1
וַיְדַבֵּ֨ר יְהוָ֤ה אֶל מֹשֶׁה֙ לֵ֣ךְ עֲלֵ֣ה מִזֶּ֔ה אַתָּ֣ה וְהָעָ֔ם אֲשֶׁ֥ר הֶֽעֱלִ֖יתָ מֵאֶ֣רֶץ מִצְרָ֑יִם אֶל הָאָ֗רֶץ אֲשֶׁ֣ר נִ֠שְׁבַּעְתִּי לְאַבְרָהָ֨ם לְיִצְחָ֤ק וּֽלְיַעֲקֹב֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר לְזַרְעֲךָ֖ אֶתְּנֶֽנָּה
And YHWH spoke to Moses, “Go, go up from here, you and the people whom you brought up from the land of Egypt, to the land that I swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, saying, ‘To your seed I will give it.’”
Wayyiqtol opens a new scene: YHWH addresses Moses directly, resuming the journey command interrupted by the calf episode (ch. 32); the divine speech itself begins a chain of imperatives.
Word-by-word analysis· 23 words
וַיְדַבֵּ֨רand he spokePiel wayyiqtol 3ms · דִּבֶּר (H1696)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main-clause predicate)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceדִּבֶּר (H1696) Piel of דבר 'to speak, declare'; introduces direct divine speech, resuming the narrative after the golden-calf crisis (ch. 32).
יְהוָ֤הYHWHNp · יְהוָה (H3068)Subjectיְהוָה (H3068), Israel's covenant name for God; the same YHWH who judged the calf now speaks the terms of departure.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase marking addresseeאֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; marks the addressee of the divine speech.
מֹשֶׁה֙MosesNp · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Object of preposition (addressee)מֹשֶׁה (H4872), the mediator who alone will hear YHWH's terms and intercede.
לֵ֣ךְgoQal impv 2ms · הָלַךְ (H3212)Imperative (main directive)→ Volitional: direct commandהָלַךְ (H3212) 'to go, walk'; paired with עֲלֵה as a compound command to depart.
עֲלֵ֣הgo upQal impv 2ms · עָלָה (H5927)Imperative in asyndetic sequence (coordinate directive)→ Volitional: reinforcing commandעָלָה (H5927) 'go up, ascend'; used of the journey up out of Egypt toward Canaan, and ominously in vv.3,5 of YHWH refusing to 'go up' with them.
מִזֶּ֔הfrom hereprep מִן + demonstrative pron · זֶה (H2088)Adverbial (source/place)מִן + זֶה (H2088) 'from this (place)'; Horeb/Sinai, the mountain of the covenant and of the calf.
אַתָּ֣הyouindependent pron 2ms · אַתָה (H859)Subject (resumptive, with coordinate)אַתָה (H859) 2ms independent pronoun; emphatic, paired with וְהָעָם.
וְהָעָ֔םand the peopleconj וְ + art + N m sg abs · עַם (H5971)Coordinate subjectעַם (H5971) 'people, nation'; Israel collectively, addressed alongside Moses.
אֲשֶׁ֥רwhomrelative pron · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing restrictive clause (modifying הָעָם)אֲשֶׁר (H834), indeclinable relative particle/pronoun 'who, which, that'.
הֶֽעֱלִ֖יתָyou brought upHiphil perf 2ms · עָלָה (H5927)Predicate of relative clause→ Perfective: a completed past act (the exodus)עָלָה (H5927) Hiphil 'bring up, cause to ascend'; the exodus from Egypt, recalled at the very moment the future going-up is imperiled.
מֵאֶ֣רֶץfrom the land ofprep מִן + N f sg constr · אֶרֶץ (H776)Adverbial (source)אֶרֶץ (H776) 'land, earth', in construct with מִצְרַיִם.
מִצְרָ֑יִםEgyptNp · מִצְרַיִם (H4714)Genitive (construct with אֶרֶץ)מִצְרַיִם (H4714), Egypt, the house of bondage.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase (goal)אֶל (H413) 'to'; marks the destination, the promised land.
הָאָ֗רֶץthe landart + N f sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Object of preposition (goal, the promised land)אֶרֶץ (H776), here Canaan, the land sworn to the patriarchs.
אֲשֶׁ֣רwhichrelative pron · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing restrictive clause (modifying הָאָרֶץ)אֲשֶׁר (H834), relative particle.
נִ֠שְׁבַּעְתִּיI sworeNiphal perf 1cs · שָׁבַע (H7650)Predicate of relative clause→ Perfective: a completed, binding past oathשָׁבַע (H7650) Niphal 'swear'; the patriarchal oath (Gen 12,15,22,26,28) grounds the land-promise independent of Israel's present guilt.
לְאַבְרָהָ֨םto Abrahamprep לְ + Np · אַבְרָהָם (H85)Indirect object (recipient of oath)אַבְרָהָם (H85), first patriarch, first recipient of the land oath.
לְיִצְחָ֤קto Isaacprep לְ + Np · יִצְחָק (H3327)Indirect object (recipient of oath, coordinate)יִצְחָק (H3327), second patriarch.
וּֽלְיַעֲקֹב֙and to Jacobconj וְ + prep לְ + Np · יַעֲקֹב (H3290)Indirect object (recipient of oath, coordinate)יַעֲקֹב (H3290), third patriarch, renamed Israel; the threefold repetition underscores the oath's unconditional character.
לֵאמֹ֔רsayingprep לְ + Qal inf constr · אָמַר (H559)Infinitive construct introducing quoted oath→ Infinitival: introduces direct speechאָמַר (H559) 'say'; the formulaic quotative infinitive.
לְזַרְעֲךָ֖to your seedprep לְ + N m sg constr + 2ms sf · זֶרַע (H2233)Indirect object (fronted for emphasis)זֶרַע (H2233) 'seed, offspring'; the promise addressed to the patriarchs' descendants, i.e. this very generation.
אֶתְּנֶֽנָּהI will give itQal impf 1cs + 3fs sf · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb (main clause, quoted oath)→ Yiqtol: modal/promissory — a pledged future actנָתַן (H5414) 'give'; the oath's verb, its feminine object suffix (agreeing with אֶרֶץ) closing the quotation.
2
וְשָׁלַחְתִּ֥י לְפָנֶ֖יךָ מַלְאָ֑ךְ וְגֵֽרַשְׁתִּ֗י אֶת הַֽכְּנַעֲנִי֙ הָֽאֱמֹרִ֔י וְהַֽחִתִּי֙ וְהַפְּרִזִּ֔י הַחִוִּ֖י וְהַיְבוּסִֽי
And I will send an angel before you, and I will drive out the Canaanite, the Amorite, the Hittite, the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite.
YHWH reaffirms the land-grant and conquest promise even as he withholds his own presence — the gift stands, but its giver proposes to keep his distance.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
וְשָׁלַחְתִּ֥יand I will sendQal weqatal 1cs · שָׁלַח (H7971)Predicate verb (weqatal continuing the divine speech)→ Weqatal: volitive/future continuation of YHWH's promiseשָׁלַח (H7971) 'send'; here an angel replaces YHWH's own accompanying presence — the chapter's central problem.
לְפָנֶ֖יךָbefore youprep לִפְנֵי + 2ms sf · פָּנִים (H6440)Adverbial (spatial, 'ahead of')פָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; idiomatic 'before you' — the first of the chapter's many uses of פנים, here in the mundane spatial sense later contrasted with the theological 'face' of vv.11,20,23.
מַלְאָ֑ךְan angelN m sg abs · מַלְאָךְ (H4397)Direct objectמַלְאָךְ (H4397) 'messenger, angel'; a delegated presence, explicitly less than YHWH's own — offered here as a substitute, not an added gift.
וְגֵֽרַשְׁתִּ֗יand I will drive outPiel weqatal 1cs · גֵּרַש (H1644)Predicate verb (coordinate)→ Weqatal: future/volitive continuationגָרַש (H1644) Piel 'drive out, dispossess'; the dispossession of Canaan's peoples remains promised despite the crisis.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker introducing list
הַֽכְּנַעֲנִי֙the Canaaniteart + gentilic Np · כְּנַעֲנִי (H3669)Direct object (first of six nations)כְּנַעֲנִי (H3669) 'Canaanite', gentilic from כְּנַעַן; first of the traditional list of Canaan's peoples.
הָֽאֱמֹרִ֔יthe Amoriteart + gentilic · אֱמֹרִי (H567)Direct object (coordinate, second nation)אֱמֹרִי (H567) 'Amorite'; a major highland people-group of Canaan.
וְהַֽחִתִּי֙and the Hittiteconj + art + gentilic · חִתִּי (H2850)Direct object (coordinate, third nation)חִתִּי (H2850) 'Hittite', descendants of חֵת (Gen 10:15).
וְהַפְּרִזִּ֔יand the Perizziteconj + art + gentilic · פְּרִזִּי (H6522)Direct object (coordinate, fourth nation)פְּרִזִּי (H6522) 'Perizzite', perhaps 'villagers' (from פְּרָזָה 'open country').
הַחִוִּ֖יthe Hiviteart + gentilic · חִוִּי (H2340)Direct object (coordinate, fifth nation)חִוִּי (H2340) 'Hivite'.
וְהַיְבוּסִֽיand the Jebusiteconj + art + gentilic · יְבוּסִי (H2983)Direct object (coordinate, sixth nation)יְבוּסִי (H2983) 'Jebusite', inhabitants of pre-Israelite Jerusalem (Jebus).
3
אֶל אֶ֛רֶץ זָבַ֥ת חָלָ֖ב וּדְבָ֑שׁ כִּי֩ לֹ֨א אֶֽעֱלֶ֜ה בְּקִרְבְּךָ֗ כִּ֤י עַם קְשֵׁה עֹ֨רֶף֙ אַ֔תָּה פֶּן אֲכֶלְךָ֖ בַּדָּֽרֶךְ
to a land flowing with milk and honey; for I will not go up in your midst, for you are a stiff-necked people, lest I consume you on the way.
Two stacked כִּי-clauses ground YHWH's refusal: the land remains good, but proximity between a holy God and a 'stiff-necked' people is mortally dangerous — the angel-substitute of v.2 is protective, not merely diplomatic.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase (appositional to v.1's land)אֶל (H413) 'to'.
אֶ֛רֶץa landN f sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Object of preposition, in apposition to v.1's הָאָרֶץאֶרֶץ (H776) 'land'.
זָבַ֥תflowing (with)Qal ptc f sg constr · זוּב (H2100)Attributive participle modifying אֶרֶץ→ Participle: durative, characterizing descriptionזוּב (H2100) 'flow, gush'; the stock formula for Canaan's fertility (also 3:8,17).
חָלָ֖בmilkN m sg abs · חָלָב (H2461)Object of the participle (construct chain)חָלָב (H2461) 'milk'.
וּדְבָ֑שׁand honeyconj + N m sg abs · דְּבַש (H1706)Object of the participle, coordinateדְּבַש (H1706) 'honey'; with חָלָב the proverbial description of Canaan's abundance.
כִּי֩forconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction introducing YHWH's reason for withholding his presenceכִּי (H3588) 'for, because'; introduces the shocking divine refusal.
לֹ֨אnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates the verb אֶעֱלֶהלֹא (H3808), the ordinary negative; here negating YHWH's own presence-verb, the chapter's crisis in miniature.
אֶֽעֱלֶ֜הI will go upQal impf 1cs · עָלָה (H5927)Predicate verb (main clause, negated)→ Yiqtol: modal/volitional — a stated refusalעָלָה (H5927) 'go up'; YHWH's refusal directly answers v.1's command that Israel 'go up' — the same verb, opposite direction.
בְּקִרְבְּךָ֗in your midstprep בְ + N m sg constr + 2ms sf · קֶרֶב (H7130)Adverbial (locative)קֶרֶב (H7130) 'midst, inward part'; the language of intimate presence now withdrawn.
כִּ֤יforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction, second reason clauseכִּי (H3588) 'for'.
עַםa peopleN m sg abs · עַם (H5971)Predicate nominativeעַם (H5971) 'people'.
קְשֵׁהstiff (of)adj m sg constr · קָשֶׁה (H7186)Construct adjective governing עֹרֶףקָשֶׁה (H7186) 'hard, stiff, stubborn'.
עֹ֨רֶף֙neckN m sg abs · עֹרֶף (H6203)Genitive completing the construct 'stiff-necked'עֹרֶף (H6203) 'back of the neck'; קְשֵה-עֹרֶף 'stiff-necked' — the Golden Calf's defining epithet for Israel (32:9).
אַ֔תָּהyou (are)independent pron 2ms · אַתָה (H859)Subject of verbless predicationאַתָה (H859), 2ms independent pronoun.
פֶּןlestconj · פֶּן (H6435)Negative purpose/result conjunction introducing the feared outcomeפֶּן (H6435) 'lest'; introduces the danger YHWH's own presence would pose.
אֲכֶלְךָ֖I consume youPiel impf 1cs + 2ms sf · כָּלָה (H3615)Predicate verb (result clause after פֶּן)→ Yiqtol: modal — a feared potential consequenceכָּלָה (H3615) Piel 'finish, consume, destroy'; the same root threatened at 32:10 — proximity to holiness is lethal to a rebellious people.
בַּדָּֽרֶךְon the wayprep בְ + art + N m sg abs · דֶּרֶךְ (H1870)Adverbial (locative, the journey)דֶּרֶךְ (H1870) 'way, road'; the wilderness journey itself, now imperiled.
4
וַיִּשְׁמַ֣ע הָעָ֗ם אֶת הַדָּבָ֥ר הָרָ֛ע הַזֶּ֖ה וַיִּתְאַבָּ֑לוּ וְלֹא שָׁ֛תוּ אִ֥ישׁ עֶדְי֖וֹ עָלָֽיו
And the people heard this evil word, and they mourned, and no one put on his ornaments.
The people's grief and self-stripping respond appropriately to the 'evil word' — genuine repentance in contrast to the calf's careless jewelry-giving.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
וַיִּשְׁמַ֣עand heardQal wayyiqtol 3ms · שָׁמַע (H8085)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceשָׁמַע (H8085) 'hear'; the people's reception of YHWH's hard word.
הָעָ֗םthe peopleart + N m sg abs · עַם (H5971)Subjectעַם (H5971) 'people'.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
הַדָּבָ֥רthe wordart + N m sg abs · דָּבָר (H1697)Direct objectדָּבָר (H1697) 'word, matter'; here YHWH's announcement of vv.1-3.
הָרָ֛עevilart + adj m sg abs · רַע (H7451)Attributive adjective modifying הַדָּבָררַע (H7451) 'bad, evil, distressing'; from Israel's perspective the news is calamitous, though it is in fact YHWH's mercy — he protects them from himself.
הַזֶּ֖הthisart + demonstrative pron · זֶה (H2088)Attributive demonstrative modifying הַדָּבָרזֶה (H2088) 'this'.
וַיִּתְאַבָּ֑לוּand they mournedHitpael wayyiqtol 3mp · אָבַל (H56)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָבַל (H56) Hitpael 'mourn oneself, go into mourning'; a reflexive stem — genuine grief, in contrast to the calf-feast's revelry (32:6).
וְלֹאand notconj + negative · לֹא (H3808)Negates the following verbלֹא (H3808) 'not'.
שָׁ֛תוּthey put (on)Qal perf 3cp · שִׁית (H7896)Predicate verb (main clause, negated)→ Perfective: a decisive, sustained abstentionשִׁית (H7896) 'put, set, place'; here of putting on ornaments — its negation marks a change in dress signifying mourning/penitence.
אִ֥ישׁeach/any manN m sg abs · אִיש (H376)Distributive subject ('each one')אִיש (H376) 'man'; used distributively, 'each/no one'.
עֶדְי֖וֹhis ornamentN m sg constr + 3ms sf · עֲדִי (H5716)Direct objectעֲדִי (H5716) 'ornament, jewelry'; the same finery stripped for the golden calf (32:2-3) is now removed as a sign of contrition.
עָלָֽיוupon himprep עַל + 3ms sf · עַל (H5921)Adverbial (locative, completing the idiom)עַל (H5921) 'upon'; idiomatic completion of שִׁית...עָלָיו 'put ... on himself'.
5
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר יְהוָ֜ה אֶל מֹשֶׁ֗ה אֱמֹ֤ר אֶל בְּנֵֽי יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ אַתֶּ֣ם עַם קְשֵׁה עֹ֔רֶף רֶ֧גַע אֶחָ֛ד אֶֽעֱלֶ֥ה בְקִרְבְּךָ֖ וְכִלִּיתִ֑יךָ וְעַתָּ֗ה הוֹרֵ֤ד עֶדְיְךָ֙ מֵֽעָלֶ֔יךָ וְאֵדְעָ֖ה מָ֥ה אֶֽעֱשֶׂה לָּֽךְ
For YHWH had said to Moses, “Say to the sons of Israel, You are a stiff-necked people; should I go up in your midst for a single moment, I would consume you. So now, take off your ornaments from upon you, that I may decide what to do with you.”
Most read this as a temporal flashback (pluperfect 'had said') — v.5 supplies the actual command (strip your ornaments) that provoked v.4's grief, a common feature of Hebrew narrative sequencing (cf. GKC §111).
Word-by-word analysis· 25 words
וַיֹּ֨אמֶרand said (had said)Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (resumptive/explanatory)→ Wayyiqtol: here retrospective, explaining the command behind v.4's mourningאָמַר (H559) 'say'; the wayyiqtol need not be strictly sequential here — Hebrew narrative can loop back to explain a preceding event.
יְהוָ֜הYHWHNp · יְהוָה (H3068)Subjectיְהוָה (H3068).
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase marking addresseeאֶל (H413) 'to'.
מֹשֶׁ֗הMosesNp · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Object of preposition (addressee)מֹשֶׁה (H4872).
אֱמֹ֤רsayQal impv 2ms · אָמַר (H559)Imperative (main directive to Moses)→ Volitional: direct commandאָמַר (H559) 'say'; here commissioning Moses as messenger to the people.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase marking addresseeאֶל (H413) 'to'.
בְּנֵֽיsons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Construct governing יִשְׂרָאֵלבֵּן (H1121) 'son'; construct בְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל, the standing designation 'Israelites'.
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙IsraelNp · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive (construct with בְּנֵי)יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478), Jacob's covenant name, here for the nation.
אַתֶּ֣םyou (pl)independent pron 2mp · אַתֶּם (H859)Subject of verbless clause (quoted speech)אַתֶּם (H859), 2mp independent pronoun.
עַםa peopleN m sg abs · עַם (H5971)Predicate nominativeעַם (H5971) 'people'.
קְשֵׁהstiff (of)adj m sg constr · קָשֶׁה (H7186)Construct adjective governing עֹרֶףקָשֶׁה (H7186) 'stiff, hard'.
עֹ֔רֶףneckN m sg abs · עֹרֶף (H6203)Genitive completing 'stiff-necked'עֹרֶף (H6203) 'neck'.
רֶ֧גַעa momentN m sg abs · רֶגַע (H7281)Adverbial accusative of timeרֶגַע (H7281) 'moment, instant'; with אֶחָד, 'a single moment' — even the briefest divine proximity would be fatal.
אֶחָ֛דone, singlenumeral m sg abs · אֶחָד (H259)Attributive numeral modifying רֶגַעאֶחָד (H259) 'one'.
אֶֽעֱלֶ֥הI might go upQal impf 1cs · עָלָה (H5927)Predicate verb (protasis of implied conditional)→ Yiqtol: modal/hypothetical — 'were I to go up'עָלָה (H5927) 'go up'.
בְקִרְבְּךָ֖in your midstprep בְ + N m sg constr + 2ms sf · קֶרֶב (H7130)Adverbial (locative)קֶרֶב (H7130) 'midst'.
וְכִלִּיתִ֑יךָthen I would consume youPiel weqatal 1cs + 2ms sf · כָּלָה (H3615)Predicate verb (apodosis, consequence)→ Weqatal: consequential — certain result of the hypothetical protasisכָּלָה (H3615) Piel 'consume, destroy'; the same verb as v.3, restated as the direct consequence of even momentary presence.
וְעַתָּ֗הand nowconj + adverb · עַתָּה (H6258)Discourse marker shifting from rationale to instructionעַתָּה (H6258) 'now'; a standard hinge introducing the practical command that follows.
הוֹרֵ֤דtake offHiphil impv 2ms · יָרַד (H3381)Imperative (main directive)→ Volitional: direct commandיָרַד (H3381) Hiphil 'bring down, take off'; causative of 'go down'.
עֶדְיְךָ֙your ornamentN m sg constr + 2ms sf · עֲדִי (H5716)Direct objectעֲדִי (H5716) 'ornament'; the same term as v.4, now under direct command.
מֵֽעָלֶ֔יךָfrom upon youprep מִן + עַל + 2ms sf · עַל (H5921)Adverbial (source)עַל (H5921) 'upon'.
וְאֵדְעָ֖הthat I may decideQal cohortative 1cs · יָדַע (H3045)Cohortative expressing purpose/result→ Cohortative: self-directed volition — 'let me decide'יָדַע (H3045) 'know'; here 'determine, decide' — YHWH's stated need to 'know' anticipates the chapter's climax, where Moses asks to 'know' YHWH's ways (v.13) and YHWH says he 'knows' Moses by name (v.12,17).
מָ֥הwhatinterrogative pron · מָה (H4100)Interrogative object of אֶעֱשֶׂה (indirect question)מָה (H4100) 'what'.
אֶֽעֱשֶׂהI shall doQal impf 1cs · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb of embedded indirect question→ Yiqtol: deliberative — 'what I should do'עָשָׂה (H6213) 'do, make'.
לָּֽךְto/for youprep לְ + sf · לְAdverbial (indirect object, 'with you')The pointing here (2fs suffix) is a well-known Masoretic anomaly for an address to Israel/Moses, universally read in context as 'to/for you'.
6
וַיִּֽתְנַצְּל֧וּ בְנֵֽי יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל אֶת עֶדְיָ֖ם מֵהַ֥ר חוֹרֵֽב
So the Israelites stripped off their ornaments, from Mount Horeb onward.
Closes the calf-aftermath unit (vv.1-6) before the narrative shifts, without a transition marker, to the tent of meeting (v.7) — a seam often taken as evidence of an older tradition inserted here.
Word-by-word analysis· 7 words
וַיִּֽתְנַצְּל֧וּand they stripped themselves (of)Hitpael wayyiqtol 3mp · נָצַל (H5337)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceנָצַל (H5337) Hitpael 'strip oneself'; a reflexive act of self-divestment, completing YHWH's command in v.5.
בְנֵֽיsons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Subject (construct)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; construct בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל, 'Israelites'.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֛לIsraelNp · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive (construct with בְּנֵי)יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478).
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
עֶדְיָ֖םtheir ornament(s)N m sg constr + 3mp sf · עֲדִי (H5716)Direct objectעֲדִי (H5716) 'ornament'.
מֵהַ֥רfrom Mountprep מִן + N m sg constr · הַר (H2022)Adverbial (source, temporal-spatial)הַר (H2022) 'mountain'; construct with חֹרֵב.
חוֹרֵֽבHorebNp · חֹרֵב (H2722)Genitive (construct with הַר)חֹרֵב (H2722), the mountain of God, synonym for Sinai; the phrase probably means the stripping became a lasting practice 'from Mount Horeb onward' (cf. Deut 9:8).
7
וּמֹשֶׁה֩ יִקַּ֨ח אֶת הָאֹ֜הֶל וְנָֽטָה ל֣וֹ מִח֣וּץ לַֽמַּחֲנֶ֗ה הַרְחֵק֙ מִן הַֽמַּחֲנֶ֔ה וְקָ֥רָא ל֖וֹ אֹ֣הֶל מוֹעֵ֑ד וְהָיָה֙ כָּל מְבַקֵּ֣שׁ יְהוָ֔ה יֵצֵא֙ אֶל אֹ֣הֶל מוֹעֵ֔ד אֲשֶׁ֖ר מִח֥וּץ לַֽמַּחֲנֶֽה
Now Moses used to take the tent and pitch it outside the camp, far off from the camp, and he called it the tent of meeting; and everyone who sought YHWH would go out to the tent of meeting that was outside the camp.
The verbs shift to imperfect/weqatal iterative forms describing Moses' customary practice, not a single event — a literary seam often taken as evidence of an older tradition, standing in tension with the not-yet-built tabernacle of chs. 25-31,35-40 and forming one of the chapter's classic source-critical cruxes.
Word-by-word analysis· 26 words
וּמֹשֶׁה֩and Mosesconj + Np · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Subject, fronted (topic shift, disjunctive clause)מֹשֶׁה (H4872); the fronted proper name marks a new, disjunctive background unit rather than sequential narrative.
יִקַּ֨חwould takeQal impf 3ms · לָקַח (H3947)Predicate verb (habitual/customary)→ Yiqtol: iterative/habitual — customary, repeated actionלָקַח (H3947) 'take'; the imperfect (not wayyiqtol) signals a standing practice, not a single incident.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
הָאֹ֜הֶלthe tentart + N m sg abs · אֹהֶל (H168)Direct objectאֹהֶל (H168) 'tent'; here Moses' own tent, repurposed — distinct from the not-yet-built tabernacle (מִשְכָּן) of chs. 25-40.
וְנָֽטָהand he would pitchQal weqatal 3ms · נָטָה (H5186)Predicate verb (habitual, coordinate)→ Weqatal: iterative continuation of customary actionנָטָה (H5186) 'stretch out, pitch (a tent)'.
ל֣וֹfor himselfprep לְ + 3ms sfAdverbial (reflexive/dative)Reflexive dative 'for himself'.
מִח֣וּץoutsideprep מִן + N m sg abs · חוּץ (H2351)Adverbial (locative)חוּץ (H2351) 'outside, exterior'.
לַֽמַּחֲנֶ֗הthe campprep לְ (locative) + art + N f sg abs · מַחֲנֶה (H4264)Object of preposition (locative)מַחֲנֶה (H4264) 'camp'; the tent's removal outside the camp dramatizes YHWH's declared refusal to dwell 'in your midst' (v.3).
הַרְחֵק֙far offHiphil inf abs · רָחַק (H7368)Infinitive absolute used adverbially, intensifying the distance→ Infinitive absolute: emphatic/adverbial, reinforcing 'far'רָחַק (H7368) Hiphil 'put far away'; the infinitive absolute functions adverbially, 'putting it far, at a distance'.
מִןfromprep · מִן (H4480)Prepositional phrase (source)מִן (H4480) 'from'.
הַֽמַּחֲנֶ֔הthe campart + N f sg abs · מַחֲנֶה (H4264)Object of prepositionמַחֲנֶה (H4264) 'camp'.
וְקָ֥רָאand he would callQal weqatal 3ms · קָרָא (H7121)Predicate verb (habitual, coordinate)→ Weqatal: iterative continuationקָרָא (H7121) 'call, name'.
ל֖וֹitprep לְ + 3ms sfAdverbial (dative, naming formula)Dative 'to/for it', idiom of naming.
אֹ֣הֶלtent ofN m sg constr · אֹהֶל (H168)Direct object (construct, predicate name)אֹהֶל (H168) 'tent'.
מוֹעֵ֑דmeetingN m sg abs · מוֹעֵד (H4150)Genitive (construct with אֹהֶל)מוֹעֵד (H4150) 'appointed time/place, meeting'; אֹהֶל מוֹעֵד 'tent of meeting' — the place of appointed encounter with God.
וְהָיָה֙and it would be/happenQal weqatal 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb introducing a habitual result clause→ Weqatal: iterative, 'and it used to be that...'הָיָה (H1961) 'be, become, happen'; formulaic opener for a customary scene.
כָּלevery(one)N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Subject (construct, quantifier)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; here 'everyone who...'.
מְבַקֵּ֣שׁwho soughtPiel ptc m sg abs · בָּקַש (H1245)Substantival participle, subject (governed by כָּל)→ Participle: durative/characterizing — habitual seekersבָּקַש (H1245) Piel 'seek'; 'seeking YHWH' as a technical phrase for consulting him at the tent.
יְהוָ֔הYHWHNp · יְהוָה (H3068)Direct object of the participleיְהוָה (H3068).
יֵצֵא֙would go outQal impf 3ms · יָצָא (H3318)Predicate verb (habitual)→ Yiqtol: iterative/habitualיָצָא (H3318) 'go out'; note the irony — approaching YHWH now requires going OUT of the camp.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase (goal)אֶל (H413) 'to'.
אֹ֣הֶלtent ofN m sg constr · אֹהֶל (H168)Object of preposition (construct)אֹהֶל (H168) 'tent'.
מוֹעֵ֔דmeetingN m sg abs · מוֹעֵד (H4150)Genitive (construct with אֹהֶל)מוֹעֵד (H4150) 'meeting'.
אֲשֶׁ֖רthatrelative pron · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing attributive clauseאֲשֶׁר (H834) 'which, that'.
מִח֥וּץoutsideprep מִן + N m sg abs · חוּץ (H2351)Adverbial (locative)חוּץ (H2351) 'outside'.
לַֽמַּחֲנֶֽהthe campprep לְ (locative) + art + N f sg abs · מַחֲנֶה (H4264)Object of preposition (locative)מַחֲנֶה (H4264) 'camp'.
8
וְהָיָ֗ה כְּצֵ֤את מֹשֶׁה֙ אֶל הָאֹ֔הֶל יָק֨וּמוּ֙ כָּל הָעָ֔ם וְנִ֨צְּב֔וּ אִ֖ישׁ פֶּ֣תַח אָהֳל֑וֹ וְהִבִּ֨יטוּ֙ אַחֲרֵ֣י מֹשֶׁ֔ה עַד בֹּא֖וֹ הָאֹֽהֱלָה
And whenever Moses went out to the tent, all the people would rise and station themselves, each at the entrance of his own tent, and they would watch after Moses until he entered the tent.
The camp's collective, silent reverence — standing at their own tent doors and watching — frames the tent of meeting as public in visibility though private in access; only Moses actually goes in.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
וְהָיָ֗הand it would be/happenQal weqatal 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (habitual, formulaic opener)→ Weqatal: iterativeהָיָה (H1961) 'be, happen'.
כְּצֵ֤אתas ... went outprep כְּ + Qal inf constr · יָצָא (H3318)Temporal clause ('whenever')→ Infinitive construct: temporal, iterativeיָצָא (H3318) 'go out'; infinitive construct with כְּ, 'as soon as/whenever X went out'.
מֹשֶׁה֙MosesNp · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Subject of the infinitival clauseמֹשֶׁה (H4872).
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase (goal)אֶל (H413) 'to'.
הָאֹ֔הֶלthe tentart + N m sg abs · אֹהֶל (H168)Object of prepositionאֹהֶל (H168) 'tent'.
יָק֨וּמוּ֙would riseQal impf 3mp · קוּם (H6965)Predicate verb (habitual, apodosis)→ Yiqtol: iterative/habitualקוּם (H6965) 'arise, stand up'; the people's respectful reflex at Moses' departure to meet God.
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Attributive quantifierכֹּל (H3605) 'all'.
הָעָ֔םthe peopleart + N m sg abs · עַם (H5971)Subjectעַם (H5971) 'people'.
וְנִ֨צְּב֔וּand they would station themselvesNiphal weqatal 3cp · נָצַב (H5324)Predicate verb (habitual, coordinate)→ Weqatal: iterative continuationנָצַב (H5324) Niphal 'take one's stand, station oneself'.
אִ֖ישׁeachN m sg abs · אִיש (H376)Distributive apposition to הָעָםאִיש (H376) 'man, each one'.
פֶּ֣תַחat the entrance ofN m sg constr · פֶּתַח (H6607)Adverbial (locative, construct)פֶּתַח (H6607) 'opening, entrance, doorway'.
אָהֳל֑וֹhis tentN m sg constr + 3ms sf · אֹהֶל (H168)Genitive (construct with פֶּתַח)אֹהֶל (H168); each Israelite's own tent, watching from a respectful distance.
וְהִבִּ֨יטוּ֙and they would gazeHiphil weqatal 3cp · נָבַט (H5027)Predicate verb (habitual, coordinate)→ Weqatal: iterative continuationנָבַט (H5027) Hiphil 'look intently, gaze'; a reverent, sustained watching.
אַחֲרֵ֣יafterprep · אַחַר (H310)Prepositional phrase (object of gaze)אַחַר (H310) 'after, behind'; here 'gazing after' the departing Moses.
מֹשֶׁ֔הMosesNp · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Object of prepositionמֹשֶׁה (H4872).
עַדuntilprep · עַד (H5704)Temporal prepositional phraseעַד (H5704) 'until, as far as'.
בֹּא֖וֹhis enteringQal inf constr + 3ms sf · בּוֹא (H935)Temporal clause (object of עַד)→ Infinitive construct: temporal terminusבּוֹא (H935) 'come, enter'.
הָאֹֽהֱלָהinto the tentart + N m sg abs + directional ה · אֹהֶל (H168)Adverbial (goal, directional ה)אֹהֶל (H168) with the ה-locale suffix, 'tent-ward, into the tent'.
9
וְהָיָ֗ה כְּבֹ֤א מֹשֶׁה֙ הָאֹ֔הֱלָה יֵרֵד֙ עַמּ֣וּד הֶֽעָנָ֔ן וְעָמַ֖ד פֶּ֣תַח הָאֹ֑הֶל וְדִבֶּ֖ר עִם מֹשֶֽׁה
And whenever Moses entered the tent, the pillar of cloud would descend and stand at the entrance of the tent, and he would speak with Moses.
The descending pillar and speaking voice make explicit what v.7's founding notice implied: this improvised tent, however marginal geographically, is the real locus of an ongoing divine-human conversation.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
וְהָיָ֗הand it would be/happenQal weqatal 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (habitual, formulaic opener)→ Weqatal: iterativeהָיָה (H1961) 'be, happen'.
כְּבֹ֤אas ... enteredprep כְּ + Qal inf constr · בּוֹא (H935)Temporal clause ('whenever')→ Infinitive construct: temporal, iterativeבּוֹא (H935) 'enter'.
מֹשֶׁה֙MosesNp · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Subject of the infinitival clauseמֹשֶׁה (H4872).
הָאֹ֔הֱלָהinto the tentart + N m sg abs + directional ה · אֹהֶל (H168)Adverbial (goal, directional ה)אֹהֶל (H168) 'tent'.
יֵרֵד֙would descendQal impf 3ms · יָרַד (H3381)Predicate verb (habitual, apodosis)→ Yiqtol: iterative/habitualיָרַד (H3381) 'go down, descend'; the theophanic cloud's movement mirrors and enacts YHWH's own coming.
עַמּ֣וּדpillar ofN m sg constr · עַמּוּד (H5982)Subject (construct)עַמּוּד (H5982) 'pillar, column'; the wilderness theophany-form (13:21-22), here localized at the tent.
הֶֽעָנָ֔ןthe cloudart + N m sg abs · עָנָן (H6051)Genitive (construct with עַמּוּד)עָנָן (H6051) 'cloud'; the visible sign of YHWH's presence.
וְעָמַ֖דand it would standQal weqatal 3ms · עָמַד (H5975)Predicate verb (habitual, coordinate)→ Weqatal: iterative continuationעָמַד (H5975) 'stand'.
פֶּ֣תַחat the entrance ofN m sg constr · פֶּתַח (H6607)Adverbial (locative, construct)פֶּתַח (H6607) 'entrance'.
הָאֹ֑הֶלthe tentart + N m sg abs · אֹהֶל (H168)Genitive (construct with פֶּתַח)אֹהֶל (H168) 'tent'.
וְדִבֶּ֖רand he would speakPiel weqatal 3ms · דִּבֶּר (H1696)Predicate verb (habitual, coordinate; subject YHWH, present in the cloud)→ Weqatal: iterative continuationדִּבֶּר (H1696) Piel 'speak'; same verb as v.1 — YHWH, present in the cloud, converses with Moses as customary practice, anticipating v.11's climactic description.
עִםwithprep · עִם (H5973)Prepositional phrase (addressee/interlocutor)עִם (H5973) 'with'; marks genuine mutual address, not mere one-way command.
מֹשֶֽׁהMosesNp · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Object of prepositionמֹשֶׁה (H4872).
10
וְרָאָ֤ה כָל הָעָם֙ אֶת עַמּ֣וּד הֶֽעָנָ֔ן עֹמֵ֖ד פֶּ֣תַח הָאֹ֑הֶל וְקָ֤ם כָּל הָעָם֙ וְהִֽשְׁתַּחֲוּ֔וּ אִ֖ישׁ פֶּ֥תַח אָהֳלֽוֹ
And when all the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the entrance of the tent, all the people would rise and bow down, each at the entrance of his own tent.
The scene closes with the whole camp at worship from a distance — visible participation without approach, in deliberate contrast to Moses' unmediated access described next.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
וְרָאָ֤הand ... would seeQal weqatal 3ms · רָאָה (H7200)Predicate verb (habitual, temporal/circumstantial)→ Weqatal: iterativeרָאָה (H7200) 'see'; the people's visual confirmation of the cloud, prompting worship.
כָלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Attributive quantifierכֹּל (H3605) 'all'.
הָעָם֙the peopleart + N m sg abs · עַם (H5971)Subjectעַם (H5971) 'people'.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
עַמּ֣וּדpillar ofN m sg constr · עַמּוּד (H5982)Direct object (construct)עַמּוּד (H5982) 'pillar'.
הֶֽעָנָ֔ןthe cloudart + N m sg abs · עָנָן (H6051)Genitive (construct with עַמּוּד)עָנָן (H6051) 'cloud'.
עֹמֵ֖דstandingQal ptc m sg abs · עָמַד (H5975)Attributive participle modifying עַמּוּד הֶעָנָן→ Participle: durative, descriptiveעָמַד (H5975) 'stand'.
פֶּ֣תַחat the entrance ofN m sg constr · פֶּתַח (H6607)Adverbial (locative, construct)פֶּתַח (H6607) 'entrance'.
הָאֹ֑הֶלthe tentart + N m sg abs · אֹהֶל (H168)Genitive (construct with פֶּתַח)אֹהֶל (H168) 'tent'.
וְקָ֤םand would riseQal weqatal 3ms · קוּם (H6965)Predicate verb (habitual, coordinate)→ Weqatal: iterativeקוּם (H6965) 'arise'.
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Attributive quantifierכֹּל (H3605) 'all'.
הָעָם֙the peopleart + N m sg abs · עַם (H5971)Subjectעַם (H5971) 'people'.
וְהִֽשְׁתַּחֲוּ֔וּand they would bow downHishtaphel weqatal 3cp · חוה (H7812)Predicate verb (habitual, coordinate)→ Weqatal: iterative — an act of worshipחוה (H7812), a distinct reflexive stem (traditionally 'Hishtaphel', sometimes parsed as Hitpael of שחה) meaning 'bow down, prostrate oneself in worship'; the standard verb for worship/homage.
אִ֖ישׁeachN m sg abs · אִיש (H376)Distributive appositionאִיש (H376) 'each one'.
פֶּ֥תַחat the entrance ofN m sg constr · פֶּתַח (H6607)Adverbial (locative, construct)פֶּתַח (H6607) 'entrance'.
אָהֳלֽוֹhis tentN m sg constr + 3ms sf · אֹהֶל (H168)Genitive (construct with פֶּתַח)אֹהֶל (H168) 'tent'.
11
וְדִבֶּ֨ר יְהוָ֤ה אֶל מֹשֶׁה֙ פָּנִ֣ים אֶל פָּנִ֔ים כַּאֲשֶׁ֛ר יְדַבֵּ֥ר אִ֖ישׁ אֶל רֵעֵ֑הוּ וְשָׁב֙ אֶל הַֽמַּחֲנֶ֔ה וּמְשָׁ֨רְת֜וֹ יְהוֹשֻׁ֤עַ בִּן נוּן֙ נַ֔עַר לֹ֥א יָמִ֖ישׁ מִתּ֥וֹךְ הָאֹֽהֶל
Thus YHWH would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. Then he would return to the camp, but his attendant Joshua son of Nun, a young man, would not depart from within the tent.
The 'face to face...as a man to his friend' language is the chapter's most exalted statement of intimacy with God — and its sharpest tension with v.20's flat 'you cannot see my face and live.' The tension is best resolved by taking 'face to face' as unmediated verbal address/relationship, not unrestricted visual beholding of YHWH's essence, which vv.18-23 explicitly deny even to Moses.
Word-by-word analysis· 24 words
וְדִבֶּ֨רand he would speakPiel weqatal 3ms · דִּבֶּר (H1696)Predicate verb (habitual, summarizing the whole scene)→ Weqatal: iterative, summary statementדִּבֶּר (H1696) Piel 'speak'; this climactic weqatal names explicitly what v.9's more general 'speak with' implied.
יְהוָ֤הYHWHNp · יְהוָה (H3068)Subjectיְהוָה (H3068).
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase (addressee)אֶל (H413) 'to'.
מֹשֶׁה֙MosesNp · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Object of preposition (addressee)מֹשֶׁה (H4872).
פָּנִ֣יםfaceN comm pl abs · פָּנִים (H6440)Adverbial accusative (manner)פָּנִים (H6440) 'face' (plurale tantum); פָּנִים אֶל פָּנִים 'face to face' — the chapter's theological crux term, describing an intimacy unparalleled for anyone but Moses (cf. Deut 34:10), yet pointedly qualified in v.20.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Preposition linking the doubled noun (idiom 'face to face')אֶל (H413) 'to'.
פָּנִ֔יםfaceN comm pl abs · פָּנִים (H6440)Adverbial accusative (manner, second member of idiom)פָּנִים (H6440) 'face'.
כַּאֲשֶׁ֛רasprep כְּ + relative pron · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Comparative clause introducing the simileכַּאֲשֶׁר 'just as'; introduces the human analogy that both illumines and limits 'face to face' address.
יְדַבֵּ֥רspeaksPiel impf 3ms · דִּבֶּר (H1696)Predicate verb of the comparative clause→ Yiqtol: generic/gnomic — a general truth used as analogyדִּבֶּר (H1696) Piel 'speak'.
אִ֖ישׁa manN m sg abs · אִיש (H376)Subjectאִיש (H376) 'man'.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase (addressee)אֶל (H413) 'to'.
רֵעֵ֑הוּhis friendN m sg constr + 3ms sf · רֵעַ (H7453)Object of prepositionרֵעַ (H7453) 'friend, companion'; the intimacy-register term completing the simile.
וְשָׁב֙and he would returnQal weqatal 3ms · שוּב (H7725)Predicate verb (habitual, coordinate; subject Moses)→ Weqatal: iterative continuationשוּב (H7725) 'return, turn back'; Moses alone goes and returns — the pattern about to be disrupted by his intercession beginning next verse.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase (goal)אֶל (H413) 'to'.
הַֽמַּחֲנֶ֔הthe campart + N f sg abs · מַחֲנֶה (H4264)Object of preposition (goal)מַחֲנֶה (H4264) 'camp'.
וּמְשָׁ֨רְת֜וֹbut his attendantconj + Piel ptc m sg constr + 3ms sf · שָׁרַת (H8334)Disjunctive subject, fronted for contrast (nominal clause)→ Participle: substantival, functioning as a title ('minister/attendant')שָׁרַת (H8334) Piel 'minister, serve, attend'; participle used as a title, 'his attendant' — Joshua's official role, distinct from the people at their own tents.
יְהוֹשֻׁ֤עַJoshuaNp · יְהוֹשֻעַ (H3091)Apposition to 'his attendant' (identifying the referent)יְהוֹשֻעַ (H3091), Moses' aide (cf. 17:9-14, 24:13), later his successor; his lingering at the tent here quietly prepares his role as the mediator's heir.
בִּןson ofN m sg constr · בֵּן (H1121)Construct (patronymic)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'.
נוּן֙NunNp · נוּן (H5126)Genitive (construct with בִּן)נוּן (H5126), Joshua's father.
נַ֔עַרa young manN m sg abs · נַעַר (H5288)Apposition (describing Joshua's status)נַעַר (H5288) 'youth, young man, attendant'; also a term for a subordinate aide, reinforcing his role serving Moses.
לֹ֥אnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates the following verbלֹא (H3808) 'not'.
יָמִ֖ישׁwould departQal impf 3ms · מוּש (H4185)Predicate verb (habitual, negated)→ Yiqtol: iterative/habitual, negatedמוּש (H4185) 'depart, remove oneself'; Joshua's constancy at the tent stands in contrast to the rest of Israel, who stay at the camp.
מִתּ֥וֹךְfrom withinprep מִן + N m sg constr · תָּוֶךְ (H8432)Adverbial (source/locative)תָּוֶךְ (H8432) 'midst, inside'.
הָאֹֽהֶלthe tentart + N m sg abs · אֹהֶל (H168)Object of prepositionאֹהֶל (H168) 'tent'.
12
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר מֹשֶׁ֜ה אֶל יְהוָ֗ה רְ֠אֵה אַתָּ֞ה אֹמֵ֤ר אֵלַי֙ הַ֚עַל אֶת הָעָ֣ם הַזֶּ֔ה וְאַתָּה֙ לֹ֣א הֽוֹדַעְתַּ֔נִי אֵ֥ת אֲשֶׁר תִּשְׁלַ֖ח עִמִּ֑י וְאַתָּ֤ה אָמַ֨רְתָּ֙ יְדַעְתִּ֣יךָֽ בְשֵׁ֔ם וְגַם מָצָ֥אתָ חֵ֖ן בְּעֵינָֽי
Moses said to YHWH, “See, you say to me, ‘Bring up this people,’ but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. Yet you have said, ‘I know you by name, and you have also found favor in my sight.’”
Moses quotes YHWH's own prior words back to him (the 'bring up' command of v.1, the naming/favor language soon to recur), turning divine promise into the basis of a demand — a bold, dialogical prayer style unique to Moses in the Pentateuch.
Word-by-word analysis· 27 words
וַיֹּ֨אמֶרand saidQal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main-clause predicate)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'say'; introduces Moses' bold, direct intercessory speech.
מֹשֶׁ֜הMosesNp · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Subjectמֹשֶׁה (H4872).
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase marking addresseeאֶל (H413) 'to'.
יְהוָ֗הYHWHNp · יְהוָה (H3068)Object of preposition (addressee)יְהוָה (H3068); Moses now addresses YHWH directly rather than relaying a command.
רְ֠אֵהseeQal impv 2ms · רָאָה (H7200)Imperative (discourse marker, 'consider')→ Volitional: direct appeal for attentionרָאָה (H7200) 'see'; used rhetorically, 'look, consider' — the same root that will govern the chapter's climax ('show me,' 'see my glory').
אַתָּ֞הyouindependent pron 2ms · אַתָּה (H859)Subject (emphatic, resumed by the following participle)אַתָּה (H859), emphatic 2ms pronoun.
אֹמֵ֤רsayQal ptc m sg abs · אָמַר (H559)Predicate participle (present/ongoing action)→ Participle: durative — an ongoing, standing chargeאָמַר (H559) 'say'; participle marking YHWH's command as a standing, unresolved charge.
אֵלַי֙to meprep אֶל + 1cs sf · אֶל (H413)Adverbial (indirect object)אֶל (H413) + suffix, 'to me'.
הַ֚עַלbring upHiphil impv 2ms · עָלָה (H5927)Imperative (quoted command, direct object clause)→ Volitional: quoted directiveעָלָה (H5927) Hiphil 'bring up'; quotes YHWH's own command of v.1, now thrown back as the unresolved half of the problem.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
הָעָ֣םthe peopleart + N m sg abs · עַם (H5971)Direct object of the quoted imperativeעַם (H5971) 'people'.
הַזֶּ֔הthisart + demonstrative pron · זֶה (H2088)Attributive demonstrative modifying הָעָםזֶה (H2088) 'this'.
וְאַתָּה֙but youconj + independent pron 2ms · אַתָּה (H859)Subject (contrastive, disjunctive)אַתָּה (H859); the disjunctive 'but you' pivots from YHWH's command to his silence.
לֹ֣אnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates the following verbלֹא (H3808) 'not'.
הֽוֹדַעְתַּ֔נִיyou have let me knowHiphil perf 2ms + 1cs sf · יָדַע (H3045)Predicate verb (main clause, negated)→ Perfective: a completed (non-)act — the omission stands as fact to dateיָדַע (H3045) Hiphil 'cause to know, inform'; the crux of Moses' complaint — the command is clear, the companion is not.
אֵ֥ת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker introducing the missing information
אֲשֶׁרwhomrelative pron · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing the object clauseאֲשֶׁר (H834) 'who, whom'.
תִּשְׁלַ֖חyou will sendQal impf 2ms · שָׁלַח (H7971)Predicate verb of the relative clause→ Yiqtol: future/modal — the yet-undetermined companionשָׁלַח (H7971) 'send'; echoes the מַלְאָךְ ('angel I will send') of v.2 — Moses wants to know precisely who this is.
עִמִּ֑יwith meprep עִם + 1cs sf · עִם (H5973)Adverbial (accompaniment)עִם (H5973) 'with'.
וְאַתָּ֤הyet youconj + independent pron 2ms · אַתָּה (H859)Subject (resumptive, introducing counter-quotation)אַתָּה (H859); resumes the emphatic 'you' to introduce YHWH's own favorable words.
אָמַ֨רְתָּ֙have saidQal perf 2ms · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: a completed prior statement, now cited as leverageאָמַר (H559) 'say'; Moses cites YHWH's own favorable words as grounds for his petition.
יְדַעְתִּ֣יךָֽI know youQal perf 1cs + 2ms sf · יָדַע (H3045)Predicate verb (quoted speech, object clause)→ Perfective: a settled, existing relationshipיָדַע (H3045) 'know'; here of intimate, personal recognition/election — 'I know you by name' anticipates and grounds v.17's repetition.
בְשֵׁ֔םby nameprep בְּ + N m sg abs · שֵׁם (H8034)Adverbial (manner)שֵׁם (H8034) 'name'; 'know by name' denotes personal, particular relationship, not mere information.
וְגַםand alsoconj + particle · גַּם (H1571)Coordinating/intensifying particle introducing a second favorable claimגַּם (H1571) 'also, even'; adds a second ground for the petition.
מָצָ֥אתָyou have foundQal perf 2ms · מָצָא (H4672)Predicate verb (quoted speech)→ Perfective: a settled, existing state of favorמָצָא (H4672) 'find'; מָצָא חֵן, 'find favor,' the chapter's recurring formula (also vv.13,16,17) for gracious divine regard.
חֵ֖ןfavorN m sg abs · חֵן (H2580)Direct objectחֵן (H2580) 'favor, grace'; the term that will anchor Moses' whole appeal in vv.13,16-17 and echo forward into 34:6's חַנּוּן.
בְּעֵינָֽיin my sightprep בְּ + N c du constr + 1cs sf · עַיִן (H5869)Adverbial (locative, idiomatic 'in my eyes')עַיִן (H5869) 'eye'; idiomatic בְּעֵינַי 'in my sight/opinion' — the standard Hebrew idiom for finding favor.
13
וְעַתָּ֡ה אִם נָא֩ מָצָ֨אתִי חֵ֜ן בְּעֵינֶ֗יךָ הוֹדִעֵ֤נִי נָא֙ אֶת דְּרָכֶ֔ךָ וְאֵדָ֣עֲךָ֔ לְמַ֥עַן אֶמְצָא חֵ֖ן בְּעֵינֶ֑יךָ וּרְאֵ֕ה כִּ֥י עַמְּךָ֖ הַגּ֥וֹי הַזֶּֽה
So now, if I have indeed found favor in your sight, please let me know your ways, that I may know you, so that I may find favor in your sight. Consider too that this nation is your people.
Building on YHWH's own admission in v.12, Moses asks not for information about a companion but for knowledge of YHWH's own 'ways' — shifting the register from logistics to relationship, and closing with a reminder that Israel remains 'your people' despite the calf.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
וְעַתָּ֡הand nowconj + adverb · עַתָּה (H6258)Discourse marker introducing the petition properעַתָּה (H6258) 'now'; pivots from preamble to direct request.
אִםifconj · אִם (H518)Conditional conjunction introducing the protasisאִם (H518) 'if'.
נָא֩pleaseparticle of entreaty · נָא (H4994)Particle of entreaty softening the conditionalנָא (H4994), untranslatable politeness particle, 'please, now'.
מָצָ֨אתִיI have foundQal perf 1cs · מָצָא (H4672)Predicate verb (protasis)→ Perfective: a completed, presently-holding stateמָצָא (H4672) 'find'; repeats v.12's מָצָא חֵן, now as Moses' own claim rather than YHWH's.
חֵ֜ןfavorN m sg abs · חֵן (H2580)Direct objectחֵן (H2580) 'favor'.
בְּעֵינֶ֗יךָin your sightprep בְּ + N c du constr + 2ms sf · עַיִן (H5869)Adverbial (locative, idiomatic)עַיִן (H5869) 'eye'; idiomatic 'in your sight'.
הוֹדִעֵ֤נִיlet me knowHiphil impv 2ms + 1cs sf · יָדַע (H3045)Imperative (apodosis, main request)→ Volitional: the central petition of the whole chapterיָדַע (H3045) Hiphil 'cause to know, make known'; the pivot of the chapter — Moses asks not for a name but for YHWH's דֶּרֶךְ, his revealed character and manner of acting.
נָא֙pleaseparticle of entreaty · נָא (H4994)Particle of entreatyנָא (H4994) 'please'.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
דְּרָכֶ֔ךָyour waysN f pl constr + 2ms sf · דֶּרֶךְ (H1870)Direct objectדֶּרֶךְ (H1870) 'way, path'; here YHWH's manner of governing and relating — what ch. 34:6-7 will answer directly.
וְאֵדָ֣עֲךָ֔that I may know youconj + Qal impf 1cs + 2ms sf · יָדַע (H3045)Predicate verb (purpose clause)→ Yiqtol: purposive — the goal of the preceding requestיָדַע (H3045) 'know'; the purpose of learning YHWH's 'ways' is deepened relational knowledge, echoing v.12's 'I know you'.
לְמַ֥עַןso thatprep · לְמַעַן (H4616)Prepositional phrase introducing final purpose clauseלְמַעַן (H4616) 'so that, in order that'.
אֶמְצָאI may findQal impf 1cs · מָצָא (H4672)Predicate verb of the purpose clause→ Yiqtol: purposive/modalמָצָא (H4672) 'find'; the sought outcome — continued favor — restates the chapter's central verb a third time.
חֵ֖ןfavorN m sg abs · חֵן (H2580)Direct objectחֵן (H2580) 'favor'.
בְּעֵינֶ֑יךָin your sightprep בְּ + N c du constr + 2ms sf · עַיִן (H5869)Adverbial (locative, idiomatic)עַיִן (H5869) 'eye'.
וּרְאֵ֕הand considerconj + Qal impv 2ms · רָאָה (H7200)Imperative (closing appeal)→ Volitional: a final, weighty appealרָאָה (H7200) 'see'; a second imperative of the same root as v.12's opening 'see,' framing the whole speech.
כִּ֥יthatconj · כִּי (H3588)Conjunction introducing the content of 'consider'כִּי (H3588) 'that, because'.
עַמְּךָ֖your peopleN m sg constr + 2ms sf · עַם (H5971)Subject of verbless clauseעַם (H5971) 'people'; Moses insists Israel is still YHWH's own, despite v.1's distancing formula 'the people whom you brought up' and 32:7's 'your people, whom you brought up'.
הַגּ֥וֹיthe nationart + N m sg abs · גּוֹי (H1471)Predicate nominative (apposition to 'this')גּוֹי (H1471) 'nation'; here in apposition, underscoring peoplehood despite recent apostasy.
הַזֶּֽהthisart + demonstrative pron · זֶה (H2088)Attributive demonstrativeזֶה (H2088) 'this'.
14
וַיֹּאמַ֑ר פָּנַ֥י יֵלֵ֖כוּ וַהֲנִחֹ֥תִי לָֽךְ
And he said, “My presence will go, and I will give you rest.”
A famously compact and ambiguous reply: פָּנַי יֵלֵכוּ can be read as either a statement ('my presence will go') or, on the consonants alone, could support a question — but the classic and contextually required reading is YHWH's gracious concession, setting up Moses' clarifying follow-up in v.15.
Word-by-word analysis· 5 words
וַיֹּאמַ֑רand he saidQal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'say'; YHWH's reply, marked by the shift back to narrative wayyiqtol after Moses' extended quoted speech.
פָּנַ֥יmy presenceN c pl constr + 1cs sf · פָּנִים (H6440)Subjectפָּנִים (H6440) 'face' (plurale tantum), here 'my presence/person' — YHWH's own accompanying self, the very thing withheld in v.3 and now promised.
יֵלֵ֖כוּwill goQal impf 3mp · הָלַךְ (H3212)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol: promissory — a pledged future actהָלַךְ (H3212) 'go'; the direct reversal of v.3's refusal to 'go up in your midst' — the same verb-family answers the chapter's opening crisis.
וַהֲנִחֹ֥תִיand I will give restconj + Hiphil perf 1cs · נוּחַ (H5117)Predicate verb (coordinate, main clause)→ Weqatal/perfect-with-waw: promissory continuationנוּחַ (H5117) Hiphil 'give rest, cause to rest'; the accompanying presence secures not just guidance but settled rest in the land.
לָֽךְto youprep לְ + 2fs sfAdverbial (indirect object)Suffix pointed 2fs, the same Masoretic anomaly as v.5's לָּךְ; read in context as addressed to Moses (or collectively to Israel).
15
וַיֹּ֖אמֶר אֵלָ֑יו אִם אֵ֤ין פָּנֶ֨יךָ֙ הֹלְכִ֔ים אַֽל תַּעֲלֵ֖נוּ מִזֶּֽה
And he said to him, “If your presence does not go, do not bring us up from here.”
Moses will not accept an ambiguous or merely implied promise; he restates the condition explicitly and negatively, refusing to move at all without YHWH's own accompanying presence — the chapter's most emphatic statement of the presence-theology at stake.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
וַיֹּ֖אמֶרand he saidQal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'say'; Moses' rejoinder, seeking unambiguous assurance.
אֵלָ֑יוto himprep אֶל + 3ms sf · אֶל (H413)Adverbial (indirect object, addressee)אֶל (H413) + suffix, 'to him'.
אִםifconj · אִם (H518)Conditional conjunction introducing the protasisאִם (H518) 'if'.
אֵ֤יןthere is notnegative particle of existence · אַיִן (H369)Negates the participial predicate (existential negation)אַיִן (H369) 'there is not'; existential negative particle governing the participle הֹלְכִים.
פָּנֶ֨יךָ֙your presenceN c pl constr + 2ms sf · פָּנִים (H6440)Subjectפָּנִים (H6440) 'face, presence'; Moses restates YHWH's own term from v.14, converting the promise into an explicit condition.
הֹלְכִ֔יםgoingQal ptc m pl abs · הָלַךְ (H1980)Predicate participle (with existential negation, 'is not going')→ Participle: durative, describing an ongoing conditionהָלַךְ (H1980) 'go, walk'; participle expressing an ongoing state ('not going along'), matching v.14's promise verbally.
אַֽלdo notnegative particle (prohibitive) · אַל (H408)Negates the following jussive (prohibition)אַל (H408), the prohibitive negative used with jussive/imperfect for direct commands.
תַּעֲלֵ֖נוּbring us upHiphil jussive 2ms + 1cp sf · עָלָה (H5927)Predicate verb (main clause, prohibition)→ Jussive: volitional prohibition — Moses' own refusal to proceedעָלָה (H5927) Hiphil 'bring up'; the same verb as v.1's command and v.12's quotation — Moses now conditions the entire journey on YHWH's personal accompaniment.
מִזֶּֽהfrom hereprep מִן + demonstrative pron · זֶה (H2088)Adverbial (source/place)מִן + זֶה (H2088) 'from here'; Horeb, echoing v.1's departure command exactly.
16
וּבַמֶּ֣ה יִוָּדַ֣ע אֵפ֗וֹא כִּֽי מָצָ֨אתִי חֵ֤ן בְּעֵינֶ֨יךָ֙ אֲנִ֣י וְעַמֶּ֔ךָ הֲל֖וֹא בְּלֶכְתְּךָ֣ עִמָּ֑נוּ וְנִפְלֵ֨ינוּ֙ אֲנִ֣י וְעַמְּךָ֔ מִכָּ֨ל הָעָ֔ם אֲשֶׁ֖ר עַל פְּנֵ֥י הָאֲדָמָֽה
For how then shall it be known that I have found favor in your sight, I and your people? Is it not by your going with us, so that we are distinguished, I and your people, from every people that is on the face of the earth?
Moses' climactic argument: Israel's election and YHWH's favor have no visible, verifiable content apart from YHWH's accompanying presence — without it, Israel is indistinguishable from 'every people on the face of the earth,' the very peoples named for dispossession in v.2.
Word-by-word analysis· 21 words
וּבַמֶּ֣הand by whatconj + prep בְּ + interrogative pron · מָה (H4100)Adverbial interrogative (instrumental, 'by what means')מָה (H4100) 'what'; here instrumental, 'by what (means)'.
יִוָּדַ֣עshall it be knownNiphal impf 3ms · יָדַע (H3045)Predicate verb (main clause, rhetorical question)→ Yiqtol: deliberative/rhetorical — demanding a visible proofיָדַע (H3045) Niphal 'be known, become evident'; the passive counterpart of the chapter's key verb, now demanding external, verifiable proof of favor.
אֵפ֗וֹאthenadverb · אֵפוֹא (H645)Adverbial particle intensifying the rhetorical questionאֵפוֹא (H645) 'then, indeed'; an emphatic particle typical of pointed rhetorical questions.
כִּֽיthatconj · כִּי (H3588)Conjunction introducing the content clauseכִּי (H3588) 'that'.
מָצָ֨אתִיI have foundQal perf 1cs · מָצָא (H4672)Predicate verb (content clause)→ Perfective: a claimed, presently-holding stateמָצָא (H4672) 'find'; the chapter's fourth occurrence of מָצָא חֵן.
חֵ֤ןfavorN m sg abs · חֵן (H2580)Direct objectחֵן (H2580) 'favor'.
בְּעֵינֶ֨יךָ֙in your sightprep בְּ + N c du constr + 2ms sf · עַיִן (H5869)Adverbial (locative, idiomatic)עַיִן (H5869) 'eye'.
אֲנִ֣יIindependent pron 1cs · אֲנִי (H589)Subject (emphatic, in apposition)אֲנִי (H589), 1cs independent pronoun.
וְעַמֶּ֔ךָand your peopleconj + N m sg constr + 2ms sf · עַם (H5971)Coordinate subjectעַם (H5971) 'people'; Moses again binds his own standing to the nation's.
הֲל֖וֹאis it notinterrogative + negative particle · הֲלֹא (i/H3808)Rhetorical negative-interrogative introducing the expected affirmative answerהֲ interrogative + לֹא (H3808) 'is it not...?'; a rhetorical question expecting 'yes'.
בְּלֶכְתְּךָ֣by your goingprep בְּ + Qal inf constr + 2ms sf · הָלַךְ (H3212)Adverbial (instrumental, temporal infinitival clause)→ Infinitive construct: instrumental — the means of distinctionהָלַךְ (H3212) 'go'; infinitive construct, 'in your going' — the presence itself, not merely its promise, is the required proof.
עִמָּ֑נוּwith usprep עִם + 1cp sf · עִם (H5973)Adverbial (accompaniment)עִם (H5973) 'with'.
וְנִפְלֵ֨ינוּ֙so that we are distinguishedconj + Niphal weqatal 1cp · פָּלָה (H6395)Predicate verb (result clause)→ Weqatal: resultative — the consequence of YHWH's accompanying presenceפָּלָה (H6395) Niphal 'be distinguished, set apart, made distinct'; the same root as 8:18's plague-distinction between Israel and Egypt — presence is what marks Israel off from all nations.
אֲנִ֣יIindependent pron 1cs · אֲנִי (H589)Subject (emphatic, in apposition)אֲנִי (H589).
וְעַמְּךָ֔and your peopleconj + N m sg constr + 2ms sf · עַם (H5971)Coordinate subjectעַם (H5971) 'people'.
מִכָּ֨לfrom everyprep מִן + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Adverbial (comparative, 'from all')כֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'.
הָעָ֔םpeopleart + N m sg abs · עַם (H5971)Object of preposition (comparative)עַם (H5971) 'people'; the nations of v.2 and elsewhere, from whom Israel must be distinguishable.
אֲשֶׁ֖רthatrelative pron · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing attributive clauseאֲשֶׁר (H834) 'that, which'.
עַלis uponprep · עַל (H5921)Prepositional phrase (locative) within relative clauseעַל (H5921) 'upon'.
פְּנֵ֥יthe face ofN c pl constr · פָּנִים (H6440)Object of preposition (construct)פָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; idiomatic פְּנֵי הָאֲדָמָה 'the face of the ground' — the chapter's third register of פנים, purely idiomatic-spatial.
הָאֲדָמָֽהthe earth/groundart + N f sg abs · אֲדָמָה (H127)Genitive (construct with פְּנֵי)אֲדָמָה (H127) 'ground, earth, soil'.
17
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר יְהוָה֙ אֶל מֹשֶׁ֔ה גַּ֣ם אֶת הַדָּבָ֥ר הַזֶּ֛ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר דִּבַּ֖רְתָּ אֶֽעֱשֶׂ֑ה כִּֽי מָצָ֤אתָ חֵן֙ בְּעֵינַ֔י וָאֵדָעֲךָ֖ בְּשֵֽׁם
And YHWH said to Moses, “This very thing that you have spoken I will do, for you have found favor in my sight, and I know you by name.”
YHWH's full concession restates Moses' own terms verbatim ('this thing that you have spoken') and repeats, now in YHWH's own voice, the favor-and-name-knowledge language Moses cited in v.12 — the presence dispute is fully resolved before the narrative turns to the theophany request.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
וַיֹּ֤אמֶרand saidQal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'say'.
יְהוָה֙YHWHNp · יְהוָה (H3068)Subjectיְהוָה (H3068).
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase marking addresseeאֶל (H413) 'to'.
מֹשֶׁ֔הMosesNp · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Object of preposition (addressee)מֹשֶׁה (H4872).
גַּ֣םalsoparticle · גַּם (H1571)Additive/emphatic particle, 'this too'גַּם (H1571) 'also, even'; emphasizes the completeness of the concession.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
הַדָּבָ֥רthe thingart + N m sg abs · דָּבָר (H1697)Direct object (fronted for emphasis)דָּבָר (H1697) 'word, thing, matter'; fronted before the verb for emphasis, 'this very thing I will do'.
הַזֶּ֛הthisart + demonstrative pron · זֶה (H2088)Attributive demonstrative modifying הַדָּבָרזֶה (H2088) 'this'.
אֲשֶׁ֥רthatrelative pron · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing attributive clauseאֲשֶׁר (H834) 'that, which'.
דִּבַּ֖רְתָּyou have spokenPiel perf 2ms · דִּבֶּר (H1696)Predicate verb of the relative clause→ Perfective: a completed prior act (Moses' preceding speech)דִּבֶּר (H1696) Piel 'speak'; refers back to the whole of Moses' petition in vv.12-16.
אֶֽעֱשֶׂ֑הI will doQal impf 1cs · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol: promissory — YHWH's pledged complianceעָשָׂה (H6213) 'do, make'; the full and unconditional grant of Moses' request.
כִּֽיforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction introducing the grounds for the grantכִּי (H3588) 'for, because'.
מָצָ֤אתָyou have foundQal perf 2ms · מָצָא (H4672)Predicate verb (causal clause)→ Perfective: a settled, existing state of favorמָצָא (H4672) 'find'; YHWH now affirms in his own voice what Moses claimed in vv.12-13,16.
חֵן֙favorN m sg abs · חֵן (H2580)Direct objectחֵן (H2580) 'favor'; the chapter's key term now confirmed by YHWH himself.
בְּעֵינַ֔יin my sightprep בְּ + N c du constr + 1cs sf · עַיִן (H5869)Adverbial (locative, idiomatic)עַיִן (H5869) 'eye'.
וָאֵדָעֲךָ֖and I know youconj + Qal wayyiqtol 1cs + 2ms sf · יָדַע (H3045)Predicate verb (coordinate, causal)→ Wayyiqtol: here stative/resultative — an existing, personal relationship reaffirmedיָדַע (H3045) 'know'; repeats v.12's citation verbatim, now as YHWH's own direct confirmation — Moses is known 'by name'.
בְּשֵֽׁםby nameprep בְּ + N m sg abs · שֵׁם (H8034)Adverbial (manner)שֵׁם (H8034) 'name'; personal, particular knowledge, closing the intercession unit on the note of intimate relationship.
18
וַיֹּאמַ֑ר הַרְאֵ֥נִי נָ֖א אֶת כְּבֹדֶֽךָ
And he said, “Please show me your glory.”
With the presence-question settled, Moses immediately presses further, asking to see YHWH's כָּבוֹד itself — a request that will be granted only partially and at a remove, setting up the vision-of-the-back scene of vv.19-23.
Word-by-word analysis· 5 words
וַיֹּאמַ֑רand he saidQal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'say'.
הַרְאֵ֥נִיshow meHiphil impv 2ms + 1cs sf · רָאָה (H7200)Imperative (main request)→ Volitional: the chapter's boldest petitionרָאָה (H7200) Hiphil 'cause to see, show'; Moses asks not merely to know YHWH's ways (v.13) but to see his כָּבוֹד directly.
נָ֖אpleaseparticle of entreaty · נָא (H4994)Particle of entreaty softening the imperativeנָא (H4994) 'please'.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
כְּבֹדֶֽךָyour gloryN m sg constr + 2ms sf · כָּבוֹד (H3519)Direct objectכָּבוֹד (H3519) 'glory, weight, honor'; YHWH's visible, weighty self-manifestation — the term that will structure the whole answer of vv.19-23 (cf. 24:16-17, 40:34-35).
19
וַיֹּ֗אמֶר אֲנִ֨י אַעֲבִ֤יר כָּל טוּבִי֙ עַל פָּנֶ֔יךָ וְקָרָ֧אתִֽי בְשֵׁ֛ם יְהוָ֖ה לְפָנֶ֑יךָ וְחַנֹּתִי֙ אֶת אֲשֶׁ֣ר אָחֹ֔ן וְרִחַמְתִּ֖י אֶת אֲשֶׁ֥ר אֲרַחֵֽם
And he said, “I myself will make all my goodness pass before you, and I will proclaim the name YHWH before you; and I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and I will show mercy to whom I will show mercy.”
YHWH grants an audible/moral revelation (his 'goodness' and his 'name' proclaimed) in place of the visual request, and asserts his freedom of grace in the emphatic idem-per-idem formula — the classic biblical statement that mercy is grounded in God's own sovereign character, not human claim or merit.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
וַיֹּ֗אמֶרand he saidQal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'say'.
אֲנִ֨יI myselfindependent pron 1cs · אֲנִי (H589)Subject (emphatic)אֲנִי (H589), emphatic 1cs pronoun, stressing YHWH's personal agency in what follows.
אַעֲבִ֤ירwill make passHiphil impf 1cs · עָבַר (H5674)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol: promissory — a pledged, imminent actעָבַר (H5674) Hiphil 'cause to pass (by)'; the verb that structures the whole theophany (repeated in vv.19,22 of God's גֹד and כָּבוֹד passing, and v.22 of Moses himself).
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Attributive quantifier modifying טוּבִיכֹּל (H3605) 'all'.
טוּבִי֙my goodnessN m sg constr + 1cs sf · טוּב (H2898)Direct objectטוּב (H2898) 'goodness, beauty, bounty'; YHWH's moral and gracious character, made the substitute-content for the requested 'glory'.
עַלbeforeprep · עַל (H5921)Prepositional phrase (spatial, 'in front of')עַל (H5921) here spatial, 'over/before'.
פָּנֶ֔יךָyour faceN c pl constr + 2ms sf · פָּנִים (H6440)Object of preposition (idiomatic, 'before you')פָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; idiomatic 'before your face' — again the mundane-spatial register of פנים.
וְקָרָ֧אתִֽיand I will proclaimconj + Qal weqatal 1cs · קָרָא (H7121)Predicate verb (coordinate, main clause)→ Weqatal: promissory continuationקָרָא (H7121) 'call, proclaim'; the formal act of naming/announcing, distinct from mere self-manifestation — cf. 34:5-7's fuller proclamation.
בְשֵׁ֛םby nameprep בְּ + N m sg constr · שֵׁם (H8034)Adverbial (manner, construct with the following name)שֵׁם (H8034) 'name', in construct — 'the name YHWH'.
יְהוָ֖הYHWHNp · יְהוָה (H3068)Genitive (construct with שֵׁם, the name proclaimed)יְהוָה (H3068); the covenant name itself is the content of the proclamation, made audible where the כָּבוֹד cannot be made fully visible.
לְפָנֶ֑יךָbefore youprep לְפָנֶיךָ + 2ms sf · פָּנִים (H6440)Adverbial (spatial, 'in your presence')פָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; idiomatic לְפָנֶיךָ 'before you' — again spatial.
וְחַנֹּתִי֙and I will be graciousconj + Qal weqatal 1cs · חָנַן (H2603)Predicate verb (coordinate, main clause of the idem-per-idem formula)→ Weqatal: promissory — asserting sovereign, self-determined graceחָנַן (H2603) 'be gracious, show favor'; the root behind חֵן (H2580), the chapter's key noun — YHWH's grace, not human merit, is now shown to be its own ground.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker introducing the relative clause object
אֲשֶׁ֣רwhomrelative pron · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun, object of אֶחֹן ('whomever')אֲשֶׁר (H834) 'whom, whomever'.
אָחֹ֔ןI will be gracious (to)Qal impf 1cs · חָנַן (H2603)Predicate verb of the relative clause→ Yiqtol: modal — sovereign, self-determining freedom of choiceחָנַן (H2603) 'be gracious'; the idem-per-idem repetition (as in 3:14's 'I am who I am') declares grace as an act of pure divine self-determination, unconditioned even by Moses' own plea.
וְרִחַמְתִּ֖יand I will show mercyconj + Piel weqatal 1cs · רָחַם (H7355)Predicate verb (coordinate, second half of the formula)→ Weqatal: promissory — parallel assertion of sovereign compassionרָחַם (H7355) Piel 'have compassion, show mercy'; paired with חָנַן as the classic two-term description of divine mercy (cf. 34:6).
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker introducing the relative clause object
אֲשֶׁ֥רwhomrelative pron · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun, object of אֲרַחֵםאֲשֶׁר (H834) 'whom, whomever'.
אֲרַחֵֽםI will show mercy (to)Piel impf 1cs · רָחַם (H7355)Predicate verb of the relative clause→ Yiqtol: modal — sovereign, self-determining compassionרָחַם (H7355) Piel 'show mercy'; the second idem-per-idem clause, echoed at Rom 9:15.
20
וַיֹּ֕אמֶר לֹ֥א תוּכַ֖ל לִרְאֹ֣ת אֶת פָּנָ֑י כִּ֛י לֹֽא יִרְאַ֥נִי הָאָדָ֖ם וָחָֽי
And he said, “You are not able to see my face, for no human being may see me and live.”
The chapter's flattest, starkest statement, in direct tension with v.11's 'face to face' intimacy; the juxtaposition is deliberate — relational address (v.11) and the unmediated sight of God's essential glory (v.20) are not the same thing, and only the latter is here declared fatal.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
וַיֹּ֕אמֶרand he saidQal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'say'.
לֹ֥אnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates the following verbלֹא (H3808) 'not'.
תוּכַ֖לyou are ableQal impf 2ms · יָכֹל (H3201)Predicate verb (main clause, negated)→ Yiqtol: modal — an absolute, stated incapacityיָכֹל (H3201) 'be able'; states an absolute limit on human capacity, not merely a prohibition.
לִרְאֹ֣תto seeprep לְ + Qal inf constr · רָאָה (H7200)Infinitive construct (complement of יָכֹל)→ Infinitive construct: complementary, completing the modal verbרָאָה (H7200) 'see'; the same root as v.13's 'consider' and v.18's 'show me,' now the verb that is finally denied.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
פָּנָ֑יmy faceN c pl constr + 1cs sf · פָּנִים (H6440)Direct object (of the infinitive)פָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; here in its fourth and most theologically loaded register — YHWH's own unmediated essence/presence, whose sight is fatal.
כִּ֛יforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction introducing the reasonכִּי (H3588) 'for'.
לֹֽאnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates the following verbלֹא (H3808) 'not'.
יִרְאַ֥נִיshall see meQal impf 3ms + 1cs sf · רָאָה (H7200)Predicate verb (causal clause)→ Yiqtol: gnomic/universal — a categorical truth, not a single eventרָאָה (H7200) 'see'; states a universal principle, not restricted to Moses.
הָאָדָ֖םthe human beingart + N m sg abs · אָדָם (H120)Subjectאָדָם (H120) 'man, humankind'; generic — the limitation applies to humanity as such, Moses included.
וָחָֽיand liveconj + Qal weqatal 3ms · חָיָה (H2425)Predicate verb (coordinate result clause)→ Weqatal: consequential — the certain, fatal outcomeחָיָה (H2425) 'live'; the stark closing clause — direct sight of YHWH's unmediated glory and continued life are mutually exclusive.
21
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר יְהוָ֔ה הִנֵּ֥ה מָק֖וֹם אִתִּ֑י וְנִצַּבְתָּ֖ עַל הַצּֽוּר
And YHWH said, “Behold, there is a place by me, and you shall station yourself on the rock.”
Rather than simply refusing, YHWH names an actual place and posture — the beginning of the practical arrangement (rock, cleft, hand) by which a partial, non-fatal vision becomes possible.
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
וַיֹּ֣אמֶרand saidQal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'say'.
יְהוָ֔הYHWHNp · יְהוָה (H3068)Subjectיְהוָה (H3068).
הִנֵּ֥הbeholdpresentative particle · הִנֵּה (H2009)Presentative particle introducing a new, vivid factהִנֵּה (H2009) 'behold'; draws attention to the concrete provision about to be described.
מָק֖וֹםa placeN m sg abs · מָקוֹם (H4725)Subject of verbless clauseמָקוֹם (H4725) 'place'; a specific, named location, in contrast to the vagueness of Moses' request.
אִתִּ֑יby meprep אֵת + 1cs sf · אֵת (H854)Adverbial (locative, 'beside me')אֵת (H854) 'with, beside'; marks proximity to YHWH himself, the closest approach the chapter allows.
וְנִצַּבְתָּ֖and you shall station yourselfconj + Niphal weqatal 2ms · נָצַב (H5324)Predicate verb (main clause, instruction)→ Weqatal: instructional/volitive — a directive continuing the imperative forceנָצַב (H5324) Niphal 'station oneself, take one's stand'; the same verb used of the people at their tent-doors (v.8,10), now of Moses at the rock.
עַלonprep · עַל (H5921)Prepositional phrase (locative)עַל (H5921) 'on, upon'.
הַצּֽוּרthe rockart + N m sg abs · צוּר (H6697)Object of preposition (locative)צוּר (H6697) 'rock, cliff'; the physical setting for the theophany that follows, later a common metaphor for YHWH himself (e.g. Deut 32:4).
22
וְהָיָה֙ בַּעֲבֹ֣ר כְּבֹדִ֔י וְשַׂמְתִּ֖יךָ בְּנִקְרַ֣ת הַצּ֑וּר וְשַׂכֹּתִ֥י כַפִּ֛י עָלֶ֖יךָ עַד עָבְרִֽי
And it shall be, while my glory passes by, that I will put you in a cleft of the rock and screen you with my hand until I have passed by.
YHWH describes a precisely choreographed, temporary shielding — Moses is placed, covered, and only uncovered after the glory itself has gone by, guaranteeing that what is seen is never the unmediated face but only its aftermath.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
וְהָיָה֙and it shall beconj + Qal weqatal 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb introducing the temporal/result clause→ Weqatal: sequential — introduces the procedural instructionsהָיָה (H1961) 'be, happen'; formulaic 'and it shall come to pass that...'.
בַּעֲבֹ֣רwhile ... passesprep בְּ + Qal inf constr · עָבַר (H5674)Temporal clause ('while, during')→ Infinitive construct: temporal, marking simultaneityעָבַר (H5674) 'pass by, pass through'; the same root as v.19's 'pass before you,' now describing the actual event.
כְּבֹדִ֔יmy gloryN m sg constr + 1cs sf · כָּבוֹד (H3519)Subject of the infinitival clauseכָּבוֹד (H3519) 'glory'; the very thing Moses asked to see in v.18, now the subject of the passing-by.
וְשַׂמְתִּ֖יךָand I will put youconj + Qal weqatal 1cs + 2ms sf · שׂוּם (H7760)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Weqatal: promissory/procedural — the concrete arrangementשׂוּם (H7760) 'put, place, set'; YHWH himself positions Moses for safety.
בְּנִקְרַ֣תin a cleft ofprep בְּ + N f sg constr · נִקְרָה (H5366)Adverbial (locative)נִקְרָה (H5366) 'cleft, crevice'; a hapax-rare term for a fissure in rock, the precise refuge for the vision.
הַצּ֑וּרthe rockart + N m sg abs · צוּר (H6697)Genitive (construct with נִקְרַת)צוּר (H6697) 'rock'; the same rock named in v.21.
וְשַׂכֹּתִ֥יand I will screenconj + Qal weqatal 1cs · שָׂכַךְ (H5526)Predicate verb (coordinate, main clause)→ Weqatal: promissory/procedural continuationשָׂכַךְ (H5526) 'screen, cover, fence off'; a deliberate, protective covering, guarding Moses from the lethal sight described in v.20.
כַפִּ֛יmy palmN f sg constr + 1cs sf · כַּף (H3709)Direct objectכַּף (H3709) 'palm, hand'; an anthropomorphic image for YHWH's protective, shielding action — vivid and concrete, yet clearly figurative.
עָלֶ֖יךָover youprep עַל + 2ms sf · עַל (H5921)Adverbial (locative)עַל (H5921) 'over, upon'.
עַדuntilprep · עַד (H5704)Temporal prepositional phraseעַד (H5704) 'until'.
עָבְרִֽיmy passing byQal inf constr + 1cs sf · עָבַר (H5674)Temporal clause (object of עַד)→ Infinitive construct: temporal terminusעָבַר (H5674) 'pass by'; marks the precise moment the shielding hand is withdrawn — only after, never during, the glory's passing.
23
וַהֲסִרֹתִי֙ אֶת כַּפִּ֔י וְרָאִ֖יתָ אֶת אֲחֹרָ֑י וּפָנַ֖י לֹ֥א יֵרָאֽוּ
Then I will take away my hand, and you shall see my back; but my face shall not be seen.
The chapter's closing compromise: Moses sees YHWH's אֲחוֹר ('back, aftermath'), never his פָּנִים ('face') — a deliberately partial theophany that honors both the intimacy YHWH has granted (vv.11,14,17,19) and the mortal limit YHWH has declared (v.20), leaving the tension productive rather than resolved into a single univocal statement about seeing God.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
וַהֲסִרֹתִי֙then I will removeconj + Hiphil perf 1cs · סוּר (H5493)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective (with waw-consecutive force): the culminating, decisive actסוּר (H5493) Hiphil 'take away, remove'; the shielding hand of v.22 is now withdrawn.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
כַּפִּ֔יmy palmN f sg constr + 1cs sf · כַּף (H3709)Direct objectכַּף (H3709) 'palm, hand'; the same term as v.22, now taken away.
וְרָאִ֖יתָand you shall seeconj + Qal perf 2ms · רָאָה (H7200)Predicate verb (coordinate, main clause)→ Perfective (with waw-consecutive force): the granted, culminating act of sightרָאָה (H7200) 'see'; the verb finally granted, though only in qualified form — its object is not YHWH's face but his 'back'.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
אֲחֹרָ֑יmy backN m pl constr + 1cs sf · אָחוֹר (H268)Direct objectאָחוֹר (H268) 'back, hinder part'; a bold, physical anthropomorphism for what remains visible once the glory has passed — traditionally understood as the trailing effulgence or aftermath of the theophany, not a literal divine body.
וּפָנַ֖יbut my faceconj + N c pl constr + 1cs sf · פָּנִים (H6440)Subject (contrastive, fronted)פָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; fronted for emphatic contrast with אֲחֹרָי — closing the chapter's whole פנים-theme on its most restrictive note.
לֹ֥אnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates the following verbלֹא (H3808) 'not'.
יֵרָאֽוּshall be seenNiphal impf 3mp · רָאָה (H7200)Predicate verb (main clause, passive, negated)→ Yiqtol: passive/modal — a standing, permanent prohibitionרָאָה (H7200) Niphal 'be seen, appear'; the passive form makes explicit what v.20 stated actively — YHWH's face remains permanently beyond human sight.