Psalms 106:23
Therefore he said that he would destroy them, had not Moses his chosen stood before him in the breach, to turn away his wrath, lest he should destroy them.
Original Language Analysis
עָמַ֣ד
stood
H5975
עָמַ֣ד
stood
Strong's:
H5975
Word #:
6 of 11
to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)
לְפָנָ֑יו
before
H6440
לְפָנָ֑יו
before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
8 of 11
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
לְהָשִׁ֥יב
to turn away
H7725
לְהָשִׁ֥יב
to turn away
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
9 of 11
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
Cross References
Deuteronomy 9:25Thus I fell down before the LORD forty days and forty nights, as I fell down at the first; because the LORD had said he would destroy you.James 5:16Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.Ezekiel 22:30And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.Psalms 105:6O ye seed of Abraham his servant, ye children of Jacob his chosen.Exodus 32:32Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin--; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written.Matthew 12:18Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles.Ezekiel 13:5Ye have not gone up into the gaps, neither made up the hedge for the house of Israel to stand in the battle in the day of the LORD.Ezekiel 20:8But they rebelled against me, and would not hearken unto me: they did not every man cast away the abominations of their eyes, neither did they forsake the idols of Egypt: then I said, I will pour out my fury upon them, to accomplish my anger against them in the midst of the land of Egypt.Numbers 16:5And he spake unto Korah and unto all his company, saying, Even to morrow the LORD will shew who are his, and who is holy; and will cause him to come near unto him: even him whom he hath chosen will he cause to come near unto him.
Historical Context
Exodus 32:7-14 records God's anger and intention to destroy Israel and start over with Moses. Moses interceded, appealing to God's glory among nations, His promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and His covenant faithfulness. God 'repented of the evil' He said He would do—anthropomorphic language showing Moses's intercession was effective. This established the pattern of prophetic intercession seen throughout Israel's history (cf. Abraham for Sodom, Samuel for Israel, Jeremiah for Judah).
Questions for Reflection
- How does Moses's intercession prefigure Christ's mediatorial work?
- What does 'standing in the breach' teach about the role of intercessory prayer?
- How should God's willingness to hear intercession affect our prayer life?
Analysis & Commentary
This verse describes Moses's intercessory role during the golden calf crisis. 'Therefore he said that he would destroy them' shows God's righteous intention to judge the idolatrous nation. 'Had not Moses his chosen stood before him in the breach' uses military imagery—Moses stood in the gap like a defender in a breached wall. 'Stood before him' indicates priestly intercession (Deuteronomy 10:8). 'To turn away his wrath' shows Moses's prayer averted deserved judgment. This prefigures Christ's intercessory work—standing between God's wrath and sinful humanity (1 Timothy 2:5). Moses's intercession (Exodus 32:11-14, 30-34) demonstrates covenant mediator principles: an appointed representative pleads for mercy on behalf of guilty people.