Bible Strands
Exodus 34:5
And the LORD descended in a cloud, stood with him there, and proclaimed His name, the LORD.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The LORD acts toward Moses on Mount Sinai immediately after Moses ascends with two newly chiseled stone tablets. This event occurs directly between Moses' ascent in Exodus 34:4 and the divine proclamation in Exodus 34:6.
The words — וַ/יֵּ֤רֵד (va/i.Ye.red) translates literally as "and he came down," marking the LORD's descent. בְ/שֵׁ֖ם (ve./Shem) means "in the name of," structuring the subsequent declaration of divine identity.
The thread — The descent in a cloud parallels the pillar at the tent entrance in Exodus 33:9 and the Spirit-bearing descent in Numbers 11:25. The proclamation of His name directly echoes the promise in Exodus 33:19.
Why it lands — The text records a specific historical sequence: descent, positioning, and naming. It requires the reader to trace how the LORD's self-revelation moves from promise to concrete manifestation before Moses.
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
King James Version
And the Lord descended in the cloud, and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the Lord.
Cross-references
- Exodus 33:19 “I will cause all My goodness to pass before you,” the LORD replied, “and I will proclaim My name—the LORD—in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.”
- Exodus 33:9 As Moses entered the tent, the pillar of cloud would come down and remain at the entrance, and the LORD would speak with Moses.
- Numbers 11:25 Then the LORD came down in the cloud and spoke to him, and He took some of the Spirit that was on Moses and placed that Spirit on the seventy elders. As the Spirit rested on them, they prophesied—but they never did so again.
- Luke 9:34 While Peter was speaking, a cloud appeared and enveloped them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud.
- Numbers 11:17 And I will come down and speak with you there, and I will take some of the Spirit that is on you and put that Spirit on them. They will help you bear the burden of the people, so that you do not have to bear it by yourself.
- Psalms 102:21 that they may proclaim the name of the LORD in Zion and praise Him in Jerusalem,
- Proverbs 18:10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.
- Exodus 19:18 Mount Sinai was completely enveloped in smoke, because the LORD had descended on it in fire. And the smoke rose like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain quaked violently.
- Deuteronomy 32:3 For I will proclaim the name of the LORD. Ascribe greatness to our God!
- Isaiah 1:10 Hear the word of the LORD, you rulers of Sodom; listen to the instruction of our God, you people of Gomorrah!