Exodus 33:15
And he said unto him, If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence.
Original Language Analysis
אִם
H518
אִם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
3 of 9
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
פָּנֶ֙יךָ֙
unto him If thy presence
H6440
פָּנֶ֙יךָ֙
unto him If thy presence
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
5 of 9
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
הֹֽלְכִ֔ים
go
H1980
הֹֽלְכִ֔ים
go
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
6 of 9
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
אַֽל
H408
אַֽל
Strong's:
H408
Word #:
7 of 9
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
Cross References
Exodus 34:9And he said, If now I have found grace in thy sight, O Lord, let my Lord, I pray thee, go among us; for it is a stiffnecked people; and pardon our iniquity and our sin, and take us for thine inheritance.Exodus 33:3Unto a land flowing with milk and honey: for I will not go up in the midst of thee; for thou art a stiffnecked people: lest I consume thee in the way.Psalms 4:6There be many that say, Who will shew us any good? LORD, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us.
Historical Context
This statement comes after God's promise in v.14, showing Moses wasn't satisfied with a personal guarantee but sought corporate restoration. His role as mediator meant he couldn't accept blessing that didn't extend to all Israel.
Questions for Reflection
- Would you rather remain where you are with God's presence than advance without Him?
- How does Moses' intercession for the people model Christ's high priestly prayer for us (John 17)?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And he said unto him, If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence—Moses' response reveals his priorities: no presence, no progress. He refuses success without God, blessing without the Blesser, promised land without the Promising One. Notice 'with me' becomes 'carry us'—Moses intercedes for the people, not himself alone. This bold prayer demonstrates that apparent success without God's presence equals spiritual failure. Moses would rather stay at Sinai with God than enter Canaan without Him. This priority echoes Christ's promise: 'I am with you always' (Matthew 28:20).