּדָּרֶךְ, lishmarkha vadderekh) means protect on the journey. 'The place which I have prepared' is Canaan—God prepared it before they arrive. God goes before His people, preparing the way. Jesus says 'I go to prepare a place for you' (John 14:2)—same principle. The Angel's presence guarantees arrival—not without battles but with victory assured. God's presence is the pilgrim people's security.