King James Version

What Does Exodus 33:1 Mean?

Exodus 33:1 in the King James Version says “And the LORD said unto Moses, Depart, and go up hence, thou and the people which thou hast brought up out of the land of...” — study this verse from Exodus chapter 33 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And the LORD said unto Moses, Depart, and go up hence, thou and the people which thou hast brought up out of the land of Egypt, unto the land which I sware unto Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, saying, Unto thy seed will I give it:”

Exodus 33:1 · KJV

Context

1

And the LORD said unto Moses, Depart, and go up hence, thou and the people which thou hast brought up out of the land of Egypt, unto the land which I sware unto Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, saying, Unto thy seed will I give it:

2

And I will send an angel before thee; and I will drive out the Canaanite, the Amorite, and the Hittite, and the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite:

3

Unto a land flowing with milk and honey: for I will not go up in the midst of thee; for thou art a stiffnecked people: lest I consume thee in the way.

Read Exodus 33 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And the LORD said unto Moses, Depart, and go up hence—After the golden calf apostasy (ch. 32), God commands departure but threatens withdrawal of His immediate presence. The phrase 'the people which thou hast brought up' (not 'My people whom I brought up') signals divine distancing. Yet the covenant promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob remains unbreakable—God's faithfulness transcends Israel's unfaithfulness. This tension between judgment and mercy sets the stage for Moses' intercession.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Spoken at Sinai immediately after the golden calf incident. The Abrahamic covenant (Genesis 12:7, 15:18) guaranteed the land regardless of Israel's obedience, demonstrating the unconditional nature of God's promises to the patriarchs.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's faithfulness to His promises encourage you when you've failed Him?
  2. What does this verse teach about the distinction between positional covenant promises and relational intimacy with God?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 23 words
וַיְדַבֵּ֨ר1 of 23

“said”

H1696

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

יְהוָ֤ה2 of 23

“And the LORD”

H3068

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

אֶל3 of 23
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

מֹשֶׁה֙4 of 23

“unto Moses”

H4872

mosheh, the israelite lawgiver

לֵ֣ךְ5 of 23
H1980

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

הֶֽעֱלִ֖יתָ6 of 23

“and go up”

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

מִזֶּ֔ה7 of 23
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

אַתָּ֣ה8 of 23
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

וְהָעָ֔ם9 of 23

“hence thou and the people”

H5971

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

אֲשֶׁ֥ר10 of 23
H834

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

הֶֽעֱלִ֖יתָ11 of 23

“and go up”

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

הָאָ֗רֶץ12 of 23

“out of the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

מִצְרָ֑יִם13 of 23

“of Egypt”

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

אֶל14 of 23
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הָאָ֗רֶץ15 of 23

“out of the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

אֲשֶׁ֣ר16 of 23
H834

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

נִ֠שְׁבַּעְתִּי17 of 23

“which I sware”

H7650

to seven oneself, i.e., swear (as if by repeating a declaration seven times)

לְאַבְרָהָ֨ם18 of 23

“unto Abraham”

H85

abraham, the later name of abram

לְיִצְחָ֤ק19 of 23

“to Isaac”

H3327

jitschak (or isaac), son of abraham

וּֽלְיַעֲקֹב֙20 of 23

“and to Jacob”

H3290

jaakob, the israelitish patriarch

לֵאמֹ֔ר21 of 23

“saying”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

לְזַרְעֲךָ֖22 of 23

“Unto thy seed”

H2233

seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity

אֶתְּנֶֽנָּה׃23 of 23

“will I give”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

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 33:1 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 33:1 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 12:7Exodus 32:13Genesis 22:16-18Genesis 26:3Exodus 32:7Genesis 15:18

Places in This Verse

EgyptRegion · Modern: Ain Shams · 30.13°N, 31.31°E658 verses across 33 books
View all places in Exodus 33 →

Test Your Knowledge

Exodus 33 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterExodus Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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