Hebrew Text · Translation · Interlinear · Discourse Structure

The Book of Exodus, Chapter 34שמות 34

Each verse opens with the running Hebrew, an English translation, and a discourse note (its connective, relation, and role in the argument). Below follows the word-by-word breakdown in six tiers: gloss, case/state or parsing, syntax, semantic force, and a lexical note.

Case Nominative Genitive Dative Accusative Vocative Verb (no case) Indeclinable

Discourse notes head each verse: relation · connective · clause-flow. Indentation marks prominence — flush-left = main line of argument; indented = supporting / subordinate material.

Theme

Covenant renewal after the golden calf: YHWH replaces the broken tablets and proclaims his gracious yet just character, the 'Thirteen Attributes' of 34:6-7; the covenant is reconstituted with laws guarding against the idolatry that caused the breach, and Moses descends with a shining, veiled face testifying to encounter with divine glory.

Translation & textual notes

Exodus 34 is textually stable in the MT (no major variant tradition rivals the Masoretic witness here, though the LXX shows minor stylistic divergences, e.g. in the ordering and phrasing of the festival calendar of vv.18-26). Two passages carry outsized interpretive weight. First, vv.6-7's proclamation of the divine Name -- "YHWH, YHWH, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness..." -- constitutes the so-called "Thirteen Attributes of Mercy" (שְׁלֹשׁ עֶשְׂרֵה מִדּוֹת), among the most quoted texts in the Hebrew Bible, foundational to Jewish liturgy (recited in the Selichot penitential prayers and on Yom Kippur) and to biblical theology's account of God's character, balancing tender covenant loyalty against the sober warning that guilt is not simply waived (v.7b). Second, vv.29-35 present the celebrated crux of קָרַן (qaran, v.29) describing Moses' face after descending from the mountain: the verb is a rare denominative from קֶרֶן 'horn' and can be read as 'grew horns' or, more probably given the light-and-glory context, 'shone/emitted rays.' Jerome's Vulgate translated it 'cornuta' ('horned'), which became the source of the medieval and Renaissance iconographic tradition of a horned Moses (most famously Michelangelo's statue in Rome) -- almost certainly a translation artifact rather than the intended sense. A third, smaller but influential crux appears in v.26's closing prohibition, 'You shall not boil a young goat in its mother's milk' -- repeated three times in the Torah (Exod 23:19; 34:26; Deut 14:21) and become, through rabbinic exegesis, the scriptural foundation for the kashrut separation of meat and dairy, even though the law's original ancient Near Eastern ritual referent remains debated by scholars. The chapter as a whole functions as the theological and liturgical resolution of the golden-calf crisis (chs.32-33): shattered tablets are replaced, the covenant is formally renewed, and Israel's mediator is himself transfigured by the encounter.

1

וַיֹּ֤אמֶר יְהוָה֙ אֶל מֹשֶׁ֔ה פְּסָל לְךָ֛ שְׁנֵֽי לֻחֹ֥ת אֲבָנִ֖ים כָּרִאשֹׁנִ֑ים וְכָתַבְתִּי֙ עַל הַלֻּחֹ֔ת אֶת הַדְּבָרִ֔ים אֲשֶׁ֥ר הָי֛וּ עַל הַלֻּחֹ֥ת הָרִאשֹׁנִ֖ים אֲשֶׁ֥ר שִׁבַּֽרְתָּ

The LORD said to Moses, "Cut for yourself two tablets of stone like the first ones, and I will write on the tablets the words that were on the first tablets, which you broke."

Narrative resumptionwayyiqtol
Opens the covenant-renewal narrative with the standard wayyiqtol chain-verb of speech, resuming directly from YHWH's proclamation of forgiveness in 33:17-23; the command to cut new tablets marks the first concrete step of restoration after the rupture of ch.32.
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
וַיֹּ֤אמֶרand he saidconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (main clause, wayyiqtol narrative)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; standard narrative verb introducing direct divine speech.
יְהוָה֙YHWHN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of וַיֹּאמֶריְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name of Israel's God, from הָיָה 'to be'; proclaimed anew after the golden-calf rupture, prefiguring the Name theophany of vv.6-7.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase marking addressee
מֹשֶׁ֔הMosesN proper · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Object of preposition אֶלמֹשֶׁה (H4872), the covenant mediator; re-summoned to the mountain to renew what ch.32 shattered.
פְּסָלcut/hewQal impv 2ms · פָּסַל (H6458)Predicate verb (direct command)→ Volitional: direct imperativeפָּסַל (H6458) 'to hew, carve'; used elsewhere of carving idols — here ironically of hewing the very tablets that will condemn idol-making.
לְךָ֛for yourselfprep לְ + suff 2msDative of interest/reflexive benefitEthical dative marking Moses' own responsibility to perform the hewing, unlike the first tablets which were 'the work of God' (32:16).
שְׁנֵֽיtwo ofAcard m du constr · שְׁנַיִם (H8147)Numeral in construct with לֻחֹתשְׁנַיִם (H8147) 'two'; matches the pair of the original tablets (32:15).
לֻחֹ֥תtablets ofN m pl constr · לוּחַ (H3871)Head noun of construct chain (genitive: stone)לוּחַ (H3871) 'tablet, board'; the stone tablets of the covenant/testimony, replacing those Moses shattered in wrath (32:19).
אֲבָנִ֖יםstoneN f pl abs · אֶבֶן (H68)Genitive modifier in construct chain (material)אֶבֶן (H68) 'stone'; durable material for a permanent covenant record, matching the first set (32:15-16).
כָּרִאשֹׁנִ֑יםlike the former onesprep כְּ + art + adj m pl abs · רִאשׁוֹן (H7223)Adjectival comparative modifier of לֻחֹתרִאשׁוֹן (H7223) 'first, former', from רֹאשׁ 'head'; the replacement must match the original in size/content — continuity, not a lesser copy.
וְכָתַבְתִּי֙and I will writeconj וְ + Qal weqatal 1cs · כָּתַב (H3789)Predicate verb (weqatal continuing the imperative as divine promise)→ Weqatal: volitional continuation — divine commitmentכָּתַב (H3789) 'to write'; God himself (not Moses) again inscribes the words, as with the first tablets (32:16) — the writing's divine origin is reaffirmed after the breakage.
עַלonprep · עַל (H5921)Locative prepositional phrase
הַלֻּחֹ֔תthe tabletsart + N m pl abs · לוּחַ (H3871)Object of preposition עַללוּחַ (H3871); the new tablets about to be inscribed, definite because just introduced in v.1a.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
הַדְּבָרִ֔יםthe wordsart + N m pl abs · דָּבָר (H1697)Direct object of וְכָתַבְתִּידָּבָר (H1697) 'word, thing'; the Decalogue text (cf. עֲשֶׂרֶת הַדְּבָרִים, v.28), the covenant stipulations.
אֲשֶׁ֥רwhichrel pron · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing subordinate clause
הָי֛וּwereQal perf 3cp · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb of relative clause→ Perfective: prior completed stateהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become'; states the words' prior existence on the first tablets, now to be reproduced verbatim.
עַלonprep · עַל (H5921)Locative prepositional phrase
הַלֻּחֹ֥תthe tabletsart + N m pl abs · לוּחַ (H3871)Object of preposition עַללוּחַ (H3871) 'tablet, board'; the stone tablets of the covenant/testimony, replacing those Moses shattered in wrath (32:19).
הָרִאשֹׁנִ֖יםthe firstart + adj m pl abs · רִאשׁוֹן (H7223)Attributive adjective modifying הַלֻּחֹתרִאשׁוֹן (H7223); marks these as the original, now-broken tablets of ch.32, distinguished from the new pair being cut.
אֲשֶׁ֥רwhichrel pron · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing subordinate clause
שִׁבַּֽרְתָּyou brokePiel perf 2ms · שָׁבַר (H7665)Predicate verb of relative clause→ Perfective: a completed, decisive actשָׁבַר (H7665) 'to break, shatter' (Piel intensive); recalls Moses' angry smashing of the tablets in 32:19 — the verb links this chapter directly back to that rupture.
2

וֶהְיֵ֥ה נָכ֖וֹן לַבֹּ֑קֶר וְעָלִ֤יתָ בַבֹּ֨קֶר֙ אֶל הַ֣ר סִינַ֔י וְנִצַּבְתָּ֥ לִ֛י שָׁ֖ם עַל רֹ֥אשׁ הָהָֽר

Be ready by morning, and come up in the morning to Mount Sinai and present yourself there to me on the top of the mountain.

Continued instructionwə- (weqatal chain)
The weqatal chain continues Moses' instructions begun in v.1, specifying the time and place of the mountain-top rendezvous and echoing the original theophany procedures of ch.19.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
וֶהְיֵ֥הand beconj וְ + Qal impv 2ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (imperative, continuing command)→ Volitional: direct imperativeהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become'; with the adjective נָכוֹן forms the predicate 'be ready.'
נָכ֖וֹןreadyNiphal ptc m sg abs · כּוּן (H3559)Predicate adjective/participle complementing וֶהְיֵה→ Participle: a resultant state — prepared/fixed conditionכּוּן (H3559) Niphal 'to be established, fixed, ready'; a settled state of preparedness for the appointed dawn ascent.
לַבֹּ֑קֶרby/for the morningprep לְ + art + N m sg abs · בֹּקֶר (H1242)Temporal prepositional phraseבֹּקֶר (H1242) 'morning'; echoes the dawn-appointment pattern of Sinai theophanies (cf. 19:16, 24:4).
וְעָלִ֤יתָand you shall go upconj וְ + Qal weqatal 2ms · עָלָה (H5927)Predicate verb (weqatal continuing the command sequence)→ Weqatal: volitional continuation — a further required actionעָלָה (H5927) 'to go up, ascend'; the recurring verb of Moses' Sinai ascents (19:3, 24:1, 24:15) — a return to unmediated meeting.
בַבֹּ֨קֶר֙in the morningprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · בֹּקֶר (H1242)Temporal prepositional phraseבֹּקֶר (H1242) 'morning'; echoes the dawn-appointment pattern of Sinai theophanies (cf. 19:16, 24:4).
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Directional prepositional phrase
הַ֣רmount ofN m sg constr · הַר (H2022)Head noun of construct chain (place name)הַר (H2022) 'mountain, hill'; in construct with סִינַי forming the place-name.
סִינַ֔יSinaiN proper · סִינַי (H5514)Genitive complement of הַר (construct)סִינַי (H5514), the mountain of theophany and covenant-giving; now the site of covenant renewal after the breach.
וְנִצַּבְתָּ֥and you shall station yourselfconj וְ + Niphal weqatal 2ms · נָצַב (H5324)Predicate verb (weqatal continuing the command sequence)→ Weqatal: volitional continuation — required presentation before YHWHנָצַב (H5324) Niphal 'to station oneself, present oneself, stand'; used of formal presentation before a superior, here before YHWH himself.
לִ֛יto meprep לְ + suff 1csIndirect object / dative of the one before whom Moses presents himself
שָׁ֖םthereadv · שָׁם (H8033)Locative adverb
עַלonprep · עַל (H5921)Locative prepositional phrase
רֹ֥אשׁtop ofN m sg constr · רֹאשׁ (H7218)Head noun of construct chain (location)רֹאשׁ (H7218) 'head, top, summit'; the mountain's peak as the specific rendezvous point, as in 19:20.
הָהָֽרthe mountainart + N m sg abs · הַר (H2022)Genitive complement of רֹאשׁ (construct)הַר (H2022) 'mountain, hill'; in construct with סִינַי forming the place-name.
3

וְאִישׁ֙ לֹֽא יַעֲלֶ֣ה עִמָּ֔ךְ וְגַם אִ֥ישׁ אַל יֵרָ֖א בְּכָל הָהָ֑ר גַּם הַצֹּ֤אן וְהַבָּקָר֙ אַל יִרְע֔וּ אֶל מ֖וּל הָהָ֥ר הַהֽוּא

No one shall come up with you, and let no one be seen anywhere on the mountain; let neither flocks nor herds graze in front of that mountain.

Restrictive stipulationwə-
A subordinate restriction elaborating the summons of vv.1-2: total exclusion of people and even livestock from the mountain reinstates the strict boundary protocol of 19:12-13, marking this second ascent as no less holy than the first.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
וְאִישׁ֙and man/anyoneconj וְ + N m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Subject of יַעֲלֶה (fronted for emphasis/negation)אִישׁ (H376) 'man, anyone'; fronted before the negative for emphatic exclusion — total prohibition on human company.
לֹֽאnotneg part · לֹא (H3808)Negates יַעֲלֶה
יַעֲלֶ֣הshall go upQal impf 3ms · עָלָה (H5927)Predicate verb (negated main clause)→ Yiqtol: modal prohibition — categorically ruled outעָלָה (H5927); repeats the ascent verb of v.2 now negated for everyone but Moses — a solitary encounter, unlike the elders' ascent of 24:9.
עִמָּ֔ךְwith youprep עִם + suff 2msPrepositional phrase (accompaniment)
וְגַםand alsoconj וְ + adv · גַּם (H1571)Adverbial intensifier introducing new clause
אִ֥ישׁman/anyoneN m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Subject of יֵרָאאִישׁ (H376) 'man, anyone'; fronted before the negative for emphatic exclusion — total prohibition on human company.
אַלlet notneg part (jussive) · אַל (H408)Negates jussive יֵרָא
יֵרָ֖אbe seenNiphal jussive 3ms · רָאָה (H7200)Predicate verb (negated jussive)→ Jussive: prohibitive volition — must not occurרָאָה (H7200) Niphal 'be seen, appear'; total exclusion zone around the theophany, echoing the boundary restrictions of 19:12-13.
בְּכָלin all ofprep בְּ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Prepositional phrase, head of construct chainכֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; totalizes the prohibition across the entire mountain, not merely its summit.
הָהָ֑רthe mountainart + N m sg abs · הַר (H2022)Genitive complement of כָּל (construct)הַר (H2022) 'mountain, hill'; in construct with סִינַי forming the place-name.
גַּםeven/alsoadv · גַּם (H1571)Adverbial intensifier introducing new subject
הַצֹּ֤אןthe flockart + N c sg abs · צֹאן (H6629)Subject of יִרְעוּצֹאן (H6629) 'flock, sheep and goats' (collective); paired with בָּקָר to denote all livestock, extending the exclusion zone even to animals.
וְהַבָּקָר֙and the herdconj וְ + art + N c sg abs · בָּקָר (H1241)Subject (coordinate) of יִרְעוּבָּקָר (H1241) 'cattle, herd'; with צֹאן a merism for all domesticated animals.
אַלlet notneg part (jussive) · אַל (H408)Negates jussive יִרְעוּ
יִרְע֔וּgrazeQal jussive 3mp · רָעָה (H7462)Predicate verb (negated jussive)→ Jussive: prohibitive volitionרָעָה (H7462) 'to graze, pasture'; even grazing livestock must not approach — reinforcing the holiness-boundary theme.
אֶלtowardprep · אֶל (H413)Directional prepositional phrase
מ֖וּלin front ofprep · מוּל (H4136)Compound prepositional phrase with אֶל
הָהָ֥רthe mountainart + N m sg abs · הַר (H2022)Object of prepositional phrase אֶל מוּלהַר (H2022) 'mountain, hill'; in construct with סִינַי forming the place-name.
הַהֽוּאthatart + demonstr pron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Attributive demonstrative modifying הָהָרהוּא (H1931) independent 3ms pronoun "he/it"; functions here as subject or as the copula linking subject and predicate in a verbless clause.
4

וַיִּפְסֹ֡ל שְׁנֵֽי לֻחֹ֨ת אֲבָנִ֜ים כָּרִאשֹׁנִ֗ים וַיַּשְׁכֵּ֨ם מֹשֶׁ֤ה בַבֹּ֨קֶר֙ וַיַּ֨עַל֙ אֶל הַ֣ר סִינַ֔י כַּאֲשֶׁ֛ר צִוָּ֥ה יְהוָ֖ה אֹת֑וֹ וַיִּקַּ֣ח בְּיָד֔וֹ שְׁנֵ֖י לֻחֹ֥ת אֲבָנִֽים

So Moses cut two tablets of stone like the first, and he rose early in the morning and went up Mount Sinai, as YHWH had commanded him, and took in his hand two tablets of stone.

Narrative sequence — compliancewayyiqtol
A tightly packed wayyiqtol chain narrates Moses' prompt, exact obedience to every element of YHWH's instructions, forming a deliberate contrast to Israel's disobedience in ch.32.
Word-by-word analysis· 21 words
וַיִּפְסֹ֡לand he cutconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · פָּסַל (H6458)Predicate verb (main clause, wayyiqtol narrative)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceפָּסַל (H6458); Moses' obedient execution of the command of v.1, immediate and unquestioning.
שְׁנֵֽיtwo ofAcard m du constr · שְׁנַיִם (H8147)Numeral in construct with לֻחֹתשְׁנַיִם (H8147) 'two'; matches the pair of the original tablets (32:15).
לֻחֹ֨תtablets ofN m pl constr · לוּחַ (H3871)Head noun of construct chain, direct objectלוּחַ (H3871) 'tablet, board'; the stone tablets of the covenant/testimony, replacing those Moses shattered in wrath (32:19).
אֲבָנִ֜יםstoneN f pl abs · אֶבֶן (H68)Genitive modifier (material) in construct chainאֶבֶן (H68) 'stone'; durable material for a permanent covenant record, matching the first set (32:15-16).
כָּרִאשֹׁנִ֗יםlike the former onesprep כְּ + art + adj m pl abs · רִאשׁוֹן (H7223)Adjectival comparative modifier of לֻחֹתרִאשׁוֹן (H7223) 'first, former', from רֹאשׁ 'head'; the replacement must match the original in size/content — continuity, not a lesser copy.
וַיַּשְׁכֵּ֨םand he rose earlyconj וַ + Hiphil wayyiqtol 3ms · שָׁכַם (H7925)Predicate verb (main clause, wayyiqtol narrative)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceשָׁכַם (H7925) Hiphil 'to rise early, do something early'; a mark of eager, faithful compliance — Moses matches YHWH's dawn appointment exactly.
מֹשֶׁ֤הMosesN proper · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Subject of the verbal chainמֹשֶׁה (H4872), the covenant mediator; re-summoned to the mountain to renew what ch.32 shattered.
בַבֹּ֨קֶר֙in the morningprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · בֹּקֶר (H1242)Temporal prepositional phraseבֹּקֶר (H1242) 'morning'; echoes the dawn-appointment pattern of Sinai theophanies (cf. 19:16, 24:4).
וַיַּ֨עַל֙and he went upconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · עָלָה (H5927)Predicate verb (main clause, wayyiqtol narrative)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceעָלָה (H5927); Moses' solitary ascent fulfilling v.2's command.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Directional prepositional phrase
הַ֣רmount ofN m sg constr · הַר (H2022)Head noun of construct chain (place name)הַר (H2022) 'mountain, hill'; in construct with סִינַי forming the place-name.
סִינַ֔יSinaiN proper · סִינַי (H5514)Genitive complement of הַרסִינַי (H5514), the mountain of theophany and covenant-giving; now the site of covenant renewal after the breach.
כַּאֲשֶׁ֛רjust asprep כְּ + rel pron · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Comparative subordinating conjunction
צִוָּ֥הcommandedPiel perf 3ms · צִוָּה (H6680)Predicate verb of subordinate clause→ Perfective: a completed, prior actצִוָּה (H6680) Piel 'to command'; underscores Moses' exact conformity to divine instruction, in sharp contrast to the people's disobedience in ch.32.
יְהוָ֖הYHWHN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of צִוָּהיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name of Israel's God, from הָיָה 'to be'; proclaimed anew after the golden-calf rupture, prefiguring the Name theophany of vv.6-7.
אֹת֑וֹhimobj marker + suff 3ms · אֵת (H853)Direct object of צִוָּה
וַיִּקַּ֣חand he tookconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · לָקַח (H3947)Predicate verb (main clause, wayyiqtol narrative)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceלָקַח (H3947) 'to take'; Moses personally carries the tablets he cut, paralleling 32:15 but now as his own responsibility.
בְּיָד֔וֹin his handprep בְּ + N c sg constr + suff 3ms · יָד (H3027)Prepositional phrase of manner/instrumentיָד (H3027) 'hand'; emphasizes Moses' own physical labor in carrying the covenant tablets up the mountain.
שְׁנֵ֖יtwo ofAcard m du constr · שְׁנַיִם (H8147)Numeral in construct with לֻחֹתשְׁנַיִם (H8147) 'two'; matches the pair of the original tablets (32:15).
לֻחֹ֥תtablets ofN m pl constr · לוּחַ (H3871)Head noun of construct chain, direct objectלוּחַ (H3871) 'tablet, board'; the stone tablets of the covenant/testimony, replacing those Moses shattered in wrath (32:19).
אֲבָנִֽיםstoneN f pl abs · אֶבֶן (H68)Genitive modifier (material) in construct chainאֶבֶן (H68) 'stone'; durable material for a permanent covenant record, matching the first set (32:15-16).
5

וַיֵּ֤רֶד יְהוָה֙ בֶּֽעָנָ֔ן וַיִּתְיַצֵּ֥ב עִמּ֖וֹ שָׁ֑ם וַיִּקְרָ֥א בְשֵׁ֖ם יְהוָֽה

And YHWH descended in the cloud and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name YHWH.

Narrative sequence — theophanywayyiqtol
The wayyiqtol chain narrates YHWH's descent and self-presentation, the fulfillment of the promise in 33:19-23 that Moses would see YHWH's goodness pass by, setting up the Name-proclamation of vv.6-7.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
וַיֵּ֤רֶדand he descendedconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · יָרַד (H3381)Predicate verb (main clause, wayyiqtol narrative)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceיָרַד (H3381) 'to go down'; the theophanic descent verb of Sinai (cf. 19:11, 19:20), marking YHWH's condescension to renew fellowship after the breach.
יְהוָה֙YHWHN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of the verbal chainיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name of Israel's God, from הָיָה 'to be'; proclaimed anew after the golden-calf rupture, prefiguring the Name theophany of vv.6-7.
בֶּֽעָנָ֔ןin the cloudprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · עָנָן (H6051)Prepositional phrase (means/manner)עָנָן (H6051) 'cloud'; the visible medium of divine presence throughout Exodus (13:21, 19:9, 24:15-18), veiling the theophany even as it reveals it.
וַיִּתְיַצֵּ֥בand he stationed himselfconj וַ + Hitpael wayyiqtol 3ms · יָצַב (H3320)Predicate verb (main clause, wayyiqtol narrative)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceיָצַב (H3320) Hitpael 'to station oneself, take one's stand'; YHWH takes a definite position alongside Moses — intimate accompaniment answering Moses' plea of v.9 before it is even voiced.
עִמּ֖וֹwith himprep עִם + suff 3msPrepositional phrase (accompaniment)
שָׁ֑םthereadv · שָׁם (H8033)Locative adverb
וַיִּקְרָ֥אand he proclaimedconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · קָרָא (H7121)Predicate verb (main clause, wayyiqtol narrative)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceקָרָא (H7121) 'to call, proclaim'; introduces the formal self-declaration of divine character in vv.6-7, the heart of the chapter.
בְשֵׁ֖םby the nameprep בְּ + N m sg constr · שֵׁם (H8034)Prepositional phrase of means, head of construct chainשֵׁם (H8034) 'name'; in Hebrew thought the name discloses character/essence — what follows in v.6 reveals who YHWH IS, not merely a label.
יְהוָֽהYHWHN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Genitive complement of שֵׁם (construct)יְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name of Israel's God, from הָיָה 'to be'; proclaimed anew after the golden-calf rupture, prefiguring the Name theophany of vv.6-7.
6

וַיַּעֲבֹ֨ר יְהוָ֥ה עַל פָּנָיו֮ וַיִּקְרָא֒ יְהוָ֣ה יְהוָ֔ה אֵ֥ל רַח֖וּם וְחַנּ֑וּן אֶ֥רֶךְ אַפַּ֖יִם וְרַב חֶ֥סֶד וֶאֱמֶֽת

YHWH passed before him and proclaimed, "YHWH, YHWH, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness,

Narrative sequence — climactic proclamationwayyiqtol
The chapter's theological center: YHWH passes before Moses and proclaims his own Name in a credal formula of mercy attributes, establishing the template ("the Thirteen Attributes," שְׁלֹשׁ עֶשְׂרֵה מִדּוֹת) that later Jewish liturgy (notably Yom Kippur and fast-day Selichot) draws on directly.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
וַיַּעֲבֹ֨רand he passedconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · עָבַר (H5674)Predicate verb (main clause, wayyiqtol narrative)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceעָבַר (H5674) 'to pass over/by'; recalls Moses' request in 33:19-22 to see YHWH's glory pass by — this verse narrates the fulfillment.
יְהוָ֥הYHWHN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of וַיַּעֲבֹריְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name of Israel's God, from הָיָה 'to be'; proclaimed anew after the golden-calf rupture, prefiguring the Name theophany of vv.6-7.
עַלbefore/overprep · עַל (H5921)Prepositional phrase of location
פָּנָיו֮his faceN c pl constr + suff 3ms · פָּנִים (H6440)Object of preposition עַלפָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; here Moses' face, before which the glory passes — echoing 33:20-23 where YHWH's own פָּנִים could not be seen directly, only his 'back.'
וַיִּקְרָא֒and he proclaimedconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · קָרָא (H7121)Predicate verb (main clause, wayyiqtol narrative)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceקָרָא (H7121); introduces the celebrated 'Thirteen Attributes' (שְׁלֹשׁ עֶשְׂרֵה מִדּוֹת) recited in Jewish liturgy, especially on Yom Kippur and fast days.
יְהוָ֣הYHWHN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Vocative/subject of the proclaimed formula (repeated for emphasis)יְהוָה (H3068), repeated twice in direct succession — rabbinic tradition (e.g., Rosh Hashanah 17b) reads the doubling as God's mercy before and after sin; more simply it is emphatic self-naming opening the credo.
יְהוָ֔הYHWHN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Vocative/subject of the proclaimed formula (second occurrence)יְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name of Israel's God, from הָיָה 'to be'; proclaimed anew after the golden-calf rupture, prefiguring the Name theophany of vv.6-7.
אֵ֥לGodN m sg abs · אֵל (H410)Predicate noun in apposition to יְהוָהאֵל (H410), the generic Semitic word for 'God/deity'; appositional to the covenant name, grounding the following attribute-list in the being of God himself.
רַח֖וּםmercifuladj m sg abs · רַחוּם (H7349)Attributive adjective modifying אֵל (attribute 1 of 13)רַחוּם (H7349) 'compassionate, merciful', from רֶחֶם 'womb' — visceral, maternal-tender compassion; the first of the Thirteen Attributes of Mercy foundational to Jewish liturgy of divine mercy.
וְחַנּ֑וּןand graciousconj וְ + adj m sg abs · חַנּוּן (H2587)Attributive adjective (attribute 2 of 13)חַנּוּן (H2587) 'gracious', from חָנַן 'to show favor'; unmerited favor to the undeserving — paired with רַחוּם throughout Scripture (Ps 103:8, 145:8; Jonah 4:2) as a virtual formula for divine character.
אֶ֥רֶךְslowadj m sg constr · אָרֵךְ (H750)Head of construct phrase (attribute 3 of 13)אָרֵךְ (H750) 'long, slow', construct with אַפַּיִם 'nostrils/anger' — literally 'long of nostrils,' taking a long time before the nostrils flare in anger; patience specifically after the golden-calf provocation.
אַפַּ֖יִםof anger/nostrilsN m du abs · אַף (H639)Genitive complement in construct phrase אֶרֶךְ אַפַּיִםאַף (H639) 'nose, nostril', dual form idiomatically denoting 'anger'; the phrase אֶרֶךְ אַפַּיִם 'slow to anger' stands in deliberate contrast to YHWH's hot anger (חֳרִי אַף) in 32:10-11.
וְרַבand abundant inconj וְ + adj m sg constr · רַב (H7227)Head of construct phrase (attribute 4-5 of 13)רַב (H7227) 'much, great, abundant'; construct governing חֶסֶד וֶאֱמֶת, the classic hendiadys of covenant loyalty.
חֶ֥סֶדsteadfast loveN m sg abs · חֶסֶד (H2617)Genitive complement in construct phrase רַב חֶסֶדחֶסֶד (H2617), covenant loyalty/steadfast love — God's committed, faithful kindness that persists despite unfaithfulness; the term defining YHWH's ongoing relationship with Israel even after the calf.
וֶאֱמֶֽתand faithfulnessconj וְ + N f sg abs · אֱמֶת (H571)Genitive complement in construct phrase (coordinate with חֶסֶד)אֱמֶת (H571) 'truth, faithfulness, reliability', from אָמַן 'to be firm'; paired with חֶסֶד as a fixed word-pair (cf. Ps 25:10, 86:15) denoting God's dependable covenant fidelity.
7

נֹצֵ֥ר חֶ֨סֶד֙ לָאֲלָפִ֔ים נֹשֵׂ֥א עָוֺ֛ן וָפֶ֖שַׁע וְחַטָּאָ֑ה וְנַקֵּה֙ לֹ֣א יְנַקֶּ֔ה פֹּקֵ֣ד עֲוֺ֣ן אָב֗וֹת עַל בָּנִים֙ וְעַל בְּנֵ֣י בָנִ֔ים עַל שִׁלֵּשִׁ֖ים וְעַל רִבֵּעִֽים

keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, yet who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children's children, to the third and the fourth generation.

Continuation of the Name-proclamationasyndeton (continuing participial chain)
The attribute-list continues with participles of ongoing mercy (v.7a) balanced by a stern qualification (v.7b) that guilt is not simply waived — the same tension that will underlie Moses' plea for pardon in vv.8-9 and the entire history of Israel's covenant unfaithfulness.
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
נֹצֵ֥רkeepingQal ptc m sg abs · נָצַר (H5341)Attributive participle modifying יְהוָה (attribute 6 of 13)→ Participle: ongoing, characteristic divine actionנָצַר (H5341) 'to keep, guard, preserve'; continuing covenant loyalty across generations — 'thousands' far outweighs the 'third and fourth' of judgment in v.7b, mercy's numerical priority over wrath.
חֶ֨סֶד֙steadfast loveN m sg abs · חֶסֶד (H2617)Direct object of נֹצֵרחֶסֶד (H2617), covenant loyalty/steadfast love — God's committed, faithful kindness that persists despite unfaithfulness; the term defining YHWH's ongoing relationship with Israel even after the calf.
לָאֲלָפִ֔יםfor thousandsprep לְ + art + numeral c pl abs · אֶלֶף (H505)Prepositional phrase of extent/durationאֶלֶף (H505) 'thousand'; hyperbolic figure for the vast scope of God's enduring loyalty, echoing the Decalogue's own 'to thousands' of 20:6.
נֹשֵׂ֥אforgiving/bearingQal ptc m sg abs · נָשָׂא (H5375)Attributive participle modifying יְהוָה (attribute 7 of 13)→ Participle: ongoing, characteristic divine actionנָשָׂא (H5375) 'to lift, carry, bear away'; used of sin means 'to bear/forgive' — God himself absorbs/carries away the guilt rather than merely overlooking it.
עָוֺ֛ןiniquityN c sg abs · עָוֹן (H5771)Direct object of נֹשֵׂא (attribute 8 of 13)עָוֹן (H5771) 'iniquity, guilt', from עָוָה 'to bend, twist'; moral crookedness with its resultant guilt — first of the triad of sin-terms forgiven here.
וָפֶ֖שַׁעand transgressionconj וְ + N m sg abs · פֶּשַׁע (H6588)Coordinate direct object of נֹשֵׂא (attribute 9 of 13)פֶּשַׁע (H6588) 'transgression, rebellion'; willful revolt against authority — a stronger term than עָוֹן, fitting the calf's deliberate covenant breach.
וְחַטָּאָ֑הand sinconj וְ + N f sg abs · חַטָּאָה (H2403)Coordinate direct object of נֹשֵׂא (attribute 10 of 13)חַטָּאָה (H2403) 'sin, offense', from חָטָא 'to miss the mark'; completes the triad עָוֹן/פֶּשַׁע/חַטָּאָה — the full spectrum of wrongdoing, all embraced within divine forgiveness.
וְנַקֵּה֙and clearingconj וְ + Piel inf abs · נָקָה (H5352)Infinitive absolute intensifying the finite verb יְנַקֶּה (attribute 11 of 13)→ Infinitive absolute: emphatic reinforcement — 'by no means'נָקָה (H5352) Piel 'to acquit, clear, leave unpunished'; the infinitive absolute + finite verb (וְנַקֵּה לֹא יְנַקֶּה) creates the strongest possible negation in Hebrew — literally 'acquitting he will not acquit.'
לֹ֣אnotneg part · לֹא (H3808)Negates יְנַקֶּה
יְנַקֶּ֔הwill he clear/leave unpunishedPiel impf 3ms · נָקָה (H5352)Predicate verb, negated by לֹא, reinforced by preceding inf. absolute→ Yiqtol: emphatic future negation — an unwavering principle of justiceנָקָה (H5352); this clause balances vv.6-7a's mercy — YHWH's forgiveness is real but not a license; unrepented guilt still meets justice.
פֹּקֵ֣דvisitingQal ptc m sg abs · פָּקַד (H6485)Attributive participle modifying יְהוָה (attribute 12-13 of 13)→ Participle: ongoing, characteristic divine actionפָּקַד (H6485) 'to visit, attend to, reckon'; here judicial 'visiting' of consequence — the same root used positively of God 'visiting' his people in mercy elsewhere (Gen 50:24).
עֲוֺ֣ןiniquity ofN c sg constr · עָוֹן (H5771)Direct object of פֹּקֵד, head of construct chainעָוֹן (H5771) 'iniquity, guilt', from עָוָה 'to bend, twist'; moral crookedness with its resultant guilt — first of the triad of sin-terms forgiven here.
אָב֗וֹתfathersN m pl abs · אָב (H1)Genitive complement in construct chainאָב (H1) 'father'; the transgenerational reach of consequence — not inherited guilt per se, but enduring social/covenantal consequences within a family, tempered elsewhere (Ezek 18) against individualistic misapplication.
עַלonprep · עַל (H5921)Prepositional phrase (recipient of visited consequence)
בָּנִים֙sons/childrenN m pl abs · בֵּן (H1121)Object of preposition עַלבֵּן (H1121) 'son, child'; first generation named in the four-generation formula of consequence.
וְעַלand onconj וְ + prep · עַל (H5921)Coordinate prepositional phrase
בְּנֵ֣יsons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Head noun of construct chain, object of prepositionבֵּן (H1121) 'son, child'; first generation named in the four-generation formula of consequence.
בָנִ֔יםsonsN m pl abs · בֵּן (H1121)Genitive complement in construct chain (third generation)בֵּן (H1121) 'son, child'; first generation named in the four-generation formula of consequence.
עַלonprep · עַל (H5921)Coordinate prepositional phrase
שִׁלֵּשִׁ֖יםthird generationN m pl abs · שִׁלֵּשִׁים (H8029)Object of preposition עַלשִׁלֵּשִׁים (H8029) 'third generation'; rare noun built on the numeral שָׁלוֹשׁ, marking the outer limit of consequence.
וְעַלand onconj וְ + prep · עַל (H5921)Coordinate prepositional phrase
רִבֵּעִֽיםfourth generationN m pl abs · רִבֵּעִים (H7256)Object of preposition עַלרִבֵּעִים (H7256) 'fourth generation', from רְבִיעִי; paired with שִׁלֵּשִׁים to cap the reach of judgment at a finite, small number (3-4) against the boundless 'thousands' of steadfast love in v.7a — mercy outweighs judgment quantitatively.
8

וַיְמַהֵ֖ר מֹשֶׁ֑ה וַיִּקֹּ֥ד אַ֖רְצָה וַיִּשְׁתָּֽחוּ

And Moses quickly bowed his head toward the earth and worshiped.

Narrative response — worshipwayyiqtol
Moses' immediate prostration is the fitting human response to the divine self-disclosure just heard, transitioning from proclamation to intercession.
Word-by-word analysis· 5 words
וַיְמַהֵ֖רand he hastenedconj וַ + Piel wayyiqtol 3ms · מָהַר (H4116)Predicate verb (main clause, wayyiqtol; adverbial auxiliary to following verbs)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceמָהַר (H4116) Piel 'to hurry, hasten'; functions almost adverbially ('quickly') — immediate, unhesitating reverence before the just-proclaimed Name.
מֹשֶׁ֑הMosesN proper · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Subject of the verbal chainמֹשֶׁה (H4872), the covenant mediator; re-summoned to the mountain to renew what ch.32 shattered.
וַיִּקֹּ֥דand he bowedconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · קָדַד (H6915)Predicate verb (main clause, wayyiqtol narrative)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceקָדַד (H6915) 'to bow the head, kneel low'; a gesture of profound reverence/submission before the revealed divine character.
אַ֖רְצָהto the groundN c sg abs + directional ה · אֶרֶץ (H776)Adverbial accusative of directionאֶרֶץ (H776) 'earth, ground'; with directional he, 'to the ground' — completing the posture of prostration.
וַיִּשְׁתָּֽחוּand he worshipedconj וַ + Hitpael wayyiqtol 3ms · שָׁחָה (H7812)Predicate verb (main clause, wayyiqtol narrative)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceשָׁחָה (H7812) Hitpael 'to bow down, prostrate oneself, worship'; the standard verb of formal worship — Moses models the proper human posture before the God just described as merciful yet just.
9

וַיֹּ֡אמֶר אִם נָא֩ מָצָ֨אתִי חֵ֤ן בְּעֵינֶ֨יךָ֙ אֲדֹנָ֔י יֵֽלֶךְ נָ֥א אֲדֹנָ֖י בְּקִרְבֵּ֑נוּ כִּ֤י עַם קְשֵׁה עֹ֨רֶף֙ ה֔וּא וְסָלַחְתָּ֛ לַעֲוֺנֵ֥נוּ וּלְחַטָּאתֵ֖נוּ וּנְחַלְתָּֽנוּ

And he said, "If now I have found favor in your sight, O Lord, please let the Lord go in the midst of us, for it is a stiff-necked people, and pardon our iniquity and our sin, and take us for your inheritance."

Intercessory speechwayyiqtol
Moses' prayer directly invokes the attributes just proclaimed (חֵן, סָלַחְתָּ) to ground his plea that YHWH personally accompany a people he himself calls 'stiff-necked' — turning the accusation of ch.32-33 into the very basis of the appeal for mercy.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
וַיֹּ֡אמֶרand he saidconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (main clause, wayyiqtol narrative)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559); introduces Moses' intercessory prayer, the human response to the Name just revealed.
אִםifconj · אִם (H518)Conditional conjunction introducing protasis
נָא֩please/nowentreaty particle · נָא (H4994)Particle of entreaty softening the conditional requestנָא (H4994), a particle of polite entreaty; its repetition in this verse marks the intensity and humility of Moses' plea.
מָצָ֨אתִיI have foundQal perf 1cs · מָצָא (H4672)Predicate verb of conditional protasis→ Perfective: a completed state presented as basis for the requestמָצָא (H4672) 'to find'; 'find favor in your eyes' is the idiom of gaining someone's approval/goodwill, used earlier of Moses in 33:12-13,17.
חֵ֤ןfavorN m sg abs · חֵן (H2580)Direct object of מָצָאתִיחֵן (H2580) 'favor, grace'; unearned goodwill from a superior — the same root underlying חַנּוּן 'gracious' in v.6, tying Moses' plea directly to the character just proclaimed.
בְּעֵינֶ֨יךָ֙in your eyesprep בְּ + N c du constr + suff 2ms · עַיִן (H5869)Prepositional phrase idiom ('in your sight')עַיִן (H5869) "eye"; the idiom "in your eyes" denotes one's sight, judgment, or favor (cf. חֵן, v.9).
אֲדֹנָ֔יO LordN m pl constr + suff 1cs (honorific) · אָדוֹן (H136)Vocative address to YHWHאֲדֹנָי (H136) 'my Lord/Master', plural of majesty with 1cs suffix; a reverent form of address used when speaking directly and intimately to YHWH.
יֵֽלֶךְlet him goQal jussive 3ms · הָלַךְ (H1980)Predicate verb (jussive, main petition)→ Jussive: volitional requestהָלַךְ (H1980) 'to go, walk'; the central petition — that YHWH himself, not merely an angel (cf. 33:2-3), personally accompany the people despite their sin.
נָ֥אpleaseentreaty particle · נָא (H4994)Particle of entreaty softening the jussive
אֲדֹנָ֖יO LordN m pl constr + suff 1cs (honorific) · אָדוֹן (H136)Subject of יֵלֶךְ (vocative/subject overlap)אֲדֹנָי (H136) 'my Lord/Master', plural of majesty with 1cs suffix; a reverent form of address used when speaking directly and intimately to YHWH.
בְּקִרְבֵּ֑נוּin our midstprep בְּ + N m sg constr + suff 1cp · קֶרֶב (H7130)Prepositional phrase of locationקֶרֶב (H7130) 'midst, inward part'; requests intimate divine presence dwelling among the people, not distant guidance.
כִּ֤יfor/thoughconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal/concessive conjunction introducing reason clause
עַםa peopleN m sg abs · עַם (H5971)Predicate noun (subject complement of הוּא)עַם (H5971) 'people, nation'; a candid self-description turning the accusation of ch.32 into the very grounds for the plea — 'precisely because we are stiff-necked, come with us.'
קְשֵׁהstiff/hard ofadj m sg constr · קָשֶׁה (H7186)Attributive adjective in construct with עֹרֶףקָשֶׁה (H7186) 'hard, stiff, obstinate'; construct with עֹרֶף yields the recurring divine indictment 'stiff-necked' (cf. 32:9, 33:3,5) — an ox resisting the yoke/goad.
עֹ֨רֶף֙neckN m sg abs · עֹרֶף (H6203)Genitive complement in construct phrase קְשֵׁה עֹרֶףעֹרֶף (H6203) 'back of the neck'; the idiom pictures a stubborn animal turning its unyielding neck away from its master's direction.
ה֔וּאit/heindep pron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Subject pronoun, copula of the nominal clauseהוּא (H1931) independent 3ms pronoun "he/it"; functions here as subject or as the copula linking subject and predicate in a verbless clause.
וְסָלַחְתָּ֛and forgiveconj וְ + Qal weqatal 2ms · סָלַח (H5545)Predicate verb (weqatal continuing the petition series)→ Weqatal: volitional continuation — a further requestסָלַח (H5545) 'to forgive, pardon' (used only of God as subject in the OT); Moses appeals directly to the נֹשֵׂא עָוֹן attribute of v.7 just revealed.
לַעֲוֺנֵ֥נוּour iniquityprep לְ + N c sg constr + suff 1cp · עָוֹן (H5771)Prepositional phrase, object of סָלַחְתָּעָוֹן (H5771) 'iniquity, guilt', from עָוָה 'to bend, twist'; moral crookedness with its resultant guilt — first of the triad of sin-terms forgiven here.
וּלְחַטָּאתֵ֖נוּand our sinconj וְ + prep לְ + N f sg constr + suff 1cp · חַטָּאָה (H2403)Coordinate prepositional phrase, object of סָלַחְתָּחַטָּאָה (H2403) 'sin, offense', from חָטָא 'to miss the mark'; completes the triad עָוֹן/פֶּשַׁע/חַטָּאָה — the full spectrum of wrongdoing, all embraced within divine forgiveness.
וּנְחַלְתָּֽנוּand take us as your inheritanceconj וְ + Qal weqatal 2ms + suff 1cp · נָחַל (H5157)Predicate verb (weqatal continuing the petition series)→ Weqatal: volitional continuation — closing petitionנָחַל (H5157) 'to inherit, take possession of, give as an inheritance'; Moses asks YHWH to reclaim Israel as his own possession despite the calf-apostasy — restoring the covenant-people relationship of 19:5.
10

וַיֹּ֗אמֶר הִנֵּ֣ה אָנֹכִי֮ כֹּרֵ֣ת בְּרִית֒ נֶ֤גֶד כָּֽל עַמְּךָ֙ אֶעֱשֶׂ֣ה נִפְלָאֹ֔ת אֲשֶׁ֛ר לֹֽא נִבְרְא֥וּ בְכָל הָאָ֖רֶץ וּבְכָל הַגּוֹיִ֑ם וְרָאָ֣ה כָל הָ֠עָם אֲשֶׁר אַתָּ֨ה בְקִרְבּ֜וֹ אֶת מַעֲשֵׂ֤ה יְהוָה֙ כִּֽי נוֹרָ֣א ה֔וּא אֲשֶׁ֥ר אֲנִ֖י עֹשֶׂ֥ה עִמָּֽךְ

And he said, "Behold, I am making a covenant. Before all your people I will do marvels such as have not been created in all the earth or in any nation; and all the people among whom you are shall see the work of YHWH, for it is an awesome thing that I will do with you."

Divine response — covenant declarationwayyiqtol
YHWH's answer formally reconstitutes the covenant with a pledge of future marvels, shifting the discourse from lament/plea to renewed promise and inaugurating the stipulations that follow.
Word-by-word analysis· 33 words
וַיֹּ֗אמֶרand he saidconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (main clause, wayyiqtol narrative)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559); introduces YHWH's answer, formally renewing the covenant in direct response to Moses' plea.
הִנֵּ֣הbeholdpresentative particle · הִנֵּה (H2009)Presentative particle introducing the covenant declarationהִנֵּה (H2009) 'behold'; draws vivid attention to an act happening in the immediate present — the covenant renewal is enacted in this very speech.
אָנֹכִי֮Iindep pron 1cs · אָנֹכִי (H595)Subject pronoun, emphatic with participle כֹּרֵתאָנֹכִי (H595) the fuller, more formal independent 1cs pronoun "I", often used in solemn or covenantal self-identification (cf. אָנֹכִי יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ, 20:2); here lending emphasis to the speaker's role.
כֹּרֵ֣תcutting/makingQal ptc m sg abs · כָּרַת (H3772)Predicate participle (present, performative)→ Participle: performative present — the covenant-cutting act itselfכָּרַת (H3772) 'to cut'; idiom כרת ברית 'cut a covenant' (from cutting animals in covenant rituals, cf. Gen 15); the participle marks this as happening now, YHWH's performative renewal of the Sinai covenant.
בְּרִית֒a covenantN f sg abs · בְּרִית (H1285)Direct object of כֹּרֵתבְּרִית (H1285) 'covenant'; the renewed Sinai covenant, restoring the relationship broken by the golden calf.
נֶ֤גֶדbeforeprep · נֶגֶד (H5048)Prepositional phrase (audience)
כָּֽלall ofN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Head of construct chain, object of preposition נֶגֶדכֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; totalizes the prohibition across the entire mountain, not merely its summit.
עַמְּךָ֙your peopleN m sg constr + suff 2ms · עַם (H5971)Genitive complement in construct chainעַם (H5971) 'people, nation'; a candid self-description turning the accusation of ch.32 into the very grounds for the plea — 'precisely because we are stiff-necked, come with us.'
אֶעֱשֶׂ֣הI will doQal impf 1cs · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb (main clause, future)→ Yiqtol: future/volitional — divine commitmentעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do, make'; YHWH's own pledge of continued marvel-working on Israel's behalf, resuming the pattern of exodus and wilderness signs.
נִפְלָאֹ֔תmarvelsNiphal ptc f pl abs (substantive) · פָּלָא (H6381)Direct object of אֶעֱשֶׂהפָּלָא (H6381) Niphal ptc 'wonders, marvels'; things surpassing ordinary human capacity, marking Israel's history as visibly the work of a unique God.
אֲשֶׁ֛רsuch asrel pron · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing subordinate clause
לֹֽאnotneg part · לֹא (H3808)Negates נִבְרְאוּ
נִבְרְא֥וּhave been createdNiphal perf 3cp · בָּרָא (H1254)Predicate verb of relative clause (passive)→ Perfective (passive): a state never before brought into beingבָּרָא (H1254) Niphal 'to be created'; the same verb of Gen 1:1, here claiming unprecedented, unique divine action on Israel's behalf.
בְכָלin all ofprep בְּ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Prepositional phrase, head of construct chainכֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; totalizes the prohibition across the entire mountain, not merely its summit.
הָאָ֖רֶץthe earthart + N c sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Genitive complement of כָל (construct)אֶרֶץ (H776) 'earth, ground'; with directional he, 'to the ground' — completing the posture of prostration.
וּבְכָלor in all ofconj וְ + prep בְּ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Coordinate prepositional phrase, head of construct chainכֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; totalizes the prohibition across the entire mountain, not merely its summit.
הַגּוֹיִ֑םthe nationsart + N m pl abs · גּוֹי (H1471)Genitive complement of כָל (construct)גּוֹי (H1471) 'nation, people'; Israel's coming marvels will be singular even among all other peoples.
וְרָאָ֣הand shall seeconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3ms · רָאָה (H7200)Predicate verb (weqatal continuing the main declaration)→ Weqatal: future consequence following the divine pledgeרָאָה (H7200) 'to see'; the marvels are public and visible, meant to be witnessed by surrounding peoples as testimony to YHWH.
כָלall ofN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Head of construct chain, subject of וְרָאָהכֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; totalizes the prohibition across the entire mountain, not merely its summit.
הָ֠עָםthe peopleart + N m sg abs · עַם (H5971)Genitive complement of כָל (construct)עַם (H5971) 'people, nation'; a candid self-description turning the accusation of ch.32 into the very grounds for the plea — 'precisely because we are stiff-necked, come with us.'
אֲשֶׁרamong whomrel pron · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing subordinate clause
אַתָּ֨הyouindep pron 2ms · אַתָּה (H859)Subject of the relative clauseאַתָּה (H859) independent 2ms pronoun "you"; used for emphasis alongside or instead of the verbal subject marker.
בְקִרְבּ֜וֹin its midstprep בְּ + N m sg constr + suff 3ms · קֶרֶב (H7130)Predicate prepositional phrase of the relative clauseקֶרֶב (H7130) 'midst, inward part'; requests intimate divine presence dwelling among the people, not distant guidance.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
מַעֲשֵׂ֤הthe work ofN m sg constr · מַעֲשֶׂה (H4639)Head of construct chain, direct object of וְרָאָהמַעֲשֶׂה (H4639) 'work, deed', from עָשָׂה; the visible, historical deeds of YHWH as the object of witness for all nations.
יְהוָה֙YHWHN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Genitive complement in construct chainיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name of Israel's God, from הָיָה 'to be'; proclaimed anew after the golden-calf rupture, prefiguring the Name theophany of vv.6-7.
כִּֽיforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction introducing reason clause
נוֹרָ֣אawesomeNiphal ptc m sg abs (adjectival) · יָרֵא (H3372)Predicate adjective/participle (subject complement of הוּא)→ Participle: an inherent, characteristic qualityיָרֵא (H3372) Niphal ptc 'to be feared, awesome, dreadful'; the marvel inspires reverent fear, fitting the God just revealed as both merciful and one who will not clear the guilty.
ה֔וּאitindep pron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Subject pronoun, copula of the nominal clauseהוּא (H1931) independent 3ms pronoun "he/it"; functions here as subject or as the copula linking subject and predicate in a verbless clause.
אֲשֶׁ֥רthat/whichrel pron · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing subordinate clause
אֲנִ֖יIindep pron 1cs · אֲנִי (H589)Subject pronoun, emphatic with עֹשֶׂהאֲנִי (H589) the ordinary independent 1cs pronoun "I", here emphasizing the speaker as agent of the action.
עֹשֶׂ֥הam doingQal ptc m sg abs · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate participle (present/imminent future)→ Participle: imminent/ongoing divine actionעָשָׂה (H6213); echoes v.10a's אֶעֱשֶׂה, bracketing the verse with the promise of decisive divine action.
עִמָּֽךְwith youprep עִם + suff 2msPrepositional phrase (beneficiary/accompaniment)
11

שְׁמָ֨ר לְךָ֔ אֵ֛ת אֲשֶׁ֥ר אָנֹכִ֖י מְצַוְּךָ֣ הַיּ֑וֹם הִנְנִ֧י גֹרֵ֣שׁ מִפָּנֶ֗יךָ אֶת הָאֱמֹרִי֙ וְהַֽכְּנַעֲנִ֔י וְהַחִתִּי֙ וְהַפְּרִזִּ֔י וְהַחִוִּ֖י וְהַיְבוּסִֽי

Observe what I command you this day. Behold, I am driving out before you the Amorite, the Canaanite, the Hittite, the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite.

Stipulation — command to obey / land promiseasyndeton (imperative)
Opens the block of covenant stipulations (vv.11-26) with a general charge to obedience, followed by the specific promise of dispossessing the Canaanite nations — setting up the warnings against compromise with those very nations in vv.12-16.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
שְׁמָ֨רobserveQal impv 2ms · שָׁמַר (H8104)Predicate verb (direct command, opening the cultic stipulations)→ Volitional: direct imperativeשָׁמַר (H8104) 'to keep, guard, observe'; opens the section of covenant stipulations (vv.11-26), demanding careful obedience matching the intimacy just granted.
לְךָ֔for yourselfprep לְ + suff 2msEthical dative reinforcing the imperative
אֵ֛ת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (anticipating the relative clause)
אֲשֶׁ֥רwhatrel pron · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing the object clause
אָנֹכִ֖יIindep pron 1cs · אָנֹכִי (H595)Subject pronoun, emphatic with participle מְצַוְּךָאָנֹכִי (H595) the fuller, more formal independent 1cs pronoun "I", often used in solemn or covenantal self-identification (cf. אָנֹכִי יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ, 20:2); here lending emphasis to the speaker's role.
מְצַוְּךָ֣am commanding youPiel ptc m sg constr + suff 2ms · צִוָּה (H6680)Predicate participle (present, of the relative clause)→ Participle: present, ongoing divine commandצִוָּה (H6680) Piel 'to command'; the participial form stresses a live, present command being issued now, not a past decree recalled.
הַיּ֑וֹםtodayart + N m sg abs · יוֹם (H3117)Temporal adverbial accusativeיוֹם (H3117) "day"; the basic unit of the festival/Sabbath calendar being legislated in this section.
הִנְנִ֧יbehold, Ipresentative particle + suff 1cs · הִנֵּה (H2005)Presentative particle introducing the participial clauseהִנֵּה + 1cs suffix, 'behold me'; presents the driving-out of the nations as a vivid, imminent divine act.
גֹרֵ֣שׁdriving outQal ptc m sg abs · גָּרַשׁ (H1644)Predicate participle continuing הִנְנִי→ Participle: imminent/ongoing divine actionגָּרַשׁ (H1644) 'to drive out, expel'; the promised dispossession of the Canaanite peoples, the land-grant side of the covenant renewal, conditioned by the warnings against compromise in vv.12-16.
מִפָּנֶ֗יךָbefore youprep מִן + N c pl constr + suff 2ms · פָּנִים (H6440)Prepositional phrase of location/directionפָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; here Moses' face, before which the glory passes — echoing 33:20-23 where YHWH's own פָּנִים could not be seen directly, only his 'back.'
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
הָאֱמֹרִי֙the Amoriteart + gentilic N m sg abs · אֱמֹרִי (H567)Direct object of גֹרֵשׁ (first of six nations)אֱמֹרִי (H567) 'Amorite'; one of the peoples inhabiting Canaan, frequently listed among the nations Israel is to dispossess (cf. Gen 15:19-21).
וְהַֽכְּנַעֲנִ֔יand the Canaaniteconj וְ + art + gentilic N m sg abs · כְּנַעֲנִי (H3669)Coordinate direct object of גֹרֵשׁכְּנַעֲנִי (H3669) 'Canaanite'; the general name for the land's inhabitants, giving 'Canaan' its name; often an umbrella term for the other listed peoples.
וְהַחִתִּי֙and the Hittiteconj וְ + art + gentilic N m sg abs · חִתִּי (H2850)Coordinate direct object of גֹרֵשׁחִתִּי (H2850) 'Hittite'; descendants of חֵת, associated in Genesis with Hebron (Gen 23) and later a northern Anatolian/Syrian people-group.
וְהַפְּרִזִּ֔יand the Perizziteconj וְ + art + gentilic N m sg abs · פְּרִזִּי (H6522)Coordinate direct object of גֹרֵשׁפְּרִזִּי (H6522) 'Perizzite'; likely denoting rural, unwalled-village dwellers (from פְּרָזָה 'open country') rather than a distinct ethnicity.
וְהַחִוִּ֖יand the Hiviteconj וְ + art + gentilic N m sg abs · חִוִּי (H2340)Coordinate direct object of גֹרֵשׁחִוִּי (H2340) 'Hivite'; associated elsewhere with Gibeon (Josh 9) and Shechem (Gen 34).
וְהַיְבוּסִֽיand the Jebusiteconj וְ + art + gentilic N m sg abs · יְבוּסִי (H2983)Coordinate direct object of גֹרֵשׁיְבוּסִי (H2983) 'Jebusite'; the inhabitants of Jerusalem (Jebus) prior to David's conquest (2 Sam 5:6-9), the last-named and historically the last dispossessed.
12

הִשָּׁ֣מֶר לְךָ֗ פֶּן תִּכְרֹ֤ת בְּרִית֙ לְיוֹשֵׁ֣ב הָאָ֔רֶץ אֲשֶׁ֥ר אַתָּ֖ה בָּ֣א עָלֶ֑יהָ פֶּן יִהְיֶ֥ה לְמוֹקֵ֖שׁ בְּקִרְבֶּֽךָ

Take care, lest you make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land to which you go, lest it become a snare in your midst.

Warning — prohibition of treatiesasyndeton (imperative)
A cautionary stipulation subordinate to the land-promise of v.11: possessing the land must not lead to political or cultic accommodation with its former inhabitants.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
הִשָּׁ֣מֶרtake careNiphal impv 2ms · שָׁמַר (H8104)Predicate verb (direct command, reflexive nuance)→ Volitional: direct imperative (reflexive: guard yourself)שָׁמַר (H8104) Niphal 'to guard oneself, take heed'; the reflexive stem intensifies personal vigilance against the danger named below.
לְךָ֗for yourselfprep לְ + suff 2msEthical dative reinforcing the imperative
פֶּןlestconj · פֶּן (H6435)Negative purpose/result conjunction
תִּכְרֹ֤תyou make (a covenant)Qal impf 2ms · כָּרַת (H3772)Predicate verb of פֶּן-clause→ Yiqtol: modal, feared/prohibited contingencyכָּרַת (H3772); the same idiom כרת ברית as v.10, here explicitly forbidden with the land's inhabitants, in tension with YHWH's own covenant-making.
בְּרִית֙a covenantN f sg abs · בְּרִית (H1285)Direct object of תִּכְרֹתבְּרִית (H1285) 'covenant'; the renewed Sinai covenant, restoring the relationship broken by the golden calf.
לְיוֹשֵׁ֣בwith the inhabitant ofprep לְ + Qal ptc m sg constr (substantive) · יָשַׁב (H3427)Prepositional phrase, head of construct chain→ Participle: substantival use, naming the agent/class of the action ("the one who dwells")יָשַׁב (H3427) Qal ptc 'the one dwelling/inhabitant'; substantival participle denoting the resident population of Canaan as a collective covenant-partner to be avoided.
הָאָ֔רֶץthe landart + N c sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Genitive complement in construct chainאֶרֶץ (H776) 'earth, ground'; with directional he, 'to the ground' — completing the posture of prostration.
אֲשֶׁ֥רto whichrel pron · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing subordinate clause
אַתָּ֖הyouindep pron 2ms · אַתָּה (H859)Subject of the relative clauseאַתָּה (H859) independent 2ms pronoun "you"; used for emphasis alongside or instead of the verbal subject marker.
בָּ֣אare going/enteringQal ptc m sg abs · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate participle (present/imminent)→ Participle: imminent ongoing actionבּוֹא (H935) 'to come, enter'; anticipates the impending conquest/settlement of Canaan.
עָלֶ֑יהָinto itprep עַל + suff 3fsPrepositional phrase, object of participle בָּא
פֶּןlestconj · פֶּן (H6435)Negative purpose/result conjunction (second clause)
יִהְיֶ֥הit becomeQal impf 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb of second פֶּן-clause→ Yiqtol: modal, feared/prohibited contingencyהָיָה (H1961); the feared consequence of covenanting with the inhabitants — becoming a snare leading Israel into idolatry (elaborated in vv.15-16).
לְמוֹקֵ֖שׁfor a snareprep לְ + N m sg abs · מוֹקֵשׁ (H4170)Predicate complement (result) of יִהְיֶהמוֹקֵשׁ (H4170) 'snare, trap', from יָקֹשׁ 'to lay a trap'; a common metaphor (Deut 7:16, Judg 2:3, Ps 106:36) for the entrapping allure of foreign gods and alliances.
בְּקִרְבֶּֽךָin your midstprep בְּ + N m sg constr + suff 2ms · קֶרֶב (H7130)Prepositional phrase of locationקֶרֶב (H7130) 'midst, inward part'; requests intimate divine presence dwelling among the people, not distant guidance.
13

כִּ֤י אֶת מִזְבְּחֹתָם֙ תִּתֹּצ֔וּן וְאֶת מַצֵּבֹתָ֖ם תְּשַׁבֵּר֑וּן וְאֶת אֲשֵׁרָ֖יו תִּכְרֹתֽוּן

But you shall tear down their altars and break their pillars and cut down their Asherim.

Contrast — required destruction of cult objectsכִּי (adversative)
Rather than covenant with the Canaanites (v.12), Israel must actively dismantle their cultic apparatus — the positive counterpart to the prohibition.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
כִּ֤יbut/ratherconj · כִּי (H3588)Adversative conjunction contrasting with v.12's prohibition
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
מִזְבְּחֹתָם֙their altarsN m pl constr + suff 3mp · מִזְבֵּחַ (H4196)Direct object of תִּתֹּצוּןמִזְבֵּחַ (H4196) 'altar', from זָבַח 'to sacrifice'; the Canaanite cultic installations that must be destroyed rather than covenanted with (contrast v.12).
תִּתֹּצ֔וּןyou shall tear downQal impf 2mp (paragogic nun) · נָתַץ (H5422)Predicate verb (main clause command)→ Yiqtol: imperatival future — required actionנָתַץ (H5422) 'to tear down, demolish'; the first of three destruction verbs targeting Canaanite cult objects.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (second object)
מַצֵּבֹתָ֖םtheir pillarsN f pl constr + suff 3mp · מַצֵּבָה (H4676)Direct object of תְּשַׁבֵּרוּןמַצֵּבָה (H4676) 'standing stone, pillar', from נָצַב 'to stand'; cultic stone markers associated with Canaanite worship (though sometimes legitimate for the patriarchs, Gen 28:18) — here proscribed as pagan cult objects.
תְּשַׁבֵּר֑וּןyou shall breakPiel impf 2mp (paragogic nun) · שָׁבַר (H7665)Predicate verb (main clause command)→ Yiqtol: imperatival future — required actionשָׁבַר (H7665) Piel 'to break, shatter'; the same root Moses used of the tablets (v.1) — destructive rupture now redirected against idolatrous objects.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (third object)
אֲשֵׁרָ֖יוtheir AsherimN f pl abs + suff 3ms (irreg.) · אֲשֵׁרָה (H842)Direct object of תִּכְרֹתוּןאֲשֵׁרָה (H842) 'Asherah'; the Canaanite goddess Asherah, or (as here) the wooden cult-poles/symbols associated with her worship — repeatedly targeted for destruction in Deuteronomistic reform texts.
תִּכְרֹתֽוּןyou shall cut downQal impf 2mp (paragogic nun) · כָּרַת (H3772)Predicate verb (main clause command)→ Yiqtol: imperatival future — required actionכָּרַת (H3772); the same root used positively of covenant-cutting in vv.10,12 — here ironically 'cutting down' the very cult objects a forbidden covenant would protect.
14

כִּ֛י לֹ֥א תִֽשְׁתַּחֲוֶ֖ה לְאֵ֣ל אַחֵ֑ר כִּ֤י יְהוָה֙ קַנָּ֣א שְׁמ֔וֹ אֵ֥ל קַנָּ֖א הֽוּא

for you shall worship no other god, for YHWH, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.

Motive clause — divine jealousyכִּי (causal)
Grounds the exclusivity demand in YHWH's own jealous character, a name-attribute that qualifies (without contradicting) the mercy proclaimed in vv.6-7.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
כִּ֛יforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction introducing the rationale
לֹ֥אnotneg part · לֹא (H3808)Negates תִשְׁתַּחֲוֶה
תִֽשְׁתַּחֲוֶ֖הyou shall worshipHishtaphel/Hitpael impf 2ms · שָׁחָה (H7812)Predicate verb (negated main clause command)→ Yiqtol: prohibitive future — categorical commandשָׁחָה (H7812); the same verb of Moses' own worship in v.8, now forbidden toward any other deity — total exclusivity of worship (the first-commandment principle reapplied).
לְאֵ֣לto a godprep לְ + N m sg abs · אֵל (H410)Prepositional phrase (indirect object of worship)אֵל (H410), the generic Semitic word for 'God/deity'; appositional to the covenant name, grounding the following attribute-list in the being of God himself.
אַחֵ֑רother/anotheradj m sg abs · אַחֵר (H312)Attributive adjective modifying אֵלאַחֵר (H312) 'other, another'; recalling the Decalogue's own 'no other gods before me' (20:3) and directly indicting the golden calf episode this chapter answers.
כִּ֤יforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction introducing further rationale
יְהוָה֙YHWHN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of the nominal clauseיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name of Israel's God, from הָיָה 'to be'; proclaimed anew after the golden-calf rupture, prefiguring the Name theophany of vv.6-7.
קַנָּ֣אjealousadj m sg abs · קַנָּא (H7067)Predicate adjective (subject complement of שְׁמוֹ)קַנָּא (H7067) 'jealous, zealous'; modifying/naming שֵׁם — YHWH's very name embodies exclusive covenant jealousy, the flip side of the חֶסֶד וֶאֱמֶת of v.6.
שְׁמ֔וֹhis nameN m sg constr + suff 3ms · שֵׁם (H8034)Subject of the nominal clauseשֵׁם (H8034); echoes v.5's proclamation 'by the name YHWH' — the divine Name disclosed there includes this jealous exclusivity alongside mercy.
אֵ֥לGodN m sg abs · אֵל (H410)Subject of the second nominal clauseאֵל (H410), the generic Semitic word for 'God/deity'; appositional to the covenant name, grounding the following attribute-list in the being of God himself.
קַנָּ֖אjealousadj m sg abs · קַנָּא (H7067)Predicate adjective (subject complement of הוּא)קַנָּא (H7067) 'jealous, zealous'; modifying/naming שֵׁם — YHWH's very name embodies exclusive covenant jealousy, the flip side of the חֶסֶד וֶאֱמֶת of v.6.
הֽוּאhe (is)indep pron 3ms (copula) · הוּא (H1931)Copular pronoun completing the nominal clauseהוּא (H1931) independent 3ms pronoun "he/it"; functions here as subject or as the copula linking subject and predicate in a verbless clause.
15

פֶּן תִּכְרֹ֥ת בְּרִ֖ית לְיוֹשֵׁ֣ב הָאָ֑רֶץ וְזָנ֣וּ אַחֲרֵ֣י אֱלֹֽהֵיהֶ֗ם וְזָבְחוּ֙ לֵאלֹ֣הֵיהֶ֔ם וְקָרָ֣א לְךָ֔ וְאָכַלְתָּ֖ מִזִּבְחֽוֹ

lest you make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land, and when they whore after their gods and sacrifice to their gods, someone invites you and you eat of his sacrifice,

Elaboration — mechanism of apostasy via covenant/feast invitationsפֶּן (resumptive)
Resumes and specifies the warning of v.12, tracing a causal chain from treaty-making to participation in pagan sacrificial meals.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
פֶּןlestconj · פֶּן (H6435)Negative purpose/result conjunction
תִּכְרֹ֥תyou make (a covenant)Qal impf 2ms · כָּרַת (H3772)Predicate verb of פֶּן-clause→ Yiqtol: modal, feared/prohibited contingencyכָּרַת (H3772); resumes v.12's warning after the digression of vv.13-14, now spelling out the specific danger — idolatrous seduction.
בְּרִ֖יתa covenantN f sg abs · בְּרִית (H1285)Direct object of תִּכְרֹתבְּרִית (H1285) 'covenant'; the renewed Sinai covenant, restoring the relationship broken by the golden calf.
לְיוֹשֵׁ֣בwith the inhabitant ofprep לְ + Qal ptc m sg constr (substantive) · יָשַׁב (H3427)Prepositional phrase, head of construct chain→ Participle: substantival use, naming the agent/class of the action ("the one who dwells")יָשַׁב (H3427) Qal ptc 'the one dwelling/inhabitant'; substantival participle denoting the resident population of Canaan as a collective covenant-partner to be avoided.
הָאָ֑רֶץthe landart + N c sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Genitive complement in construct chainאֶרֶץ (H776) 'earth, ground'; with directional he, 'to the ground' — completing the posture of prostration.
וְזָנ֣וּand they whoreconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3cp · זָנָה (H2181)Predicate verb (weqatal, subordinate consequence clause)→ Weqatal: consequential future — the anticipated result of covenanting with themזָנָה (H2181) 'to be a harlot, whore'; the standing OT metaphor for religious infidelity — worship of other gods figured as marital unfaithfulness to YHWH.
אַחֲרֵ֣יafterprep · אַחַר (H310)Prepositional phrase with זָנָה (idiom 'whore after')
אֱלֹֽהֵיהֶ֗םtheir godsN m pl constr + suff 3mp · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Object of preposition אַחֲרֵיאֱלֹהִים (H430); the Canaanite deities whose worship threatens to seduce Israel through intermarriage and social contact.
וְזָבְחוּ֙and they sacrificeconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3cp · זָבַח (H2076)Predicate verb (weqatal, continuing consequence clause)→ Weqatal: consequential futureזָבַח (H2076) 'to sacrifice'; the concrete cultic act accompanying the whoring metaphor.
לֵאלֹ֣הֵיהֶ֔םto their godsprep לְ + N m pl constr + suff 3mp · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Prepositional phrase (indirect object of sacrifice)אֱלֹהִים (H430); the Canaanite deities whose worship threatens to seduce Israel through intermarriage and social contact.
וְקָרָ֣אand he invitesconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3ms · קָרָא (H7121)Predicate verb (weqatal, continuing consequence clause)→ Weqatal: consequential futureקָרָא (H7121) 'to call, invite'; the social invitation to a pagan sacrificial meal — the mechanism by which idolatry spreads through hospitality.
לְךָ֔youprep לְ + suff 2msIndirect object of וְקָרָא
וְאָכַלְתָּ֖and you eatconj וְ + Qal weqatal 2ms · אָכַל (H398)Predicate verb (weqatal, continuing consequence clause)→ Weqatal: consequential futureאָכַל (H398) 'to eat'; participation in the sacrificial meal implies participation in the pagan cult itself — table-fellowship as religious commitment.
מִזִּבְחֽוֹfrom his sacrificeprep מִן + N m sg constr + suff 3ms · זֶבַח (H2077)Prepositional phrase (source), object of אָכַלְתָּזֶבַח (H2077) 'sacrifice'; YHWH's own first-person claim over the offering underscores its consecrated, exclusive character.
16

וְלָקַחְתָּ֥ מִבְּנֹתָ֖יו לְבָנֶ֑יךָ וְזָנ֣וּ בְנֹתָ֗יו אַחֲרֵי֙ אֱלֹ֣הֵיהֶ֔ן וְהִזְנוּ֙ אֶת בָּנֶ֔יךָ אַחֲרֵ֖י אֱלֹהֵיהֶֽן

and you take of their daughters for your sons, and their daughters whore after their gods and make your sons whore after their gods.

Elaboration — intermarriage as vector of apostasywəqatal (continuing consequence)
Extends the warning to intermarriage specifically, anticipating a recurrent biblical concern (cf. Deut 7:3-4, 1 Kings 11) that foreign wives lead Israelite households into idolatry.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
וְלָקַחְתָּ֥and you takeconj וְ + Qal weqatal 2ms · לָקַח (H3947)Predicate verb (weqatal, continuing consequence clause)→ Weqatal: consequential futureלָקַח (H3947) 'to take'; here 'take in marriage' — the intermarriage that the covenant prohibition targets as the vector of apostasy.
מִבְּנֹתָ֖יוfrom his daughtersprep מִן + N f pl constr + suff 3ms · בַּת (H1323)Prepositional phrase (source), object of לָקַחְתָּבַּת (H1323) 'daughter'; intermarriage with Canaanite women is singled out as the specific mechanism of religious contamination (cf. later, e.g., Solomon's wives, 1 Kgs 11).
לְבָנֶ֑יךָfor your sonsprep לְ + N m pl constr + suff 2ms · בֵּן (H1121)Prepositional phrase (beneficiary)בֵּן (H1121) 'son, child'; first generation named in the four-generation formula of consequence.
וְזָנ֣וּand they whoreconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3cp · זָנָה (H2181)Predicate verb (weqatal, consequence clause)→ Weqatal: consequential futureזָנָה (H2181); repeats the key verb of v.15, now specifically of the foreign wives corrupting the marriage.
בְנֹתָ֗יוhis daughtersN f pl constr + suff 3ms · בַּת (H1323)Subject of וְזָנוּבַּת (H1323) 'daughter'; intermarriage with Canaanite women is singled out as the specific mechanism of religious contamination (cf. later, e.g., Solomon's wives, 1 Kgs 11).
אַחֲרֵי֙afterprep · אַחַר (H310)Prepositional phrase with זָנָה (idiom)
אֱלֹ֣הֵיהֶ֔ןtheir godsN m pl constr + suff 3fp · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Object of preposition אַחֲרֵיאֱלֹהִים (H430); the Canaanite deities whose worship threatens to seduce Israel through intermarriage and social contact.
וְהִזְנוּ֙and they cause to whoreconj וְ + Hiphil weqatal 3cp · זָנָה (H2181)Predicate verb (weqatal, causative consequence clause)→ Weqatal: consequential future (causative)זָנָה (H2181) Hiphil 'to cause to play the harlot'; the causative stem shows the foreign wives actively drawing Israelite sons into idolatry, not merely practicing it themselves — the full danger of intermarriage.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
בָּנֶ֔יךָyour sonsN m pl constr + suff 2ms · בֵּן (H1121)Direct object of וְהִזְנוּבֵּן (H1121) 'son, child'; first generation named in the four-generation formula of consequence.
אַחֲרֵ֖יafterprep · אַחַר (H310)Prepositional phrase with הִזְנוּ (idiom)
אֱלֹהֵיהֶֽןtheir godsN m pl constr + suff 3fp · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Object of preposition אַחֲרֵיאֱלֹהִים (H430); the Canaanite deities whose worship threatens to seduce Israel through intermarriage and social contact.
17

אֱלֹהֵ֥י מַסֵּכָ֖ה לֹ֥א תַעֲשֶׂה לָּֽךְ

You shall not make for yourself any gods of cast metal.

Prohibition — recapitulation of the golden-calf sinasyndeton
A terse, pointed restatement of the second commandment using the identical vocabulary (אֱלֹהֵי מַסֵּכָה, עָשָׂה) of the golden-calf narrative (32:4,8), closing the loop on the sin this whole chapter is remedying.
Word-by-word analysis· 5 words
אֱלֹהֵ֥יgods ofN m pl constr · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Head of construct chain, direct object of תַעֲשֶׂה (fronted for emphasis)אֱלֹהִים (H430); construct with מַסֵּכָה, fronted before the negative verb for emphasis — this is the exact sin of ch.32 named and forbidden again.
מַסֵּכָ֖הmolten/cast imageN f sg abs · מַסֵּכָה (H4541)Genitive complement in construct chainמַסֵּכָה (H4541) 'molten/cast image', from נָסַךְ 'to pour out, cast'; the exact term used of the golden calf (32:4,8) — this law directly and pointedly recalls and forbids repeating that sin.
לֹ֥אnotneg part · לֹא (H3808)Negates תַעֲשֶׂה
תַעֲשֶׂהyou shall makeQal impf 2ms · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb (negated main clause command)→ Yiqtol: prohibitive future — categorical commandעָשָׂה (H6213); the identical verb Aaron used in 32:4 ('he made it a golden calf') — this prohibition closes the loop the whole chapter is answering.
לָּֽךְfor yourselfprep לְ + suff 2msEthical dative reinforcing the prohibition
18

אֶת חַ֣ג הַמַּצּוֹת֮ תִּשְׁמֹר֒ שִׁבְעַ֨ת יָמִ֜ים תֹּאכַ֤ל מַצּוֹת֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר צִוִּיתִ֔ךָ לְמוֹעֵ֖ד חֹ֣דֶשׁ הָאָבִ֑יב כִּ֚י בְּחֹ֣דֶשׁ הָֽאָבִ֔יב יָצָ֖אתָ מִמִּצְרָֽיִם

You shall keep the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Seven days you shall eat unleavened bread, as I commanded you, at the appointed time in the month of Abib, for in the month of Abib you came out from Egypt.

Stipulation — festival calendar beginsasyndeton
Opens the ritual/festival calendar (vv.18-26), a cultic 'decalogue' paralleling the ethical Decalogue of ch.20 and largely recapitulating the festival legislation of Exod 12-13 and 23:14-17.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (fronted object)
חַ֣גfeast ofN m sg constr · חַג (H2282)Head of construct chain, direct object of תִּשְׁמֹרחַג (H2282) 'feast, festival', from חָגַג 'to make a pilgrimage/celebrate'; opens the ritual calendar section (vv.18-26), a cultic 'decalogue' paralleling the ethical decalogue of ch.20.
הַמַּצּוֹת֮unleavened breadart + N f pl abs · מַצָּה (H4682)Genitive complement in construct chainמַצָּה (H4682) 'unleavened bread'; the festival (cf. 12:15-20, 23:15) commemorating the hurried exodus from Egypt, when there was no time for dough to rise.
תִּשְׁמֹר֒you shall keepQal impf 2ms · שָׁמַר (H8104)Predicate verb (main clause command)→ Yiqtol: imperatival future — required observanceשָׁמַר (H8104); resumes the 'keep/observe' verb of v.11, now applied to festival calendar obedience.
שִׁבְעַ֨תseven ofAcard m sg constr · שֶׁבַע (H7651)Numeral in construct with יָמִים, temporal accusativeשֶׁבַע (H7651) 'seven'; the festival's fixed seven-day duration (cf. 12:15,19).
יָמִ֜יםdaysN m pl abs · יוֹם (H3117)Genitive complement in construct chain, adverbial accusative of durationיוֹם (H3117) "day"; the basic unit of the festival/Sabbath calendar being legislated in this section.
תֹּאכַ֤לyou shall eatQal impf 2ms · אָכַל (H398)Predicate verb (main clause command)→ Yiqtol: imperatival future — required observanceאָכַל (H398); the eating of unleavened bread as the defining ritual act of the festival.
מַצּוֹת֙unleavened breadN f pl abs · מַצָּה (H4682)Direct object of תֹּאכַלמַצָּה (H4682) 'unleavened bread'; the festival (cf. 12:15-20, 23:15) commemorating the hurried exodus from Egypt, when there was no time for dough to rise.
אֲשֶׁ֣רas/whichrel pron · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing subordinate clause
צִוִּיתִ֔ךָI commanded youPiel perf 1cs + suff 2ms · צִוָּה (H6680)Predicate verb of relative clause→ Perfective: a completed, prior act of instructionצִוָּה (H6680); refers back to the original institution of the festival at the exodus (12:14-20; 13:3-10).
לְמוֹעֵ֖דat the appointed time ofprep לְ + N m sg constr · מוֹעֵד (H4150)Prepositional phrase, head of construct chain (temporal)מוֹעֵד (H4150) 'appointed time, fixed season'; technical term for the sacred calendar's fixed festival dates.
חֹ֣דֶשׁmonth ofN m sg constr · חֹדֶשׁ (H2320)Genitive complement in construct chainחֹדֶשׁ (H2320) 'month, new moon'; the lunar calendar month named next.
הָאָבִ֑יבAbibart + N m sg abs · אָבִיב (H24)Genitive complement in construct chainאָבִיב (H24) 'young ears of grain, springtime'; the first month of the religious calendar (later Nisan), marking the spring barley-ripening season and the exodus month.
כִּ֚יforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction introducing rationale
בְּחֹ֣דֶשׁin the month ofprep בְּ + N m sg constr · חֹדֶשׁ (H2320)Temporal prepositional phrase, head of construct chainחֹדֶשׁ (H2320) 'month, new moon'; the lunar calendar month named next.
הָֽאָבִ֔יבAbibart + N m sg abs · אָבִיב (H24)Genitive complement in construct chainאָבִיב (H24) 'young ears of grain, springtime'; the first month of the religious calendar (later Nisan), marking the spring barley-ripening season and the exodus month.
יָצָ֖אתָyou came outQal perf 2ms · יָצָא (H3318)Predicate verb of causal clause→ Perfective: a completed, historically-anchoring actיָצָא (H3318) 'to go out'; the exodus event itself, the historical ground of this and every other festival calendar in Exodus.
מִמִּצְרָֽיִםfrom Egyptprep מִן + N proper · מִצְרַיִם (H4714)Prepositional phrase (source), object of יָצָאתָמִצְרַיִם (H4714) 'Egypt'; the land of bondage from which the exodus liberated Israel, the founding event this feast perpetually commemorates.
19

כָּל פֶּ֥טֶר רֶ֖חֶם לִ֑י וְכָֽל מִקְנְךָ֙ תִּזָּכָ֔ר פֶּ֖טֶר שׁ֥וֹר וָשֶֽׂה

All that opens the womb is mine, all your male livestock, the firstborn of cattle and sheep.

Stipulation — firstborn dedication lawasyndeton
Resumes the ritual calendar with the firstborn-dedication law first given at the exodus (13:2,12), reasserting YHWH's claim on Israel's increase as part of the renewed covenant terms.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Head of construct chain, subject of nominal clauseכֹּל (H3605); introduces the firstborn law, resuming the theme first given at the exodus (13:2,12-15).
פֶּ֥טֶרthat which opensN m sg constr · פֶּטֶר (H6363)Genitive complement in construct chainפֶּטֶר (H6363) 'that which opens/breaches', from פָּטַר 'to open, breach'; technical term for the firstborn as 'opener of the womb.'
רֶ֖חֶםthe wombN m sg abs · רֶחֶם (H7358)Genitive complement in construct phrase פֶּטֶר רֶחֶםרֶחֶם (H7358) 'womb'; the same root underlying רַחוּם 'merciful' (v.6) — a linguistic link between womb-compassion and womb-opening firstborn law.
לִ֑יmineprep לְ + suff 1csPredicate prepositional phrase (possession)
וְכָֽלand all ofconj וְ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Head of construct chain, subject of תִּזָּכָרכֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; totalizes the prohibition across the entire mountain, not merely its summit.
מִקְנְךָ֙your livestockN m sg constr + suff 2ms · מִקְנֶה (H4735)Genitive complement in construct chainמִקְנֶה (H4735) 'livestock, cattle', from קָנָה 'to acquire'; one's productive wealth, whose firstborn belongs to YHWH.
תִּזָּכָ֔רshall be maleNiphal impf 3fs · זָכַר (H2142)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol: stipulated requirement — the firstborn male is claimedזָכַר (H2142) Niphal, denominative sense 'be/become male' (related to זָכָר 'male'); specifies that the firstborn-dedication law concerns male offspring.
פֶּ֖טֶרthe firstborn ofN m sg constr · פֶּטֶר (H6363)Head of construct chain, appositional restatementפֶּטֶר (H6363) 'that which opens/breaches', from פָּטַר 'to open, breach'; technical term for the firstborn as 'opener of the womb.'
שׁ֥וֹרox/cattleN m sg abs · שׁוֹר (H7794)Genitive complement in construct chainשׁוֹר (H7794) 'ox, bull, head of cattle'; specifies the class of firstborn animal in view.
וָשֶֽׂהand sheep/goatconj וְ + N c sg abs · שֶׂה (H7716)Coordinate genitive complement in construct chainשֶׂה (H7716) 'sheep or goat, one of the flock'; with שׁוֹר covers the main domesticated herd animals subject to firstborn dedication.
20

וּפֶ֤טֶר חֲמוֹר֙ תִּפְדֶּ֣ה בְשֶׂ֔ה וְאִם לֹ֥א תִפְדֶּ֖ה וַעֲרַפְתּ֑וֹ כֹּ֣ל בְּכ֤וֹר בָּנֶ֨יךָ֙ תִּפְדֶּ֔ה וְלֹֽא יֵרָא֥וּ פָנַ֖י רֵיקָֽם

But the firstborn of a donkey you shall redeem with a lamb, or if you will not redeem it, you shall break its neck. All the firstborn of your sons you shall redeem. And none shall appear before me empty-handed.

Elaboration — redemption of donkey and human firstbornwə-
Specifies the exception (donkey, an unclean animal) and extends firstborn law to human sons, who are always redeemed rather than sacrificed, then transitions to the pilgrimage-appearance requirement fully developed in v.23.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
וּפֶ֤טֶרand the firstborn ofconj וְ + N m sg constr · פֶּטֶר (H6363)Head of construct chain, direct object of תִּפְדֶּהפֶּטֶר (H6363); the donkey is unsuitable for sacrifice, so its firstborn requires special treatment — redemption or destruction.
חֲמוֹר֙donkeyN c sg abs · חֲמוֹר (H2543)Genitive complement in construct chainחֲמוֹר (H2543) 'donkey'; a non-sacrificial (unclean-for-altar) animal, hence the redemption-or-death alternative unlike the sacrificeable שׁוֹר/שֶׂה of v.19.
תִּפְדֶּ֣הyou shall redeemQal impf 2ms · פָּדָה (H6299)Predicate verb (main clause command)→ Yiqtol: imperatival future — required actionפָּדָה (H6299) 'to redeem, ransom'; substitutionary payment releasing the firstborn donkey from the claim otherwise requiring dedication/destruction.
בְשֶׂ֔הwith a lambprep בְּ + N c sg abs · שֶׂה (H7716)Prepositional phrase of price/meansשֶׂה (H7716) 'sheep or goat, one of the flock'; with שׁוֹר covers the main domesticated herd animals subject to firstborn dedication.
וְאִםand ifconj וְ + conj · אִם (H518)Conditional conjunction introducing alternative clause
לֹ֥אnotneg part · לֹא (H3808)Negates תִפְדֶּה
תִפְדֶּ֖הyou redeemQal impf 2ms · פָּדָה (H6299)Predicate verb of conditional clause→ Yiqtol: modal, conditional contingencyפָּדָה (H6299) 'to redeem, ransom'; substitutionary payment releasing the firstborn donkey from the claim otherwise requiring dedication/destruction.
וַעֲרַפְתּ֑וֹthen you shall break its neckconj וְ + Qal weqatal 2ms + suff 3ms · עָרַף (H6202)Predicate verb (weqatal apodosis of the conditional)→ Weqatal: required consequence of non-redemptionעָרַף (H6202) 'to break the neck'; the animal forfeits its life if not ransomed — the firstborn truly belongs to YHWH and cannot simply be kept unredeemed.
כֹּ֣לall ofN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Head of construct chain, direct object of תִּפְדֶּהכֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; totalizes the prohibition across the entire mountain, not merely its summit.
בְּכ֤וֹרfirstborn ofN m sg constr · בְּכוֹר (H1060)Genitive complement in construct chainבְּכוֹר (H1060) 'firstborn'; here of human sons — completing the animal firstborn laws with the requirement to redeem human firstborn (cf. 13:13-15).
בָּנֶ֨יךָ֙your sonsN m pl constr + suff 2ms · בֵּן (H1121)Genitive complement in construct chainבֵּן (H1121) 'son, child'; first generation named in the four-generation formula of consequence.
תִּפְדֶּ֔הyou shall redeemQal impf 2ms · פָּדָה (H6299)Predicate verb (main clause command)→ Yiqtol: imperatival future — required actionפָּדָה (H6299); human firstborn are never sacrificed but always redeemed, a fundamental distinction from Canaanite child-sacrifice practices this law implicitly rejects.
וְלֹֽאand notconj וְ + neg part · לֹא (H3808)Negates יֵרָאוּ
יֵרָא֥וּshall they appearNiphal impf 3mp · רָאָה (H7200)Predicate verb (negated main clause)→ Yiqtol: prohibitive future — categorical requirementרָאָה (H7200) Niphal 'to appear, be seen'; introduces the pilgrimage-appearance requirement developed fully in v.23.
פָנַ֖יmy faceN c pl constr + suff 1cs · פָּנִים (H6440)Subject of יֵרָאוּ (idiom 'appear before my face')פָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; here Moses' face, before which the glory passes — echoing 33:20-23 where YHWH's own פָּנִים could not be seen directly, only his 'back.'
רֵיקָֽםempty-handedadv · רֵיקָם (H7387)Adverbial modifier of mannerרֵיקָם (H7387) 'empty, empty-handed'; every pilgrimage appearance before YHWH requires an offering — worship is never merely notional but embodied in gift.
21

שֵׁ֤שֶׁת יָמִים֙ תַּעֲבֹ֔ד וּבַיּ֥וֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִ֖י תִּשְׁבֹּ֑ת בֶּחָרִ֥ישׁ וּבַקָּצִ֖יר תִּשְׁבֹּֽת

Six days you shall work, but on the seventh day you shall rest; in plowing time and in harvest you shall rest.

Stipulation — Sabbath even in field laborasyndeton
Restates the Sabbath commandment from the Decalogue (20:8-11) with pointed agricultural specificity — rest is required even during plowing and harvest, the times of greatest economic pressure.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
שֵׁ֤שֶׁתsix ofAcard m sg constr · שֵׁשׁ (H8337)Numeral in construct with יָמִים, temporal accusativeשֵׁשׁ (H8337) 'six'; opens the Sabbath stipulation, restating the Decalogue's fourth commandment (20:9-10) within this cultic calendar.
יָמִים֙daysN m pl abs · יוֹם (H3117)Genitive complement in construct chain, adverbial accusative of durationיוֹם (H3117) "day"; the basic unit of the festival/Sabbath calendar being legislated in this section.
תַּעֲבֹ֔דyou shall workQal impf 2ms · עָבַד (H5647)Predicate verb (main clause command)→ Yiqtol: imperatival future — required patternעָבַד (H5647) 'to work, serve'; ordinary labor permitted/expected six days, contrasted with the Sabbath cessation.
וּבַיּ֥וֹםbut on the dayconj וְ + prep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · יוֹם (H3117)Temporal prepositional phraseיוֹם (H3117) "day"; the basic unit of the festival/Sabbath calendar being legislated in this section.
הַשְּׁבִיעִ֖יthe seventhart + ordinal adj m sg abs · שְׁבִיעִי (H7637)Attributive adjective modifying הַיּוֹםשְׁבִיעִי (H7637) 'seventh', from שֶׁבַע 'seven'; the Sabbath day, the sign of the covenant (31:12-17) whose observance this renewed covenant reaffirms.
תִּשְׁבֹּ֑תyou shall restQal impf 2ms · שָׁבַת (H7673)Predicate verb (main clause command)→ Yiqtol: imperatival future — required cessationשָׁבַת (H7673) 'to cease, rest'; the root behind שַׁבָּת 'Sabbath' — the defining act of the seventh day.
בֶּחָרִ֥ישׁin plowing (season)prep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · חָרִישׁ (H2758)Temporal prepositional phraseחָרִישׁ (H2758) 'plowing, plowing time'; naming the most labor-intensive agricultural seasons to stress that Sabbath rest is required even under greatest economic pressure.
וּבַקָּצִ֖ירand in harvest (season)conj וְ + prep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · קָצִיר (H7105)Coordinate temporal prepositional phraseקָצִיר (H7105) 'harvest'; paired with חָרִישׁ as the two poles of the agricultural year — Sabbath trumps even urgent seasonal farm labor.
תִּשְׁבֹּֽתyou shall restQal impf 2ms · שָׁבַת (H7673)Predicate verb (main clause command, repeated for emphasis)→ Yiqtol: imperatival future — required cessationשָׁבַת (H7673) 'to cease, rest'; the root behind שַׁבָּת 'Sabbath' — the defining act of the seventh day.
22

וְחַ֤ג שָׁבֻעֹת֙ תַּעֲשֶׂ֣ה לְךָ֔ בִּכּוּרֵ֖י קְצִ֣יר חִטִּ֑ים וְחַג֙ הָֽאָסִ֔יף תְּקוּפַ֖ת הַשָּׁנָֽה

You shall observe the Feast of Weeks, the firstfruits of wheat harvest, and the Feast of Ingathering at the turn of the year.

Stipulation — Weeks and Ingathering feastswə-
Completes the triad of pilgrimage feasts alongside Unleavened Bread (v.18), tying the festival calendar to the agricultural cycle of grain harvest and year-end ingathering.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
וְחַ֤גand the feast ofconj וְ + N m sg constr · חַג (H2282)Head of construct chain, direct object of תַּעֲשֶׂהחַג (H2282); second of the three pilgrimage feasts (cf. v.23), marking the wheat-harvest firstfruits (later called Pentecost/Shavuot).
שָׁבֻעֹת֙of weeksN f pl abs · שָׁבוּעַ (H7620)Genitive complement in construct chainשָׁבוּעַ (H7620) 'week'; the feast counted seven weeks after the barley firstfruits (Lev 23:15-16), hence 'Feast of Weeks.'
תַּעֲשֶׂ֣הyou shall observeQal impf 2ms · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb (main clause command)→ Yiqtol: imperatival future — required observanceעָשָׂה (H6213); 'do/make/keep' the feast — the standard idiom for festival observance.
לְךָ֔for yourselfprep לְ + suff 2msEthical dative reinforcing the command
בִּכּוּרֵ֖יfirstfruits ofN c pl constr · בִּכּוּרִים (H1061)Head of construct chain, appositional to חַג שָׁבֻעֹתבִּכּוּרִים (H1061) 'firstfruits', from בְּכוֹר; the first and best of the harvest offered to YHWH, echoing the firstborn theology of vv.19-20 applied to agricultural yield.
קְצִ֣ירharvest ofN m sg constr · קָצִיר (H7105)Genitive complement in construct chainקָצִיר (H7105) 'harvest'; paired with חָרִישׁ as the two poles of the agricultural year — Sabbath trumps even urgent seasonal farm labor.
חִטִּ֑יםwheatN f pl abs · חִטָּה (H2406)Genitive complement in construct chainחִטָּה (H2406) 'wheat'; the grain whose harvest this feast celebrates, distinguishing it from the earlier barley harvest of Unleavened Bread.
וְחַג֙and the feast ofconj וְ + N m sg constr · חַג (H2282)Head of construct chain, coordinate direct objectחַג (H2282); the third pilgrimage feast, at the year's agricultural close (later Sukkot/Tabernacles).
הָֽאָסִ֔יףof ingatheringart + N m sg abs · אָסִיף (H614)Genitive complement in construct chainאָסִיף (H614) 'ingathering', from אָסַף 'to gather'; the final harvest festival, celebrating the full agricultural yield of the year.
תְּקוּפַ֖תturn ofN f sg constr · תְּקוּפָה (H8622)Head of temporal construct chainתְּקוּפָה (H8622) 'turn, circuit, cycle'; marking the autumnal turning-point of the agricultural/calendar year.
הַשָּׁנָֽהthe yearart + N f sg abs · שָׁנָה (H8141)Genitive complement in construct chainשָׁנָה (H8141) "year"; marks the annual cycle governing the pilgrimage-festival calendar.
23

שָׁלֹ֥שׁ פְּעָמִ֖ים בַּשָּׁנָ֑ה יֵרָאֶה֙ כָּל זְכ֣וּרְךָ֔ אֶת פְּנֵ֛י הָֽאָדֹ֥ן יְהוָ֖ה אֱלֹהֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל

Three times in the year shall all your males appear before the Lord YHWH, the God of Israel.

Stipulation — thrice-yearly pilgrimage requirementasyndeton
States the general rule underlying the specific feasts just listed: all Israelite males must appear before YHWH three times yearly, formally establishing the pilgrimage-festival system (cf. Deut 16:16).
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
שָׁלֹ֥שׁthreeAcard f sg abs · שָׁלוֹשׁ (H7969)Numeral, adverbial accusative with פְּעָמִיםשָׁלוֹשׁ (H7969) 'three'; the fixed number of annual pilgrimage feasts (Unleavened Bread, Weeks, Ingathering) requiring appearance at the sanctuary.
פְּעָמִ֖יםtimesN f pl abs · פַּעַם (H6471)Genitive complement, adverbial accusative of frequencyפַּעַם (H6471) 'foot-fall, occurrence, time'; used idiomatically for counting occurrences.
בַּשָּׁנָ֑הin the yearprep בְּ + art + N f sg abs · שָׁנָה (H8141)Temporal prepositional phraseשָׁנָה (H8141) "year"; marks the annual cycle governing the pilgrimage-festival calendar.
יֵרָאֶה֙shall appearNiphal impf 3ms · רָאָה (H7200)Predicate verb (main clause command)→ Yiqtol: imperatival future — required attendanceרָאָה (H7200) Niphal 'to appear, be seen'; formalizes the pilgrimage-festival requirement first flagged in v.20, later codified fully in Deut 16:16.
כָּלall ofN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Head of construct chain, subject of יֵרָאֶהכֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; totalizes the prohibition across the entire mountain, not merely its summit.
זְכ֣וּרְךָ֔your malesN m sg constr + suff 2ms · זָכוּר (H2138)Genitive complement in construct chainזָכוּר (H2138) 'male'; collective term specifying that the pilgrimage obligation falls on the adult male population representing each household.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (idiom 'appear the face of')
פְּנֵ֛יthe face ofN c pl constr · פָּנִים (H6440)Head of construct chain, object of יֵרָאֶהפָּנִים (H6440); 'appear the face of the Lord' is the standing idiom for presenting oneself at the sanctuary in worship.
הָֽאָדֹ֥ןthe Lordart + N m sg abs · אָדוֹן (H113)Genitive complement in construct chain, in apposition to יְהוָהאָדוֹן (H113) 'lord, master'; here with the definite article emphasizing YHWH's unique, singular lordship over Israel.
יְהוָ֖הYHWHN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Appositive to הָאָדֹןיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name of Israel's God, from הָיָה 'to be'; proclaimed anew after the golden-calf rupture, prefiguring the Name theophany of vv.6-7.
אֱלֹהֵ֥יGod ofN m pl constr · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Head of construct chain, appositive to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430); the Canaanite deities whose worship threatens to seduce Israel through intermarriage and social contact.
יִשְׂרָאֵֽלIsraelN proper · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive complement in construct chainיִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478); the full covenant title 'YHWH, God of Israel' anchors the pilgrimage law in the particular relationship just renewed in vv.10-27.
24

כִּֽי אוֹרִ֤ישׁ גּוֹיִם֙ מִפָּנֶ֔יךָ וְהִרְחַבְתִּ֖י אֶת גְּבוּלֶ֑ךָ וְלֹא יַחְמֹ֥ד אִישׁ֙ אֶֽת אַרְצְךָ֔ בַּעֲלֹֽתְךָ֗ לֵרָאוֹת֙ אֶת פְּנֵי֙ יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ שָׁלֹ֥שׁ פְּעָמִ֖ים בַּשָּׁנָֽה

For I will cast out nations before you and enlarge your borders; no one shall covet your land, when you go up to appear before YHWH your God three times in the year.

Motive/assurance — territorial security during pilgrimageכִּי (causal)
Answers an implicit practical objection (undefended borders during mass pilgrimage) with a divine guarantee of both dispossession of enemies and protection from covetous neighbors.
Word-by-word analysis· 21 words
כִּֽיforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction grounding the preceding command
אוֹרִ֤ישׁI will cast outHiphil impf 1cs · יָרַשׁ (H3423)Predicate verb (main clause, divine promise)→ Yiqtol: future/volitional — divine commitmentיָרַשׁ (H3423) Hiphil 'to cause to dispossess, drive out'; repeats the dispossession promise of v.11, now grounding the safety of the pilgrimage-feast requirement.
גּוֹיִם֙nationsN m pl abs · גּוֹי (H1471)Direct object of אוֹרִישׁגּוֹי (H1471) 'nation, people'; Israel's coming marvels will be singular even among all other peoples.
מִפָּנֶ֔יךָfrom before youprep מִן + N c pl constr + suff 2ms · פָּנִים (H6440)Prepositional phrase of location/directionפָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; here Moses' face, before which the glory passes — echoing 33:20-23 where YHWH's own פָּנִים could not be seen directly, only his 'back.'
וְהִרְחַבְתִּ֖יand I will enlargeconj וְ + Hiphil weqatal 1cs · רָחַב (H7337)Predicate verb (weqatal continuing the divine promise)→ Weqatal: volitional continuation — divine commitmentרָחַב (H7337) Hiphil 'to widen, enlarge'; the promise of territorial expansion, addressing the practical anxiety that pilgrimage might leave borders undefended.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
גְּבוּלֶ֑ךָyour borderN m sg constr + suff 2ms · גְּבוּל (H1366)Direct object of וְהִרְחַבְתִּיגְּבוּל (H1366) 'border, territory'; the promised expansion of Israel's territorial holdings.
וְלֹאand notconj וְ + neg part · לֹא (H3808)Negates יַחְמֹד
יַחְמֹ֥דshall covetQal impf 3ms · חָמַד (H2530)Predicate verb (negated main clause, divine promise)→ Yiqtol: promised future negation — assured protectionחָמַד (H2530) 'to covet, desire'; the same verb of the tenth commandment (20:17), reassuring Israel that leaving the land undefended for pilgrimage will not invite invasion.
אִישׁ֙anyoneN m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Subject of יַחְמֹדאִישׁ (H376) 'man, anyone'; fronted before the negative for emphatic exclusion — total prohibition on human company.
אֶֽת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
אַרְצְךָ֔your landN c sg constr + suff 2ms · אֶרֶץ (H776)Direct object of יַחְמֹדאֶרֶץ (H776) 'earth, ground'; with directional he, 'to the ground' — completing the posture of prostration.
בַּעֲלֹֽתְךָ֗when you go upprep בְּ + Qal inf constr + suff 2ms · עָלָה (H5927)Temporal infinitival clause→ Infinitive construct: temporal circumstance ('when/while')עָלָה (H5927); the pilgrimage 'going up' to the sanctuary, the same verb of Moses' mountain ascents now applied to the people's festival journeys.
לֵרָאוֹת֙to appearprep לְ + Niphal inf constr · רָאָה (H7200)Purpose infinitival clause→ Infinitive construct: purpose ('in order to appear')רָאָה (H7200) Niphal inf 'to appear, be seen'; states the purpose of the pilgrimage journey — presentation before YHWH.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (idiom 'appear the face of')
פְּנֵי֙the face ofN c pl constr · פָּנִים (H6440)Head of construct chain, object of לֵרָאוֹתפָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; here Moses' face, before which the glory passes — echoing 33:20-23 where YHWH's own פָּנִים could not be seen directly, only his 'back.'
יְהוָ֣הYHWHN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Genitive complement in construct chainיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name of Israel's God, from הָיָה 'to be'; proclaimed anew after the golden-calf rupture, prefiguring the Name theophany of vv.6-7.
אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָyour GodN m pl constr + suff 2ms · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Appositive to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430); the Canaanite deities whose worship threatens to seduce Israel through intermarriage and social contact.
שָׁלֹ֥שׁthreeAcard f sg abs · שָׁלוֹשׁ (H7969)Numeral, adverbial accusative with פְּעָמִיםשָׁלוֹשׁ (H7969) 'three'; the fixed number of annual pilgrimage feasts (Unleavened Bread, Weeks, Ingathering) requiring appearance at the sanctuary.
פְּעָמִ֖יםtimesN f pl abs · פַּעַם (H6471)Genitive complement, adverbial accusative of frequencyפַּעַם (H6471) 'foot-fall, occurrence, time'; used idiomatically for counting occurrences.
בַּשָּׁנָֽהin the yearprep בְּ + art + N f sg abs · שָׁנָה (H8141)Temporal prepositional phraseשָׁנָה (H8141) "year"; marks the annual cycle governing the pilgrimage-festival calendar.
25

לֹֽא תִשְׁחַ֥ט עַל חָמֵ֖ץ דַּם זִבְחִ֑י וְלֹא יָלִ֣ין לַבֹּ֔קֶר זֶ֖בַח חַ֥ג הַפָּֽסַח

You shall not offer the blood of my sacrifice with leaven, and the sacrifice of the Feast of the Passover shall not remain until morning.

Stipulation — sacrificial purity rulesasyndeton
Returns to cultic purity regulations governing the Passover sacrifice specifically, recalling and reinforcing 23:18's parallel legislation.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
לֹֽאnotneg part · לֹא (H3808)Negates תִשְׁחַט
תִשְׁחַ֥טyou shall slaughter/offerQal impf 2ms · שָׁחַט (H7819)Predicate verb (negated main clause command)→ Yiqtol: prohibitive future — categorical commandשָׁחַט (H7819) 'to slaughter'; the ritual killing of the Passover sacrifice, which must never be accompanied by leavened bread.
עַלwith/together withprep · עַל (H5921)Prepositional phrase (accompaniment/manner)
חָמֵ֖ץleavenN m sg abs · חָמֵץ (H2557)Object of preposition עַלחָמֵץ (H2557) 'leaven, leavened bread'; forbidden alongside sacrificial blood, echoing the unleavened requirement of the Passover/Unleavened Bread complex (12:15, 23:18).
דַּםblood ofN m sg constr · דָּם (H1818)Head of construct chain, direct object of תִשְׁחַטדָּם (H1818) 'blood'; sacrificial blood, whose ritual purity requires total exclusion of leaven at the moment of slaughter.
זִבְחִ֑יmy sacrificeN m sg constr + suff 1cs · זֶבַח (H2077)Genitive complement in construct chainזֶבַח (H2077) 'sacrifice'; YHWH's own first-person claim over the offering underscores its consecrated, exclusive character.
וְלֹאand notconj וְ + neg part · לֹא (H3808)Negates יָלִין
יָלִ֣יןshall remain overnightQal impf 3ms · לוּן (H3885)Predicate verb (negated main clause command)→ Yiqtol: prohibitive future — categorical commandלוּן (H3885) 'to lodge, remain overnight'; the sacrificial meat must be consumed before morning, preventing decay and requiring prompt participation (cf. 12:10).
לַבֹּ֔קֶרuntil the morningprep לְ + art + N m sg abs · בֹּקֶר (H1242)Temporal prepositional phraseבֹּקֶר (H1242) 'morning'; echoes the dawn-appointment pattern of Sinai theophanies (cf. 19:16, 24:4).
זֶ֖בַחsacrifice ofN m sg constr · זֶבַח (H2077)Head of construct chain, subject of יָלִיןזֶבַח (H2077) 'sacrifice'; YHWH's own first-person claim over the offering underscores its consecrated, exclusive character.
חַ֥גfeast ofN m sg constr · חַג (H2282)Genitive complement in construct chainחַג (H2282) 'feast, festival', from חָגַג 'to make a pilgrimage/celebrate'; opens the ritual calendar section (vv.18-26), a cultic 'decalogue' paralleling the ethical decalogue of ch.20.
הַפָּֽסַחthe Passoverart + N m sg abs · פֶּסַח (H6453)Genitive complement in construct chainפֶּסַח (H6453) 'Passover', from פָּסַח 'to pass over'; the founding festival of the exodus (12:11-13), here regulated alongside the other cultic laws of covenant renewal.
26

רֵאשִׁ֗ית בִּכּוּרֵי֙ אַדְמָ֣תְךָ֔ תָּבִ֕יא בֵּ֖ית יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֑יךָ לֹא תְבַשֵּׁ֥ל גְּדִ֖י בַּחֲלֵ֥ב אִמּֽוֹ

The best of the firstfruits of your ground you shall bring to the house of YHWH your God. You shall not boil a young goat in its mother's milk.

Stipulation — firstfruits and the kid-in-milk cruxasyndeton
Closes the ritual-law section with the firstfruits offering and the famously terse, debated prohibition against boiling a kid in its mother's milk — later foundational in rabbinic halakhah for the separation of meat and dairy, though its original ritual referent remains debated among scholars (a possible polemic against a Canaanite fertility rite, or a broader principle against mixing life-giving milk with a slaughtered offspring).
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
רֵאשִׁ֗יתthe best ofN f sg constr · רֵאשִׁית (H7225)Head of construct chain, direct object of תָּבִיא (fronted)רֵאשִׁית (H7225) 'beginning, first, best', from רֹאשׁ 'head'; here of agricultural produce — the choicest first portion, echoing its use for the temporal 'beginning' in Gen 1:1 but here of quality/priority.
בִּכּוּרֵי֙firstfruits ofN c pl constr · בִּכּוּרִים (H1061)Genitive complement in construct chainבִּכּוּרִים (H1061); resumes the firstfruits theme of v.22, generalized here to 'your ground' as a whole.
אַדְמָ֣תְךָ֔your groundN f sg constr + suff 2ms · אֲדָמָה (H127)Genitive complement in construct chainאֲדָמָה (H127) 'ground, soil, land'; the arable land whose yield is owed first to YHWH.
תָּבִ֕יאyou shall bringHiphil impf 2ms · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate verb (main clause command)→ Yiqtol: imperatival future — required offeringבּוֹא (H935) Hiphil 'to bring, cause to come'; the concrete act of presenting the firstfruits at the sanctuary.
בֵּ֖יתhouse ofN m sg constr · בַּיִת (H1004)Head of construct chain, locative objectבַּיִת (H1004) 'house'; here the sanctuary as YHWH's dwelling, anticipating the tabernacle/temple as the destination of pilgrimage offerings.
יְהוָ֣הYHWHN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Genitive complement in construct chainיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name of Israel's God, from הָיָה 'to be'; proclaimed anew after the golden-calf rupture, prefiguring the Name theophany of vv.6-7.
אֱלֹהֶ֑יךָyour GodN m pl constr + suff 2ms · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Appositive to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430); the Canaanite deities whose worship threatens to seduce Israel through intermarriage and social contact.
לֹאnotneg part · לֹא (H3808)Negates תְבַשֵּׁל
תְבַשֵּׁ֥לyou shall boilPiel impf 2ms · בָּשַׁל (H1310)Predicate verb (negated main clause command)→ Yiqtol: prohibitive future — categorical commandבָּשַׁל (H1310) Piel 'to boil, cook'; introduces the famously terse, much-debated prohibition לֹא־תְבַשֵּׁל גְּדִי בַּחֲלֵב אִמּוֹ — a crux whose original ANE ritual referent is uncertain, but which became through threefold repetition (Exod 23:19; 34:26; Deut 14:21) the foundational proof-text in later halakhah for the kosher separation of meat and dairy (בשר בחלב).
גְּדִ֖יa young goatN m sg abs · גְּדִי (H1423)Direct object of תְבַשֵּׁלגְּדִי (H1423) 'young goat, kid'; the animal named in the crux prohibition, an ordinary meat animal of pastoral life.
בַּחֲלֵ֥בin the milk ofprep בְּ + N m sg constr · חָלָב (H2461)Prepositional phrase (means), head of construct chainחָלָב (H2461) 'milk'; construct with אִמּוֹ yields 'its mother's milk' — the specific combination forbidden, whatever its ultimate rationale (compassion, cultic separation, or rejection of a pagan rite).
אִמּֽוֹits motherN f sg constr + suff 3ms · אֵם (H517)Genitive complement in construct chainאֵם (H517) 'mother'; the maternal bond of the animal, arguably underlying a compassion-based rationale for the prohibition (cf. Deut 22:6-7's similar concern for animal parent-offspring).
27

וַיֹּ֤אמֶר יְהוָה֙ אֶל מֹשֶׁ֔ה כְּתָב לְךָ֖ אֶת הַדְּבָרִ֣ים הָאֵ֑לֶּה כִּ֞י עַל פִּ֣י הַדְּבָרִ֣ים הָאֵ֗לֶּה כָּרַ֧תִּי אִתְּךָ֛ בְּרִ֖ית וְאֶת יִשְׂרָאֵֽל

And YHWH said to Moses, "Write these words, for in accordance with these words I have made a covenant with you and with Israel."

Narrative resumption — command to writewayyiqtol
Shifts from direct stipulation back to narrative frame, with YHWH instructing Moses to inscribe the covenant words just delivered, formally sealing the covenant 'according to the tenor of these words.'
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
וַיֹּ֤אמֶרand he saidconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (main clause, wayyiqtol narrative)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559); resumes direct divine speech, commanding the actual writing that will constitute the covenant document.
יְהוָה֙YHWHN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of וַיֹּאמֶריְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name of Israel's God, from הָיָה 'to be'; proclaimed anew after the golden-calf rupture, prefiguring the Name theophany of vv.6-7.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase marking addressee
מֹשֶׁ֔הMosesN proper · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Object of preposition אֶלמֹשֶׁה (H4872), the covenant mediator; re-summoned to the mountain to renew what ch.32 shattered.
כְּתָבwriteQal impv 2ms · כָּתַב (H3789)Predicate verb (direct command)→ Volitional: direct imperativeכָּתַב (H3789); notably here Moses himself is commanded to write (contrast v.1 where God writes) — the human mediator now records the covenant terms just delivered.
לְךָ֖for yourselfprep לְ + suff 2msEthical dative reinforcing the imperative
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
הַדְּבָרִ֣יםthe wordsart + N m pl abs · דָּבָר (H1697)Direct object of כְּתָבדָּבָר (H1697) 'word, thing'; the Decalogue text (cf. עֲשֶׂרֶת הַדְּבָרִים, v.28), the covenant stipulations.
הָאֵ֑לֶּהtheseart + demonstr pron c pl · אֵלֶּה (H428)Attributive demonstrative modifying הַדְּבָרִיםאֵלֶּה (H428) near demonstrative pronoun "these"; points to the immediately preceding or following referent.
כִּ֞יforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction introducing rationale
עַלaccording toprep · עַל (H5921)Prepositional phrase of standard/basis
פִּ֣יthe mouth ofN m sg constr · פֶּה (H6310)Head of construct chain, object of preposition עַלפֶּה (H6310) 'mouth'; idiom 'according to the mouth of these words' = 'in accordance with the tenor/content of these words' spoken.
הַדְּבָרִ֣יםthe wordsart + N m pl abs · דָּבָר (H1697)Genitive complement in construct chainדָּבָר (H1697) 'word, thing'; the Decalogue text (cf. עֲשֶׂרֶת הַדְּבָרִים, v.28), the covenant stipulations.
הָאֵ֗לֶּהtheseart + demonstr pron c pl · אֵלֶּה (H428)Attributive demonstrative modifying הַדְּבָרִיםאֵלֶּה (H428) near demonstrative pronoun "these"; points to the immediately preceding or following referent.
כָּרַ֧תִּיI have made (a covenant)Qal perf 1cs · כָּרַת (H3772)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: a completed, decisive covenant-making actכָּרַת (H3772); YHWH's own confirmation that the covenant of v.10 is now sealed in these very stipulations.
אִתְּךָ֛with youprep אֵת (with) + suff 2ms · אֵת (H854)Prepositional phrase (accompaniment)
בְּרִ֖יתa covenantN f sg abs · בְּרִית (H1285)Direct object of כָּרַתִּיבְּרִית (H1285) 'covenant'; the renewed Sinai covenant, restoring the relationship broken by the golden calf.
וְאֶתand withconj וְ + prep אֵת · אֵת (H854)Coordinate prepositional phrase
יִשְׂרָאֵֽלIsraelN proper · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Object of preposition אֵת (coordinate)יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478); the covenant is with Moses personally and, through him, the whole nation.
28

וַֽיְהִי שָׁ֣ם עִם יְהוָ֗ה אַרְבָּעִ֥ים יוֹם֙ וְאַרְבָּעִ֣ים לַ֔יְלָה לֶ֚חֶם לֹ֣א אָכַ֔ל וּמַ֖יִם לֹ֣א שָׁתָ֑ה וַיִּכְתֹּ֣ב עַל הַלֻּחֹ֗ת אֵ֚ת דִּבְרֵ֣י הַבְּרִ֔ית עֲשֶׂ֖רֶת הַדְּבָרִֽים

And he was there with YHWH forty days and forty nights; he neither ate bread nor drank water. And he wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant, the ten commandments.

Narrative summary — the forty days and the writingwayyiqtol
Summarizes Moses' extended fast and writing labor, paralleling the forty days of the first tablets (24:18) and naming the completed text as 'the ten words' (עֲשֶׂרֶת הַדְּבָרִים), the source phrase behind 'Decalogue.'
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
וַֽיְהִיand he wasconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (main clause, wayyiqtol narrative)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become'; marks Moses' extended sojourn on the mountain, paralleling the forty days of 24:18 at the first giving of the law.
שָׁ֣םthereadv · שָׁם (H8033)Locative adverb
עִםwithprep · עִם (H5973)Prepositional phrase (accompaniment)
יְהוָ֗הYHWHN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Object of preposition עִםיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name of Israel's God, from הָיָה 'to be'; proclaimed anew after the golden-calf rupture, prefiguring the Name theophany of vv.6-7.
אַרְבָּעִ֥יםfortyAcard c pl abs · אַרְבָּעִים (H705)Numeral, adverbial accusative of durationאַרְבָּעִים (H705) 'forty'; the same duration as the first Sinai sojourn (24:18), a recurring biblical number of testing/preparation (cf. the flood, the wilderness wandering, Elijah at Horeb).
יוֹם֙daysN m sg abs · יוֹם (H3117)Genitive complement, adverbial accusative of durationיוֹם (H3117) "day"; the basic unit of the festival/Sabbath calendar being legislated in this section.
וְאַרְבָּעִ֣יםand fortyconj וְ + Acard c pl abs · אַרְבָּעִים (H705)Coordinate numeral, adverbial accusativeאַרְבָּעִים (H705) 'forty'; the same duration as the first Sinai sojourn (24:18), a recurring biblical number of testing/preparation (cf. the flood, the wilderness wandering, Elijah at Horeb).
לַ֔יְלָהnightsN m sg abs · לַיְלָה (H3915)Genitive complement, adverbial accusative of durationלַיְלָה (H3915) "night"; paired with יוֹם to express the full forty-day/forty-night duration of Moses' fast.
לֶ֚חֶםbreadN c sg abs · לֶחֶם (H3899)Direct object of אָכַל (fronted for emphasis)לֶחֶם (H3899) 'bread, food'; Moses' fast recalls and anticipates other extreme prophetic fasts (Elijah, 1 Kgs 19:8; Jesus, Matt 4:2), marking the sojourn as an extraordinary, wholly God-sustained encounter.
לֹ֣אnotneg part · לֹא (H3808)Negates אָכַל
אָכַ֔לhe ateQal perf 3ms · אָכַל (H398)Predicate verb (negated main clause)→ Perfective: a completed state of total abstentionאָכַל (H398); Moses' total fast from ordinary sustenance during the forty days.
וּמַ֖יִםand waterconj וְ + N m pl abs · מַיִם (H4325)Coordinate direct object of שָׁתָה (fronted)מַיִם (H4325) 'water'; the fast is total — no bread, no water — heightening the sense of a uniquely sustained, non-ordinary encounter.
לֹ֣אnotneg part · לֹא (H3808)Negates שָׁתָה
שָׁתָ֑הhe drankQal perf 3ms · שָׁתָה (H8354)Predicate verb (negated main clause)→ Perfective: a completed state of total abstentionשָׁתָה (H8354) 'to drink'; completes the total fast begun with 'bread.'
וַיִּכְתֹּ֣בand he wroteconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · כָּתַב (H3789)Predicate verb (main clause, wayyiqtol narrative)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceכָּתַב (H3789); Moses executes the command of v.27, inscribing the covenant words himself this time (cf. v.1 where God wrote).
עַלonprep · עַל (H5921)Locative prepositional phrase
הַלֻּחֹ֗תthe tabletsart + N m pl abs · לוּחַ (H3871)Object of preposition עַללוּחַ (H3871) 'tablet, board'; the stone tablets of the covenant/testimony, replacing those Moses shattered in wrath (32:19).
אֵ֚ת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
דִּבְרֵ֣יthe words ofN m pl constr · דָּבָר (H1697)Head of construct chain, direct object of וַיִּכְתֹּבדָּבָר (H1697) 'word, thing'; the Decalogue text (cf. עֲשֶׂרֶת הַדְּבָרִים, v.28), the covenant stipulations.
הַבְּרִ֔יתthe covenantart + N f sg abs · בְּרִית (H1285)Genitive complement in construct chainבְּרִית (H1285) 'covenant'; the renewed Sinai covenant, restoring the relationship broken by the golden calf.
עֲשֶׂ֖רֶתthe ten ofAcard m sg constr · עֶשֶׂר (H6235)Numeral in construct, appositive to דִּבְרֵי הַבְּרִיתעֶשֶׂר (H6235) 'ten'; construct עֲשֶׂרֶת הַדְּבָרִים 'the ten words' is the Hebrew source-phrase behind the term 'Decalogue' (Gk. deka logoi) — the technical name for the covenant's core stipulations (cf. 20:1-17; Deut 4:13, 10:4).
הַדְּבָרִֽיםthe wordsart + N m pl abs · דָּבָר (H1697)Genitive complement in construct chainדָּבָר (H1697) 'word, thing'; the Decalogue text (cf. עֲשֶׂרֶת הַדְּבָרִים, v.28), the covenant stipulations.
29

וַיְהִ֗י בְּרֶ֤דֶת מֹשֶׁה֙ מֵהַ֣ר סִינַ֔י וּשְׁנֵ֨י לֻחֹ֤ת הָֽעֵדֻת֙ בְּיַד מֹשֶׁ֔ה בְּרִדְתּ֖וֹ מִן הָהָ֑ר וּמֹשֶׁ֣ה לֹֽא יָדַ֗ע כִּ֥י קָרַ֛ן ע֥וֹר פָּנָ֖יו בְּדַבְּר֥וֹ אִתּֽוֹ

When Moses came down from Mount Sinai, with the two tablets of the testimony in his hand as he came down from the mountain, Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone because he had been talking with God.

Narrative sequence — the shining face discoveredwayyiqtol
Introduces the chapter's second great crux: Moses' unwitting radiance (קָרַן) after direct converse with YHWH — the verb's ambiguity ('shone' vs. denominative 'grew horns') is the historical source, via Jerome's Vulgate, of medieval and Renaissance depictions of a horned Moses.
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
וַיְהִ֗יand it wasconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (main clause, wayyiqtol narrative; introduces temporal clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance (temporal frame)הָיָה (H1961); the narrative 'and it happened' formula, introducing the temporal circumstance of Moses' descent.
בְּרֶ֤דֶתin the coming down ofprep בְּ + Qal inf constr · יָרַד (H3381)Temporal infinitival clause, head of construct chain→ Infinitive construct: temporal circumstance ('when...came down')יָרַד (H3381) 'to go down'; mirrors YHWH's own descent in v.5 — the theophany's aftermath now visibly marks Moses himself.
מֹשֶׁה֙MosesN proper · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Subject of the infinitive בְּרֶדֶתמֹשֶׁה (H4872), the covenant mediator; re-summoned to the mountain to renew what ch.32 shattered.
מֵהַ֣רfrom mount ofprep מִן + N m sg constr · הַר (H2022)Prepositional phrase (source), head of construct chainהַר (H2022) 'mountain, hill'; in construct with סִינַי forming the place-name.
סִינַ֔יSinaiN proper · סִינַי (H5514)Genitive complement of הַרסִינַי (H5514), the mountain of theophany and covenant-giving; now the site of covenant renewal after the breach.
וּשְׁנֵ֨יand two ofconj וְ + Acard m du constr · שְׁנַיִם (H8147)Numeral in construct with לֻחֹת, circumstantial clauseשְׁנַיִם (H8147) 'two'; matches the pair of the original tablets (32:15).
לֻחֹ֤תtablets ofN m pl constr · לוּחַ (H3871)Head noun of construct chainלוּחַ (H3871) 'tablet, board'; the stone tablets of the covenant/testimony, replacing those Moses shattered in wrath (32:19).
הָֽעֵדֻת֙the testimonyart + N f sg abs · עֵדוּת (H5715)Genitive complement in construct chainעֵדוּת (H5715) 'testimony', from עוּד 'to bear witness'; names the tablets as the standing legal witness to the covenant's terms (cf. 25:16, 31:18).
בְּיַדin the hand ofprep בְּ + N c sg constr · יָד (H3027)Prepositional phrase, head of construct chainיָד (H3027) 'hand'; emphasizes Moses' own physical labor in carrying the covenant tablets up the mountain.
מֹשֶׁ֔הMosesN proper · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Genitive complement in construct chainמֹשֶׁה (H4872), the covenant mediator; re-summoned to the mountain to renew what ch.32 shattered.
בְּרִדְתּ֖וֹas he came downprep בְּ + Qal inf constr + suff 3ms · יָרַד (H3381)Temporal infinitival clause (resumptive)→ Infinitive construct: temporal circumstanceיָרַד (H3381); the descent verb repeated for emphasis, framing the moment the shining is discovered.
מִןfromprep · מִן (H4480)Prepositional phrase (source)
הָהָ֑רthe mountainart + N m sg abs · הַר (H2022)Object of preposition מִןהַר (H2022) 'mountain, hill'; in construct with סִינַי forming the place-name.
וּמֹשֶׁ֣הand Mosesconj וְ + N proper · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Subject of יָדַע (topicalized)מֹשֶׁה (H4872), the covenant mediator; re-summoned to the mountain to renew what ch.32 shattered.
לֹֽאnotneg part · לֹא (H3808)Negates יָדַע
יָדַ֗עknewQal perf 3ms · יָדַע (H3045)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: a completed, though negated, mental stateיָדַע (H3045) 'to know'; Moses' unselfconscious holiness — he is transformed by the encounter without any awareness of it, unlike any self-promoting claim to glory.
כִּ֥יthatconj · כִּי (H3588)Complementizer introducing the content clause of יָדַע
קָרַ֛ןshone/sent out raysQal perf 3ms · קָרַן (H7160)Predicate verb of complement clause→ Perfective: a completed, resultant state now visibleקָרַן (H7160), a rare denominative verb from קֶרֶן 'horn,' here meaning 'to send out rays/shine' (the horn as a radiating projection). Jerome's Vulgate rendered it 'cornuta esset facies' ('his face was horned'), the historical source of the Western artistic tradition of a horned Moses (famously Michelangelo's statue); the contextual sense — light emanating from Moses' face after speaking with YHWH — is radiance, not literal horns. A major, enduring translation crux.
ע֥וֹרskin ofN m sg constr · עוֹר (H5785)Head of construct chain, subject of קָרַןעוֹר (H5785) 'skin, hide'; specifies that the radiance is visible on the very surface of Moses' face.
פָּנָ֖יוhis faceN c pl constr + suff 3ms · פָּנִים (H6440)Genitive complement in construct chainפָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; here Moses' face, before which the glory passes — echoing 33:20-23 where YHWH's own פָּנִים could not be seen directly, only his 'back.'
בְּדַבְּר֥וֹwhen he spokeprep בְּ + Piel inf constr + suff 3ms · דָּבַר (H1696)Temporal infinitival clause (causal nuance)→ Infinitive construct: temporal/causal circumstance ('because/when he had spoken')דָּבַר (H1696) Piel 'to speak'; the radiance is the visible residue of intimate divine conversation, not an independent power Moses possesses.
אִתּֽוֹwith himprep אֵת (with) + suff 3msPrepositional phrase (accompaniment), object of בְּדַבְּרוֹ
30

וַיַּ֨רְא אַהֲרֹ֜ן וְכָל בְּנֵ֤י יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ אֶת מֹשֶׁ֔ה וְהִנֵּ֥ה קָרַ֖ן ע֣וֹר פָּנָ֑יו וַיִּֽירְא֖וּ מִגֶּ֥שֶׁת אֵלָֽיו

Aaron and all the people of Israel saw Moses, and behold, the skin of his face shone, and they were afraid to come near him.

Narrative reaction — communal fearwayyiqtol
The people's fear at Moses' transformed appearance parallels their earlier fear of the fiery theophany (20:18-19), showing the radiance as a real, visible token of the encounter just narrated.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
וַיַּ֨רְאand he sawconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · רָאָה (H7200)Predicate verb (main clause, wayyiqtol narrative)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceרָאָה (H7200) 'to see'; the visual encounter that triggers the people's fear, structurally paralleling their earlier fear at Sinai's fire (20:18-19).
אַהֲרֹ֜ןAaronN proper · אַהֲרֹן (H175)Subject of וַיַּרְא (first of compound subject)אַהֲרֹן (H175); Moses' brother and high priest, whose complicity in the golden calf (ch.32) makes his fear here especially poignant — he too must be summoned before approaching (v.31).
וְכָלand all ofconj וְ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Head of construct chain, coordinate subjectכֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; totalizes the prohibition across the entire mountain, not merely its summit.
בְּנֵ֤יsons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Head noun of construct chainבֵּן (H1121) 'son, child'; first generation named in the four-generation formula of consequence.
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙IsraelN proper · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive complement in construct chainיִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478); the full covenant title 'YHWH, God of Israel' anchors the pilgrimage law in the particular relationship just renewed in vv.10-27.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
מֹשֶׁ֔הMosesN proper · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Direct object of וַיַּרְאמֹשֶׁה (H4872), the covenant mediator; re-summoned to the mountain to renew what ch.32 shattered.
וְהִנֵּ֥הand beholdconj וְ + presentative particle · הִנֵּה (H2009)Presentative particle introducing the vivid observationהִנֵּה (H2009); marks the sudden, startling realization of the people upon seeing Moses' transformed face.
קָרַ֖ןshoneQal perf 3ms · קָרַן (H7160)Predicate verb (nominal clause after הִנֵּה)→ Perfective: a completed, resultant, visible stateקָרַן (H7160); repeats the crux verb of v.29 — the visible glory that provokes fear rather than mere curiosity.
ע֣וֹרskin ofN m sg constr · עוֹר (H5785)Head of construct chain, subject of קָרַןעוֹר (H5785) 'skin, hide'; specifies that the radiance is visible on the very surface of Moses' face.
פָּנָ֑יוhis faceN c pl constr + suff 3ms · פָּנִים (H6440)Genitive complement in construct chainפָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; here Moses' face, before which the glory passes — echoing 33:20-23 where YHWH's own פָּנִים could not be seen directly, only his 'back.'
וַיִּֽירְא֖וּand they were afraidconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · יָרֵא (H3372)Predicate verb (main clause, wayyiqtol narrative)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceיָרֵא (H3372) 'to fear'; a natural, reverent human response to residual divine glory, echoing Israel's fear at the initial theophany (20:18).
מִגֶּ֥שֶׁתfrom approachingprep מִן + Qal inf constr · נָגַשׁ (H5066)Prepositional/infinitival phrase (cause of fear)→ Infinitive construct: the feared action avoidedנָגַשׁ (H5066) 'to draw near, approach'; the people's instinctive withdrawal from unmediated contact with residual holiness.
אֵלָֽיוto himprep אֶל + suff 3msPrepositional phrase, object of the infinitive מִגֶּשֶׁת
31

וַיִּקְרָ֤א אֲלֵהֶם֙ מֹשֶׁ֔ה וַיָּשֻׁ֧בוּ אֵלָ֛יו אַהֲרֹ֥ן וְכָל הַנְּשִׂאִ֖ים בָּעֵדָ֑ה וַיְדַבֵּ֥ר מֹשֶׁ֖ה אֲלֵהֶֽם

But Moses called to them, and Aaron and all the leaders of the congregation returned to him, and Moses talked with them.

Narrative resolution — Moses reassures the leaderswayyiqtol
Moses takes the initiative to summon the frightened leadership, beginning the process by which the community is reintegrated into contact with him despite the residual glory.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
וַיִּקְרָ֤אand he calledconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · קָרָא (H7121)Predicate verb (main clause, wayyiqtol narrative)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceקָרָא (H7121) 'to call'; Moses actively summons the fearful people back, initiating the resolution of their fright.
אֲלֵהֶם֙to themprep אֶל + suff 3mpPrepositional phrase, object of וַיִּקְרָא
מֹשֶׁ֔הMosesN proper · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Subject of וַיִּקְרָאמֹשֶׁה (H4872), the covenant mediator; re-summoned to the mountain to renew what ch.32 shattered.
וַיָּשֻׁ֧בוּand they returnedconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · שׁוּב (H7725)Predicate verb (main clause, wayyiqtol narrative)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceשׁוּב (H7725) 'to return'; the leaders' hesitant fear is overcome as they respond to Moses' summons.
אֵלָ֛יוto himprep אֶל + suff 3msPrepositional phrase, object of וַיָּשֻׁבוּ
אַהֲרֹ֥ןAaronN proper · אַהֲרֹן (H175)Subject of וַיָּשֻׁבוּ (first of compound subject)אַהֲרֹן (H175); Moses' brother and high priest, whose complicity in the golden calf (ch.32) makes his fear here especially poignant — he too must be summoned before approaching (v.31).
וְכָלand all ofconj וְ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Head of construct chain, coordinate subjectכֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; totalizes the prohibition across the entire mountain, not merely its summit.
הַנְּשִׂאִ֖יםthe leadersart + N m pl abs · נָשִׂיא (H5387)Genitive complement in construct chainנָשִׂיא (H5387) 'chief, leader, prince', from נָשָׂא 'to lift up'; the tribal/community leaders, representative figures who approach Moses on behalf of the people.
בָּעֵדָ֑הin the congregationprep בְּ + art + N f sg abs · עֵדָה (H5712)Prepositional phrase, attributive to הַנְּשִׂאִיםעֵדָה (H5712) 'congregation, assembly', from יָעַד 'to appoint/meet'; the organized covenant community of Israel.
וַיְדַבֵּ֥רand he spokeconj וַ + Piel wayyiqtol 3ms · דָּבַר (H1696)Predicate verb (main clause, wayyiqtol narrative)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceדָּבַר (H1696) Piel 'to speak'; Moses communicates the covenant terms directly, mediating between YHWH and the leadership.
מֹשֶׁ֖הMosesN proper · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Subject of וַיְדַבֵּרמֹשֶׁה (H4872), the covenant mediator; re-summoned to the mountain to renew what ch.32 shattered.
אֲלֵהֶֽםto themprep אֶל + suff 3mpPrepositional phrase, object of וַיְדַבֵּר
32

וְאַחֲרֵי כֵ֥ן נִגְּשׁ֖וּ כָּל בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל וַיְצַוֵּ֕ם אֵת֩ כָּל אֲשֶׁ֨ר דִּבֶּ֧ר יְהוָ֛ה אִתּ֖וֹ בְּהַ֥ר סִינָֽי

Afterward all the people of Israel came near, and he commanded them all that YHWH had spoken with him in Mount Sinai.

Narrative sequence — the whole community receives the lawwə-
Completes the mediation chain: after the leaders, the whole nation approaches and receives the covenant stipulations Moses was given on the mountain.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
וְאַחֲרֵיand afterconj וְ + prep · אַחַר (H310)Temporal prepositional phrase
כֵ֥ןthat/thusadv · כֵּן (H3651)Adverbial complement of אַחֲרֵי ('afterward')
נִגְּשׁ֖וּthey drew nearNiphal perf 3cp · נָגַשׁ (H5066)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: a completed act of approachנָגַשׁ (H5066) Niphal 'to draw near, approach'; the wider community's fear (v.30) is fully resolved as all Israel, not just the leaders, now safely approaches Moses.
כָּלall ofN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Head of construct chain, subject of נִגְּשׁוּכֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; totalizes the prohibition across the entire mountain, not merely its summit.
בְּנֵ֣יsons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Head noun of construct chainבֵּן (H1121) 'son, child'; first generation named in the four-generation formula of consequence.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑לIsraelN proper · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive complement in construct chainיִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478); the full covenant title 'YHWH, God of Israel' anchors the pilgrimage law in the particular relationship just renewed in vv.10-27.
וַיְצַוֵּ֕םand he commanded themconj וַ + Piel wayyiqtol 3ms + suff 3mp · צִוָּה (H6680)Predicate verb (main clause, wayyiqtol narrative)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceצִוָּה (H6680) Piel 'to command'; Moses now formally transmits the covenant stipulations to the whole people, completing the mediation chain YHWH-Moses-people.
אֵת֩[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
כָּלall ofN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Head of construct chain, direct objectכֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; totalizes the prohibition across the entire mountain, not merely its summit.
אֲשֶׁ֨רthatrel pron · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing subordinate clause
דִּבֶּ֧רspokePiel perf 3ms · דָּבַר (H1696)Predicate verb of relative clause→ Perfective: a completed, prior act of speechדָּבַר (H1696) Piel 'to speak'; the content of the just-completed forty-day revelation (vv.10-26).
יְהוָ֛הYHWHN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of דִּבֶּריְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name of Israel's God, from הָיָה 'to be'; proclaimed anew after the golden-calf rupture, prefiguring the Name theophany of vv.6-7.
אִתּ֖וֹwith himprep אֵת (with) + suff 3msPrepositional phrase (accompaniment)
בְּהַ֥רon mount ofprep בְּ + N m sg constr · הַר (H2022)Locative prepositional phrase, head of construct chainהַר (H2022) 'mountain, hill'; in construct with סִינַי forming the place-name.
סִינָֽיSinaiN proper · סִינַי (H5514)Genitive complement of הַרסִינַי (H5514), the mountain of theophany and covenant-giving; now the site of covenant renewal after the breach.
33

וַיְכַ֣ל מֹשֶׁ֔ה מִדַּבֵּ֖ר אִתָּ֑ם וַיִּתֵּ֥ן עַל פָּנָ֖יו מַסְוֶֽה

And when Moses had finished speaking with them, he put a veil over his face.

Narrative — the veil practice beginswayyiqtol
Introduces the מַסְוֶה veil, marking the transition to the chapter's final, forward-looking note about the ongoing pattern of Moses' mediating role.
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
וַיְכַ֣לand he finishedconj וַ + Piel wayyiqtol 3ms · כָּלָה (H3615)Predicate verb (main clause, wayyiqtol narrative)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceכָּלָה (H3615) Piel 'to finish, complete'; marks the conclusion of the covenant-communication before the veiling begins.
מֹשֶׁ֔הMosesN proper · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Subject of the verbal chainמֹשֶׁה (H4872), the covenant mediator; re-summoned to the mountain to renew what ch.32 shattered.
מִדַּבֵּ֖רfrom speakingprep מִן + Piel inf constr · דָּבַר (H1696)Complement infinitival phrase of וַיְכַל→ Infinitive construct: complement of 'finish'דָּבַר (H1696); completes the idiom 'finished from speaking' = 'finished speaking.'
אִתָּ֑םwith themprep אֵת (with) + suff 3mpPrepositional phrase (accompaniment)
וַיִּתֵּ֥ןand he putconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb (main clause, wayyiqtol narrative)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceנָתַן (H5414) 'to give, put, place'; introduces the veil practice that will govern Moses' public appearances from now on (vv.33-35).
עַלoverprep · עַל (H5921)Locative prepositional phrase
פָּנָ֖יוhis faceN c pl constr + suff 3ms · פָּנִים (H6440)Object of preposition עַלפָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; here Moses' face, before which the glory passes — echoing 33:20-23 where YHWH's own פָּנִים could not be seen directly, only his 'back.'
מַסְוֶֽהa veilN m sg abs · מַסְוֶה (H4533)Direct object of וַיִּתֵּןמַסְוֶה (H4533) 'veil, mask'; a rare noun (only here, vv.33-35) for the covering Moses adopts to shield the people from residual glory — given famous typological treatment in 2 Cor 3:13-16, where Paul reads the veil as figuring Israel's hardened perception of the old covenant's fading glory.
34

וּבְבֹ֨א מֹשֶׁ֜ה לִפְנֵ֤י יְהוָה֙ לְדַבֵּ֣ר אִתּ֔וֹ יָסִ֥יר אֶת הַמַּסְוֶ֖ה עַד צֵאת֑וֹ וְיָצָ֗א וְדִבֶּר֙ אֶל בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל אֵ֖ת אֲשֶׁ֥ר יְצֻוֶּֽה

But whenever Moses went in before YHWH to speak with him, he would remove the veil until he came out. And when he came out and told the people of Israel what he was commanded,

Narrative — the recurring unveiled/veiled pattern (part 1)wə-
Describes an iterative practice (not a single event) using habitual verb forms: Moses removes the veil in YHWH's presence and relays fresh commands unveiled to the people, only to veil again — a recurring cycle later given typological treatment in 2 Corinthians 3.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
וּבְבֹ֨אand when he went inconj וְ + prep בְּ + Qal inf constr · בּוֹא (H935)Temporal infinitival clause→ Infinitive construct: temporal circumstance ('whenever he went in')בּוֹא (H935) 'to come, enter'; introduces the recurring pattern of Moses' repeated audiences with YHWH.
מֹשֶׁ֜הMosesN proper · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Subject of the infinitive בְּבֹאמֹשֶׁה (H4872), the covenant mediator; re-summoned to the mountain to renew what ch.32 shattered.
לִפְנֵ֤יbeforeprep לְ + N c pl constr · פָּנִים (H6440)Prepositional phrase (location/presence)פָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; here Moses' face, before which the glory passes — echoing 33:20-23 where YHWH's own פָּנִים could not be seen directly, only his 'back.'
יְהוָה֙YHWHN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Genitive complement in construct chainיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name of Israel's God, from הָיָה 'to be'; proclaimed anew after the golden-calf rupture, prefiguring the Name theophany of vv.6-7.
לְדַבֵּ֣רto speakprep לְ + Piel inf constr · דָּבַר (H1696)Purpose infinitival clause→ Infinitive construct: purpose ('in order to speak')דָּבַר (H1696); states the purpose of Moses' entry — continued, ongoing communion and revelation.
אִתּ֔וֹwith himprep אֵת (with) + suff 3msPrepositional phrase, object of לְדַבֵּר
יָסִ֥ירhe would removeHiphil impf 3ms (habitual) · סוּר (H5493)Predicate verb (main clause, habitual/iterative)→ Yiqtol: habitual/iterative — a repeated customary actionסוּר (H5493) Hiphil 'to turn aside, remove'; establishes the recurring veil/unveil pattern: unveiled before YHWH, veiled before the people, marking the boundary between direct and mediated access to glory.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
הַמַּסְוֶ֖הthe veilart + N m sg abs · מַסְוֶה (H4533)Direct object of יָסִירמַסְוֶה (H4533) 'veil, mask'; a rare noun (only here, vv.33-35) for the covering Moses adopts to shield the people from residual glory — given famous typological treatment in 2 Cor 3:13-16, where Paul reads the veil as figuring Israel's hardened perception of the old covenant's fading glory.
עַדuntilprep · עַד (H5704)Temporal prepositional phrase
צֵאת֑וֹhis going outQal inf constr + suff 3ms · יָצָא (H3318)Temporal infinitival clause, object of עַד→ Infinitive construct: temporal endpointיָצָא (H3318) 'to go out'; marks the boundary of unveiling — removed only in the inner audience, restored once Moses re-emerges.
וְיָצָ֗אand he would go outconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3ms (habitual) · יָצָא (H3318)Predicate verb (weqatal, habitual/iterative)→ Weqatal: habitual continuation of the customary patternיָצָא (H3318); Moses' emergence to relay the divine word to the people.
וְדִבֶּר֙and he would speakconj וְ + Piel weqatal 3ms (habitual) · דָּבַר (H1696)Predicate verb (weqatal, habitual/iterative)→ Weqatal: habitual continuation of the customary patternדָּבַר (H1696) Piel 'to speak'; Moses functions as the ongoing mediator, transmitting each new revelation to Israel.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase marking addressee
בְּנֵ֣יsons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Head noun of construct chainבֵּן (H1121) 'son, child'; first generation named in the four-generation formula of consequence.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔לIsraelN proper · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive complement in construct chainיִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478); the full covenant title 'YHWH, God of Israel' anchors the pilgrimage law in the particular relationship just renewed in vv.10-27.
אֵ֖ת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
אֲשֶׁ֥רwhatrel pron · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing the object clause
יְצֻוֶּֽהhe was commandedPual impf 3ms (passive) · צִוָּה (H6680)Predicate verb of relative clause (passive)→ Yiqtol (passive): ongoing, repeated reception of divine commandצִוָּה (H6680) Pual (passive of Piel) 'to be commanded'; each fresh divine communication Moses receives and then relays, sustaining the covenant relationship after Sinai.
35

וְרָא֤וּ בְנֵֽי יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ אֶת פְּנֵ֣י מֹשֶׁ֔ה כִּ֣י קָרַ֔ן ע֖וֹר פְּנֵ֣י מֹשֶׁ֑ה וְהֵשִׁ֨יב מֹשֶׁ֤ה אֶת הַמַּסְוֶה֙ עַל פָּנָ֔יו עַד בֹּא֖וֹ לְדַבֵּ֥ר אִתּֽוֹ

the people of Israel would see the face of Moses, that the skin of Moses' face shone. And Moses would put the veil over his face again, until he went in to speak with him.

Narrative — the recurring unveiled/veiled pattern (part 2), chapter closewə-
Closes the chapter with the same iterative pattern completed: the people see the radiance, and Moses re-veils until his next audience with YHWH — a fitting image of ongoing revelation mediated through a transformed but still veiled human intermediary.
Word-by-word analysis· 21 words
וְרָא֤וּand they would seeconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3cp (habitual) · רָאָה (H7200)Predicate verb (weqatal, habitual/iterative)→ Weqatal: habitual continuation of the customary patternרָאָה (H7200) 'to see'; the people's recurring, awestruck sight of Moses' radiant face each time he emerged from the tent of meeting.
בְנֵֽיsons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Head noun of construct chain, subject of וְרָאוּבֵּן (H1121) 'son, child'; first generation named in the four-generation formula of consequence.
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙IsraelN proper · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive complement in construct chainיִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478); the full covenant title 'YHWH, God of Israel' anchors the pilgrimage law in the particular relationship just renewed in vv.10-27.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
פְּנֵ֣יthe face ofN c pl constr · פָּנִים (H6440)Head of construct chain, direct object of וְרָאוּפָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; here Moses' face, before which the glory passes — echoing 33:20-23 where YHWH's own פָּנִים could not be seen directly, only his 'back.'
מֹשֶׁ֔הMosesN proper · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Genitive complement in construct chainמֹשֶׁה (H4872), the covenant mediator; re-summoned to the mountain to renew what ch.32 shattered.
כִּ֣יthatconj · כִּי (H3588)Complementizer introducing the content clause
קָרַ֔ןshoneQal perf 3ms · קָרַן (H7160)Predicate verb of complement clause→ Perfective: a completed, recurring, visible stateקָרַן (H7160); the crux verb's third and final occurrence in the chapter (vv.29,30,35), sealing the motif of Moses' enduring radiance as the closing image of the covenant-renewal narrative.
ע֖וֹרskin ofN m sg constr · עוֹר (H5785)Head of construct chain, subject of קָרַןעוֹר (H5785) 'skin, hide'; specifies that the radiance is visible on the very surface of Moses' face.
פְּנֵ֣יface ofN c pl constr · פָּנִים (H6440)Genitive complement in construct chainפָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; here Moses' face, before which the glory passes — echoing 33:20-23 where YHWH's own פָּנִים could not be seen directly, only his 'back.'
מֹשֶׁ֑הMosesN proper · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Genitive complement in construct chainמֹשֶׁה (H4872), the covenant mediator; re-summoned to the mountain to renew what ch.32 shattered.
וְהֵשִׁ֨יבand he would put backconj וְ + Hiphil weqatal 3ms (habitual) · שׁוּב (H7725)Predicate verb (weqatal, habitual/iterative)→ Weqatal: habitual continuation of the customary patternשׁוּב (H7725) Hiphil 'to cause to return, bring back'; Moses restores the veil after each public appearance, completing the recurring cycle unveiled-before-God / veiled-before-people.
מֹשֶׁ֤הMosesN proper · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Subject of וְהֵשִׁיבמֹשֶׁה (H4872), the covenant mediator; re-summoned to the mountain to renew what ch.32 shattered.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
הַמַּסְוֶה֙the veilart + N m sg abs · מַסְוֶה (H4533)Direct object of וְהֵשִׁיבמַסְוֶה (H4533) 'veil, mask'; a rare noun (only here, vv.33-35) for the covering Moses adopts to shield the people from residual glory — given famous typological treatment in 2 Cor 3:13-16, where Paul reads the veil as figuring Israel's hardened perception of the old covenant's fading glory.
עַלoverprep · עַל (H5921)Locative prepositional phrase
פָּנָ֔יוhis faceN c pl constr + suff 3ms · פָּנִים (H6440)Object of preposition עַלפָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; here Moses' face, before which the glory passes — echoing 33:20-23 where YHWH's own פָּנִים could not be seen directly, only his 'back.'
עַדuntilprep · עַד (H5704)Temporal prepositional phrase
בֹּא֖וֹhis going inQal inf constr + suff 3ms · בּוֹא (H935)Temporal infinitival clause, object of עַד→ Infinitive construct: temporal endpointבּוֹא (H935) 'to come, enter'; the cycle resets with Moses' next audience before YHWH, establishing the recurring pattern as a lasting feature of his prophetic office.
לְדַבֵּ֥רto speakprep לְ + Piel inf constr · דָּבַר (H1696)Purpose infinitival clause→ Infinitive construct: purposeדָּבַר (H1696) Piel 'to speak'; the radiance is the visible residue of intimate divine conversation, not an independent power Moses possesses.
אִתּֽוֹwith himprep אֵת (with) + suff 3msPrepositional phrase, object of לְדַבֵּר