Exodus 34:6
And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth,
Original Language Analysis
וַיַּֽעֲבֹ֨ר
passed by
H5674
וַיַּֽעֲבֹ֨ר
passed by
Strong's:
H5674
Word #:
1 of 15
to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in
יְהוָ֔ה
And the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֔ה
And the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
2 of 15
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
3 of 15
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
פָּנָיו֮
before him
H6440
פָּנָיו֮
before him
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
4 of 15
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
וַיִּקְרָא֒
and proclaimed
H7121
וַיִּקְרָא֒
and proclaimed
Strong's:
H7121
Word #:
5 of 15
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
יְהוָ֔ה
And the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֔ה
And the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
6 of 15
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
יְהוָ֔ה
And the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֔ה
And the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
7 of 15
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֵ֥ל
God
H410
אֵ֥ל
God
Strong's:
H410
Word #:
8 of 15
strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the almighty (but used also of any deity)
אַפַּ֖יִם
H639
אַפַּ֖יִם
Strong's:
H639
Word #:
12 of 15
properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire
וְרַב
and abundant
H7227
וְרַב
and abundant
Strong's:
H7227
Word #:
13 of 15
abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)
Cross References
Psalms 86:15But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.Joel 2:13And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.Psalms 145:8The LORD is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy.Nehemiah 9:17And refused to obey, neither were mindful of thy wonders that thou didst among them; but hardened their necks, and in their rebellion appointed a captain to return to their bondage: but thou art a God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and forsookest them not.Jonah 4:2And he prayed unto the LORD, and said, I pray thee, O LORD, was not this my saying, when I was yet in my country? Therefore I fled before unto Tarshish: for I knew that thou art a gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repentest thee of the evil.Psalms 86:5For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.2 Chronicles 30:9For if ye turn again unto the LORD, your brethren and your children shall find compassion before them that lead them captive, so that they shall come again into this land: for the LORD your God is gracious and merciful, and will not turn away his face from you, if ye return unto him.Micah 7:18Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy.Deuteronomy 5:10And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my commandments.Psalms 138:2I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.
Historical Context
This revelation comes immediately after Israel's golden calf apostasy, making God's gracious self-description all the more stunning. These attributes are echoed throughout Scripture (Num 14:18, Neh 9:17, Ps 86:15, Joel 2:13, Jonah 4:2).
Questions for Reflection
- Why does God emphasize mercy and grace immediately after Israel's greatest sin?
- Which of these divine attributes do you most need to understand more deeply today?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
God proclaims His name YHWH twice, then reveals His character in what becomes Israel's most-quoted liturgy. רַחוּם (rachum, compassionate) derives from רֶחֶם (rechem, womb), suggesting motherly compassion. חַנּוּן (chanun, gracious) means showing unmerited favor. אֶרֶךְ אַפַּיִם (erekh appayim, 'long of nostrils') literally means slow to anger—the opposite of 'flaring nostrils' in rage. רַב־חֶסֶד (rav chesed, abounding in steadfast covenant love) and אֱמֶת (emet, faithfulness/truth) form the foundation of God's covenant relationship.