Meaning of Exodus 34
Exodus 34 is a chapter in the Bible, specifically in the Old Testament, and is part of the book of Exodus, one of the first five books of the Bible also known as the Pentateuch. This chapter continues the story of Moses and the Israelites after the Exodus from Egypt.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
1. The Two New Stone Tablets (34:1-4): God commands Moses to make two new stone tablets (after Moses smashed the original Ten Commandments in anger over the Israelites’ worship of the golden calf). Moses ascends Mount Sinai again.
2. The Renewed Covenant (34:5-28): God reveals himself to Moses and declares his attributes (34:6-7). This is a profound revelation of the character of God. Moses quickly bows down in worship and asks for God’s presence to go with them despite their stubbornness. God renews the Covenant, reiterating his laws and commandments. The Ten Commandments are given again.
3. Moses’ Radiant Face (34:29-35): When Moses comes down from Mount Sinai with the new tablets, his face is shining so brightly from being in God’s presence that he has to wear a veil. The people are initially afraid to come near him. Moses shares what he was instructed by God and thereafter he would put the veil on his face until he went to speak with God again.
In summary, Exodus 34 reaffirms God’s covenant with the Israelites, emphasizing His mercy, patience, and commitment. It’s also a testament to Moses’ unique relationship with God.
Exodus 34 kjv
Exodus 34 is a chapter from the Book of Exodus in the Bible. In the King James Version (KJV), it contains a significant portion of the story about God renewing his covenant with the Israelites.
The chapter begins with God instructing Moses to chisel out two stone tablets, similar to the first ones God himself made, that had the Ten Commandments written on them. These first tablets were broken by Moses when he returned from the Mount Sinai and saw his people worshipping a golden calf.
The Lord appears to Moses in a cloud and declares His character. He describes Himself as merciful, gracious, longsuffering, abundant in goodness and truth, forgiving iniquity and sin, but by no means clearing the guilty.
In verse 10, God promises to make a covenant with Moses and the Israelites, he would perform miracles that none have seen anywhere in all the earth or in any nation. The Israelites would see the work of the LORD, for what He is going to do with them will be awe-inspiring.
God gives specific commands to Moses for the Israelites to keep after entering Canaan, the Promised Land. He orders the Israelites not to make treaties or alliances with the people there, to destroy their altars, and not to worship their gods. He further instructs not to make any idols and celebrate the Festival of Unleavened Bread.
God restates some of the key Jewish laws including the keeping of the Sabbath even during the plowing season and harvest, the annual feasts (Feast of Weeks, Feast of Harvest and Feast of Ingathering) and the offering of first-born sons and livestock to God.
The chapter concludes with Moses descending from Mount Sinai with the two new tablets of the covenant, his face radiant after speaking directly with God. The Israelites were afraid to approach Moses due to the radiance of his face, so he put a veil over his face when talking to them but removed it when speaking to God.
Overall, Exodus 34 narrates the reestablishment of the covenant between God and the Israelites, focusing on the laws, principles and the rejection of the religion and culture of the inhabitants of Canaan.
Exodus 34 nkjv
Exodus 34 is a chapter in the Old Testament of the Bible. Here’s a brief summary of the chapter in the New King James Version (NKJV):
1. God invites Moses back up to Mount Sinai, and instructs him to carve two new tablets like the ones that were broken. This symbolizes God’s willingness to renew the covenant that Israel broke by worshipping the golden calf.
2. Moses ascends the mountain early in the morning as commanded by God.
3. God proclaims His name and His nature to Moses, calling Himself “The Lord, The Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin.”
4. God renews His covenant with Israel, laying down new laws and instructions. These include commands regarding worshipping other gods, making idols, celebrating the Passover, resting on the Sabbath, and other religious and ethical obligations.
5. Moses stays on the mountain with God for forty days and forty nights, during which time he neither eats nor drinks.
6. Moses comes back down the mountain, carrying the two stone tablets with the covenant law inscribed on them. His face is radiant from being in the presence of God, which scares Aaron and the Israelites.
7. Moses puts a veil over his face, and he only takes it off when he speaks with God and when he needs to relay God’s commands to the Israelites.
This chapter captures a crucial moment of renewal and reflection in the relationship between God and His people, emphasizing God’s mercy and humanity’s obligation to faithfulness.
Exodus 34 niv
Exodus 34 in the New International Version (NIV) continues the story of Moses on Mount Sinai receiving the Ten Commandments from God. Here is a brief synopsis of the chapter:
1-4: God commands Moses to chisel out two stone tablets like the first ones that Moses had broken in anger. God tells Moses to come up to Mount Sinai alone, and He will write on the tablets the laws previously given.
5-7: God reveals himself to Moses as a compassionate and gracious God but also one who does not leave sin unpunished.
8-9: Moses, overwhelmed by the experience, bows and worships God. He asks God to forgive the Israelites’ sins and take them as His inheritance despite their stubbornness.
10-26: God gives Moses numerous laws and rituals that the Israelites are to follow, such as celebrating the Festival of Unleavened Bread and the Sabbath. God orders them against idolatry, and lays down rules about firstborn sons and offerings, and explains rules for feasts and festivals.
27-28: Moses stays with God on Mount Sinai for another forty days and nights, during which he writes down the words of the covenant, the Ten Commandments, on the tablets.
29-35: When Moses comes down from the mountain, his face is radiant from speaking with God, which initially frightens the people. From then onward, Moses veils his face when he is among the people, and only removes it when he speaks with God.
Moses serves as the mediator between God and the people of Israel, receiving God’s laws and commandments and communicating them to the people. This chapter further outlines the laws and commandments meant to guide the Israelites in their relationship with God.
What is Exodus 34 all about?
Exodus 34 is a chapter in the Old Testament book of Exodus, which is the second book of the Bible. In this chapter, God renews the covenant that He makes with the Israelites after the incident of the golden calf, in which they broke the first set of the Ten Commandments.
In the beginning of Exodus 34, God instructs Moses to cut two stone tablets like the first ones that he broke in anger. God then comes down in a cloud, reveals more of His character to Moses, and reiterates the Ten Commandments.
God makes clear His expectancy for the Israelites to be a people set apart from other nations, meaning they are to worship only Him and follow His laws. He gives them specific instructions about certain festivals and rituals that they are to observe like the Sabbath, the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Feast of Weeks, and the Feast of Ingathering.
Throughout the rest of the chapter, Moses is on the mountain with God for 40 days and 40 nights, during which Moses fasts from food and water. When Moses comes down from the mountain, his face is radiant from being in the presence of God, which scares the Israelites. From then on, Moses wears a veil over his face when addressing the nation, but removes it when speaking to God.
Exodus 34 is a significant chapter as it highlights God’s mercy and readiness to forgive His people despite their disobedience. It’s also important as it gives a detailed rehearsal of the law and highlights the conditions of the covenant between God and His people.
What does Exodus 34 teaches?
Exodus 34 is a chapter in the second book of the Bible, which is also titled “Exodus”. It’s a continuation of the story of Moses receiving the Ten Commandments from God on Mount Sinai.
Here are the main teachings of Exodus 34:
1. God’s Mercy and Justice: In verses 5-7, God describes Himself to Moses as a God of compassion and mercy, slow to anger, overflowing with steadfast love and faithfulness, yet He doesn’t ignore guilt and sin. This passage shows both the merciful and just aspects of God’s character.
2. Covenant Renewal: After the Israelites had broken the first tablets of the Ten Commandments by worshipping a golden calf, Moses returns to Mount Sinai and God renews His covenant with the Israelites (verses 10-28). God provides the same commandments highlighting His willingness to forgive and start again.
3. Separation from Pagan Practices: Verses 11-17 emphasize the need for the Israelites to disassociate themselves from the religious practices of the people in the land they are about to enter, Canaan. Here, God specifically warns against forming covenants with the inhabitants and participating in their worship of other gods.
4. Sabbath Law: Verses 21-23 repeats the instructions about observing the Sabbath, showing its importance in the covenant relationship.
5. Moses’ Radiant Face: In verses 29-35, Moses comes down from Mount Sinai after receiving the commandments, not aware that his face is radiant because he had been speaking with the Lord. The Israelites initially are afraid to come near him. He covers his face with a veil, removing it only to speak with God and to relay God’s messages to the people. This signifies the profound impact of being in the presence of God.
In summary, Exodus 34 teaches about God’s mercy and justice, importance of observing His commandments, abstention from idol worship, observance of the Sabbath, and the transformative effects of divine encounters.
A Sermon on Exodus 34
Exodus 34 is a chapter in the Bible rooted in divine forgiveness, covenant renewal, and understanding the nature and character of God. If this were to be delivered as a sermon, here’s a possible outline:
I. Introduction
It would begin with a brief introduction about the context. The chapter continues the narrative from Exodus 33 where Moses pleaded with God not to abandon His people despite their sin of worshiping the golden calf.
II. God’s Compassion and Grace (Exodus 34:1-9)
God instructs Moses to chisel out two new stone tablets and return to the mountain. There, God descends in a cloud and proclaims his own name – essentially declaring who He is, His character, and His attributes – compassionate, gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness. This underlines God’s mercy and grace, even when mankind falls into sin repeatedly.
III. Covenant Renewal (Exodus 34:10-28)
God renews his covenant with Israel, giving them the second set of tablets with the Commandments. He promises to do wonders for them, but also warns them to not make any agreement with the occupants of the promised land. They are to break down their idol statues, refrain from worshiping other gods, and observe the Feast of Unleavened Bread, Sabbath, and three annual festivals.
IV. The Radiant Face of Moses (Exodus 34:29-35)
After 40 days and nights with God, Moses returns holding the tablets. The Israelites are afraid to come near him because his face was radiant from being in the presence of God. Yet, he reassures them and delivers God’s commands. Moses’ face glowing is a symbol of experiencing the divine presence.
V. Conclusion
This chapter is crucial in understanding God’s character, His faithfulness to His promises, His demand for loyalty and obedience, and the transformative power of His presence. In every mistake we make, God’s grace is abundant. But in every gift we receive, our reverence and obedience are required.
In application, as believers who are in a covenant relationship with God through Jesus Christ, we should live in a way that honors this relationship, obeying God’s commands, rejecting all idols, spending time in His presence, and letting the radiance of God reflect in us. In God’s grace, mercy, and faithfulness, we can find hope and assurance.
Key people in Exodus 34
Exodus 34 mainly talks about two key figures: Moses and God.
1. Moses: Moses is the key human figure in Exodus 34. In the passage, Moses makes a second set of stone tablets to replace the ones that he had broken. God had earlier given Moses the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai which Moses broke when he saw the people worshipping a golden calf. God instructs Moses to write down these commandments on the new set of tablets. Moses stays on Mount Sinai for forty days and forty nights without eating or drinking. When he descends the mountain with the commandments, his face is radiant and he covers it with a veil because the Israelites are afraid to come near him.
2. God: God is the divine figure in Exodus 34. God descended in a cloud and proclaimed his attributes, including mercy and compassion, to Moses. God makes a covenant with Moses and gives a new set of commandments also which becomes the basis for the laws of the Israelites. God tells Moses that He will drive out the other nations before them but they must not make any treaties with them or worship their gods.
A less prominent, but still important figure mentioned is Joshua, who is Moses’s assistant. He waits for Moses while Moses is speaking with God, and then accompanies Moses when he descends from Mount Sinai.
It’s worth noting that the Israelites themselves play a significant role in the narrative, although aren’t necessarily individual characters. They’re the people that Moses leads and for whom the commandments are intended.
Real world examples on Exodus 34
Exodus 34 is a chapter in the Bible focused on the renewal of the covenant between God and Moses on behalf of the Israelites. It contains various laws regarding the way the Israelites should live and worship. Here are a few real-world examples related to the principles found in Exodus 34:
1. Verses 1-4: God instructs Moses to carve two stone tablets like the first ones that he broke, and to present himself on Mount Sinai. In real-world scenarios, this could be likened to a situation of getting a second chance to correct a wrong, perhaps in a work situation or in a personal relationship.
2. Verses 6-7: God describes himself as “compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in love and faithfulness”. This is often reflected in the way people are encouraged to treat each other, to be patient, kind, and forgiving.
3. Verses 21-24: God instructs the Israelites to observe a Sabbath of rest, a day of cessation from work. In today’s practices, many people, not just religious practitioners, understand the need for a day of rest from work for physical, mental and spiritual rejuvenation. Most countries do have a system of weekly holidays.
4. Verses 25-26: These verses prohibit practices such as offering God a sacrifice along with anything containing yeast and the delayed presentation of the firstborn of your sons to God. In real-world practices, many religions still observe the practice of dedicating their children to God in various ceremonies, and yeast (representing sin in this context) is abstained from in various religious practices, like the Christian observance of Passover.
5. Verse 28: Moses is with God for forty days and forty nights without eating or drinking. This mirrors the practice of fasting that is still observed in many religions today to grow nearer to God or for spiritual cleansing and discipline.
Remember, these comparisons are symbolic and not intended to represent direct or exact correlations. The ways that Biblical principles are applied can differ greatly depending on cultural, societal, and individual interpretations and beliefs.
Brief Explanation of Exodus 34
Exodus 34 is a significant chapter in the Bible where Moses returns to Mount Sinai to receive a second set of tablets containing the Ten Commandments, after the first set was broken. This chapter relates a lot about God’s character; He reveals Himself to Moses as “The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.”
God renews His covenant with Israel, giving them laws and regulations which they must obey in return for His protection and blessings. Some of these laws include the prohibition of making any treaties with the inhabitants of the land, destruction of their idols, observance of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, rest on the seventh day, and the dedication of the firstborn of every womb to the Lord among others.
After Moses had communed with God on the mountain for forty days and nights without eating or drinking, he came down with the new tablets. His face shone so brightly with the glory of God that the Israelites could not look directly at him, and he wore a veil which he only took off to speak with God. This chapter ends with Moses calling the Israelites to gather so he could relay God’s commands.
Frequently asked questions for Exodus 34
1. What is Exodus 34 about?
Exodus 34 is about Moses inscribing the second set of the Ten Commandments. God gives Moses instructions to cut out two stone tablets like the first ones, and promises to write on these tablets the words that were on the first tablets, which Moses had broken. God further declares his distinctive qualities and reestablishes his covenant with the Israelites.
2. What is the significance of Exodus 34:6-7?
These verses provide a description of God’s character. The Lord passes in front of Moses and proclaims, “The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished”. This has become known as “the thirteen attributes of God,” and reflects the balance between God’s mercy and His justice.
3. What are the ten commandments in Exodus 34?
Many viewers expect a repetition of the traditional Ten Commandments. However, the commands mentioned in Exodus 34 includes instructions like not making a treaty with natives, not making idols, observing the Feast of Unleavened Bread and the Sabbath, and others.
4. Why did Moses’ face shine in Exodus 34?
Upon descending from Mount Sinai, Moses’ face was radiant because he had spoken with the Lord. His shining face was a reflection of the divine glory and a testament to his interactions with God.
5. Why does God ask Moses to cut two new stone tablets?
God asked Moses to cut two new stone tablets because Moses had broken the first set in anger when he descended from Mount Sinai and found the Israelites worshiping a golden calf (Exodus 32). God wants to give His law again to be a visible reminder of His covenant with His people.
6. How did Moses respond to God’s request of making new stone tablets?
Moses swiftly obeyed God’s instructions. He cut two stone tablets like the first ones and went up Mount Sinai early in the morning, as God had commanded him.
Possible References for Exodus 34
Exodus 34 is a chapter from the second book of the Bible known as Exodus, which falls under the Old Testament. The chapter primarily describes God’s renewal of the covenant with Moses and the Israelites after they strayed from God’s teachings and worshipped the Golden Calf.
The possible references in Exodus 34 are as follows:
1. Moses’ Second Set of Tablets (Exodus 34:1-4): At the beginning of this chapter, God instructs Moses to chisel a new set of stone tablets. These replace the original Ten Commandments, which Moses broke in anger after seeing the Israelites worshipping the Golden Calf.
2. God’s Self-revelation (Exodus 34:5-7): God proclaims his gracious and merciful nature to Moses. These verses provide a profound insight into the character of God, according to the Old Testament.
3. Renewal of the Covenant (Exodus 34:10-28): God renews His covenant with the Israelites. He gives them laws concerning worship, festivals, sacrifices, and firstborn offerings. God promises to drive out people from the lands the Israelites are going to inherit as long as they obey His commands.
4. The Radiant Face of Moses (Exodus 34:29-35): The chapter concludes with the return of Moses from Mount Sinai. Moses’ face glows or radiates after his encounter with God, which the Israelites find difficult to look at. Hence, he decides to wear a veil.
This chapter emphasises God’s mercy and willingness to forgive, despite the Israelites’ disobedience. It highlights the mutual commitment between God and His chosen people.
Remember that interpretations may vary, as the text’s meaning can depend on the reader’s perspective, the context in which it’s read, and the translation used. Biblical references often require careful interpretation in consultation with scholarly understanding and theological insights.
Conclusion on Exodus 34
Exodus 34 is a chapter from the Christian Bible, more specifically, from the Old Testament. In this chapter, Moses returns to Mount Sinai where God gives him a fresh set of stone tablets representing the renewed contract, or covenant, between God and the Israelites. The chapter provides both the religious and social laws that the people must abide by.
The conclusion of Exodus 34, verses 29-35, tells about Moses coming down from Mount Sinai after talking to God. He did not realize that his face was radiantly glowing from speaking to God. Due to this, Aaron and all the Israelites were fearful to approach Moses. But Moses reassures them and gives them all the commandments God had given him on Mount Sinai.
Later, whenever Moses went in before the Lord to speak with him, he would remove a veil that he had put on, until he came out. Then he would tell the Israelites what he was commanded and the Israelites would see the skin of Moses’ face was shining. Therefore, Moses would put the veil back over his face until he went to speak with God again.
The main essence of the conclusion is the changed countenance of Moses, which illustrates his unique relationship with God. This suggests that an individual’s interaction with the divine has the power to transform them in ways both visible and invisible to others.