Exodus 33

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 33:6

And the children of Israel stripped themselves of their ornaments ,.... Such as before described, and this they did: by the Mount Horeb ; before their departure from thence, and where they had been guilty of the idolatry: the words may be literally rendered, "from Mount Horeb" F21 מהר "a monte", V. L. Pagninus, Montanus, Drusius; "procul a monte", Junius & Tremellius, Piscato. ; and Jonathan understands the preceding clause of something they put off which they received from... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 33:7

And Moses took the tabernacle ,.... Not that, the pattern of which he had been shown in the mount, for that was not as yet made, rather his own tabernacle or tent, Exodus 18:7 or one that was erected for worship before the large one was ordered, and while that was building; for it can hardly be thought they should have no place of worship for a whole year after they were come out of Egypt; though this might be not a place on purpose, or only erected for that use, but might be one of the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 33:8

And it came to pass, when Moses went out of the tabernacle ,.... For when he had pitched it he did not continue there; which shows it was not the tent or tabernacle he dwelt in, but whither he went to and fro, both to meet the Lord in it, and transact the affairs of the people, and especially the great affair now depending between God and them: that all the people rose up : in reverence of him as their ruler, and the minister of God, and as their Mediator between God and them, though... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 33:9

And it came to pass, as Moses entered into the tabernacle, the cloudy pillar descended ,.... From the top of the mount in which Jehovah was: and stood at the door of the tabernacle ; where Moses was just entered, and in sight of the people, which was a token of grace and favour both to him and them: and the Lord talked with Moses ; not the cloudy pillar, but the Lord in it, as we rightly supply it: what he talked with him about is not said, very probably concerning the children of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 33:10

And all the people saw the cloudy pillar stand at the tabernacle door ,.... They being every man at his tent door; and this must be a pleasing sight to them, and give them some hope that God would be merciful to them, forgive their sin, and not depart from them: and all the people rose up and worshipped, every man in his tent door ; not Moses, nor the cloudy pillar, but the Lord in it; it was not a civil bow they made to Moses, and in respect to him, for he was gone into the tabernacle... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 33:11

And the Lord spake unto Moses face to face ,.... Not by an angel, but he himself in person; not by a dream or vision, but apparently, in real visible appearance; not in dark speeches, but clearly in plain words, easy to be understood; and not by a voice from heaven at a distance, but mouth to mouth, being very near, as when on the mount, and now at the door of the tabernacle: as a man speaketh unto his friend ; freely, familiarly, plainly, cordially, openly, without any reserve or show... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 33:12

And Moses said unto the Lord ,.... Having returned from the camp to the tabernacle again: see, thou sayest unto me, bring up this people : from hence to the land of Canaan, as in Exodus 33:1 . and thou hast not let me know whom thou wilt send with me ; to guide and direct him, help and assist him, protect and defend him, and the people with him; he had signified something of this kind, but by some expressions, and by his present conduct, he was at a loss to know who was to go with... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 33:13

Now therefore, I pray thee, if I have found grace in thy sight ,.... Which he said, not as doubting whether he had or not, but as taking it for granted he had, and so argues from it, and improves his interest in it, in his pleading with God: shew me now thy way : either the way which he himself would take, the way of his providence in bringing the children of Israel into the land of Canaan; or the way he would have him take, the way of his duty, how he would have him behave in conducting... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 33:14

And he said ,.... In answer to his request: my presence shall go with thee ; or before thee, both with Moses and before the people; meaning the Angel of his presence he had before promised, the eternal Word and Son of God, who saved them, redeemed them, bore and carried them all the days of old: or "my faces shall go" F25 פני ילכו "facies meae ibunt", Montanus, Vatablus. ; all the three divine Persons, Father, Son, and Spirit; there was Jehovah the Father, whose the Angel of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 33:15

And he said unto him ,.... Moses said unto the Lord: if thy presence go not with me ; or with us, as it may be as well supplied, and which agrees with what follows: carry us not up hence ; from the mount to the land of Canaan; though God had promised his presence, which was the thing requested, Moses could not forbear expressing himself after this manner, to show the high esteem he had of this blessing, and how worthless and insignificant everything else was without it; that even... read more

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