Exodus 32:34 - Printer Friendly

ESV: But now go, lead the people to the place about which I have spoken to you; behold, my angel shall go before you. Nevertheless, in the day when I visit, I will visit their sin upon them."

NIV: Now go, lead the people to the place I spoke of, and my angel will go before you. However, when the time comes for me to punish, I will punish them for their sin."

NASB: But go now, lead the people where I told you. Behold, My angel shall go before you; nevertheless on the day when I punish, I will punish them for their sin.'

CSB: Now go, lead the people to the place I told you about; see, my angel will go before you. But on the day I settle accounts, I will hold them accountable for their sin."

NLT: Now go, lead the people to the place I told you about. Look! My angel will lead the way before you. And when I come to call the people to account, I will certainly hold them responsible for their sins.'

KJV: Therefore now go, lead the people unto the place of which I have spoken unto thee: behold, mine Angel shall go before thee: nevertheless in the day when I visit I will visit their sin upon them.

NKJV: Now therefore, go, lead the people to the place of which I have spoken to you. Behold, My Angel shall go before you. Nevertheless, in the day when I visit for punishment, I will visit punishment upon them for their sin.”

God led Israel personally using fire and clouds (Exodus 13:17–22). They came to Mount Sinai (Exodus 19:1–3). There, the Lord gave them specific commands (Exodus 20:3–17). Moses spent forty days communicating with God on the mountain (Exodus 24:18). While he was gone, the people blatantly violated God's laws (Exodus 32:1–6). Moses is appealing to the Lord for forgiveness (Exodus 32:30–32). God says He will hold people accountable for their own actions (Exodus 32:33). Here, He suggests that His intimate presence with the people will be changed.

Israel is to leave Sinai (Exodus 33:1). When they go, God's interactions with them will be more limited (Exodus 33:2–3). God will meet with Moses in a tent outside the camp (Exodus 33:7), rather than among the people. Soon, God will call Moses to reestablish Israel's wounded covenant (Exodus 34).

For now, God will lead them towards Canaan using some kind of angel. The Hebrew phrasing here is ambiguous. What's clearer is that the Lord plans to visit Israel with further punishment for their idolatry (Exodus 32:35).

Exodus 32:25–35 describes Israel's initial punishment for idolatry (Exodus 32:1–6). Moses calls for loyal men; his own tribe of Levi responds. He assigns the men to put several thousand people to death. It seems likely that those executed are leaders who cooperated in making the idol. Moses continues to offer himself as a sacrifice in exchange for God's mercy on Israel. God refuses. Instead, the Lord commands the Israelites to break camp and head for their next destination.

During Moses' long absence (Exodus 24:18), the Israelites lose patience. They demand that Aaron (Exodus 24:14) make them a god they can see. Aaron makes a gold idol from donated jewelry and the people worship it as God. On the mountain, God is furious and sends Moses back. Moses arrives, breaks the stone tablets of God's law which he carried, and destroys the idol. Moses then calls on loyal men to execute those responsible. Aaron is spared, but Israel can anticipate more punishment.

Moses went onto Sinai to communicate with the Lord (Exodus 24:12) and has been gone a long time (Exodus 24:18). He is receiving instructions from God (Exodus 25—31). Meanwhile, Israel falls into idolatry. They break the first two commandments just given at Sinai (Exodus 20:3–6). After delivering initial consequences, God commands Israel to move along and discusses how He will renew His covenant (Exodus 33—34).

The book of Exodus establishes God's covenant relationship with the full-fledged nation of Israel. The descendants of Abraham prosper after settling in Egypt, only to be enslaved by a fearful, hateful Egyptian Pharaoh. God appoints Moses to lead the people out of this bondage. Moses serves as God's spokesman, as the Lord brings plagues and judgments on Egypt, leading to the release of Israel.