Exodus 32:34
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.
Original Language Analysis
וְעַתָּ֞ה
H6258
לֵ֣ךְ׀
H1980
לֵ֣ךְ׀
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
2 of 18
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
נְחֵ֣ה
lead
H5148
נְחֵ֣ה
lead
Strong's:
H5148
Word #:
3 of 18
to guide; by implication, to transport (into exile, or as colonists)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
4 of 18
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הָעָ֗ם
the people
H5971
הָעָ֗ם
the people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
5 of 18
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
7 of 18
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
דִּבַּ֙רְתִּי֙
unto the place of which I have spoken
H1696
דִּבַּ֙רְתִּי֙
unto the place of which I have spoken
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
8 of 18
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
מַלְאָכִ֖י
unto thee behold mine Angel
H4397
מַלְאָכִ֖י
unto thee behold mine Angel
Strong's:
H4397
Word #:
11 of 18
a messenger; specifically, of god, i.e., an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher)
יֵלֵ֣ךְ
H1980
יֵלֵ֣ךְ
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
12 of 18
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
לְפָנֶ֑יךָ
before
H6440
לְפָנֶ֑יךָ
before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
13 of 18
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
וּבְי֣וֹם
thee nevertheless in the day
H3117
וּבְי֣וֹם
thee nevertheless in the day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
14 of 18
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
וּפָֽקַדְתִּ֥י
I will visit
H6485
וּפָֽקַדְתִּ֥י
I will visit
Strong's:
H6485
Word #:
15 of 18
to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc
וּפָֽקַדְתִּ֥י
I will visit
H6485
וּפָֽקַדְתִּ֥י
I will visit
Strong's:
H6485
Word #:
16 of 18
to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc
Cross References
Deuteronomy 32:35To me belongeth vengeance, and recompence; their foot shall slide in due time: for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste.Exodus 23:20Behold, I send an Angel before thee, to keep thee in the way, and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared.Matthew 23:35That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar.
Historical Context
This 'visiting' occurred repeatedly in Israel's history (wilderness deaths, exile, etc.). Forgiveness doesn't always remove temporal consequences, teaching that sin is serious even under grace.
Questions for Reflection
- How does deferred judgment demonstrate both mercy and justice?
- What does the distinction between immediate forgiveness and future 'visiting' teach about sin's consequences?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
God redirects Moses: וְעַתָּה לֵךְ נְחֵה אֶת־הָעָם (ve'ata lech necheh et-ha'am, Now therefore go, lead the people) to the promised land אֲשֶׁר־דִּבַּרְתִּי לָךְ (asher-dibbarti lach, of which I have spoken to you). God reaffirms His covenant promise while maintaining distance—הִנֵּה מַלְאָכִי יֵלֵךְ לְפָנֶיךָ (hinneh mal'achi yelech lefanecha, behold, My angel shall go before you). This 'angel' (מַלְאָךְ, mal'ach) may be the Angel of the Lord (Ex 33:2), but the shift from God's personal presence (Ex 33:3) indicates strained relationship. The warning וּבְיוֹם פָּקְדִי וּפָקַדְתִּי עֲלֵהֶם חַטָּאתָם (uveyom pokdi ufakadti alehem chattam, nevertheless, in the day when I visit, I will visit their sin upon them) promises future reckoning—sin's consequences aren't eliminated even when immediate judgment is stayed.