King James Version

What Does Exodus 33:17 Mean?

Exodus 33:17 in the King James Version says “And the LORD said unto Moses, I will do this thing also that thou hast spoken: for thou hast found grace in my sight, an...” — study this verse from Exodus chapter 33 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And the LORD said unto Moses, I will do this thing also that thou hast spoken: for thou hast found grace in my sight, and I know thee by name.”

Exodus 33:17 · King James Version


Context

15

And he said unto him, If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence.

16

For wherein shall it be known here that I and thy people have found grace in thy sight? is it not in that thou goest with us? so shall we be separated, I and thy people, from all the people that are upon the face of the earth.

17

And the LORD said unto Moses, I will do this thing also that thou hast spoken: for thou hast found grace in my sight, and I know thee by name.

18

And he said, I beseech thee, shew me thy glory.

19

And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy.


Commentaries4 scholars

KJV Study CommentaryPublic Domain
And the LORD said unto Moses, I will do this thing also that thou hast spoken—Complete victory for intercession! God grants Moses' request, explicitly citing two reasons: 'thou hast found grace in my sight' and 'I know thee by name.' Grace (חֵן, chen) is unmerited favor, while being known by name indicates intimate, personal relationship. Moses' bold intercession succeeded not through manipulation but through relationship. This demonstrates prayer's power when aligned with God's glory and grounded in grace. The phrase 'this thing also' shows God delighting to exceed requests for those who seek His face.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This affirmation comes after Moses' sustained intercession through chapters 32-33. God's willingness to change His stated intention (33:3) demonstrates that intercessory prayer genuinely affects divine action within His sovereign plan.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does understanding that prayer works through relationship, not technique, change your approach to intercession?
  2. What does God's response teach about His desire to be moved by the prayers of those He knows intimately?

Compare 4 commentaries from different scholars and time periods for a richer understanding.


Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר1 of 17

“said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָה֙2 of 17

“And the LORD”

H3068

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

אֶל3 of 17
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

מֹשֶׁ֔ה4 of 17

“unto Moses”

H4872

mosheh, the israelite lawgiver

גַּ֣ם5 of 17
H1571

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

אֶת6 of 17
H853

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

הַדָּבָ֥ר7 of 17

“this thing”

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

הַזֶּ֛ה8 of 17
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

אֲשֶׁ֥ר9 of 17
H834

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

דִּבַּ֖רְתָּ10 of 17

“also that thou hast spoken”

H1696

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

אֶֽעֱשֶׂ֑ה11 of 17

“I will do”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

כִּֽי12 of 17
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

מָצָ֤אתָ13 of 17

“for thou hast 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

חֵן֙14 of 17

“grace”

H2580

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

בְּעֵינַ֔י15 of 17

“in my sight”

H5869

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

וָאֵדָֽעֲךָ֖16 of 17

“and I know”

H3045

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

בְּשֵֽׁם׃17 of 17

“thee by name”

H8034

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


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 33:17 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 33:17 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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