Exodus 33:19
And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy.
Original Language Analysis
אַֽעֲבִ֤יר
pass
H5674
אַֽעֲבִ֤יר
pass
Strong's:
H5674
Word #:
3 of 19
to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
4 of 19
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
טוּבִי֙
I will make all my goodness
H2898
טוּבִי֙
I will make all my goodness
Strong's:
H2898
Word #:
5 of 19
good (as a noun), in the widest sense, especially goodness (superlative concretely, the best), beauty, gladness, welfare
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
6 of 19
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
לְפָנֶ֑יךָ
before
H6440
לְפָנֶ֑יךָ
before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
7 of 19
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
וְקָרָ֧אתִֽי
before thee and I will proclaim
H7121
וְקָרָ֧אתִֽי
before thee and I will proclaim
Strong's:
H7121
Word #:
8 of 19
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
בְשֵׁ֛ם
the name
H8034
בְשֵׁ֛ם
the name
Strong's:
H8034
Word #:
9 of 19
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
יְהוָ֖ה
of the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֖ה
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
10 of 19
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
לְפָנֶ֑יךָ
before
H6440
לְפָנֶ֑יךָ
before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
11 of 19
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
אָחֹ֔ן
thee and will be gracious
H2603
אָחֹ֔ן
thee and will be gracious
Strong's:
H2603
Word #:
12 of 19
properly, to bend or stoop in kindness to an inferior; to favor, bestow; causatively to implore (i.e., move to favor by petition)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
13 of 19
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
14 of 19
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
אָחֹ֔ן
thee and will be gracious
H2603
אָחֹ֔ן
thee and will be gracious
Strong's:
H2603
Word #:
15 of 19
properly, to bend or stoop in kindness to an inferior; to favor, bestow; causatively to implore (i.e., move to favor by petition)
אֲרַחֵֽם׃
and will shew mercy
H7355
אֲרַחֵֽם׃
and will shew mercy
Strong's:
H7355
Word #:
16 of 19
to fondle; by implication, to love, especially to compassionate
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
17 of 19
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
Cross References
Jeremiah 31:14And I will satiate the soul of the priests with fatness, and my people shall be satisfied with my goodness, saith the LORD.Jeremiah 31:12Therefore they shall come and sing in the height of Zion, and shall flow together to the goodness of the LORD, for wheat, and for wine, and for oil, and for the young of the flock and of the herd: and their soul shall be as a watered garden; and they shall not sorrow any more at all.Isaiah 7:14Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.Zechariah 9:17For how great is his goodness, and how great is his beauty! corn shall make the young men cheerful, and new wine the maids.Isaiah 9:6For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.Isaiah 12:4And in that day shall ye say, Praise the LORD, call upon his name, declare his doings among the people, make mention that his name is exalted.Nehemiah 9:25And they took strong cities, and a fat land, and possessed houses full of all goods, wells digged, vineyards, and oliveyards, and fruit trees in abundance: so they did eat, and were filled, and became fat, and delighted themselves in thy great goodness.
Historical Context
This proclamation anticipates Exodus 34:6-7, where God passes by Moses declaring His name and attributes. Paul quotes this verse in Romans 9:15 to defend God's sovereign election, showing its theological importance beyond the immediate context.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's definition of His glory as 'goodness' and covenant mercy reshape your understanding of divine glory?
- What comfort and challenge do you find in God's absolute sovereignty over the distribution of grace?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee—God grants Moses' request but on divine terms. Rather than abstract glory, God reveals His טוּב (tuv, 'goodness')—His moral excellence and benevolent character. The proclamation of Yahweh's name reveals His covenant faithfulness. The phrase 'I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy' asserts divine sovereignty in dispensing grace (quoted in Romans 9:15). Grace cannot be earned or demanded; it flows from God's free will. This revelation becomes foundational for understanding God's character throughout Scripture.