Exodus 33:19 Meaning and Explanation
“And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The Lord offers to display His goodness and sovereignty, declaring that His grace is His prerogative.
The Context of Exodus 33:19
The Lord describes how He will reveal Himself to Moses.
What Does Exodus 33:19 Mean?
The Lord responds with an offer: He will make His goodness pass before Moses and will speak His own name so that Moses hears it directly. This revelation of goodness—the Lord's merciful character—becomes the means by which Moses will know the Lord. The focus shifts from seeing God's form to experiencing His moral character.
The Lord's statement about dispensing grace and mercy according to His own will affirms His sovereign freedom. He will show grace to whom He chooses and mercy to whom He chooses. This is not capriciousness but a declaration that God's compassion is rooted in His nature and authority, not in human claim or demand.
Frequently Asked Questions About Exodus 33:19
What does Exodus 33:19 mean?
The Lord offers to display His goodness and sovereignty, declaring that His grace is His prerogative.
What is the context of Exodus 33:19?
The Lord describes how He will reveal Himself to Moses.