Devine Scripture

Exodus 34:6

What does Exodus 34:6 mean?

A plain-English look at Exodus 34:6 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Exodus 34:6 means

This pivotal verse captures God’s self-revelation to Moses, emphasizing His foundational attributes. The repetition of "Yahweh" underscores His eternal, self-existent nature and personal relationship with His people. He is depicted as "merciful and gracious," highlighting His compassionate and benevolent character towards humanity, despite their failings. Being "slow to anger" reveals His patience and desire for reconciliation rather than immediate judgment. Furthermore, His abundance in "loving kindness" (hesed—steadfast love, covenant loyalty) and "truth" (emet—faithfulness, reliability) assures believers of His unwavering commitment and trustworthiness. This declaration forms a core theological statement about God’s compassionate and relational essence.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And Jehovah passed by before him, and proclaimed, Jehovah, Jehovah, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abundant in lovingkindness and truth;

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And the Lord passed by before him, and proclaimed, The Lord, The Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth,

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And Jehovah passed by before him, and proclaimed, Jehovah, Jehovah, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abundant in lovingkindness and truth;

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And the Lord went past before his eyes, saying, The Lord, the Lord, a God full of pity and grace, slow to wrath and great in mercy and faith;

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and Jehovah passeth over before his face, and calleth: `Jehovah, Jehovah God, merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abundant in kindness and truth,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And when he passed before him, he said: O the Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, patient and of much compassion, and true,

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And Jehovah passed by before his face, and proclaimed, Jehovah, JehovahGod merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abundant in goodness and truth,

Context

Exodus 34 opens with God calling Moses back up Mount Sinai after the incident of the golden calf. This self-proclamation immediately follows God’s instruction for Moses to carve new stone tablets, replacing those Moses broke in his anger. God is speaking directly to Moses, reaffirming their covenant relationship despite Israel’s recent idolatry. Chapters 32-33 detail the aftermath of the golden calf, Moses’s intercession, and God’s renewed commitment to accompany Israel. This verse serves as the theological bedrock for God’s willingness to restore and lead His people, setting the stage for the renewal of the covenant and the subsequent detailed covenant laws.

v.5And Jehovah descended in the cloud, and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of Jehovah.

v.6This passage

v.7keeping lovingkindness for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin; and that will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children’s children, upon the third and upon the fourth generation.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Numbers 14:17

    And now, I pray thee, let the power of the Lord be great, according as thou hast spoken, saying,

  • Joel 2:13

    and rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto Jehovah your God; for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abundant in lovingkindness, and repenteth him of the evil.

  • Psalms 91:4

    He will cover thee with his pinions, And under his wings shalt thou take refuge: His truth is a shield and a buckler.

  • John 1:17

    For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

  • Deuteronomy 5:10

    and showing lovingkindness unto thousands of them that love me and keep my commandments.

  • Psalms 138:2

    I will worship toward thy holy temple, And give thanks unto thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: For thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.

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