Êxodo 34
Bob Utley · You Can Understand the Bible
Êxodo 34
The Two Tablets Replaced Moses Makes New Tablets The Renewal of the Covenant The Second Set of Stone Tablets The Covenant Renewed; the Tablets of the Law 34:1-9 34:1-3 34:1-9 34:1-4 34:1-5 34:4-9 34:5-7 God Appears (6-7) 34:6-9 34:8-9 The Covenant Renewed The Covenant Renewed The Covenant Renewed The Covenant 34:10 34:10-17 34:10 34:10-13 34:10-16 34:11-17 34:11-16 34:14-16 34:17 34:17 34:17 34:18 34:18-20 34:18 34:18 34:18 34:19-20 34:19-20a 34:19-20a 34:19-20a 34:20b 34:20b 34:20b 34:21-24 34:21-24 34:21-24 34:21 34:21 34:22 34:22 34:23-24 34:23-24 34:25 34:25-26 34:25 34:25 34:25 34:26a 34:26a 34:26 34:26 34:26b 34:26b 34:27-28 34:27-28 34:27-28 34:27-28 34:27 34:28 Moses' Face Shines The Shining Face of Moses Moses Goes Down from Mount Sinai Moses Comes Down from the Mountain 34:29-35 34:29-35 34:29-35 34:29-35 34:29-35 CONTEXTUAL INSIGHTS This is the first renewal ceremony of the covenant (this will occur again later in Josh. 24:19; 2 Chr. 29:10). The first covenant of Exodus 20-24 was made null and void because of Israel's rebellion with the golden calf (Exodus 32). The breaking of the two tablets was a visible sign of its nullification. Notice disobedience breaks the covenant. Israel was continually unfaithful in the future, but this special renewal was a way of assuring faithless Israel of YHWH's faithful presence. for Moses' sake (Exod. 32:27-23) for YHWH's promise to the Patriarchs (cf. Exod. 34:11) for YHWH's eternal redemptive purposes (see SPECIAL TOPIC: YHWH'S ETERNAL REDEMPTIVE PLAN) This chapter also renews some of the commands from the book of the covenant (i.e., Exodus 21-23). make no covenant with the people of Canaan, Exod. 34:12 ‒ cf. Exod. 23:32-33 no sacrifice to other gods, Exod. 34:14-16 ‒ cf. Exod. 22:20 no idols, Exod. 34:17 ‒ cf. Exod. 20:23 offering of the firstborn, Exod. 34:19-20 ‒ cf. Exod. 22:29 first fruits, Exod. 34:26 ‒ cf. Exod. 23:19 three mandatory annual feast days, Exod. 34:23 ‒ cf. Exod. 23:14-17 (cf. Lev. 23:5-8; Deut. 16:1-8; see SPECIAL TOPIC: THE FEASTS OF ISRAEL) Feast of Unleavened Bread (Passover) Feast of Weeks, Exod. 34:22 ‒ cf. Exod. 23:16 Feast of Ingathering no sacrifice with leavened bread, Exod. 34:25 ‒ cf. Exod. 23:18 The context describes the new tablets and the second forty days on the mountain, Exod. 34:27-35
Êxodo 34:1-9
34:1-2 "Cut out" In Exod. 32:15-16 the two tablets are described as "God's work" (Exod. 34:16; Deut. 4:13; 9:10). The VERB "cut out" (BDB 820, KB 949; Qal IMPERATIVE) does not appear. How Moses hewed out/chiseled (Exod. 34:1,4) these tablets so quickly (i.e., one night) is unknown. Deuteronomy 10 repeats this account. There are four commands. cut out for yourself two stone tablets ‒ BDB 820, KB 949, Qal IMPERATIVE be ready by morning ‒ BDB 224, KB 243, Qal IMPERATIVE come up ‒ BDB 748, KB 826, Qal PERFECT with waw used as an IMPERATIVE present yourself ‒ BDB 662, KB 714, Niphal PERFECT with waw used as an IMPERATIVE; one wonders if this involved some kind of "spiritual" preparation, as in Exod. 19:11,15 34:1 "I will write on the tablets" The revelation itself is always YHWH's work (cf. Exod. 32:16; 34:1; Deut. 10:2,4). 34:2 "Mount Sinai" See SPECIAL TOPIC: LOCATION OF MT. SINAI 34:3 These restrictions are the same as Exod. 19:12,13 (i.e., the first covenant ceremony). 34:5 "The Lord descended in the cloud and stood there with him" This refers to the "pillar of cloud" (cf. Exod. 13:21 and many other times during this period). SPECIAL TOPIC: THE CLOUD. . .THE PILLAR ▣ "he called upon the name of the Lord" The JPSOA, like most English versions, translates this as if YHWH was speaking (cf. Exod. 34:6). It is this "name" that represents YHWH's character which is extolled in Exod. 34:6-7 (and repeated often throughout the OT). SPECIAL TOPIC: "THE NAME" OF YHWH 34:6-7 For a composite list of the revealed characteristics/name of Israel's God, see SPECIAL TOPIC: CHARACTERISTICS OF ISRAEL'S GOD (OT). Notice He is both gracious and just! These must not be separated. This list of YHWH's characteristics/names is alluded to many times. Num. 14:18 Deut. 4:31 2 Chr. 30:9 Neh. 9:17 Ps. 86:15; 103:8; 112:4; 116:5 Joel 2:13 Jonah 4:2 Nahum 1:3 34:6 "the Lord passed by in front of him" This VERB (BDB 716, KB 778; Qal IMPERFECT with waw) links to Exod. 33:19,22. There is purposeful parallelism between My goodness, Exod. 32:19 My glory, Exod. 32:22 My name ▣ "The Lord, the Lord God" There are several titles/names/characteristics stated in this chapter. The Lord, Exod. 34:6 ‒ YHWH (see SPECIAL TOPIC: NAMES FOR DEITY, D.) The Lord God, Exod. 34:6 ‒ lit. YHWH, YHWH, El (see SPECIAL TOPIC: NAMES FOR DEITY, A) The Lord God, Exod. 34:23 ‒ Adon, see SPECIAL TOPIC: LORD (adopn and kurios) and YHWH The God of Israel, Exod. 34:23 ‒ Eloah, SINGULAR form of Elohim (see SPECIAL TOPIC: NAMES FOR DEITY, C.) The Lord, your God ‒ YHWH, your Elohim In this context the variety is literary, not theological. ▣ "lovingkindness" This is a key aspect of God's character (cf. Psalm 136)! SPECIAL TOPIC: LOVINGKINDNESS (hesed) ▣ "slow to anger" In Hebrew anger is often expressed idiomatically in relationship to one's "nose." This phrase is literally, "long of nostrils" (UBS Handbook, p. 800). ADJECTIVE, "long" ‒ BDB 74 NOUN, "nose" ‒ BDB 60, here dual form, "two nostrils" SPECIAL TOPIC: CHARACTERISTICS OF ISRAEL'S GOD (OT) 34:7 "iniquity. . .transgression. . .sin" These are the three main terms for covenant violations (BDB 730, BDB 833, BDB 308). They occur together in six other texts (cf. Lev. 16:21; Job 13:23; Ps. 32:5; Isa. 59:12; Ezek. 21:24; Dan. 9:24). Humans are morally broken! SPECIAL TOPIC: THE FALL OF MANKIND ▣ "yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished" It should be noted that YHWH is merciful and forgives sin, but there is still justice (cf. Num. 14:18; Nah. 1:3). for forgiveness the person must repent, see SPECIAL TOPIC: REPENTANCE (OT) must approach and worship YHWH (cf. Deut. 6:4-6; 30:6) if no repentance or worship, then judgment surely follows sin has consequences (even forgiven sin, cf. Psalm 32; 51) The mystery of YHWH's mercy and justice often collide - Jer. 3:12-14; Hos. 11:8-9. The question is highlighted by punishment for sin over generations ‒ Exod. 20:5-6; Deut. 5:9-10; Exod. 34:7; Num. 14:18; Jer. 31:29 individual responsibility only ‒ Deut. 24:16 quoted in 2 Kgs. 14:6 and 2 Chr. 25:4; as well as the powerful statements of Ezekiel 18. ▣ "visiting the iniquity of fathers. . ." Acts of disobedience quickly become lifestyle patterns and family traditions that are passed on to future generations. Remember, several generations lived together (cf. Exod. 20:5-6). However, the great promise of God to faithful families is that faithfulness also has consequences which move through time (cf. Deut. 7:9)! Rabbinical Midrash interprets this phrase as referring to YHWH's mercy. not allowing the full judgment to fall immediately (i.e., 1 Kgs. 21:29-30) as aspect of "long suffering" in allowing time for repentance (cf. Rom. 2:4; 1 Pet. 3:20) 34:8 The only proper response to this kind of God is respect and worship. 34:9 "If" This hypothetical PARTICLE (BDB 49) also occurs in Exod. 32:32; 33:13,15. This verse relates to Exod. 33:13-15. For Israel to be a distinct, special nation (cf. Exod. 19:5-6), YHWH must accompany them personally. ▣ "the people are so obstinate" See note at Exod. 32:9. God's faithful character is highlighted in His relationship with a "stiff-necked" people. SPECIAL TOPIC: STUBBORNNESS ▣ "take us as Your possession" This NOUN (BDB 635), translated by NASB as "possession," literally means "inheritance." It is used in two senses. Israel as God's unique people ‒ Deut. 4:20; 7:6; 9:26,29; 32:9; 1 Sam. 10:1; 1 Kgs. 8:51,53; 2 Kgs. 21:14; Ps. 28:9; 33:12; 78:71; 106:5,40; Isa. 19:25; Jer. 10:16; Mic. 7:18 Israel receiving the land of Canaan as a gift from YHWH ‒ Deut. 4:21; 15:4; 19:10; 20:16; 21:28; 24:4; 25:19; 26:1 This is family imagery. This imagery is expanded. Gentiles given as inheritance to the Davidic Messiah, Ps. 2:8 the Messiah/Jesus as heir of all things, Heb. 2:2; Matt. 28:18 believers are co-heirs through Jesus, Rom. 8:17 the divisions between Jews and Gentiles is removed, Eph. 2:11-3:13
Êxodo 34:10
34:10 This seems to refer to the divine conquest of Canaan (cf. Exod. 23:27; 15:16; Deut. 2:25; 11:25; Jos. 2:9; 24:31; Jdgs. 2:7, as earlier in the humbling of Egypt, cf. Exod. 15:11). The victories were YHWH's, not Israel's military (cf. Exod. 34:11; 23:27-31; 33:2). Notice there is no "if" here. YHWH has a redemptive plan that includes faithless Israel. A plan for the world (see SPECIAL TOPIC: YHWH'S ETERNAL REDEMPTIVE PLAN). ▣ "covenant" See SPECIAL TOPIC: COVENANT.
Êxodo 34:11-17
34:11 "Be sure to observe" Obedience is crucial (BDB 1036, KB 1581, Qal IMPERATIVE; see SPECIAL TOPIC: KEEP). The covenant is conditional (see SPECIAL TOPIC: COVENANT). 34:12 "Watch yourself" This is another IMPERATIVE using the same VERB as the previous verse (here, Niphal IMPERATIVE). Here the command relates specifically to Canaanite fertility worship (see SPECIAL TOPIC: FERTILITY WORSHIP OF THE ANE). If Israel does not obey, the Canaanite worship will corrupt them (cf. Exod. 23:32-33; Num. 33:55; Deut. 7:1-5,16; Jos. 23:13). 34:13 See SPECIAL TOPIC: ISRAEL'S MANDATED RESPONSE TO CANAANITE FERTILITY WORSHIP. 34:14 "for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God" The NRSV and NJB have this phrase in parentheses. This ADJECTIVE (BDB 888, twice) is used only of YHWH (cf. Exod. 20:5; Deut. 4:24; 5:9; 6:15). This anthropomorphic word, denoting strong human emotions, can be understood as jealous, a love word, familial imagery jealous (i.e., for no rivals) Number 1 fits this context best. Idolatry was viewed as "spiritual adultery" (cf. Lev. 17:7; 20:5,6; Num. 15:39; Deut. 31:16; Jdgs. 2:17; 8:27,33; 1 Chr.5:25; Ezek. 20:30). YHWH as husband; Israel as wife (cf. Exod. 34:15-16; Hosea 1-3). The VERB "harlotry" (BDB 275, KB 275) is used three times in Exod. 34:15-16. SPECIAL TOPIC: JEALOUS. . .ZEALOUS 34:15-16 This ban on religious and social contact is repeated in Deut. 7:3-4. This intermarriage corrupted the purity of YHWH's covenant people! This is exactly the problem found in the reign of Solomon, cf. 1 Kgs. 11:1-8,9-11 the post-exilic period (Ezra, Nehemiah, Malachi). Many of the "strange" laws found in Exodus ‒ Deuteronomy refer to Canaanite customs, by prohibiting them, the Israelites were protected from social contact with Canaanite influence. Obviously this attempt failed. Israel became as corrupt as her neighbors, especially in idolatry and fertility worship. 34:17 This reflects Exod. 20:4 ‒ no graven image Exod. 32:4 ‒ Aaron's graven image This would incite YHWH's jealousy!
Êxodo 34:18
34:18-26 See Contextual Insights, B. and the SPECIAL TOPIC: THE FEASTS OF ISRAEL. 34:18 "Abib" See SPECIAL TOPIC: ANCIENT NEAR EASTERN CALENDARS.
Êxodo 34:19-20
34:19 The MT's VERB (זכר, BDB 269, KB 269, Niphal IMPERFECT) does not fit this context, so scholars suggest another root (הוכר), which means "male," and this fits (see JPSOA, following the Targums and Vulgate). 34:20 "redeem" See SPECIAL TOPIC: RANSOM/REDEEM.
Êxodo 34:21-24
34:21 This reflects Exod. 20:8-11, esp. 20:9, cf. Exod. 35:2-3. The Sabbath was a major weekly time of worship. It was not optional. It was crucial for covenant people to stay in fellowship with their God. Also see NIDOTTE, vol. 4, pp. 1157-1162, for a good brief overview. SPECIAL TOPIC: SABBATH (OT) 34:23 This is a repeat of Exod. 23:17. All English translations have the VERB "appear" from the NOUN (BDB 909), but the MT has "see" (BDB 906, KB 1157, Niphal IMPERFECT). The context is referring to the three main annual feast days at the central shrine. However, because of the contextual aspect of "seeing" God (see notes at Exod. 33:11,20), this may simply be imagery of approaching God with a sacrifice. SPECIAL TOPIC: FEASTS OF ISRAEL 34:24 This is if Israel is obedient to YHWH's covenant, but they never were! This verse could be understood in two senses. there will be no invasions (TEV, NJB) covenant partners will not "covet" (same word as Exod. 20:17; NEB, REB) This verse implies the need to travel a long distance to a central shrine, if so, then there must be a later addition reflecting life in Canaan. SPECIAL TOPIC: PENTATEUCH SOURCE CRITICISM (J, E, D, P)
Êxodo 34:25
34:25 "nor is the sacrifice. . .to be left over until morning" This is first mentioned in Exod. 12:10. It is repeated in Exod. 23:18, and mentioned again in Deut. 16:4. The meat had a special sacred aspect. It could not become just another meal (i.e., leftovers). However, like many of these cultic regulations, one wonders if they are hygienic again Canaanite customs
Êxodo 34:26
34:26a "the very first of the first fruits" This is first mentioned in Exod. 23:19 (also note Lev. 2:12,14). By offering "these first of the first," Israel recognized that all the harvest belonged to God. This same imagery is used of the "firstborn" "tithing" the Sabbath God is the owner of all things because He is the creator of all things! See note at Exod. 13:1.
Êxodo 34:26
34:26b "You shall not boil a young goat in its mother's milk" See note at Exod. 23:19.
Êxodo 34:27-28
34:27 "Write down" This is a Qal IMPERATIVE, cf. Exod. 17:14; 24:4. Moses obviously is commanded to write something, but what? Did YHWH write the ten words on the stone tablets (cf. Exod. 24:12; 31:18; 32:15-16; 34:1,18) and Moses wrote the other laws connected to "the Book of the Covenant) (i.e., Exodus 21-23, cf. Exod. 24:4,7)? SPECIAL TOPIC: MOSES' AUTHORSHIP OF THE PENTATEUCH 34:28 Israel's patience is tested a second time. There is an obvious connection between Moses and Jesus (cf. Matt. 4:2). The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) functions as the new law or the New Covenant. ▣ "forty days and forty nights" See SPECIAL TOPIC: SYMBOLIC NUMBERS IN SCRIPTURE, #7.
Êxodo 34:29-35
34:29 "Mount Sinai" See SPECIAL TOPIC: LOCATION OF MT. SINAI ▣ "the skin of his face shone" This is a new element not found in Exodus 20-24. It served as a sign to affirm YHWH's direct communication with Moses (i.e., "face to face," cf. Exod. 33:11; Num. 12:8; Deut. 34:10). Paul, in 2 Cor. 3:1-11, interprets this as a covering to hide the fact that the "shine" did not last. He is using this imagery as a way to compare the revelation of Moses to the NT gospel revelation in Christ! This does not seem to be the intent of Exodus 34 (see Brevard S. Childs, The Book of Exodus, pp. 620-624)! The VERB "shone" (BDB 902, KB 1144, Qal PERFECT, used three times) is basically the word used of "horns" spreading, but here it must denote rays extending (i.e., BDB 901). LXX, Peshitta, Targums all have "shine." Some scholars emend it to "splendor" or "glory" (BDB 429, possibly NJB and JPSOA). As Jesus is the new lawgiver, the transfiguration of Matthew 17 is the superior "shining" of Moses' face. SPECIAL TOPIC: VEIL, SHAWL, COVERING 34:33 "veil" The NOUN (BDB 691, KB 605) occurs only here. From context it must denote some type of face covering. Another Hebrew root (BDB 712) in Job 24:15 also means a face covering. How the terms are to be distinguished or described is uncertain.