Exodus 33:13
Now therefore, I pray thee, if I have found grace in thy sight, shew me now thy way, that I may know thee, that I may find grace in thy sight: and consider that this nation is thy people.
Original Language Analysis
וְעַתָּ֡ה
H6258
אִם
H518
אִם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
2 of 20
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
נָא֩
H4994
נָא֩
Strong's:
H4994
Word #:
3 of 20
'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction
אֶמְצָא
Now therefore I pray thee if I have found
H4672
אֶמְצָא
Now therefore I pray thee if I have found
Strong's:
H4672
Word #:
4 of 20
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
חֵ֖ן
grace
H2580
חֵ֖ן
grace
Strong's:
H2580
Word #:
5 of 20
graciousness, i.e., subjective (kindness, favor) or objective (beauty)
בְּעֵינֶ֑יךָ
in thy sight
H5869
בְּעֵינֶ֑יךָ
in thy sight
Strong's:
H5869
Word #:
6 of 20
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
וְאֵדָ֣עֲךָ֔
shew
H3045
וְאֵדָ֣עֲךָ֔
shew
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
7 of 20
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
נָא֙
H4994
נָא֙
Strong's:
H4994
Word #:
8 of 20
'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
9 of 20
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
דְּרָכֶ֔ךָ
me now thy way
H1870
דְּרָכֶ֔ךָ
me now thy way
Strong's:
H1870
Word #:
10 of 20
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
וְאֵדָ֣עֲךָ֔
shew
H3045
וְאֵדָ֣עֲךָ֔
shew
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
11 of 20
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
לְמַ֥עַן
H4616
לְמַ֥עַן
Strong's:
H4616
Word #:
12 of 20
properly, heed, i.e., purpose; used only adverbially, on account of (as a motive or an aim), teleologically, in order that
אֶמְצָא
Now therefore I pray thee if I have found
H4672
אֶמְצָא
Now therefore I pray thee if I have found
Strong's:
H4672
Word #:
13 of 20
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
חֵ֖ן
grace
H2580
חֵ֖ן
grace
Strong's:
H2580
Word #:
14 of 20
graciousness, i.e., subjective (kindness, favor) or objective (beauty)
בְּעֵינֶ֑יךָ
in thy sight
H5869
בְּעֵינֶ֑יךָ
in thy sight
Strong's:
H5869
Word #:
15 of 20
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
וּרְאֵ֕ה
and consider
H7200
וּרְאֵ֕ה
and consider
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
16 of 20
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
כִּ֥י
H3588
כִּ֥י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
17 of 20
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
עַמְּךָ֖
is thy people
H5971
עַמְּךָ֖
is thy people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
18 of 20
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
Cross References
Psalms 119:33Teach me, O LORD, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end.Psalms 25:4Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths.Psalms 27:11Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies.Psalms 86:11Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name.Deuteronomy 9:29Yet they are thy people and thine inheritance, which thou broughtest out by thy mighty power and by thy stretched out arm.Deuteronomy 9:26I prayed therefore unto the LORD, and said, O Lord GOD, destroy not thy people and thine inheritance, which thou hast redeemed through thy greatness, which thou hast brought forth out of Egypt with a mighty hand.Ephesians 1:17That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:Isaiah 30:21And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.Colossians 1:10That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;John 17:3And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
Historical Context
This request echoes Psalm 103:7: 'He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel.' While Israel saw God's miracles, Moses understood His character—a distinction between witnessing power and comprehending nature.
Questions for Reflection
- Do you seek to know God's 'ways' (His character and methods) or merely His 'acts' (what He can do for you)?
- How does knowing God Himself equip you for the challenges and callings He places before you?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Now therefore, I pray thee, if I have found grace in thy sight, shew me now thy way—Moses seeks experiential knowledge of God's character and methods ('thy way'), not mere information. The Hebrew דֶּרֶךְ (derek, 'way') encompasses God's nature, purposes, and patterns of working. Moses wants to know God Himself, that he might better represent Him ('that I may know thee'). The goal is both personal (deeper intimacy) and corporate ('that I may find grace in thy sight' and successfully lead 'thy people'). True leadership flows from knowing God, not just knowing about Him.