Exodus 33:12
And Moses said unto the LORD, See, thou sayest unto me, Bring up this people: and thou hast not let me know whom thou wilt send with me. Yet thou hast said, I know thee by name, and thou hast also found grace in my sight.
Original Language Analysis
יְהוָ֗ה
unto the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֗ה
unto the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
4 of 27
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
רְ֠אֵה
See
H7200
רְ֠אֵה
See
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
5 of 27
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
הַ֚עַל
unto me Bring up
H5927
הַ֚עַל
unto me Bring up
Strong's:
H5927
Word #:
9 of 27
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
10 of 27
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הָעָ֣ם
this people
H5971
הָעָ֣ם
this people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
11 of 27
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
הַזֶּ֔ה
H2088
לֹ֣א
H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
14 of 27
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יְדַעְתִּ֣יךָֽ
I know
H3045
יְדַעְתִּ֣יךָֽ
I know
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
15 of 27
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
אֵ֥ת
H853
אֵ֥ת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
16 of 27
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
17 of 27
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
תִּשְׁלַ֖ח
whom thou wilt send
H7971
תִּשְׁלַ֖ח
whom thou wilt send
Strong's:
H7971
Word #:
18 of 27
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
עִמִּ֑י
H5973
עִמִּ֑י
Strong's:
H5973
Word #:
19 of 27
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
יְדַעְתִּ֣יךָֽ
I know
H3045
יְדַעְתִּ֣יךָֽ
I know
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
22 of 27
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
בְשֵׁ֔ם
thee by name
H8034
בְשֵׁ֔ם
thee by name
Strong's:
H8034
Word #:
23 of 27
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
וְגַם
H1571
וְגַם
Strong's:
H1571
Word #:
24 of 27
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
מָצָ֥אתָ
and thou hast also found
H4672
מָצָ֥אתָ
and thou hast also found
Strong's:
H4672
Word #:
25 of 27
properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present
Cross References
Exodus 33:17And the LORD said unto Moses, I will do this thing also that thou hast spoken: for thou hast found grace in my sight, and I know thee by name.Jeremiah 1:5Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.Isaiah 43:1But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.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.Genesis 18:19For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.2 Timothy 2:19Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.Exodus 33:1And 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:Exodus 3:10Come now therefore, and I will send thee unto Pharaoh, that thou mayest bring forth my people the children of Israel out of Egypt.Psalms 1:6For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern names carried deep significance, representing character and destiny. God knowing Moses 'by name' indicated personal relationship and chosen purpose, contrasting with the distant angelic guidance initially offered.
Questions for Reflection
- Do you bring honest questions and tensions to God in prayer, or do you assume He wants superficial compliance?
- How does Moses' confidence in God's personal knowledge of him embolden your own prayer life?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And Moses said unto the LORD, See, thou sayest unto me, Bring up this people—Moses' intercession begins with honest wrestling. He points out the tension: God commands him to lead but hasn't guaranteed His presence ('thou hast not let me know whom thou wilt send with me'). Moses refuses to accept leadership without divine presence. The phrase 'I know thee by name' (יָדַעְתִּיךָ בְשֵׁם, yedatikha veshem) indicates personal, intimate knowledge, not mere awareness. Moses boldly appeals to God's own testimony of their relationship, demonstrating that prayer can include candid reasoning with God when motivated by His glory.