King James Version

What Does Exodus 32:33 Mean?

Exodus 32:33 in the King James Version says “And the LORD said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book. — study this verse from Exodus chapter 32 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And the LORD said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book.

Exodus 32:33 · KJV


Context

31

And Moses returned unto the LORD, and said, Oh, this people have sinned a great sin, and have made them gods of gold.

32

Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin--; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written.

33

And the LORD said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book.

34

Therefore now go, lead the people unto the place of which I have spoken unto thee: behold, mine Angel shall go before thee: nevertheless in the day when I visit I will visit their sin upon them.

35

And the LORD plagued the people, because they made the calf, which Aaron made.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
God's response מִי אֲשֶׁר חָטָא־לִי אֶמְחֶנּוּ מִסִּפְרִי (mi asher chata-li emchenu missifri, Whoever has sinned against Me, him will I blot out of My book) establishes individual moral responsibility—no one can be saved by another's righteousness or damned for another's sin. This principle (repeated in Ezek 18) seems to reject Moses' substitution, yet ultimately Christ's voluntary sacrifice as the God-man makes possible what Moses couldn't accomplish. The phrase חָטָא־לִי (chata-li, sinned against Me) emphasizes sin's personal affront to God, not merely broken rules.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This individual accountability theme runs throughout Scripture, climaxing in Revelation 20:15 where individuals are judged by what's written in the books. Yet corporate representation is also biblical (Rom 5:12-19), reconciled in Christ who represents His people.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does individual moral responsibility affect your understanding of salvation?
  2. How is corporate representation (in Adam/Christ) reconciled with individual accountability?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 10 words
וַיֹּ֥אמֶר1 of 10

said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָ֖ה2 of 10

And the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֶל3 of 10
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

מֹשֶׁ֑ה4 of 10

unto Moses

H4872

mosheh, the israelite lawgiver

מִ֚י5 of 10
H4310

who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix

אֲשֶׁ֣ר6 of 10

Whosoever

H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

חָֽטָא7 of 10

hath sinned

H2398

properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, (causatively) lead astray, condemn

לִ֔י8 of 10
H0
אֶמְחֶ֖נּוּ9 of 10

against me him will I blot out

H4229

properly, to stroke or rub; by implication, to erase; also to smooth (as if with oil), i.e., grease or make fat

מִסִּפְרִֽי׃10 of 10

of my book

H5612

properly, writing (the art or a document); by implication, a book


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Exodus. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Exodus 32:33 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Exodus 32:33 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Test Your Knowledge

Continue Your Study