Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Go up to the land flowing with milk and honey. But I will not go with you, because you are a stiff-necked people and I might destroy you on the way.” New Living Translation Go up to this land that flows with milk and honey. But I will not travel among you, for you are a stubborn and rebellious people. If I did, I would surely destroy you along the way.” English Standard Version Go up to a land flowing with milk and honey; but I will not go up among you, lest I consume you on the way, for you are a stiff-necked people.” Berean Standard Bible Go 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.” Berean Literal Bible Go up to a land flowing with milk and honey; for I will not go up among you, for you are a stiff-necked people, lest I consume you on the way.” King James Bible Unto a land flowing with milk and honey: for I will not go up in the midst of thee; for thou art a stiffnecked people: lest I consume thee in the way. New King James Version Go up to a land flowing with milk and honey; for I will not go up in your midst, lest I consume you on the way, for you are a stiff-necked people.” New American Standard Bible Go up to a land flowing with milk and honey; for I will not go up in your midst, because you are an obstinate people, and I might destroy you on the way.” NASB 1995 “Go up to a land flowing with milk and honey; for I will not go up in your midst, because you are an obstinate people, and I might destroy you on the way.” NASB 1977 “Go up to a land flowing with milk and honey; for I will not go up in your midst, because you are an obstinate people, lest I destroy you on the way.” Legacy Standard Bible Go up to a land flowing with milk and honey; for I will not go up in your midst because you are a stiff-necked people, lest I consume you on the way.” Amplified Bible Go up to a land [of abundance] flowing with milk and honey; for I will not go up in your midst, because you are a stiff-necked (stubborn, rebellious) people, and I might destroy you on the way.” Berean Annotated Bible Go 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. Christian Standard Bible Go up to a land flowing with milk and honey. But I will not go up with you because you are a stiff-necked people; otherwise, I might destroy you on the way.” Holman Christian Standard Bible Go 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.” American Standard Version unto a land flowing with milk and honey: for I will not go up in the midst of thee, for thou art a stiffnecked people, lest I consume thee in the way. English Revised Version unto a land flowing with milk and honey: for I will not go up in the midst of thee; for thou art a stiffnecked people: lest I consume thee in the way. GOD'S WORD® Translation Go to that land flowing with milk and honey. But I will not be with you, because you are impossible to deal with, and I would destroy you on the way." Good News Translation You are going to a rich and fertile land. But I will not go with you myself, because you are a stubborn people, and I might destroy you on the way." International Standard Version Go up to a land flowing with milk and honey, but I won't go up among you, because you are an obstinate people, and otherwise I might consume you along the way." NET Bible Go up to a land flowing with milk and honey. But I will not go up among you, for you are a stiff-necked people, and I might destroy you on the way." New Heart English Bible to a land flowing with milk and honey: for I will not go up in the midst of you, for you are a stiff-necked people, lest I consume you in the way." Webster's Bible Translation To a land flowing with milk and honey: for I will not go up in the midst of thee; for thou art a stiff-necked people: lest I consume thee in the way. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleGo 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.” World English Bible Go to a land flowing with milk and honey; but I will not go up among you, for you are a stiff-necked people, lest I consume you on the way.” Literal Translations Literal Standard Version[Go up] to a land flowing with milk and honey, for I do not go up in your midst, for you [are] a stiff-necked people—lest I consume you in the way.” Berean Literal Bible Go up to a land flowing with milk and honey; for I will not go up among you, for you are a stiff-necked people, lest I consume you on the way.” Young's Literal Translation unto a land flowing with milk and honey, for I do not go up in thy midst, for thou art a stiff-necked people -- lest I consume thee in the way.' Smith's Literal Translation To a land flowing with milk and honey: for I will not go up in the midst of thee; for thou art a people of a hard neck; lest I shall consume thee in the way. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleThat thou mayst enter into the land that floweth with milk and honey. For I will not go up with thee, because thou art a stiffnecked people: lest I destroy thee in the way. Catholic Public Domain Version and so that you may enter into a land flowing with milk and honey. For I will not go up with you, since you are a stiff-necked people, lest perhaps I may destroy you on the way.” New American Bible to a land flowing with milk and honey. But I myself will not go up in your company, because you are a stiff-necked people; otherwise I might consume you on the way. New Revised Standard Version Go up to a land flowing with milk and honey; but I will not go up among you, or I would consume you on the way, for you are a stiff-necked people.” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleGo to a land flowing with milk and honey; for I will not go up among you; for you are a stiff-necked people; lest I consume you on the way. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And I shall send before you the Messenger and he shall destroy the Canaanites and the Amorites and the Khithites and the Perizites and the Khivites and the Yebusites. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917unto a land flowing with milk and honey; for I will not go up in the midst of thee; for thou art a stiffnecked people; lest I consume thee in the way.' Brenton Septuagint Translation And I will bring thee into a land flowing with milk and honey; for I will not go up with thee, because thou art a stiff-necked people, lest I consume thee by the way. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Command to Leave Sinai…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 these bad tidings, they went into mourning, and no one put on any of his jewelry.… Cross References Go up to a land flowing with milk and honey. 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. Deuteronomy 6:3 Hear, O Israel, and be careful to observe them, so that you may prosper and multiply greatly in a land flowing with milk and honey, just as the LORD, the God of your fathers, has promised you. Leviticus 20:24 But I have told you that you will inherit their land, since I will give it to you as an inheritance—a land flowing with milk and honey. I am the LORD your God, who has set you apart from the peoples. But I will not go with you, Deuteronomy 1:42 But the LORD said to me, “Tell them not to go up and fight, for I am not with you to keep you from defeat by your enemies.” Numbers 14:42-43 Do not go up, lest you be struck down by your enemies, because the LORD is not among you. / For there the Amalekites and Canaanites will face you, and you will fall by the sword. Because you have turned away from the LORD, He will not be with you.” Joshua 7:12 This is why the Israelites cannot stand against their enemies. They will turn their backs and run from their enemies, because they themselves have been set apart for destruction. I will no longer be with you unless you remove from among you whatever is devoted to destruction. because you are a stiff-necked people; Deuteronomy 9:6 Understand, then, that it is not because of your righteousness that the LORD your God is giving you this good land to possess, for you are a stiff-necked people. Deuteronomy 31:27 For I know how rebellious and stiff-necked you are. If you are already rebelling against the LORD while I am still alive, how much more will you rebel after my death! Acts 7:51 You stiff-necked people with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit, just as your fathers did. otherwise, I might destroy you on the way.” Psalm 2:12 Kiss the Son, lest He be angry and you perish in your rebellion, when His wrath ignites in an instant. Blessed are all who take refuge in Him. Deuteronomy 9:14 Leave Me alone, so that I may destroy them and blot out their name from under heaven. Then I will make you into a nation mightier and greater than they are.” Numbers 14:35 I, the LORD, have spoken, and I will surely do these things to this entire wicked congregation, which has conspired against Me. They will meet their end in the wilderness, and there they will die.” Numbers 14:43-45 For there the Amalekites and Canaanites will face you, and you will fall by the sword. Because you have turned away from the LORD, He will not be with you.” / But they dared to go up to the ridge of the hill country, though neither Moses nor the ark of the covenant of the LORD moved from the camp. / Then the Amalekites and Canaanites who lived in that part of the hill country came down, attacked them, and routed them all the way to Hormah. Deuteronomy 31:16-18 And the LORD said to Moses, “You will soon rest with your fathers, and these people will rise up and prostitute themselves with the foreign gods of the land they are entering. They will forsake Me and break the covenant I have made with them. / On that day My anger will burn against them, and I will abandon them and hide My face from them, so that they will be consumed, and many troubles and afflictions will befall them. On that day they will say, ‘Have not these disasters come upon us because our God is no longer with us?’ / And on that day I will surely hide My face because of all the evil they have done by turning to other gods. Judges 2:1-3 Now the angel of the LORD went up from Gilgal to Bochim and said, “I brought you up out of Egypt and led you into the land that I had promised to your fathers, and I said, ‘I will never break My covenant with you, / and you are not to make a covenant with the people of this land, but you shall tear down their altars.’ Yet you have not obeyed My voice. What is this you have done? / So now I tell you that I will not drive out these people before you; they will be thorns in your sides, and their gods will be a snare to you.” Isaiah 63:9-10 In all their distress, He too was afflicted, and the Angel of His Presence saved them. In His love and compassion He redeemed them; He lifted them up and carried them all the days of old. / But they rebelled and grieved His Holy Spirit. So He turned and became their enemy, and He Himself fought against them. Treasury of Scripture To a land flowing with milk and honey: for I will not go up in the middle of you; for you are a stiff necked people: lest I consume you in the way. a land Exodus 3:8 And I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey; unto the place of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites. Exodus 13:5 And it shall be when the LORD shall bring thee into the land of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, which he sware unto thy fathers to give thee, a land flowing with milk and honey, that thou shalt keep this service in this month. Leviticus 20:24 But I have said unto you, Ye shall inherit their land, and I will give it unto you to possess it, a land that floweth with milk and honey: I am the LORD your God, which have separated you from other people. for I Exodus 33:15-17 And he said unto him, If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence… Exodus 32:10,14 Now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may wax hot against them, and that I may consume them: and I will make of thee a great nation… Numbers 14:12 I will smite them with the pestilence, and disinherit them, and will make of thee a greater nation and mightier than they. stick-necked Exodus 32:9 And the LORD said unto Moses, I have seen this people, and, behold, it is a stiffnecked people: Exodus 34:9 And he said, If now I have found grace in thy sight, O Lord, let my Lord, I pray thee, go among us; for it is a stiffnecked people; and pardon our iniquity and our sin, and take us for thine inheritance. Deuteronomy 9:6-13 Understand therefore, that the LORD thy God giveth thee not this good land to possess it for thy righteousness; for thou art a stiffnecked people… lest I Exodus 23:21 Beware of him, and obey his voice, provoke him not; for he will not pardon your transgressions: for my name is in him. Exodus 32:10 Now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may wax hot against them, and that I may consume them: and I will make of thee a great nation. Numbers 16:21,45 Separate yourselves from among this congregation, that I may consume them in a moment… Jump to Previous Consume Destroy Destruction Fear Flowing Honey Midst Milk Obstinate Stiffnecked Stiff-Necked WayJump to Next Consume Destroy Destruction Fear Flowing Honey Midst Milk Obstinate Stiffnecked Stiff-Necked WayExodus 33 1. The Lord refuses to go as he had promised with the people4. The people mourn there 7. The tabernacle is removed out of the camp 9. The Lord talks familiarly with Moses 12. Moses prevails with God, and desires to see his glory Go up to a land flowing with milk and honey. This phrase refers to the Promised Land, Canaan, which God had promised to Abraham and his descendants. The description of the land as "flowing with milk and honey" symbolizes abundance and prosperity. Milk and honey were staples in the ancient Near Eastern diet, representing fertility and the richness of the land. This promise is a recurring theme in the Pentateuch, emphasizing God's faithfulness to His covenant with the patriarchs (Genesis 12:7, Exodus 3:8). The land's fertility contrasts with the Israelites' current desert experience, highlighting the blessings awaiting them. But I will not go with you, because you are a stiff-necked people; otherwise, I might destroy you on the way.” Persons / Places / Events 1. MosesThe leader of the Israelites, chosen by God to lead His people out of Egypt and into the Promised Land. 2. The Israelites The descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, who were enslaved in Egypt and are now on their journey to the Promised Land. 3. The Promised Land Referred to as "a land flowing with milk and honey," symbolizing abundance and God's provision. 4. God's Presence The central theme of this passage, highlighting the tension between God's holiness and the Israelites' sinfulness. 5. Stiff-necked People A term used by God to describe the Israelites' stubbornness and resistance to His commands. Teaching Points The Holiness of GodGod's holiness cannot coexist with sin. His decision not to go with the Israelites underscores the seriousness of sin and the need for repentance. The Consequences of Disobedience The Israelites' stubbornness had real consequences, including the potential loss of God's presence. Believers today must heed the warnings against hardening their hearts. God's Faithfulness and Promises Despite the Israelites' failures, God remains committed to His promise of the land. This highlights His faithfulness and the assurance of His promises to us. The Need for Intercession Moses' role as an intercessor for the people points to the importance of prayer and mediation, ultimately fulfilled in Christ as our mediator. The Importance of God's Presence The passage challenges us to value God's presence above all else, recognizing that His presence is essential for guidance, protection, and blessing. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Exodus 33:3?2. Why does God refuse to go with the Israelites in Exodus 33:3? 3. How can we avoid becoming "stiff-necked" as described in Exodus 33:3? 4. What does Exodus 33:3 teach about God's holiness and human sinfulness? 5. How does Exodus 33:3 connect to God's covenant promises in Genesis? 6. How can we ensure God's presence in our lives, unlike Exodus 33:3? 7. Why does God refuse to accompany the Israelites in Exodus 33:3? 8. How does Exodus 33:3 reflect God's holiness and justice? 9. What does Exodus 33:3 reveal about the relationship between God and Israel? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Exodus 33? 11. Why do the accounts in Numbers 13 seem to conflict with other passages about the Promised Land's inhabitants and geography? 12. Is Israel truly a land of milk and honey? 13. In Job 13:3, how can Job claim he wants to reason directly with God if Exodus 33:20 states no one can see God and live? 14. If Deuteronomy 26 credits divine blessing for agricultural abundance, what archaeological evidence supports or disputes such prosperity in ancient Israel? What Does Exodus 33:3 Mean Go up to a land flowing with milk and honey• God repeats the promise first given at the burning bush: “I have come down… to bring them up… to a land flowing with milk and honey” (Exodus 3:8). • “Milk and honey” pictures extraordinary fertility and rest (Deuteronomy 31:20; Ezekiel 20:6). The Lord is still intent on blessing His people materially and spiritually, just as He vowed to Abraham (Genesis 17:8). • Even after the golden calf disaster, the inheritance remains intact—evidence that covenant promises stand firm despite human failure (Romans 11:29). But I will not go with you • The Lord warns, “I will send an angel before you” (Exodus 33:2), distinguishing between His personal, manifest presence and an appointed messenger (compare Exodus 23:20). • Moses later pleads, “If Your Presence does not go with us, do not lead us up from here” (Exodus 33:15), showing that victory and identity depend on God Himself, not merely on gifts or intermediaries. • Israel’s later conquest under Joshua proves the point: when the Commander of the LORD’s army appears (Joshua 5:13-15), success follows; when His presence is presumed upon, defeat results (Joshua 7:1-5). Because you are a stiff-necked people • The phrase echoes God’s earlier verdict: “I have seen this people, and indeed, they are a stiff-necked people” (Exodus 32:9). • “Stiff-necked” pictures an ox that refuses the yoke—stubborn, resistant to guidance (Deuteronomy 9:6; 2 Chronicles 30:8; Acts 7:51). • Their history—complaints at the Red Sea (Exodus 14:11-12), cravings in the wilderness (Numbers 11:4-6), open idolatry (Exodus 32:1-6)—shows a settled disposition, not a momentary lapse. Otherwise, I might destroy you on the way • The holiness that brings blessing also brings judgment when confronted with unrepentant sin (Exodus 32:10; Numbers 16:44-45). • By withholding immediate presence, God is, paradoxically, acting in mercy, sparing them from the consuming fire of His righteousness (Exodus 19:12-13; Leviticus 10:1-2). • Paul later points to these wilderness events as a sober warning to believers: “With most of them God was not pleased, for their bodies were scattered in the wilderness” (1 Corinthians 10:5). summary Exodus 33:3 holds tension between promise and peril. The Lord remains committed to give Israel the good land, yet He withholds His manifest presence because their stubbornness would provoke immediate judgment. The verse calls God’s people to value His presence above His gifts, to repent of hard-heartedness, and to marvel that His mercy tempers His holiness so we may safely draw near. (3) A land flowing with milk and honey.--See Note on Exodus 3:8.Lest I consume thee.--Comp. Exodus 32:10; Leviticus 10:2; Ps. 88:21, 31, &c. "God is a consuming fire" (Hebrews 12:29). His near presence, if it does not cleanse and purify, scorches and withers. The conduct of Israel in the wilderness was such as continually to provoke Him to destroy them; and but for His amazing compassion and forbearance, the result here glanced at would assuredly have followed. Verse 3. - Unto a land. Ver. 2 is parenthetic, and ver. 3 coheres with ver. 1 - "Go up hence, thou and the people, unto the land which I sware unto Abraham - unto a land flowing," etc. On the milk and honey of Canaan, see the comment upon Exodus 3:8. For I will not go up in the midst of thee. At length there was an end of ambiguity - God's purpose was made plain - the people had shown themselves unfit for his near presence, and he would withdraw himself. So it would be best even for them; since, if they were about to show- themselves as perverse in the future as they had in the past, his near presence could only lead to their entire destruction. Some day they would so provoke him, that he would consume them in the way.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Go up toאֶל־ (’el-) Preposition Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to a land אֶ֛רֶץ (’e·reṣ) Noun - feminine singular Strong's 776: Earth, land flowing זָבַ֥ת (zā·ḇaṯ) Verb - Qal - Participle - feminine singular construct Strong's 2100: To flow freely, to have a, flux, to waste away, to overflow with milk חָלָ֖ב (ḥā·lāḇ) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 2461: Milk and honey. וּדְבָ֑שׁ (ū·ḏə·ḇāš) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 1706: Honey, syrup But כִּי֩ (kî) Conjunction Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction I will not לֹ֨א (lō) Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no go אֶֽעֱלֶ֜ה (’e·‘ĕ·leh) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular Strong's 5927: To ascend, in, actively with you, בְּקִרְבְּךָ֗ (bə·qir·bə·ḵā) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular Strong's 7130: The nearest part, the center because כִּ֤י (kî) Conjunction Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction you אַ֔תָּה (’at·tāh) Pronoun - second person masculine singular Strong's 859: Thou and thee, ye and you are a stiff-necked קְשֵׁה־ (qə·šêh-) Adjective - masculine singular construct Strong's 7186: Hard, severe people; עַם־ (‘am-) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock otherwise, פֶּן־ (pen-) Conjunction Strong's 6435: Removal, lest I might destroy אֲכֶלְךָ֖ (’ă·ḵel·ḵā) Verb - Piel - Imperfect - first person common singular | second person masculine singular Strong's 3615: To be complete, at an end, finished, accomplished, or spent you on the way.” בַּדָּֽרֶךְ׃ (bad·dā·reḵ) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - common singular Strong's 1870: A road, a course of life, mode of action Links Exodus 33:3 NIVExodus 33:3 NLT Exodus 33:3 ESV Exodus 33:3 NASB Exodus 33:3 KJV Exodus 33:3 BibleApps.com Exodus 33:3 Biblia Paralela Exodus 33:3 Chinese Bible Exodus 33:3 French Bible Exodus 33:3 Catholic Bible OT Law: Exodus 33:3 To a land flowing with milk (Exo. 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