Exodus 33:13-15

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 33:13

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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 33:13

Show me now thy way - Let me know the manner in which thou wouldst have this people led up and governed, because this nation is thy people, and should be governed and guided in thy own way. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 33:14

My presence shall go with thee - ילכו פני panai yelechu , my faces shall go. I shall give thee manifestations of my grace and goodness through the whole of thy journey. I shall vary my appearances for thee, as thy necessities shall require. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 33:15

If thy presence go not - הלכים פניך אין אם im ein paneycha holechim , if thy faces do not go - if we have not manifestations of thy peculiar providence and grace, carry us not up hence. Without supernatural assistance, and a most particular providence, he knew that it would be impossible either to govern such a people, or support them in the desert; and therefore he wishes to be well assured on this head, that he may lead them up with confidence, and be able to give them the most... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 33:14

Verse 14 14.And he said, My presence shall go with thee We gather from this answer what the desire of Moses was, for God, in accepting his prayer, affirms in one word that He will go before them as He was wont, and this was a sure pledge of His presence in no ordinary manner. For although the whole world is governed by His providence, still His face does not therein appear so conspicuously as in His protection of the Church’s welfare. And, in fact, since the same Angel, who had before presided... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 33:15

Verse 15 15.And he said unto him, If thy presence go not Moses accepts what is accorded to him, whilst at the same time he signifies that it would be better and more desirable for him to perish in the desert than to go any further without the manifest token of God’s presence; and this he confirms in the following verse, and therefore I have inserted the expletive particle certe (indeed,) although the copula might also be resolved into the causal particle nam (for.) For he declares that the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 33:12-13

See, thou sayest . Moses takes advantage of his privilege of speaking as friend with friend, and uses familiar terms—"See," he says, "thou hast told me to conduct the people to Canaan, yet thou hast not made it clear whom thou wilt send with me. If it is to be an angel, what angel? Why not the angel of the original promise ( Exodus 23:20-23 )? Thou hast distinguished me with thy favour— Consider that this nation is thy people , and extend thy favour to them. At any rate shew me thy... read more

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