Exodus Chapter 33 · Verse 3
Unto 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.
Original Language Analysis
זָבַ֥ת
flowing
H2100
זָבַ֥ת
flowing
Strong's:
H2100
Word #:
3 of 17
to flow freely (as water), i.e., (specifically) to have a (sexual) flux; figuratively, to waste away; also to overflow
כִּי֩
H3588
כִּי֩
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
6 of 17
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
לֹ֨א
H3808
לֹ֨א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
7 of 17
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
אֶֽעֱלֶ֜ה
for I will not go up
H5927
אֶֽעֱלֶ֜ה
for I will not go up
Strong's:
H5927
Word #:
8 of 17
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
בְּקִרְבְּךָ֗
in the midst
H7130
בְּקִרְבְּךָ֗
in the midst
Strong's:
H7130
Word #:
9 of 17
properly, the nearest part, i.e., the center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial (especially with preposition)
כִּ֤י
H3588
כִּ֤י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
10 of 17
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
עַם
people
H5971
עַם
people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
11 of 17
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
קְשֵׁה
of thee for thou art a stiffnecked
H7186
קְשֵׁה
of thee for thou art a stiffnecked
Strong's:
H7186
Word #:
12 of 17
severe (in various applications)
עֹ֙רֶף֙
H6203
עֹ֙רֶף֙
Strong's:
H6203
Word #:
13 of 17
the nape or back of the neck (as declining); hence, the back generally (whether literal or figurative)
פֶּן
H6435
פֶּן
Strong's:
H6435
Word #:
15 of 17
properly, removal; used only (in the construction) adverb as conjunction, lest
Cross References
Exodus 3:8And I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey; unto the place of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites.Acts 7:51Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye.Jeremiah 11:5That I may perform the oath which I have sworn unto your fathers, to give them a land flowing with milk and honey, as it is this day. Then answered I, and said, So be it, O LORD.Joshua 5:6For the children of Israel walked forty years in the wilderness, till all the people that were men of war, which came out of Egypt, were consumed, because they obeyed not the voice of the LORD: unto whom the LORD sware that he would not shew them the land, which the LORD sware unto their fathers that he would give us, a land that floweth with milk and honey.Numbers 16:45Get you up from among this congregation, that I may consume them as in a moment. And they fell upon their faces.Numbers 16:21Separate yourselves from among this congregation, that I may consume them in a moment.
Historical Context
The term 'stiff-necked' comes from agricultural imagery of oxen that refuse the yoke. Leviticus 10:1-2 demonstrates the reality of being consumed by God's holiness when Nadab and Abihu died for unauthorized fire.
Questions for Reflection
- How does understanding God's holiness deepen your appreciation for Christ's mediation?
- What 'stiff-necked' areas in your life resist God's direction and endanger your fellowship with Him?
Analysis & Commentary
For I will not go up in the midst of thee—The devastating announcement: God will fulfill His promise but withdraw His immediate presence. The reason is Israel's stubborn rebellion (עַם קְשֵׁה עֹרֶף, am qesheh oref, 'stiff-necked people'). The danger is real: 'lest I consume thee in the way'—God's holiness would destroy unholy people. This reveals the paradox of divine presence: Israel's greatest privilege (God dwelling among them) has become their greatest peril due to sin.