Exodus 34:9

Authorized King James Version

And he said, If now I have found grace in thy sight, O Lord, let my Lord, I pray thee, go among us; for it is a stiffnecked people; and pardon our iniquity and our sin, and take us for thine inheritance.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיֹּ֡אמֶר
And he said
to say (used with great latitude)
#2
אִם
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
#3
נָא֩
'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction
#4
מָצָ֨אתִי
If now I have found
properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present
#5
חֵ֤ן
grace
graciousness, i.e., subjective (kindness, favor) or objective (beauty)
#6
בְּעֵינֶ֙יךָ֙
in thy sight
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
#7
אֲדֹנָ֖י
O Lord
the lord (used as a proper name of god only)
#8
יֵֽלֶךְ
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
#9
נָ֥א
'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction
#10
אֲדֹנָ֖י
O Lord
the lord (used as a proper name of god only)
#11
בְּקִרְבֵּ֑נוּ
among
properly, the nearest part, i.e., the center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial (especially with preposition)
#12
כִּ֤י
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#13
עַם
people
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
#14
קְשֵׁה
us for it is a stiffnecked
severe (in various applications)
#15
עֹ֙רֶף֙
the nape or back of the neck (as declining); hence, the back generally (whether literal or figurative)
#16
ה֔וּא
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
#17
וְסָֽלַחְתָּ֛
and pardon
to forgive
#18
לַֽעֲוֹנֵ֥נוּ
our iniquity
perversity, i.e., (moral) evil
#19
וּלְחַטָּאתֵ֖נוּ
and our sin
an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or expiation; also (concretely) an offender
#20
וּנְחַלְתָּֽנוּ׃
and take us for thine inheritance
to inherit (as a (figurative) mode of descent), or (generally) to occupy; causatively, to bequeath, or (generally) distribute, instate

Analysis

Within the broader context of Exodus, this passage highlights salvation through declarative statements that establish theological truth. The theological weight of grace connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about grace, contributing to our understanding of God's nature and relationship with humanity. This verse contributes to the book's overall argument by building upon previous themes while advancing the overall message of Exodus.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Exodus Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes grace in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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