Exodus 33:1
And the LORD said unto Moses, Depart, and go up hence, thou and the people which thou hast brought up out of the land of Egypt, unto the land which I sware unto Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, saying, Unto thy seed will I give it:
Original Language Analysis
וַיְדַבֵּ֨ר
said
H1696
וַיְדַבֵּ֨ר
said
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
1 of 23
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
יְהוָ֤ה
And the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֤ה
And the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
2 of 23
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
לֵ֣ךְ
H1980
לֵ֣ךְ
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
5 of 23
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
הֶֽעֱלִ֖יתָ
and go up
H5927
הֶֽעֱלִ֖יתָ
and go up
Strong's:
H5927
Word #:
6 of 23
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
מִזֶּ֔ה
H2088
וְהָעָ֔ם
hence thou and the people
H5971
וְהָעָ֔ם
hence thou and the people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
9 of 23
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
10 of 23
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
הֶֽעֱלִ֖יתָ
and go up
H5927
הֶֽעֱלִ֖יתָ
and go up
Strong's:
H5927
Word #:
11 of 23
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
הָאָ֗רֶץ
out of the land
H776
הָאָ֗רֶץ
out of the land
Strong's:
H776
Word #:
12 of 23
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
הָאָ֗רֶץ
out of the land
H776
הָאָ֗רֶץ
out of the land
Strong's:
H776
Word #:
15 of 23
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
16 of 23
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
נִ֠שְׁבַּעְתִּי
which I sware
H7650
נִ֠שְׁבַּעְתִּי
which I sware
Strong's:
H7650
Word #:
17 of 23
to seven oneself, i.e., swear (as if by repeating a declaration seven times)
Cross References
Genesis 12:7And the LORD appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land: and there builded he an altar unto the LORD, who appeared unto him.Exodus 32:13Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, thy servants, to whom thou swarest by thine own self, and saidst unto them, I will multiply your seed as the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have spoken of will I give unto your seed, and they shall inherit it for ever.Exodus 32:7And the LORD said unto Moses, Go, get thee down; for thy people, which thou broughtest out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves:Genesis 26:3Sojourn in this land, and I will be with thee, and will bless thee; for unto thee, and unto thy seed, I will give all these countries, and I will perform the oath which I sware unto Abraham thy father;
Historical Context
Spoken at Sinai immediately after the golden calf incident. The Abrahamic covenant (Genesis 12:7, 15:18) guaranteed the land regardless of Israel's obedience, demonstrating the unconditional nature of God's promises to the patriarchs.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's faithfulness to His promises encourage you when you've failed Him?
- What does this verse teach about the distinction between positional covenant promises and relational intimacy with God?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And the LORD said unto Moses, Depart, and go up hence—After the golden calf apostasy (ch. 32), God commands departure but threatens withdrawal of His immediate presence. The phrase 'the people which thou hast brought up' (not 'My people whom I brought up') signals divine distancing. Yet the covenant promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob remains unbreakable—God's faithfulness transcends Israel's unfaithfulness. This tension between judgment and mercy sets the stage for Moses' intercession.