Exodus 33:1-13 ▼

1 Then the LORD {YHWH} said to Moses (drawn out), “Leave this place, you and the people you brought up out of the land of Egypt (land of bondage), and go to the land that I promised to Abraham (father of many), Isaac (he laughs), and Jacob (he grasps the heel) when I said, ‘I will give it to your descendants.’

2 And I will send an angel before you, and I will drive out the Canaanites (merchants), Amorites (sayers), Hittites, Perizzites (villagers), Hivites, and Jebusites (Jerusalemites).

3 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.”

4 When the people heard this bad news, they went into mourning, and no one put on any of his jewelry.

5 For the LORD {YHWH} had said to Moses (drawn out), “Tell the Israelites (God prevails), ‘You⁺ are a stiff-necked people. If I should go with you for a single moment, I would destroy you. Now take off your jewelry, and I will decide what to do with you.’”

6 So the Israelites (God prevails) stripped themselves of their jewelry from Mount Horeb onward (from Mount Sinai onward).

7 Now Moses (drawn out) used to take the tent and pitch it at a distance outside the camp. He called it the Tent of Meeting, and anyone inquiring of the LORD {YHWH} would go to the Tent of Meeting outside the camp.

8 Then, whenever Moses (drawn out) went out to the tent, all the people would stand at the entrances to their own tents and watch Moses until he entered the tent.

9 As Moses (drawn out) entered the tent, the pillar of cloud would come down and remain at the entrance, and the LORD would speak with Moses.

10 When all the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the entrance to the tent, they would stand up and worship, each one at the entrance to his own tent.

11 Thus the LORD {YHWH} would speak to Moses (drawn out) face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. Then Moses would return to the camp, but his young assistant Joshua (YHWH saves) son of Nun (fish / posterity) would not leave the tent.

12 Then Moses (drawn out) said to the LORD {YHWH}, “Look, You have been telling me, ‘Lead this people up,’ but You have not let me know whom You will send with me. Yet You have said, ‘I know you by name, and you have found favor in My sight.’

13 Now if indeed I have found favor in Your sight, please let me know Your ways, that I may know You and find favor in Your sight. Remember that this nation is Your people.”