King James Version

What Does Exodus 32:34 Mean?

Exodus 32:34 in the King James Version says “Therefore now go, lead the people unto the place of which I have spoken unto thee: behold, mine Angel shall go before th... — study this verse from Exodus chapter 32 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

Exodus 32:34 · KJV


Context

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 redirects Moses: וְעַתָּה לֵךְ נְחֵה אֶת־הָעָם (ve'ata lech necheh et-ha'am, Now therefore go, lead the people) to the promised land אֲשֶׁר־דִּבַּרְתִּי לָךְ (asher-dibbarti lach, of which I have spoken to you). God reaffirms His covenant promise while maintaining distance—הִנֵּה מַלְאָכִי יֵלֵךְ לְפָנֶיךָ (hinneh mal'achi yelech lefanecha, behold, My angel shall go before you). This 'angel' (מַלְאָךְ, mal'ach) may be the Angel of the Lord (Ex 33:2), but the shift from God's personal presence (Ex 33:3) indicates strained relationship. The warning וּבְיוֹם פָּקְדִי וּפָקַדְתִּי עֲלֵהֶם חַטָּאתָם (uveyom pokdi ufakadti alehem chattam, nevertheless, in the day when I visit, I will visit their sin upon them) promises future reckoning—sin's consequences aren't eliminated even when immediate judgment is stayed.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This 'visiting' occurred repeatedly in Israel's history (wilderness deaths, exile, etc.). Forgiveness doesn't always remove temporal consequences, teaching that sin is serious even under grace.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does deferred judgment demonstrate both mercy and justice?
  2. What does the distinction between immediate forgiveness and future 'visiting' teach about sin's consequences?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
וְעַתָּ֞ה1 of 18
H6258

at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive

לֵ֣ךְ׀2 of 18
H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

נְחֵ֣ה3 of 18

lead

H5148

to guide; by implication, to transport (into exile, or as colonists)

אֶת4 of 18
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הָעָ֗ם5 of 18

the people

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

אֶ֤ל6 of 18
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אֲשֶׁר7 of 18
H834

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

דִּבַּ֙רְתִּי֙8 of 18

unto the place of which I have spoken

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

לָ֔ךְ9 of 18
H0
הִנֵּ֥ה10 of 18
H2009

lo!

מַלְאָכִ֖י11 of 18

unto thee behold mine Angel

H4397

a messenger; specifically, of god, i.e., an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher)

יֵלֵ֣ךְ12 of 18
H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

לְפָנֶ֑יךָ13 of 18

before

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

וּבְי֣וֹם14 of 18

thee nevertheless in the day

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

וּפָֽקַדְתִּ֥י15 of 18

I will visit

H6485

to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc

וּפָֽקַדְתִּ֥י16 of 18

I will visit

H6485

to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc

עֲלֵהֶ֖ם17 of 18
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

חַטָּאתָֽם׃18 of 18

their sin

H2403

an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or expiation; also (concretely) an offender


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 32:34 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 32:34 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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