Exodus 33:2

Exodus 33:2 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

And I will send an angel before you, and I will drive out the Canaanites, Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites.

King James Version KJV

And I will send an angel before thee; and I will drive out the Canaanite, the Amorite, and the Hittite, and the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite:

American Standard Version ASV

and I will send an angel before thee; and I will drive out the Canaanite, the Amorite, and the Hittite, and the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite:

Bible in Basic English BBE

And I will send an angel before you, driving out the Canaanite and the Amorite and the Hittite and the Perizzite and the Hivite and the Jebusite:

Free Bible Version FBV

I will send an angel out in front of you, and I will drive out the Canaanites, Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

And I will send an Angel before thee and will cast out the Canaanites, the Amorites, and the Hittites, and the Perizzites, the Hiuites, and the Iebusites:

Young's Literal Translation YLT

(and I have sent before thee a messenger, and have cast out the Canaanite, the Amorite, and the Hittite, and the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite,)

World English Bible WEB

I will send an angel before you; and I will drive out the Canaanite, the Amorite, and the Hittite, and the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite.

Noah Webster Bible WBS

And I will send an angel before thee; and I will drive out the Canaanite, the Amorite, and the Hittite, and the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite:

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

And I will send an angel before thee, that I may cast out the Chanaanite, and the Amorrhite, and the Hethite, and the Pherezite, and the Hevite, and the Jebusite.

Translation for Translators T4T

I will send my angel ahead of you all, and I will expel from that land the Canaan, Amor, Heth, Periz, Hiv, and Jebus people-groups.

Study Highlights

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Berean Amplified Bible — Exodus 33:2

BAB

Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Exodus 33:2 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

HEB וְ/שָׁלַחְתִּ֥י לְ/פָנֶ֖י/ךָ מַלְאָ֑ךְ וְ/גֵֽרַשְׁתִּ֗י אֶת הַֽ/כְּנַעֲנִי֙ הָֽ/אֱמֹרִ֔י וְ/הַֽ/חִתִּי֙ וְ/הַ/פְּרִזִּ֔י הַ/חִוִּ֖י וְ/הַ/יְבוּסִֽי

וְ/שָׁלַחְתִּ֥י shâlach H7971 to send Conj | V-Qal-1cs

לְ/פָנֶ֖י/ךָ pânîym H6440 face Prep | N-cp | Suff

מַלְאָ֑ךְ mălʼâk H4397 messenger N-ms

וְ/גֵֽרַשְׁתִּ֗י gârash H1644 to drive out Conj | V-Piel-1cs

אֶת ʼêth H853 Obj. DirObjM

הַֽ/כְּנַעֲנִי֙ Kᵉnaʻanîy H3669 Canaanitess Art | Ngmsa

הָֽ/אֱמֹרִ֔י ʼĔmôrîy H567 Amorite Art | Ngmsa

וְ/הַֽ/חִתִּי֙ Chittîy H2850 Hittite Conj | Art | Ngmsa

וְ/הַ/פְּרִזִּ֔י Pᵉrizzîy H6522 Perizzite Conj | Art | Ngmsa

הַ/חִוִּ֖י Chivvîy H2340 Hivite Art | Ngmsa

וְ/הַ/יְבוּסִֽי Yᵉbûwçîy H2983 Jebus Conj | Art | Ngmsa

Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Exodus 33:2

וְ/שָׁלַחְתִּ֥י shâlach H7971 "to send" Conj | V-Qal-1cs

To send or depart is the meaning of this Hebrew word, which has various applications in the Bible. It can describe sending someone or something away, or letting something go.

Definition: : depart/send 1) to send, send away, let go, stretch out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to send 1a2) to stretch out, extend, direct 1a3) to send away 1a4) to let loose 1b) (Niphal) to be sent 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to send off or away or out or forth, dismiss, give over, cast out 1c2) to let go, set free 1c3) to shoot forth (of branches) 1c4) to let down 1c5) to shoot 1d) (Pual) to be sent off, be put away, be divorced, be impelled 1e) (Hiphil) to send

Usage: Occurs in 790 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] any wise, appoint, bring (on the way), cast (away, out), conduct, [idiom] earnestly, forsake, give (up), grow long, lay, leave, let depart (down, go, loose), push away, put (away, forth, in, out), reach forth, send (away, forth, out), set, shoot (forth, out), sow, spread, stretch forth (out). See also: Genesis 3:22; Exodus 9:27; Joshua 14:11.

לְ/פָנֶ֖י/ךָ pânîym H6440 "face" Prep | N-cp | Suff

This word means face or presence, like being in front of someone or something. It's used in many contexts, like in Genesis, Exodus, and Psalms, to describe interactions and relationships.

Definition: : face 1) face 1a) face, faces 1b) presence, person 1c) face (of seraphim or cherubim) 1d) face (of animals) 1e) face, surface (of ground) 1f) as adv of loc/temp 1f1) before and behind, toward, in front of, forward, formerly, from beforetime, before 1g) with prep 1g1) in front of, before, to the front of, in the presence of, in the face of, at the face or front of, from the presence of, from before, from before the face of

Usage: Occurs in 1891 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] accept, a-(be-) fore(-time), against, anger, [idiom] as (long as), at, [phrase] battle, [phrase] because (of), [phrase] beseech, countenance, edge, [phrase] employ, endure, [phrase] enquire, face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, [idiom] him(-self), [phrase] honourable, [phrase] impudent, [phrase] in, it, look(-eth) (-s), [idiom] me, [phrase] meet, [idiom] more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), [idiom] on, open, [phrase] out of, over against, the partial, person, [phrase] please, presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, [phrase] regard, right forth, [phrase] serve, [idiom] shewbread, sight, state, straight, [phrase] street, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them(-selves), through ([phrase] -out), till, time(-s) past, (un-) to(-ward), [phrase] upon, upside ([phrase] down), with(-in, [phrase] -stand), [idiom] ye, [idiom] you. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 43:31; Exodus 30:16.

מַלְאָ֑ךְ mălʼâk H4397 "messenger" N-ms

A messenger or representative, often of God, like an angel, prophet, or priest, as seen in Isaiah 42:19 and Haggai 1:13, carrying out God's will.

Definition: : messenger 1) messenger, representative 1a) messenger 1b) angel 1c) the theophanic angel

Usage: Occurs in 196 OT verses. KJV: ambassador, angel, king, messenger. See also: Genesis 16:7; 2 Samuel 24:16; Psalms 34:8.

וְ/גֵֽרַשְׁתִּ֗י gârash H1644 "to drive out" Conj | V-Piel-1cs

This Hebrew word means to drive out or expel, often used in the context of divorce or being forced to leave a place, as seen in the story of Israel's exile. It can also mean to trouble or cast out. In the Bible, it appears in books like Genesis and Exodus.

Definition: : drive out 1) to drive out, expel, cast out, drive away, divorce, put away, thrust away, trouble, cast up 1a) (Qal) to thrust out, cast out 1b) (Niphal) to be driven away, be tossed 1c) (Piel) to drive out, drive away 1d) (Pual) to be thrust out Also means: ga.rash (גָּרַשׁ ": divorce" H1644H)

Usage: Occurs in 45 OT verses. KJV: cast up (out), divorced (woman), drive away (forth, out), expel, [idiom] surely put away, trouble, thrust out. See also: Genesis 3:24; Joshua 24:18; Psalms 34:1.

אֶת ʼêth H853 "Obj." DirObjM

In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.

Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)

Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.

הַֽ/כְּנַעֲנִי֙ Kᵉnaʻanîy H3669 "Canaanitess" Art | Ngmsa

A Canaanitess was a woman from the land of Canaan, known for being merchants and traders. The term is used in the Bible to describe a woman who was a mother of one of the tribe of Benjamin, as seen in Genesis and other books.

Definition: Describing a woman living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.46.10; mother of: Shaul (H7586H) § a merchant, trader

Usage: Occurs in 71 OT verses. KJV: Canaanite, merchant, trafficker. See also: Genesis 10:18; Joshua 11:3; Proverbs 31:24.

הָֽ/אֱמֹרִ֔י ʼĔmôrîy H567 "Amorite" Art | Ngmsa

An Amorite is a member of a Canaanite tribe, first mentioned in Genesis 10:16, descended from Canaan. The Israelites displaced them as they entered the Promised Land.

Definition: Someone descended from Amor(?), first mentioned at Gen.10.16; descended from Canaan (H3667); along with Sidon (H6721), Heth (H2845), Jebusite (H2983), Girgashite (H1622), Hivite (H2340), Arkite (H6208), Sinite (H5513), Arvadite (H0721), Zemarite (H6786) and Hamathite (H2577) § Amorite = "a sayer" one of the peoples of east Canaan and beyond the Jordan, dispossessed by the Israelite incursion from Egypt

Usage: Occurs in 86 OT verses. KJV: Amorite. See also: Genesis 10:16; Joshua 9:1; Psalms 135:11.

וְ/הַֽ/חִתִּי֙ Chittîy H2850 "Hittite" Conj | Art | Ngmsa

A Hittite is a descendant of Heth, a man who lived during the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned in Genesis 10:15. The Hittites were a group of people related to the Canaanites and other nearby tribes. They are often mentioned in the Bible, including in the book of Joshua.

Definition: Someone descended from Heth who was a man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.10.15; son of: Canaan (H3667); brother of: Sidon (H6721), Jebusite (H2983), Amorite (H0567), Girgashite (H1622), Hivite (H2340), Arkite (H6208), Sinite (H5513), Arvadite (H0721), Zemarite (H6786) and Hamathite (H2577); also called Hittite (KJV: "of Heth") frequently Group of chet (חֵת "Heth" H2845) § Hittite = "descendant of Heth" the nation descended from Heth, the 2nd son of Canaan; once inhabitants of central Anatolia (modern Turkey), later in north Lebanon

Usage: Occurs in 47 OT verses. KJV: Hittite, Hittities. See also: Genesis 15:20; Joshua 24:11; Ezekiel 16:45.

וְ/הַ/פְּרִזִּ֔י Pᵉrizzîy H6522 "Perizzite" Conj | Art | Ngmsa

A Perizzite was a member of a Canaanite tribe, first mentioned in Genesis 13:7, that lived in southern Canaan before the conquest. They were one of the groups the Israelites encountered. The name likely means 'belonging to a village'.

Definition: Someone descended from Periz(?), first mentioned at Gen.13.7 § Perizzite = "belonging to a village" a people who inhabited southern Canaan prior to the conquest

Usage: Occurs in 23 OT verses. KJV: Perizzite. See also: Genesis 13:7; Joshua 9:1; Nehemiah 9:8.

הַ/חִוִּ֖י Chivvîy H2340 "Hivite" Art | Ngmsa

A Hivite, a member of an ancient tribe in Palestine, descended from Canaan, mentioned in Genesis 10:17.

Definition: Someone descended from Hiv(?) of the Canaanites, first mentioned at Gen.10.17; descended from Canaan (H3667); along with Sidon (H6721), Heth (H2845), Jebusite (H2983), Amorite (H0567), Girgashite (H1622), Arkite (H6208), Sinite (H5513), Arvadite (H0721), Zemarite (H6786) and Hamathite (H2577) § Hivite = "villagers" 6th generation of descendants of Canaan, the son of Ham, who were living in northern Canaan near Mount Hermon at the time of the conquest

Usage: Occurs in 25 OT verses. KJV: Hivite. See also: Genesis 10:17; Joshua 3:10; 2 Chronicles 8:7.

וְ/הַ/יְבוּסִֽי Yᵉbûwçîy H2983 "Jebus" Conj | Art | Ngmsa

A Jebusite is a person who lives in Jebus, the early name for Jerusalem. They are descendants of Jebus, a son of Canaan. The KJV translates it as 'Jebusite'.

Definition: Jebusite = "descendants of Jebus" descendants of the 3rd son of Canaan who lived in or around the site of Jebus, the early name for Jerusalem Another spelling of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)

Usage: Occurs in 39 OT verses. KJV: Jebusite(-s). See also: Genesis 10:16; Joshua 24:11; Zechariah 9:7.

Study Notes — Exodus 33:2

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
Exodus 33:2 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Exodus 33:2
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Exodus 33:2
Trapp's Commentary on Exodus 33:2
Ellicott's Commentary on Exodus 33:2
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Exodus 33:2
Cambridge Bible on Exodus 33:2
Barnes' Notes on Exodus 33:2
Whedon's Commentary on Exodus 33:2
Sermons on Exodus 33:2

Context — The Command to Leave Sinai

1Then the LORD said to Moses, “Leave this place, you and the people you brought up out of the land of Egypt, and go to the land that I promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob when I said, ‘I will give it to your descendants.’

2And I will send an angel before you, and I will drive out the Canaanites, Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites.

3Go up to a land flowing with milk and honey. But I will not go with you, because you are a stiff-necked people; otherwise, I might destroy you on the way.” 4When the people heard this bad news, they went into mourning, and no one put on any of his jewelry.

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Exodus 32:34	Now go, lead the people to the place I described. Behold, My angel shall go before you. But on the day I settle accounts, I will punish them for their sin.”
2	Joshua 24:11	After this, you crossed the Jordan and came to Jericho. The people of Jericho fought against you, as did the Amorites, Perizzites, Canaanites, Hittites, Girgashites, Hivites, and Jebusites, and I delivered them into your hand.
3	Exodus 23:27–31	I will send My terror ahead of you and throw into confusion every nation you encounter. I will make all your enemies turn and run. I will send the hornet before you to drive the Hivites and Canaanites and Hittites out of your way. I will not drive them out before you in a single year; otherwise the land would become desolate and wild animals would multiply against you. Little by little I will drive them out ahead of you, until you become fruitful and possess the land. And I will establish your borders from the Red Sea to the Sea of the Philistines, and from the desert to the Euphrates. For I will deliver the inhabitants into your hand, and you will drive them out before you.
4	Exodus 23:20	Behold, I am sending an angel before you to protect you along the way and to bring you to the place I have prepared.
5	Exodus 3:8	I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land to a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey—the home of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites.
6	Exodus 3:17	And I have promised to bring you up out of your affliction in Egypt, into the land of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites—a land flowing with milk and honey.’
7	Deuteronomy 7:22	The LORD your God will drive out these nations before you little by little. You will not be enabled to eliminate them all at once, or the wild animals would multiply around you.
8	Exodus 34:11	Observe what I command you this day. I will drive out before you the Amorites, Canaanites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites.

Exodus 33:2 Summary

In Exodus 33:2, God promises to send an angel to guide and protect the people of Israel as they journey to the Promised Land. This means that God will be with them and help them overcome any obstacles they may face, just as He promises to be with believers today (Psalm 23:4, Matthew 28:20). God also promises to drive out the nations that are currently inhabiting the land, which represents the idea that He will help us overcome any strongholds or challenges in our own lives. By trusting in God's presence and power, we can have confidence and courage to face whatever lies ahead, knowing that He is always with us (Joshua 1:9, Isaiah 41:10).

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean for God to send an angel before the people of Israel?

In Exodus 33:2, God promises to send an angel before the people of Israel, which means He will provide protection and guidance as they journey to the Promised Land, as seen in Exodus 23:20-23 and Exodus 32:34.

Who are the Canaanites, Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites mentioned in this verse?

These were the various nations that inhabited the land God promised to give to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, as mentioned in Genesis 15:18-21 and Deuteronomy 7:1.

Why did God promise to drive out these nations from the land?

God promised to drive out these nations because of their wickedness and idolatry, as stated in Leviticus 18:24-25 and Deuteronomy 9:4-5, and to fulfill His promise to the patriarchs of giving the land to their descendants.

Is this verse still relevant to believers today?

While the specific promise in Exodus 33:2 was given to the nation of Israel, the principle of God's protection and guidance remains relevant to believers today, as seen in Psalm 91:11 and Hebrews 1:14, where angels are still ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation.

Reflection Questions

How can I trust in God's protection and guidance in my own life, just as the Israelites were to trust in the angel sent before them?
What are some 'nations' or strongholds in my life that God needs to drive out, and how can I cooperate with Him in this process?
In what ways can I be a part of fulfilling God's promises to His people, just as the Israelites were to enter the Promised Land and possess it?
How does the promise of God's presence and protection in this verse encourage me to face challenges and uncertainties in my own journey?

Gill's Exposition on Exodus 33:2

And I will send an angel before thee,.... Not the angel before promised, Exodus 23:20 the Angel of his presence, the eternal Word and Son of God, but a created angel; and so Aben Ezra observes, he

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Exodus 33:2

And I will send an angel before thee; and I will drive out the Canaanite, the Amorite, and the Hittite, and the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite: I will send an Angel before thee.

Trapp's Commentary on Exodus 33:2

Exodus 33:2 And I will send an angel before thee; and I will drive out the Canaanite, the Amorite, and the Hittite, and the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite:Ver. 2. An angel before thee.] A created angel to conduct thee. But Moses would none of that; he would not be so put off. Low things satisfy not a high spirit.

Ellicott's Commentary on Exodus 33:2

(2) I will send an angel before thee.—“An angel” is ambiguous. It might designate the Angel of the Covenant, the Angel of God’s presence, as in Exodus 23:20; or it might mean a mere ordinary angel, on a par with those who presided over the destinies of other nations besides the Hebrews (Daniel 10:13; Daniel 10:20). That here the expression is used in this latter sense is made manifest by the declaration of the next verse: “I will not go up in the midst of thee.”

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Exodus 33:2

Verse 2. I will send an angel] In Exodus 23:20, God promises to send an angel to conduct them into the good land, in whom the name of God should be; that is, in whom God should dwell. See Clarke on Exodus 23:20. Here he promises that an angel shall be their conductor; but as there is nothing particularly specified of him, it has been thought that an ordinary angel is intended, and not that Angel of the Covenant promised before. And this sentiment seems to be confirmed by the following verse.

Cambridge Bible on Exodus 33:2

2. an angel] in the place of Jehovah, and exclusive of Him (see v. 3): not, therefore, as Exodus 23:20, where Jehovah is in some sense present in the angel (v. 21 ‘my name is in him’). As was remarked on Exodus 32:34, this is not the usual idea of the ‘angel’: it can, however, be avoided here only by some such supposition as that the words ‘behold, mine angel shall go before thee’ in Exodus 32:34, and v. 2 here, are later insertions in the text, made on the basis of Exo 23:20, without regard to the contradiction which, if ‘angel’ is used here as in Exodus 23:20, they involve with v. 3b (‘I will not go up with thee’). There are independent reasons for thinking that v. 2 here may be a gloss: it interrupts the connexion between v. 1 and v. 3 (notice ‘unto the land’ &c. at the beginning of v. 3); the list of nations is found elsewhere in passages that are probably secondary; and the verse seems inconsistent with v. 12 (where Moses apparently asks to be told what he has already been told here). I will drive out] LXX. (codd. A, F, Luc.) he will drive out, which suits the context better: Jehovah does not personally go with the people into Canaan (v. 3). the Canaanite, &c.] On the list of nations, see on Exodus 3:8.

Barnes' Notes on Exodus 33:2

See Exodus 3:8. For I will not go up in the midst of thee - The covenant on which the original promise Exodus 23:20-23 was based had been broken by the people.

Whedon's Commentary on Exodus 33:2

2. I will send… drive — Repeated in substance from Exodus 23:23; Exodus 23:28.

Sermons on Exodus 33:2

	Sermon	Description
	(Exodus) Exodus 32:30-35 by J. Vernon McGee	In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the story of Moses and the Israelites in the book of Exodus. He highlights the concept of atonement, which was a way to cover up sin before
	(Through the Bible) Exodus 30-32 by Chuck Smith	In this sermon, the speaker discusses the story of Moses and the Israelites in the book of Exodus. He focuses on the incident where the Israelites worshiped a golden calf while Mos
	Inseparable Companions by Thomas Brooks	Thomas Brooks emphasizes the undeniable connection between sin and punishment, warning that one cannot escape the consequences of their actions. He references Galatians 6:7 to illu
	Exodus 23:27 by Chuck Smith	Chuck Smith emphasizes the principles of victory in the Christian life, illustrating how the journey from bondage in Egypt to the promised land symbolizes our struggle against the
	A Pastor's Telling of the Life of a.w. Tozer by A.W. Tozer	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of effective and impactful preaching. He discusses the need to avoid cliches and repetitive phrases, and instead focus on del
	The Conqueror From Edom by Bob Phillips	In this sermon, the preacher discusses two classes of people mentioned in the Bible. One class experiences the wrath of God, with their blood and strength poured out on the earth.
	Christian Armament 04 Armed W-Care for Church by Neil Fraser	In this sermon, the speaker focuses on a passage from Luke's Gospel chapter 10, where a lawyer asks Jesus how to inherit eternal life. Jesus responds by quoting the law, which stat