Exodus 32:14
And the LORD repented of the evil which he thought to do unto his people.
Original Language Analysis
וַיִּנָּ֖חֶם
repented
H5162
וַיִּנָּ֖חֶם
repented
Strong's:
H5162
Word #:
1 of 8
properly, to sigh, i.e., breathe strongly; by implication, to be sorry, i.e., (in a favorable sense) to pity, console or (reflexively) rue; or (unfavo
יְהוָ֑ה
And the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֑ה
And the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
2 of 8
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
3 of 8
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
5 of 8
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
דִּבֶּ֖ר
which he thought
H1696
דִּבֶּ֖ר
which he thought
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
6 of 8
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
Cross References
Jonah 3:10And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not.Psalms 106:45And he remembered for them his covenant, and repented according to the multitude of his mercies.Jeremiah 26:13Therefore now amend your ways and your doings, and obey the voice of the LORD your God; and the LORD will repent him of the evil that he hath pronounced against you.Jeremiah 18:8If that nation, against whom I have pronounced, turn from their evil, I will repent of the evil that I thought to do unto them.1 Chronicles 21:15And God sent an angel unto Jerusalem to destroy it: and as he was destroying, the LORD beheld, and he repented him of the evil, and said to the angel that destroyed, It is enough, stay now thine hand. And the angel of the LORD stood by the threshingfloor of Ornan the Jebusite.2 Samuel 24:16And when the angel stretched out his hand upon Jerusalem to destroy it, the LORD repented him of the evil, and said to the angel that destroyed the people, It is enough: stay now thine hand. And the angel of the LORD was by the threshingplace of Araunah the Jebusite.Jeremiah 26:19Did Hezekiah king of Judah and all Judah put him at all to death? did he not fear the LORD, and besought the LORD, and the LORD repented him of the evil which he had pronounced against them? Thus might we procure great evil against our souls.Jonah 4:2And 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.Joel 2:13And 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.
Historical Context
This pattern repeats throughout Scripture: God threatens judgment, His servants intercede, God relents (Jonah 3:10, Amos 7:3). It reveals God's desire for mercy to triumph over judgment (James 2:13).
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's responsiveness to intercession encourage persistent prayer?
- What does this teach about God's desire for mercy versus judgment?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The startling statement וַיִּנָּחֶם יְהוָה (vayyinnachem Adonai, the Lord repented/relented) doesn't indicate God sinned or changed His mind in essence, but rather He responded to intercession by not executing threatened judgment. This anthropopathic language shows God's personal, responsive nature—He is not an abstract force but a covenant-keeping Person who genuinely responds to prayer. The evil (הָרָעָה, hara'ah) He 'repented of' was the threatened destruction. This demonstrates God's desire for mercy, inviting intercession before executing deserved judgment (cf. Jonah 3:10).