Exodus 33:15

“If Your Presence does not go with us,” Moses replied, “do not lead us up from here.

Berean Standard Bible

Study note

Setting — Moses addresses the LORD at the tent of meeting after God's initial declaration to withdraw His Presence. He speaks on behalf of Israel at a moment when the journey to the promised land hangs in the balance.

The words — The phrase פָּנֶ֙י/ךָ֙ הֹלְכִ֔ים (pa.Nei./kha ho.le.Khim) literally renders "your presence [is] going." Moses immediately follows with אַֽל\־ תַּעֲלֵ֖/נוּ ('al- ta.'a.Le./nu), a negative imperative commanding "do not bring us up."

The thread — This conditional refusal parallels Moses' later appeal in Exodus 34:9 and directly responds to God's warning in Exodus 33:3. It also intersects with the psalmist's request for the light of God's face in Psalm 4:6.

Why it lands — The text states that Moses refuses departure unless God's Presence accompanies the people. It requires the reader to accept that divine guidance, not just a promised destination, constitutes the foundation of Israel's identity and movement.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Hebrew words

וַיֹּ֖אמֶרva/i.Yo.merand/ he said אֵלָ֑יו'e.La/vto/ him אִם־'im-if אֵ֤ין'einnot פָּנֶ֙יךָ֙pa.Nei./khapresence/ your הֹלְכִ֔יםho.le.Khim[is] going אַֽל־'al-may not תַּעֲלֵ֖נוּta.'a.Le./nuyou bring up/ us מִזֶּֽה׃mi./Zehfrom/ here

King James Version

And he said unto him, If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence.

Cross-references

Exodus 34:9 “O Lord,” he said, “if I have indeed found favor in Your sight, my Lord, please go with us. Although this is a stiff-necked people, forgive our iniquity and sin, and take us as Your inheritance.”
Psalms 4:6 Many ask, “Who can show us the good?” Shine the light of Your face upon us, O LORD.
Exodus 33:3 Go up to a land flowing with milk and honey. But I will not go with you, because you are a stiff-necked people; otherwise, I might destroy you on the way.”