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Exodus 34:6
Verse
Context
New Stone Tablets
5And the LORD descended in a cloud, stood with him there, and proclaimed His name, the LORD. 6Then the LORD passed in front of Moses and called out: “The LORD, the LORD God, is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion and faithfulness, 7maintaining loving devotion to a thousand generations, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin. Yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished; He will visit the iniquity of the fathers on their children and grandchildren to the third and fourth generations.”
Sermons




Summary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
And the Lord passed by - and proclaimed, The Lord, etc. - It would be much better to read this verse thus: "And the Lord passed by before him, and proclaimed Jehovah," that is, showed Moses fully what was implied in this august name. Moses had requested God to show him his glory, (see the preceding chapter, Exo 33:18 (note)), and God promised to proclaim or fully declare the name Jehovah, (Exo 33:19); by which proclamation or interpretation Moses should see how God would "be gracious to whom he would be gracious," and how he would "be merciful to those to whom he would show mercy. Here therefore God fulfils that promise by proclaiming this name. It has long been a question, what is the meaning of the word יהוה Jehovah, Yehovah, Yehue, Yehveh, or Yeve, Jeue, Jao, Iao, Jhueh, and Jove; for it has been as variously pronounced as it has been differently interpreted. Some have maintained that it is utterly inexplicable; these of course have offered no mode of interpretation. Others say that it implies the essence of the Divine nature. Others, that it expresses the doctrine of the Trinity connected with the incarnation; the letter י yod standing for the Father, ה he for the Son, and ו vau (the connecting particle) for the Holy Spirit: and they add that the ה he being repeated in the word, signifies the human nature united to the Divine in the incarnation. These speculations are calculated to give very little satisfaction. How strange is it that none of these learned men have discovered that God himself interprets this name in Exo 34:6,! "And the Lord passed by before him, and proclaimed יהוה Yehovah the Lord God, merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty." These words contain the proper interpretation of the venerable and glorious name Jehovah. But it will be necessary to consider them in detail. The different names in this and the following verse have been considered as so many attributes of the Divine nature. Commentators divide them into eleven, thus: - 1. יהוה Jehovah. 2. אל EL, the strong or mighty God. 3. רחום Rachum, the merciful Being, who is full of tenderness and compassion. 4. חנון Channun, the gracious One; he whose nature is goodness itself; the loving God. 5. ארך אפים Erech Appayim, long-suffering; the Being who, because of his goodness and tenderness, is not easily irritated, but suffers long and is kind. 6. רב Rab, the great or mighty One. 7. חסד Chesed, the bountiful Being; he who is exuberant in his beneficence. 8. אמת Emeth, the truth or true One; he alone who can neither deceive nor be deceived, who is the fountain of truth, and from whom all wisdom and knowledge must be derived. 9. נצר חסד Notser Chesed, the preserver of bountifulness; he whose beneficence never ends, keeping mercy for thousands of generations, showing compassion and mercy while the world endures. 10. נשא עון ופשע וחטאה Nose avon vaphesha vechattaah, he who bears away iniquity and transgression and sin: properly, the Redeemer, the Pardoner, the Forgiver; the Being whose prerogative alone it is to forgive sin and save the soul. ינקה(לו) נקה לא Nakkeh lo yenakkeh, the righteous Judge, who distributes justice with an impartial hand, with whom no innocent person can ever be condemned. 11. פקד עון Poked avon, etc.; he who visits iniquity, who punishes transgressors, and from whose justice no sinner can escape. The God of retributive and vindictive justice. These eleven attributes, as they have been termed, are all included in the name Jehovah, and are, as we have before seen, the proper interpretation of it; but the meaning of several of these words has been variously understood.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
the Lord passed by before him--in this remarkable scene, God performed what He had promised to Moses the day before. proclaimed, The Lord . . . merciful and gracious--At an earlier period He had announced Himself to Moses, in the glory of His self-existent and eternal majesty, as "I am" [Exo 3:14]; now He makes Himself known in the glory of His grace and goodness--attributes that were to be illustriously displayed in the future history and experience of the church. Being about to republish His law--the sin of the Israelites being forgiven and the deed of pardon about to be signed and sealed by renewing the terms of the former covenant--it was the most fitting time to proclaim the extent of the divine mercy which was to be displayed, not in the case of Israel only, but of all who offend.
John Gill Bible Commentary
And the Lord passed by before him,.... Or caused his Shechinah, his divine Majesty, and the glory of it, to pass before him, as the Targums; his glory and goodness, which he had promised should pass before him, Exo 33:19 and it is but a transient passing view the greatest of men, God's peculiar favourites, have of him in this life: and proclaimed, the Lord, the Lord God; the Jerusalem Targum wrongly paraphrases the words as a prayer of Moses thus, "and Moses prayed, and said, O Lord, Lord"; and so the Vulgate Latin version; but it is quite clear, and beyond all doubt, from Num 14:17 that what follow are the words of God, and not of Moses: the sense is, that the Lord, as he passed by Moses, to raise and fix his attention, declared it was Jehovah that passed by; which is repeated the more to excite his attention, and is the name by which he had made himself known to Moses, even when he sent him into Egypt; for "I am that I am" is an explanation of this name, see Exo 3:14 and the word "El", translated "God", signifies mighty and powerful, and is true of all the three divine Persons, to whom respect may be had in the use of these three words. What is proclaimed or declared concerning God is, that he is merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth; first "merciful", and he is so in the most tender and affectionate manner; he is rich and plenteous in mercy, freely giving it, delights in bestowing it, constantly shows it to his people; it is manifested and displayed in Christ, the mercy seat; and it lays a foundation for faith and hope, and is the spring of all good things in time, and to eternity: and he is also "gracious", good and kind to men, without any merit or desert of theirs, but bestows good things on them freely, of his own free grace, favour, and good will, as appears by various acts of his; in the eternal choice of them to everlasting happiness; in providing a Saviour for them, and giving all grace and spiritual blessings to them in him; by giving Christ to them, and for them, justifying them freely by his righteousness, pardoning their sins according to the riches of his grace, regenerating, calling, preserving, and saving them by it: likewise "longsuffering"; both towards wicked men, the vessels of wrath, by whom his patience and longsuffering are abused and despised; and towards his elect, on whom he waits to be gracious, not willing that any of them should perish, but all be brought to repentance; and his longsuffering is their salvation: and it follows, "abundant in goodness and truth"; in providential goodness to all men; in special goodness to his chosen people, which he has laid up, and wrought out for them, and shown them in Christ; in his truth and faithfulness, in fulfilling his promises, both with respect to the mission of his Son into the world, to be the Saviour of it, and with respect to all other things promised, whether relating to this life, or that to come, to grace or glory; he never suffers his truth and faithfulness to fail; his promises are all yea and amen in Christ.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
34:6 compassion and mercy (see 20:5-6; 33:19 and study notes): The Creator who was revealing himself to the Israelites, and through them to the world, is a God of grace. Neither his justice nor his sovereignty are underlined here, as true as those attributes are. If God were merely just, the Old Testament would have ended at this point, or it would have picked up and started again with an entirely new family. This did not happen because God, in his unique character, is slow to anger and full of unfailing love and faithfulness. These qualities were the basis for his renewal of the covenant.
Exodus 34:6
New Stone Tablets
5And the LORD descended in a cloud, stood with him there, and proclaimed His name, the LORD. 6Then the LORD passed in front of Moses and called out: “The LORD, the LORD God, is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion and faithfulness, 7maintaining loving devotion to a thousand generations, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin. Yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished; He will visit the iniquity of the fathers on their children and grandchildren to the third and fourth generations.”
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
Intimacy With God
By J. Oswald Sanders7.9K37:59Intimacy With GodEXO 33:7EXO 33:18EXO 34:6PSA 27:8MAT 6:33JAS 4:8In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of spending time alone with God. He uses the example of Moses, who spent six days alone with God on the mountain and became radiant as a result. The speaker suggests that our lack of closeness to God may be due to not prioritizing time with Him. He challenges the audience to be willing to pay the price of spending time with God in order to experience intimacy with Him.
The Sacrifice That Is Pleasing to God
By Duncan Campbell7.7K57:03SacrificeGEN 32:24EXO 34:6PSA 145:9JER 2:23MAT 7:2MAT 22:372CO 5:17In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the concept of God's second chance. He highlights that after death, there is no second chance, but in life, God gives us the opportunity to change and transform. The speaker refers to the story of Jacob and how God met him on his journey, symbolizing God's pursuit of us. The sermon also emphasizes the importance of self-reflection and facing one's past mistakes, as it leads to a deeper understanding of God's mercy and forgiveness.
Baptismal of Fire
By Leonard Ravenhill6.3K1:25:01Baptism Of FireEXO 34:6MAT 3:2MAT 4:17LUK 3:16JHN 3:16ACT 2:37ACT 2:40In this sermon, the preacher describes a powerful testimony given by a woman named Lizzy Smith. Despite her small stature, Lizzy's testimony transformed the atmosphere of the meeting and brought the presence of the Holy Spirit. The preacher emphasizes the importance of preaching with conviction and delivering the message of repentance. They contrast this with the modern approach of relying on films and entertainment to attract crowds, highlighting the need for the wind and fire of the Holy Spirit. The sermon also references biblical figures like John the Baptist and the dramatic impact of wind and fire in nature.
Attributes of God (Series 1): The Mercy of God
By A.W. Tozer6.0K46:43Attributes of GodEXO 34:62PE 3:9In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the compassion and mercy of God. He starts by highlighting how God's compassion is not just a feeling, but an active response to the needs of His people. The preacher then goes on to share some facts about the mercy of God, emphasizing that it has always existed and is a fundamental aspect of His character. He also mentions how Jesus, as the Son of Man, sympathizes with our grief and offers relief. The sermon concludes by highlighting the amazing grace of God, which is what sinners desperately need and should be grateful for.
(Hebrews - Part 26): Christ Offered Himself
By A.W. Tozer4.6K29:49ExpositionalGEN 3:6GEN 6:8EXO 34:6LUK 15:3ROM 3:23HEB 9:13In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of understanding and believing in the concept of redemption. He explains that all three persons of the Trinity - the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit - were involved in the act of redemption. The preacher also mentions the story of a woman who lost a piece of jewelry and diligently searched for it until she found it, highlighting the joy and relief that comes with finding what was lost. Additionally, the preacher references the parable of the prodigal son to illustrate the idea of God's forgiveness and grace towards sinners. Overall, the sermon emphasizes the fallen nature of mankind, the need for redemption, and the love and mercy of God.
(The Chief End of Man - Part 6): The Entireness of Worship
By A.W. Tozer4.4K46:15Chief End of ManGEN 2:24EXO 34:6PSA 45:2MAT 6:33ROM 3:10EPH 1:7In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of honoring God in every aspect of our lives. He reminds the audience that their time, spending, and living should all be done in a way that brings glory to God. The preacher also shares a personal anecdote about someone who remembered something he had told them, highlighting the impact of his teachings. He concludes by acknowledging that while there may be advancements in science and knowledge, it is important to remember that all people are sinners and in need of God's grace.
Time Is Short… Don't Waste Your Life
By Paul Washer4.4K1:57:18Brevity Of LifeEXO 19:5EXO 34:6PSA 103:17In this sermon, Paul Washer shares a powerful message about surrendering our lives to God. He tells a story about a man who opens an old trunk and dedicates every part of himself to the Lord, even to the point of death. Washer emphasizes the fleeting nature of life and the importance of living in dependence on God. He warns that our bodies, which may seem strong now, will eventually become our enemies and bring us pain and weakness. The sermon encourages listeners to consider how they would live differently if they knew they only had a limited time left, and to prioritize seeking God's will over their own plans.
The Effects of Seeing the Glory of God
By David Wilkerson4.3K54:14EXO 34:6JER 10:24In this sermon, the preacher discusses the purpose of God showing his glory to Moses. The revelation of God's glory was not for aesthetic purposes or personal bragging rights, but to reveal his true nature and character. God is described as merciful, gracious, long-suffering, abundant in goodness and truth, and forgiving. The preacher emphasizes that this revelation should lead to a transformation in believers, causing them to express God's love and kindness to others. The sermon also highlights the message of God's love for all mankind, emphasizing that God is not angry or out to bring people down, but is always near and ready to respond to their cries.
Attributes of God (Series 2): God's Infinite Mercy
By A.W. Tozer4.1K41:09Attributes of GodEXO 34:6In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the message of God's mercy, grace, and loving kindness. He highlights that God sent his son to die for humanity, providing a door of mercy that is open wide for all. The preacher uses the story of the prodigal son to illustrate God's unconditional love and forgiveness. He emphasizes the approachability and accessibility of God's mercy, stating that God desires for all to come to repentance and be saved. The preacher encourages believers to share this message with the world, emphasizing that it is a message of hope and salvation.
(Exodus) Exodus 34:7-9
By J. Vernon McGee2.8K03:20ExpositionalEXO 34:6In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the concept of generational sin and its consequences. He shares his personal experience studying abnormal psychology and visiting a mental hospital where he learned about various forms of mental illness. The speaker highlights that breaking God's laws does not come without consequences, and that sin can affect not only the individual but also future generations. He emphasizes the importance of turning to God for forgiveness and mercy. The speaker also mentions a doctor's explanation that certain diseases and disabilities can be attributed to the sins of previous generations. Overall, the sermon emphasizes the need to acknowledge and repent of sin, as well as the importance of seeking God's forgiveness and mercy.
Addressing the Curse of Poverty - Part 1
By Jackie Pullinger2.7K1:06:11PovertyEXO 24:17EXO 33:13EXO 33:19EXO 34:6MAT 6:33ROM 9:151JN 4:8In this sermon, the speaker discusses the kindness of God and its impact on our lives. He refers to the story of Moses in Exodus 24, where Moses enters into a fiery encounter with God and experiences intimacy with Him. The speaker emphasizes that God has chosen to work His purpose through mankind and invites us to participate in His plans. He highlights three battles we face in life: knowing the Savior, surrendering control of our lives to God, and determining our future purpose. Ultimately, the speaker emphasizes that our purpose is to touch people with the kindness and love of God.
Visiting the Iniquity of the Fathers
By Keith Daniel2.4K1:37:34SinEXO 20:5EXO 34:6MAT 6:33ROM 8:28EPH 4:321JN 1:9REV 21:4In this sermon, the speaker shares a personal story about a young boy who expressed his desire to attend Bible school and become a preacher. Years later, the speaker encounters a man named Roy who has become a hardened and angry individual, causing fear and distress to those around him. Despite his initial resistance, the speaker refuses to be intimidated by Roy and continues to engage with him. The sermon ends with the speaker affirming that the young boy from the beginning of the story has grown into a man of God, highlighting the transformative power of faith.
(The Lord - Merciful and Gracious) 1. Oh! What a God!
By Roy Hession2.0K55:06Mercy Of GodEXO 34:6PSA 103:8MAT 6:33In this sermon, the preacher reflects on the character of God as described in the Bible. He emphasizes that God is merciful and gracious, as proclaimed by Jehovah himself. The preacher shares a personal story of a young father who loves his son deeply but would not sacrifice him for others. However, he contrasts this with God's love for humanity, as God willingly gave his only son, Jesus, for the salvation of the world. The preacher also mentions Moses' experience on Mount Sinai and how God's anger was aroused when the Israelites turned to idolatry, but Moses interceded on their behalf.
(The Role of Demons in Today's Society) Part 5
By Dean Hochstetler1.8K51:38DemonsEXO 34:6In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of understanding and applying biblical principles in our lives. He starts by referencing Exodus 34, where God proclaims His compassionate and gracious nature, but also His justice in punishing the guilty. The preacher then discusses the relevance of the Bible to every culture and time period, emphasizing the need for the Church to confront the chains that bind them. He lists several curses mentioned in Deuteronomy, Leviticus, and Isaiah, such as worshiping false gods, engaging in occult practices, disrespecting parents, oppressing the weak, participating in illegitimate sexual activity, having illegitimate births, and committing murder. The preacher concludes by highlighting the need for redemption through the precious blood of Jesus, as mentioned in 1 Peter 1:18.
Christian and Self-Effort
By Roy Hession1.8K1:19:52Self-EffortEXO 34:6MAT 11:28MAT 14:302CO 12:9HEB 10:19In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of turning our focus and thoughts upon Jesus. By doing so, the things of this world will lose their significance in the light of His glory and grace. The message of grace is compared to a source of water that brings forth new life, just as a tree sprouts from its roots. The speaker also mentions the power of the blood of Jesus and the message of renewal and transformation it brings. The sermon concludes with the idea that through the honesty, love, and unity of believers, we can see Jesus in one another.
Attributes of God - Grace, Mercy, Longsuffering and Goodness
By William MacDonald1.7K37:04Attributes of GodEXO 34:6PSA 31:19PSA 52:1PSA 119:68NAM 1:3MAT 5:7LUK 6:36JHN 1:16ROM 3:4ROM 9:22ROM 12:8ROM 15:52CO 8:9EPH 2:81PE 5:10In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the smallness of the earth in the vast universe, highlighting the insignificance of humanity in comparison. However, despite our sinful state, God showed incredible grace by sending his son Jesus to be born in Bethlehem and suffer on the cross for our salvation. The speaker lists numerous ways in which God has blessed and transformed believers, including indwelling them with the Holy Spirit and adopting them as his children. The sermon also emphasizes the importance of showing mercy, citing biblical verses that encourage believers to be merciful as God is merciful.
Pure Heart, Pure Church - Part 1
By Leonard Ravenhill1.7K09:40EXO 34:6PSA 51:1PSA 51:7PSA 51:10PSA 51:17PSA 86:5PSA 86:15ROM 3:23This sermon delves into Psalm 51, highlighting David's deep repentance and plea for God's mercy after his sins of murder and adultery. It emphasizes the timeless nature of God's opinion of man, contrasting it with the changing opinions of men about God over time. The psalm is described as a profound expression of confession and repentance, punctuated not by stops and commas, but by groans, tears, and agony. The importance of coming to God as sinners, pleading for His mercy, is underscored through David's heartfelt words.
Patience of God
By J. Glyn Owen1.6K47:32PatienceRepentanceGod's PatienceEXO 34:6PSA 86:15LAM 3:22EZK 18:32MAT 11:28ROM 2:42CO 5:201TI 1:16JAS 5:72PE 3:9J. Glyn Owen emphasizes the profound patience of God, illustrating how it is a reflection of His goodness and kindness towards humanity. He explains that God's patience serves as a temporary truce, allowing individuals the opportunity to repent rather than face immediate judgment. Owen highlights that this divine patience is often misunderstood, leading some to take it for granted, while others may see it as an invitation to continue in sin. Ultimately, he calls for a recognition of God's patience as a means to lead us toward repentance and a deeper relationship with Him. The sermon concludes with a plea for individuals to respond to God's kindness before the time of grace comes to an end.
The Rewards of Discipleship
By Paul Washer1.6K1:05:32EXO 34:6MAT 6:33ROM 4:7In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of renewing oneself with the truth of God's Word. He acknowledges that living the Christian life can be challenging, but suggests that we often make it even harder than it needs to be. The preacher highlights the limited amount of time we spend reading and meditating on Scripture compared to the hours we are bombarded by worldly influences, such as television. He encourages listeners to prioritize their relationship with God and to be mindful of the impact that external influences and ungodly relationships can have on their spiritual lives. The preacher emphasizes the need for a deep understanding of who God is and what He has done for us in Christ, and urges believers to present their bodies as living sacrifices to God.
Holiness of God
By C.J. Mahaney1.5K1:07:09Character Of GodGEN 2:15EXO 34:6In this sermon, the speaker uses the example of a suspenseful movie to illustrate the mixed feelings people have when it comes to the holiness of God. He describes how people are drawn to scary movies, even though they may feel uncomfortable or scared while watching them. Similarly, the holiness of God is something that is foreign and mysterious to us, and we may have mixed feelings about it. The speaker emphasizes that the holiness of God is beyond our comprehension and cannot be fully illustrated or understood through human examples.
(The Word for Today) Isaiah 37:14 - Part 2
By Chuck Smith1.4K25:59ExpositionalEXO 34:6ISA 37:14ISA 37:351CO 13:12REV 22:4In this sermon, the speaker discusses the story of the descendants of Jacob and their journey out of Egypt. He highlights the encounter between Balaam and King Balak, where Balaam is initially forbidden by God to curse the invading people. However, when offered greater rewards, Balaam is permitted to go but is warned not to say more than what God tells him. The speaker raises the question of whether we sometimes settle for second or third best when we rebel against God's first plan for our lives. The sermon also touches on the promise given to Hezekiah of 15 more years of life and the sign of the shadow moving backward on the sundial. The speaker concludes by emphasizing the significance of Jesus' birth and the fulfillment of prophecies in his coming.
The Exodus - From Egypt to Canaan - Sermon 4 of 5
By Roy Hession1.2K52:17ExodusEXO 34:6JOL 2:25JON 3:5MAT 6:33ROM 5:201JN 1:9In this sermon, the speaker discusses the story of the Israelites sending spies into the land that God had promised them. The majority of the spies saw themselves as grasshoppers compared to the giants they encountered, leading to a report of fear and unbelief. However, the minority report of two spies saw the giants as grasshoppers compared to God, demonstrating faith and trust in God's power. The speaker emphasizes the importance of not comparing ourselves to the challenges we face, but rather comparing them to the greatness of God.
The Abundance of God's Grace
By Gisela Yohannan1.1K50:58God's GraceEXO 34:6ROM 3:242CO 8:9EPH 2:82TI 1:9TIT 2:111PE 4:10In this sermon, the pastor shares a story about a missionary who persecuted Christians, including a pastor. However, when the missionary broke his leg and needed a blood transfusion, the pastor showed him grace by collecting money for his operation and donating blood. This act of grace led the missionary to understand and receive Christ. The pastor emphasizes that God chooses to give to us and that even our ability to bear fruit and give comes through grace. The pastor also highlights the importance of living sacrificially and honoring Jesus in our lives, as many Christians today live too closely to the world, diminishing the honor of Christ.
Building Our House on the Rock - Session 2
By Paul Washer1.0K1:14:03MarriageEXO 34:6MAT 6:33ROM 3:23ROM 4:7In this sermon, the preacher discusses the fallen and sinful nature of humanity. He emphasizes that every person is born with a depraved heart, which is the reason for the existence of sin and its consequences in the world. The preacher argues that the gospel message, which highlights God's love and sacrifice for humanity, is often rejected because it requires acknowledging the radical depravity of man. He uses a hypothetical scenario to illustrate the corrupt nature of the human heart and concludes that all other religions and principles are futile in comparison to the truth of the gospel.
Still a Great Way Off (Gospel)
By Roy Hession78844:22GospelEXO 34:6PSA 103:8ISA 55:7MAT 6:33LUK 14:31LUK 15:20ROM 5:8In this sermon, the preacher focuses on two snippets from the parables in Luke chapters 14 and 15. The first snippet is about counting the costs before deciding to become a Christian. The preacher uses the analogy of two kings preparing for war, with one king wisely considering his chances of victory before engaging in battle. The second snippet is about the prodigal son, who is welcomed back by his father with open arms and restored to a proper relationship. The preacher emphasizes the compassion and love of the father, highlighting the importance of forgiveness and restoration in our relationship with God.
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
And the Lord passed by - and proclaimed, The Lord, etc. - It would be much better to read this verse thus: "And the Lord passed by before him, and proclaimed Jehovah," that is, showed Moses fully what was implied in this august name. Moses had requested God to show him his glory, (see the preceding chapter, Exo 33:18 (note)), and God promised to proclaim or fully declare the name Jehovah, (Exo 33:19); by which proclamation or interpretation Moses should see how God would "be gracious to whom he would be gracious," and how he would "be merciful to those to whom he would show mercy. Here therefore God fulfils that promise by proclaiming this name. It has long been a question, what is the meaning of the word יהוה Jehovah, Yehovah, Yehue, Yehveh, or Yeve, Jeue, Jao, Iao, Jhueh, and Jove; for it has been as variously pronounced as it has been differently interpreted. Some have maintained that it is utterly inexplicable; these of course have offered no mode of interpretation. Others say that it implies the essence of the Divine nature. Others, that it expresses the doctrine of the Trinity connected with the incarnation; the letter י yod standing for the Father, ה he for the Son, and ו vau (the connecting particle) for the Holy Spirit: and they add that the ה he being repeated in the word, signifies the human nature united to the Divine in the incarnation. These speculations are calculated to give very little satisfaction. How strange is it that none of these learned men have discovered that God himself interprets this name in Exo 34:6,! "And the Lord passed by before him, and proclaimed יהוה Yehovah the Lord God, merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty." These words contain the proper interpretation of the venerable and glorious name Jehovah. But it will be necessary to consider them in detail. The different names in this and the following verse have been considered as so many attributes of the Divine nature. Commentators divide them into eleven, thus: - 1. יהוה Jehovah. 2. אל EL, the strong or mighty God. 3. רחום Rachum, the merciful Being, who is full of tenderness and compassion. 4. חנון Channun, the gracious One; he whose nature is goodness itself; the loving God. 5. ארך אפים Erech Appayim, long-suffering; the Being who, because of his goodness and tenderness, is not easily irritated, but suffers long and is kind. 6. רב Rab, the great or mighty One. 7. חסד Chesed, the bountiful Being; he who is exuberant in his beneficence. 8. אמת Emeth, the truth or true One; he alone who can neither deceive nor be deceived, who is the fountain of truth, and from whom all wisdom and knowledge must be derived. 9. נצר חסד Notser Chesed, the preserver of bountifulness; he whose beneficence never ends, keeping mercy for thousands of generations, showing compassion and mercy while the world endures. 10. נשא עון ופשע וחטאה Nose avon vaphesha vechattaah, he who bears away iniquity and transgression and sin: properly, the Redeemer, the Pardoner, the Forgiver; the Being whose prerogative alone it is to forgive sin and save the soul. ינקה(לו) נקה לא Nakkeh lo yenakkeh, the righteous Judge, who distributes justice with an impartial hand, with whom no innocent person can ever be condemned. 11. פקד עון Poked avon, etc.; he who visits iniquity, who punishes transgressors, and from whose justice no sinner can escape. The God of retributive and vindictive justice. These eleven attributes, as they have been termed, are all included in the name Jehovah, and are, as we have before seen, the proper interpretation of it; but the meaning of several of these words has been variously understood.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
the Lord passed by before him--in this remarkable scene, God performed what He had promised to Moses the day before. proclaimed, The Lord . . . merciful and gracious--At an earlier period He had announced Himself to Moses, in the glory of His self-existent and eternal majesty, as "I am" [Exo 3:14]; now He makes Himself known in the glory of His grace and goodness--attributes that were to be illustriously displayed in the future history and experience of the church. Being about to republish His law--the sin of the Israelites being forgiven and the deed of pardon about to be signed and sealed by renewing the terms of the former covenant--it was the most fitting time to proclaim the extent of the divine mercy which was to be displayed, not in the case of Israel only, but of all who offend.
John Gill Bible Commentary
And the Lord passed by before him,.... Or caused his Shechinah, his divine Majesty, and the glory of it, to pass before him, as the Targums; his glory and goodness, which he had promised should pass before him, Exo 33:19 and it is but a transient passing view the greatest of men, God's peculiar favourites, have of him in this life: and proclaimed, the Lord, the Lord God; the Jerusalem Targum wrongly paraphrases the words as a prayer of Moses thus, "and Moses prayed, and said, O Lord, Lord"; and so the Vulgate Latin version; but it is quite clear, and beyond all doubt, from Num 14:17 that what follow are the words of God, and not of Moses: the sense is, that the Lord, as he passed by Moses, to raise and fix his attention, declared it was Jehovah that passed by; which is repeated the more to excite his attention, and is the name by which he had made himself known to Moses, even when he sent him into Egypt; for "I am that I am" is an explanation of this name, see Exo 3:14 and the word "El", translated "God", signifies mighty and powerful, and is true of all the three divine Persons, to whom respect may be had in the use of these three words. What is proclaimed or declared concerning God is, that he is merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth; first "merciful", and he is so in the most tender and affectionate manner; he is rich and plenteous in mercy, freely giving it, delights in bestowing it, constantly shows it to his people; it is manifested and displayed in Christ, the mercy seat; and it lays a foundation for faith and hope, and is the spring of all good things in time, and to eternity: and he is also "gracious", good and kind to men, without any merit or desert of theirs, but bestows good things on them freely, of his own free grace, favour, and good will, as appears by various acts of his; in the eternal choice of them to everlasting happiness; in providing a Saviour for them, and giving all grace and spiritual blessings to them in him; by giving Christ to them, and for them, justifying them freely by his righteousness, pardoning their sins according to the riches of his grace, regenerating, calling, preserving, and saving them by it: likewise "longsuffering"; both towards wicked men, the vessels of wrath, by whom his patience and longsuffering are abused and despised; and towards his elect, on whom he waits to be gracious, not willing that any of them should perish, but all be brought to repentance; and his longsuffering is their salvation: and it follows, "abundant in goodness and truth"; in providential goodness to all men; in special goodness to his chosen people, which he has laid up, and wrought out for them, and shown them in Christ; in his truth and faithfulness, in fulfilling his promises, both with respect to the mission of his Son into the world, to be the Saviour of it, and with respect to all other things promised, whether relating to this life, or that to come, to grace or glory; he never suffers his truth and faithfulness to fail; his promises are all yea and amen in Christ.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
34:6 compassion and mercy (see 20:5-6; 33:19 and study notes): The Creator who was revealing himself to the Israelites, and through them to the world, is a God of grace. Neither his justice nor his sovereignty are underlined here, as true as those attributes are. If God were merely just, the Old Testament would have ended at this point, or it would have picked up and started again with an entirely new family. This did not happen because God, in his unique character, is slow to anger and full of unfailing love and faithfulness. These qualities were the basis for his renewal of the covenant.