Exodus 33:15

15 And he says to him, If thou go not up with us thyself, bring me not up hence.

Exodus 33:15 Meaning and Commentary

Exodus 33:15

And he said unto him
Moses said unto the Lord:

if thy presence go not [with me];
or with us, as it may be as well supplied, and which agrees with what follows:

carry us not up hence;
from the mount to the land of Canaan; though God had promised his presence, which was the thing requested, Moses could not forbear expressing himself after this manner, to show the high esteem he had of this blessing, and how worthless and insignificant everything else was without it; that even Canaan, the land of rest promised, was nothing in comparison of it: it is not much matter where we are, or what we have, if God is not with us; but if he grants his presence, the greatest hardships in a wilderness are made easy, and difficulties are got through with pleasure; though some read the words in the preceding verse by way of interrogation, "should my face" or "presence go", and "should it give thee rest" ^F26? as carrying in it a kind of denial, which makes Moses here more urgent for it, and such a version those words seem to require.

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FOOTNOTES:

F26 "An facies mea iret et quietem daret tibi?" Noldius, p. 243. so Junius & Tremellius, Piscator.

Exodus 33:15 In-Context

13 If then I have found favour in thy sight, reveal thyself to me, that I may evidently see thee; that I may find favour in thy sight, and that I may know that this great nation thy people.

14 And he says, I myself will go before thee, and give thee rest.

15 And he says to him, If thou go not up with us thyself, bring me not up hence.

16 And how shall it be surely known, that both I and this people have found favour with thee, except only if thou go with us? So both I and thy people shall be glorified beyond all the nations, as many as are upon the earth.

17 And the Lord said to Moses, I will also do for thee this thing, which thou hast spoken; for thou hast found grace before me, and I know thee above all.