King James Version

What Does Exodus 33:12 Mean?

Exodus 33:12 in the King James Version says “And Moses said unto the LORD, See, thou sayest unto me, Bring up this people: and thou hast not let me know whom thou wi... — study this verse from Exodus chapter 33 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And Moses said unto the LORD, See, thou sayest unto me, Bring up this people: and thou hast not let me know whom thou wilt send with me. Yet thou hast said, I know thee by name, and thou hast also found grace in my sight.

Exodus 33:12 · KJV


Context

10

And all the people saw the cloudy pillar stand at the tabernacle door: and all the people rose up and worshipped, every man in his tent door.

11

And the LORD spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend. And he turned again into the camp: but his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, departed not out of the tabernacle.

12

And Moses said unto the LORD, See, thou sayest unto me, Bring up this people: and thou hast not let me know whom thou wilt send with me. Yet thou hast said, I know thee by name, and thou hast also found grace in my sight.

13

Now therefore, I pray thee, if I have found grace in thy sight, shew me now thy way, that I may know thee, that I may find grace in thy sight: and consider that this nation is thy people.

14

And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Moses said unto the LORD, See, thou sayest unto me, Bring up this people—Moses' intercession begins with honest wrestling. He points out the tension: God commands him to lead but hasn't guaranteed His presence ('thou hast not let me know whom thou wilt send with me'). Moses refuses to accept leadership without divine presence. The phrase 'I know thee by name' (יָדַעְתִּיךָ בְשֵׁם, yedatikha veshem) indicates personal, intimate knowledge, not mere awareness. Moses boldly appeals to God's own testimony of their relationship, demonstrating that prayer can include candid reasoning with God when motivated by His glory.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient Near Eastern names carried deep significance, representing character and destiny. God knowing Moses 'by name' indicated personal relationship and chosen purpose, contrasting with the distant angelic guidance initially offered.

Reflection Questions

  1. Do you bring honest questions and tensions to God in prayer, or do you assume He wants superficial compliance?
  2. How does Moses' confidence in God's personal knowledge of him embolden your own prayer life?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 27 words
אָמַ֙רְתָּ֙1 of 27

said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

מֹשֶׁ֜ה2 of 27

And Moses

H4872

mosheh, the israelite lawgiver

אֶל3 of 27
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

יְהוָ֗ה4 of 27

unto the LORD

H3068

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

רְ֠אֵה5 of 27

See

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

אַתָּ֞ה6 of 27
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

אָמַ֙רְתָּ֙7 of 27

said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֵלַי֙8 of 27
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הַ֚עַל9 of 27

unto me Bring up

H5927

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

אֶת10 of 27
H853

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

הָעָ֣ם11 of 27

this people

H5971

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

הַזֶּ֔ה12 of 27
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

וְאַתָּה֙13 of 27
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

לֹ֣א14 of 27
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יְדַעְתִּ֣יךָֽ15 of 27

I know

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

אֵ֥ת16 of 27
H853

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

אֲשֶׁר17 of 27
H834

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

תִּשְׁלַ֖ח18 of 27

whom thou wilt send

H7971

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

עִמִּ֑י19 of 27
H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

וְאַתָּ֤ה20 of 27
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

אָמַ֙רְתָּ֙21 of 27

said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְדַעְתִּ֣יךָֽ22 of 27

I know

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

בְשֵׁ֔ם23 of 27

thee by name

H8034

an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

וְגַם24 of 27
H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

מָצָ֥אתָ25 of 27

and thou hast also found

H4672

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

חֵ֖ן26 of 27

grace

H2580

graciousness, i.e., subjective (kindness, favor) or objective (beauty)

בְּעֵינָֽי׃27 of 27

in my sight

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)


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 33:12 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 33:12 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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