Exodus 33:1-23

Exodus 33:1 J, Exodus 33:5 E, Exodus 33:12 J. Yahweh's Presence. The sections of 34 have been glossed and disarranged. In Exodus 33:1 J, Yahweh's refusal to go up in the midst of Israel leads the people to put off their ornaments. In Exodus 33:5 f. follows from E Yahweh's order to put off ornaments and its execution. This may have been connected with the construction of the sacred Tent which is assumed as known in Exodus 33:7, the details being dropped in view of Exodus 25-28. Anyhow, we have here the earlier representation of the simple tent outside the camp. as were the high places outside the towns. The visits to the tent were (Exodus 7:11) more for obtaining oracles than for offering sacrifice, and Joshua, not Aaron, had charge. The sequel is to be found in Numbers 11:16 a, Numbers 11:24 b - Numbers 11:30, Exodus 18, where sacrifice implies a sanctuary. The more natural order of verses in Exodus 33:12 would be: Exodus 33:17; Exodus 33:12; Exodus 33:19; Exodus 33:18; Exodus 33:20, leading up to the sequel Exodus 34:5. The whole then gives a remarkable account of the yearning for Yahweh's presence (lit. face) amongst His people. Moses is granted a view of Yahweh's back as He passes by (Driver, the afterglow which He leaves behind Him). [Observe the difference of this and Exodus 24:11. Here it would seem that the sight of Yahweh's face must inevitably bring death, as if Yahweh Himself could not prevent the fatal consequence. In Exodus 24:11 the preservation of those who see Him is ascribed to His gracious self-restraint. He does not put His hand upon them, or break forth upon them as Exodus 19:22 puts it. A. S. P.] It may be that originally the Ark was here expressly named as the symbol and means of the real but invisible presence.