King James Version

What Does Exodus 34:9 Mean?

Exodus 34:9 in the King James Version says “And he said, If now I have found grace in thy sight, O Lord, let my Lord, I pray thee, go among us; for it is a stiffnec... — study this verse from Exodus chapter 34 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And he said, If now I have found grace in thy sight, O Lord, let my Lord, I pray thee, go among us; for it is a stiffnecked people; and pardon our iniquity and our sin, and take us for thine inheritance.

Exodus 34:9 · KJV


Context

7

Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, unto the third and to the fourth generation.

8

And Moses made haste, and bowed his head toward the earth, and worshipped.

9

And he said, If now I have found grace in thy sight, O Lord, let my Lord, I pray thee, go among us; for it is a stiffnecked people; and pardon our iniquity and our sin, and take us for thine inheritance.

10

And he said, Behold, I make a covenant: before all thy people I will do marvels, such as have not been done in all the earth, nor in any nation: and all the people among which thou art shall see the work of the LORD: for it is a terrible thing that I will do with thee.

11

Observe thou that which I command thee this day: behold, I drive out before thee the Amorite, and the Canaanite, and the Hittite, and the Perizzite, and the Hivite, and the Jebusite.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Moses intercedes based on God's revealed character, citing the divine attributes just proclaimed. He acknowledges Israel's 'stiffnecked' (קְשֵׁה־עֹרֶף, qesheh-oreph) nature—stubborn as oxen resisting the yoke—yet appeals for pardon (סָלַח, salach) and inheritance (נָחַל, nachal). Moses asks God to 'go among us' despite their sin, trusting mercy over judgment. His prayer models intercession grounded in God's own promises and character.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

God had previously threatened to send an angel rather than go personally among Israel (33:2-3). Moses here requests full restoration of divine presence.

Reflection Questions

  1. How can we pray with confidence for mercy despite acknowledging our sin?
  2. What does Moses' intercession teach about the role of a mediator?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
וַיֹּ֡אמֶר1 of 20

And he said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אִם2 of 20
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

נָא֩3 of 20
H4994

'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction

מָצָ֨אתִי4 of 20

If now I have 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

חֵ֤ן5 of 20

grace

H2580

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

בְּעֵינֶ֙יךָ֙6 of 20

in thy sight

H5869

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

אֲדֹנָ֖י7 of 20

O Lord

H136

the lord (used as a proper name of god only)

יֵֽלֶךְ8 of 20
H1980

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

נָ֥א9 of 20
H4994

'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction

אֲדֹנָ֖י10 of 20

O Lord

H136

the lord (used as a proper name of god only)

בְּקִרְבֵּ֑נוּ11 of 20

among

H7130

properly, the nearest part, i.e., the center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial (especially with preposition)

כִּ֤י12 of 20
H3588

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

עַם13 of 20

people

H5971

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

קְשֵׁה14 of 20

us for it is a stiffnecked

H7186

severe (in various applications)

עֹ֙רֶף֙15 of 20
H6203

the nape or back of the neck (as declining); hence, the back generally (whether literal or figurative)

ה֔וּא16 of 20
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

וְסָֽלַחְתָּ֛17 of 20

and pardon

H5545

to forgive

לַֽעֲוֹנֵ֥נוּ18 of 20

our iniquity

H5771

perversity, i.e., (moral) evil

וּלְחַטָּאתֵ֖נוּ19 of 20

and our sin

H2403

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

וּנְחַלְתָּֽנוּ׃20 of 20

and take us for thine inheritance

H5157

to inherit (as a (figurative) mode of descent), or (generally) to occupy; causatively, to bequeath, or (generally) distribute, instate


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 34:9 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 34:9 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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