Exodus 33:22
And it shall come to pass, while my glory passeth by, that I will put thee in a clift of the rock, and will cover thee with my hand while I pass by:
Original Language Analysis
וְהָיָה֙
H1961
וְהָיָה֙
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
1 of 11
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
עָבְרִֽי׃
I pass by
H5674
עָבְרִֽי׃
I pass by
Strong's:
H5674
Word #:
2 of 11
to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in
כְּבֹדִ֔י
And it shall come to pass while my glory
H3519
כְּבֹדִ֔י
And it shall come to pass while my glory
Strong's:
H3519
Word #:
3 of 11
properly, weight, but only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or copiousness
וְשַׂמְתִּ֖יךָ
that I will put
H7760
וְשַׂמְתִּ֖יךָ
that I will put
Strong's:
H7760
Word #:
4 of 11
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
הַצּ֑וּר
of the rock
H6697
הַצּ֑וּר
of the rock
Strong's:
H6697
Word #:
6 of 11
properly, a cliff (or sharp rock, as compressed); generally, a rock or boulder; figuratively, a refuge; also an edge (as precipitous)
וְשַׂכֹּתִ֥י
and will cover
H5526
וְשַׂכֹּתִ֥י
and will cover
Strong's:
H5526
Word #:
7 of 11
properly, to entwine as a screen; by implication, to fence in, cover over, (figuratively) protect
כַפִּ֛י
thee with my hand
H3709
כַפִּ֛י
thee with my hand
Strong's:
H3709
Word #:
8 of 11
the hollow hand or palm (so of the paw of an animal, of the sole, and even of the bowl of a dish or sling, the handle of a bolt, the leaves of a palm-
עָלֶ֖יךָ
H5921
עָלֶ֖יךָ
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
9 of 11
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
Cross References
Psalms 91:1He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.Isaiah 2:21To go into the clefts of the rocks, and into the tops of the ragged rocks, for fear of the LORD, and for the glory of his majesty, when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth.Psalms 91:4He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.Isaiah 32:2And a man shall be as an hiding place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest; as rivers of water in a dry place, as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land.1 Corinthians 10:4And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.Psalms 18:2The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.2 Corinthians 5:19To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.Deuteronomy 33:12And of Benjamin he said, The beloved of the LORD shall dwell in safety by him; and the LORD shall cover him all the day long, and he shall dwell between his shoulders.Song of Solomon 2:3As the apple tree among the trees of the wood, so is my beloved among the sons. I sat down under his shadow with great delight, and his fruit was sweet to my taste.
Historical Context
Rocky mountain terrain provided natural shelters. Ancient peoples understood clefts as refuges from storms and enemies. This physical reality becomes a powerful spiritual metaphor throughout psalms and prophets (Psalm 18:2, Isaiah 32:2).
Questions for Reflection
- In what ways is Christ your 'cleft in the rock' that allows you to experience God's glory safely?
- How does God's protective hand over Moses illustrate His care in managing what He reveals to you?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And it shall come to pass, while my glory passeth by, that I will put thee in a clift of the rock—The rock's cleft (נִקְרַת הַצּוּר, niqrat hatsur) becomes a protective refuge. God's hand (כַּפִּי, kappi) covers the opening until the glory passes. This intimate protection—God's own hand shielding Moses—shows tender care in the midst of overwhelming holiness. The cleft represents Christ, our hiding place (Colossians 3:3: 'your life is hid with Christ in God'). The hymn 'Rock of Ages, cleft for me, let me hide myself in Thee' captures this theology. Only by hiding in Christ can we survive encountering divine glory.