Exodus 34:6
“And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth,”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Context
On Mount Sinai, after Israel's sin with the golden calf, God descends and proclaims His own name and character to Moses.
What Does Exodus 34:6 Mean?
This verse means that when God reveals His own character, He proclaims Himself as merciful, gracious, patient, and abundant in goodness and faithfulness. Having promised to show Moses His glory, God does not display sheer power but speaks His own name and nature. He passes by and proclaims the heart of who He is: "merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth." This is God's self-portrait, given just after Israel's great failure -- and it leads with compassion.
Every word here is significant. "Merciful" suggests the tender compassion of a parent; "gracious" speaks of unearned kindness; "longsuffering" describes patience that bears with sin rather than rushing to judgment; and "abundant in goodness and truth" points to overflowing love and unwavering faithfulness. This proclamation became one of the most quoted descriptions of God throughout the rest of Scripture, echoed by psalmists and prophets for generations. When God tells us who He is, He begins with mercy. For anyone who has stumbled and feared rejection, this verse reveals a God who is patient, kind, and faithful beyond measure.
In the Original Language
Key words include rachum (merciful, compassionate), chanun (gracious), and the pairing chesed and emet (goodness and truth).
Cross References
“The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.”
- Psalms 103:8
“The LORD is longsuffering, and of great mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression.”
- Numbers 14:18
“And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory...) full of grace and truth.”
- John 1:14
Application
When you fear you have failed beyond forgiveness, remember that God describes Himself first as merciful, gracious, and abundant in love.
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