Exodus 33:4 - Printer Friendly

ESV: When the people heard this disastrous word, they mourned, and no one put on his ornaments.

NIV: When the people heard these distressing words, they began to mourn and no one put on any ornaments.

NASB: When the people heard this sad word, they went into mourning, and none of them put on his jewelry.

CSB: When the people heard this bad news, they mourned and didn’t put on their jewelry.

NLT: When the people heard these stern words, they went into mourning and stopped wearing their jewelry and fine clothes.

KJV: And when the people heard these evil tidings, they mourned: and no man did put on him his ornaments.

NKJV: And when the people heard this bad news, they mourned, and no one put on his ornaments.

God is angry with the nation of Israel. They have responded to His laws (Exodus 20:3–6) with idolatry (Exodus 32:1–6). He would have been justified in destroying them and starting over (Exodus 32:7–10). But this is not how He intends to fulfill promises made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Genesis 15:18–21; Exodus 32:13). He has just ordered the people to move on from Sinai and towards the Promised Land (Exodus 33:1).

However, the covenant has been violated, and there is separation between the people and their Lord. God noted this by saying He would not accompany Israel in the same way He had been (Exodus 33:2–3). Israel responds to this with mourning. Even though they will survive, and God's plans are still in effect, the people grasp how serious their sin was. They will put away fine clothes and jewelry (Exodus 33:5–6) as a sign of their repentance.

Exodus 33:1–6 records God's command for Israel to leave Mount Sinai, the separation which their sin has caused, and the people's reaction. The Lord will still bring the people into a Promised Land (Genesis 15:18–21). They will receive supernatural help. But idolatry (Exodus 32:1–6) has caused a rift in the covenant relationship. This news drives the Israelites into mourning, including a time of not wearing fine clothing or jewelry.

God commands Israel to leave the Sinai region. They are to move on towards the Promised Land, but without the Lord's usual presence. Moses meets with God outside the camp and the Lord says He will once again accompany Israel. Moses asks to see the full glory of God. Since this would kill Moses, God arranges for a much more limited experience.

Israel fell into idolatry (Exodus 32:1–6) very soon after receiving God's laws against it (Exodus 20:3–6). Yet the Lord still plans to bring them into a Promised Land. In this chapter, the people are commanded to leave Sinai and head towards Canaan. But the covenant must be renewed (Exodus 34). Until then, there is a level of separation between the nation and their God.

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.

Accessed 9/17/2025 12:12:12 AM