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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Exodus 33:12-23

Moses, having returned to the door of the tabernacle, becomes a humble and importunate supplicant there for two very great favours, and as a prince he has power with God, and prevails for both: herein he was a type of Christ the great intercessor, whom the Father heareth always. I. He is very earnest with God for a grant of his presence with Israel in the rest of their march to Canaan, notwithstanding their provocations. The people had by their sin deserved the wrath of God, and for the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 33:21

And the Lord said, behold, there is a place by me ,.... Near him, not in or by the tabernacle, where it may be the pillar of cloud now was, as it had been, Exodus 33:9 but upon the rock, where it had been for many days, and near to which there was a fit place for Moses to be in, and have that view of the goodness and glory of God he would favour him with: and thou shall stand upon a rock ; in Horeb, typical of Christ the rock, the rock of Israel, and the rock of ages, the rock of... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 33:21

Behold, there is a place by me - There seems to be a reference here to a well-known place on the mount where God was accustomed to meet with Moses. This was a rock; and it appears there was a cleft or cave in it, in which Moses was to stand while the Divine Majesty was pleased to show him all that human nature was capable of bearing: but this appears to have referred more to the counsels of his mercy and goodness, relative to his purpose of redeeming the human race, than to any visible... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 33:21

Verse 21 21.And the Lord said, Behold, there is a place by me This description may illdeed appear puerile, but it is well adapted to our imperfection; nor will any despise it who is duly conscious of his own imbecility and ignorance. There seems to be a contradiction between these two things, that the beauty of God should be shewn to Moses, and still that the sight of Him should be refused. This difficulty is here solved, for Moses was to see God only from behind. It is a similitude taken from... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 33:12-23

Intercession and its reward. I. THE INTERCESSOR 'S POWER . 1 . God, who had disowned Israel, and refused to go with them, consents to go with him:—"My presence shall go with thee , and I will give thee rest." The first step in successful intercession for others is the receiving of power to serve God among them. This is the dropping which foretells the shower. 2 . God is brought back by persistent asking into the midst of Israel:—" I will do this thing also that thou... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 33:18-23

Shew me thy glory. On this incident, remark— I. THE GOOD MAN THIRSTS FOR EVER FULLER MANIFESTATIONS OF THE DIVINE GLORY . The more he knows of God, the more he would know. The nearer he gets, he presses nearer still. He "longs" to see God's power and glory" ( Psalms 63:2 ). He prays to see as much of it as may be possible to him on earth. He will only be satisfied when admitted to the full vision of it in heaven ( Psalms 16:11 ; Psalms 17:15 ; 1 John 3:2 ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 33:21

Behold, there is a place by me. No sufficient indication is given by these words, or by any other words in Scripture, of the exact locality of the manifestation to Moses. The so-called" traditions "are worthless; and we can only say that the scene was probably some portion of the upper part of the Ras Sufsafeh. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Exodus 33:21

Exodus 33:21. Behold, there is a place by me Probably meant of some part of mount Horeb, where Moses had long enjoyed intercourse with God, and from which the tabernacle, where the cloud of glory now appeared, was at no great distance. And thou shalt stand upon a rock If not that from which the water was miraculously brought, yet certainly one which, like it, was emblematical of Christ, (1 Corinthians 10:4,) through whom alone we can have the knowledge of the glory of God. For this glory... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Exodus 33:1-23

Assurance of God’s presence (33:1-23)Because of his mercy God allowed the people to continue their journey to the land he had promised their ancestors, but because of their sin he could not go with them lest he destroy them. However, he promised to send a heavenly representative to go before them into Canaan. He also required the people to give a clear outward sign of mourning for their past sin and the loss of fellowship with God that resulted from it (33:1-6).God’s refusal to go with Israel... read more

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