Exodus 33:14
And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.
Original Language Analysis
פָּנַ֥י
My presence
H6440
פָּנַ֥י
My presence
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
2 of 5
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
יֵלֵ֖כוּ
H1980
יֵלֵ֖כוּ
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
3 of 5
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
Cross References
Joshua 21:44And the LORD gave them rest round about, according to all that he sware unto their fathers: and there stood not a man of all their enemies before them; the LORD delivered all their enemies into their hand.Joshua 1:5There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.Matthew 11:28Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.Isaiah 63:9In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old.Joshua 22:4And now the LORD your God hath given rest unto your brethren, as he promised them: therefore now return ye, and get you unto your tents, and unto the land of your possession, which Moses the servant of the LORD gave you on the other side Jordan.Psalms 95:11Unto whom I sware in my wrath that they should not enter into my rest.Matthew 28:20Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.Exodus 13:21And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night:Jeremiah 6:16Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.Joshua 23:1And it came to pass a long time after that the LORD had given rest unto Israel from all their enemies round about, that Joshua waxed old and stricken in age.
Historical Context
The concept of 'rest' (נוּחָה, nuchah) became central to Israel's hope—rest from enemies in the Promised Land. Joshua would partially fulfill this (Joshua 21:44), but Hebrews 4 clarifies the ultimate rest remains future and spiritual.
Questions for Reflection
- In what areas of your life do you need God's presence to transform anxiety into rest?
- How does the promise of God's presence with Moses foreshadow the 'rest' we find in Christ's finished work?
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Analysis & Commentary
And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest—God grants Moses' request! The Hebrew פָּנַי (panai, 'My face/presence') reverses the threatened withdrawal (v.3). 'I will give thee rest' (וַהֲנִחֹתִי לָךְ, vahanichotiy lakh) promises both physical rest in Canaan and spiritual rest in God's favor. This personal promise to Moses will extend corporately if Moses continues interceding. The rest motif anticipates Canaan (Deuteronomy 12:9) and ultimately points to the eternal rest in Christ (Hebrews 4:1-11). Divine presence transforms exhausting duty into restful communion.