Exodus Chapter 33 · Verse 5
For the LORD had said unto Moses, Say unto the children of Israel, Ye are a stiffnecked people: I will come up into the midst of thee in a moment, and consume thee: therefore now put off thy ornaments from thee, that I may know what to do unto thee.
Original Language Analysis
יְהוָ֜ה
For the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֜ה
For the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
2 of 25
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
בְּנֵֽי
unto the children
H1121
בְּנֵֽי
unto the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
7 of 25
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
8 of 25
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
עַם
people
H5971
עַם
people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
10 of 25
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
עֹ֔רֶף
H6203
עֹ֔רֶף
Strong's:
H6203
Word #:
12 of 25
the nape or back of the neck (as declining); hence, the back generally (whether literal or figurative)
רֶ֧גַע
moment
H7281
רֶ֧גַע
moment
Strong's:
H7281
Word #:
13 of 25
a wink (of the eyes), i.e., a very short space of time
אֶחָ֛ד
of thee in a
H259
אֶחָ֛ד
of thee in a
Strong's:
H259
Word #:
14 of 25
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first
אֶֽעֱלֶ֥ה
I will come up
H5927
אֶֽעֱלֶ֥ה
I will come up
Strong's:
H5927
Word #:
15 of 25
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
בְקִרְבְּךָ֖
into the midst
H7130
בְקִרְבְּךָ֖
into the midst
Strong's:
H7130
Word #:
16 of 25
properly, the nearest part, i.e., the center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial (especially with preposition)
וְכִלִּיתִ֑יךָ
and consume
H3615
וְכִלִּיתִ֑יךָ
and consume
Strong's:
H3615
Word #:
17 of 25
to end, whether intransitive (to cease, be finished, perish) or transitive (to complete, prepare, consume)
וְעַתָּ֗ה
H6258
הוֹרֵ֤ד
thee therefore now put off
H3381
הוֹרֵ֤ד
thee therefore now put off
Strong's:
H3381
Word #:
19 of 25
to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau
עֶדְיְךָ֙
thy ornaments
H5716
עֶדְיְךָ֙
thy ornaments
Strong's:
H5716
Word #:
20 of 25
finery; generally an outfit; specifically, a headstall
מֵֽעָלֶ֔יךָ
H5921
מֵֽעָלֶ֔יךָ
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
21 of 25
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
וְאֵֽדְעָ֖ה
from thee that I may know
H3045
וְאֵֽדְעָ֖ה
from thee that I may know
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
22 of 25
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
מָ֥ה
H4100
מָ֥ה
Strong's:
H4100
Word #:
23 of 25
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
Cross References
Psalms 139:23Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:Numbers 16:21Separate yourselves from among this congregation, that I may consume them in a moment.Isaiah 22:12And in that day did the Lord GOD of hosts call to weeping, and to mourning, and to baldness, and to girding with sackcloth:Psalms 73:19How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors.Job 34:20In a moment shall they die, and the people shall be troubled at midnight, and pass away: and the mighty shall be taken away without hand.Genesis 22:12And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me.Deuteronomy 8:2And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no.Lamentations 4:6For the punishment of the iniquity of the daughter of my people is greater than the punishment of the sin of Sodom, that was overthrown as in a moment, and no hands stayed on her.
Historical Context
This incident occurs during the forty days while Moses received the second set of tablets. The removal of ornaments created a visible, corporate sign of repentance that distinguished Israel's camp from surrounding nations.
Questions for Reflection
- In what ways does your heart still exhibit 'stiff-necked' resistance to God's will?
- How does this passage point forward to the need for heart transformation that only the Holy Spirit can accomplish?
Analysis & Commentary
Ye are a stiffnecked people—God repeats the diagnosis, emphasizing Israel's chronic rebellion. The warning 'I will come up into the midst of thee in a moment, and consume thee' shows that God's presence among sinful people is like fire among dry stubble. The command to remove ornaments becomes a test: will they humble themselves? This stripping prefigures the deeper work needed—circumcision of heart (Deuteronomy 10:16), which only God can perform (Deuteronomy 30:6).