Exodus 34:6

Authorized King James Version

And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth,

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיַּֽעֲבֹ֨ר
passed by
to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in
#2
יְהוָ֔ה
And the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#3
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#4
פָּנָיו֮
before him
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
#5
וַיִּקְרָא֒
and proclaimed
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
#6
יְהוָ֔ה
And the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#7
יְהוָ֔ה
And the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#8
אֵ֥ל
God
strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the almighty (but used also of any deity)
#9
רַח֖וּם
merciful
compassionate
#10
וְחַנּ֑וּן
and gracious
gracious
#11
אֶ֥רֶךְ
longsuffering
long
#12
אַפַּ֖יִם
properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire
#13
וְרַב
and abundant
abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)
#14
חֶ֥סֶד
in goodness
kindness; by implication (towards god) piety; rarely (by opposition) reproof, or (subject.) beauty
#15
וֶֽאֱמֶֽת׃
and truth
stability; (figuratively) certainty, truth, trustworthiness

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Exodus. The concept of truth reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The divine name or title here functions within biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness to establish theological authority and covenantal relationship. The original language emphasizes the covenant name Yahweh, emphasizing God's faithfulness to His promises, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

Historical Context

The historical context of the period of Egyptian bondage and wilderness wandering (c. 1440-1400 BCE) provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood truth. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

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