Exodus Chapter 34 · Verse 10
And he said, Behold, I make a covenant: before all thy people I will do marvels, such as have not been done in all the earth, nor in any nation: and all the people among which thou art shall see the work of the LORD: for it is a terrible thing that I will do with thee.
Original Language Analysis
כֹּרֵ֣ת
Behold I make
H3772
כֹּרֵ֣ת
Behold I make
Strong's:
H3772
Word #:
4 of 33
to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant (i.e., make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutt
בְּרִית֒
a covenant
H1285
בְּרִית֒
a covenant
Strong's:
H1285
Word #:
5 of 33
a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh)
נֶ֤גֶד
H5048
נֶ֤גֶד
Strong's:
H5048
Word #:
6 of 33
a front, i.e., part opposite; specifically a counterpart, or mate; usually (adverbial, especially with preposition) over against or before
כָּֽל
H3605
כָּֽל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
7 of 33
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הָ֠עָם
and all the people
H5971
הָ֠עָם
and all the people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
8 of 33
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
עֹשֶׂ֥ה
I will do
H6213
עֹשֶׂ֥ה
I will do
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
9 of 33
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
נִפְלָאֹ֔ת
marvels
H6381
נִפְלָאֹ֔ת
marvels
Strong's:
H6381
Word #:
10 of 33
properly, perhaps to separate, i.e., distinguish (literally or figuratively); by implication, to be (causatively, make) great, difficult, wonderful
אֲשֶׁ֛ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֛ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
11 of 33
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
12 of 33
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
נִבְרְא֥וּ
such as have not been done
H1254
נִבְרְא֥וּ
such as have not been done
Strong's:
H1254
Word #:
13 of 33
(absolutely) to create; (qualified) to cut down (a wood), select, feed (as formative processes)
בְכָל
H3605
בְכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
14 of 33
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הָאָ֖רֶץ
in all the earth
H776
הָאָ֖רֶץ
in all the earth
Strong's:
H776
Word #:
15 of 33
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
וּבְכָל
H3605
וּבְכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
16 of 33
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הַגּוֹיִ֑ם
nor in any nation
H1471
הַגּוֹיִ֑ם
nor in any nation
Strong's:
H1471
Word #:
17 of 33
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
וְרָאָ֣ה
which thou art shall see
H7200
וְרָאָ֣ה
which thou art shall see
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
18 of 33
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
כָל
H3605
כָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
19 of 33
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הָ֠עָם
and all the people
H5971
הָ֠עָם
and all the people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
20 of 33
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
21 of 33
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
בְקִרְבּ֜וֹ
among
H7130
בְקִרְבּ֜וֹ
among
Strong's:
H7130
Word #:
23 of 33
properly, the nearest part, i.e., the center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial (especially with preposition)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
24 of 33
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
מַֽעֲשֵׂ֤ה
the work
H4639
מַֽעֲשֵׂ֤ה
the work
Strong's:
H4639
Word #:
25 of 33
an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication, a product (specifically, a poem) or (generally) property
יְהוָה֙
of the LORD
H3068
יְהוָה֙
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
26 of 33
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
27 of 33
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
נוֹרָ֣א
for it is a terrible thing
H3372
נוֹרָ֣א
for it is a terrible thing
Strong's:
H3372
Word #:
28 of 33
to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten
ה֔וּא
H1931
ה֔וּא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
29 of 33
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
30 of 33
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
Cross References
Deuteronomy 10:21He is thy praise, and he is thy God, that hath done for thee these great and terrible things, which thine eyes have seen.Psalms 77:14Thou art the God that doest wonders: thou hast declared thy strength among the people.Isaiah 64:3When thou didst terrible things which we looked not for, thou camest down, the mountains flowed down at thy presence.Psalms 66:5Come and see the works of God: he is terrible in his doing toward the children of men.Jeremiah 32:21And hast brought forth thy people Israel out of the land of Egypt with signs, and with wonders, and with a strong hand, and with a stretched out arm, and with great terror;2 Samuel 7:23And what one nation in the earth is like thy people, even like Israel, whom God went to redeem for a people to himself, and to make him a name, and to do for you great things and terrible, for thy land, before thy people, which thou redeemedst to thee from Egypt, from the nations and their gods?Psalms 78:12Marvellous things did he in the sight of their fathers, in the land of Egypt, in the field of Zoan.Psalms 66:3Say unto God, How terrible art thou in thy works! through the greatness of thy power shall thine enemies submit themselves unto thee.Deuteronomy 32:30How should one chase a thousand, and two put ten thousand to flight, except their Rock had sold them, and the LORD had shut them up?Joshua 6:20So the people shouted when the priests blew with the trumpets: and it came to pass, when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, and the people shouted with a great shout, that the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they took the city.
Historical Context
Covenant-cutting ceremonies involved animal sacrifice (Gen 15:9-18). This renewed covenant reaffirms Sinai while anticipating the conquest of Canaan.
Questions for Reflection
- What 'awesome' works of God have you witnessed in your life?
- How should God's covenant promises shape your obedience?
Analysis & Commentary
God responds with 'Behold, I make a covenant' (בְּרִית אֲנִי כֹּרֵת, berit ani koret—literally 'I cut a covenant'). This covenant renewal includes promises of unprecedented wonders (נִפְלָאֹת, nifla'ot) before all nations. God emphasizes that these acts are 'terrible' (נוֹרָא, nora—awesome, fear-inspiring), designed to display His power to both Israel and surrounding nations. Covenant faithfulness demands covenant obedience.