Introduction to Exodus 33:1
Exodus 33:1 occurs after the sin of the golden calf, when YHWH commands Moshe to lead the Israelites toward the Promised Land. The verse contains an imperative verb, several direct and indirect objects, and a relative clause modifying the divine promise to the patriarchs. The use of the imperative לֵךְ (“Go!”) and the command to ascend (עֲלֵה) conveys urgency and divine authority. Additionally, the repetition of אֲשֶׁר introduces relative clauses that define the people and the covenantal land.
This study will analyze the verb structures, syntactic relationships between objects, and theological implications of this verse.
וַיְדַבֵּ֨ר יְהוָ֤ה אֶל־מֹשֶׁה֙ לֵ֣ךְ עֲלֵ֣ה מִזֶּ֔ה אַתָּ֣ה וְהָעָ֔ם אֲשֶׁ֥ר הֶֽעֱלִ֖יתָ מֵאֶ֣רֶץ מִצְרָ֑יִם אֶל־הָאָ֗רֶץ אֲשֶׁ֣ר נִ֠שְׁבַּעְתִּי לְאַבְרָהָ֨ם לְיִצְחָ֤ק וּֽלְיַעֲקֹב֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר לְזַרְעֲךָ֖ אֶתְּנֶֽנָּה׃
Analysis of Key Words/Phrases
1. וַיְדַבֵּ֨ר יְהוָ֤ה אֶל־מֹשֶׁה֙ (vay’dabber YHWH el-Moshe)
– Root: דָּבַר (“to speak”)
– Form: Piel imperfect 3rd masculine singular with vav-consecutive
– Translation: “And YHWH spoke to Moshe”
– Function: Introduces divine speech, a standard prophetic formula.
2. לֵךְ עֲלֵ֣ה מִזֶּ֔ה (lekh aleh mizeh)
– Root: הלך (“to go”), עלה (“to ascend”)
– Form: Imperative 2nd masculine singular
– Translation: “Go, ascend from here”
– Function: Imperatives direct Moshe’s movement toward the Promised Land.
3. אַתָּ֣ה וְהָעָ֔ם (attah veha’am)
– Pronoun: אַתָּ֣ה (“you”), הָעָ֔ם (“the people”)
– Function: These serve as the subjects of the imperatives.
4. אֲשֶׁ֥ר הֶֽעֱלִ֖יתָ מֵאֶ֣רֶץ מִצְרָ֑יִם (asher he’elitah me’eretz Mitzrayim)
– Verb: הֶֽעֱלִ֖יתָ (“you brought up”) – Hifil perfect 2nd masculine singular
– Translation: “Whom you brought up from the land of Egypt”
– Function: Relative clause modifying “the people,” confirming Moshe’s leadership.
5. אֶל־הָאָ֗רֶץ אֲשֶׁ֣ר נִ֠שְׁבַּעְתִּי (el-ha’aretz asher nishba’ti)
– Verb: נִ֠שְׁבַּעְתִּי (“I swore”) – Nifal perfect 1st person singular
– Translation: “To the land that I swore”
– Function: Introduces the divine promise to the patriarchs.
6. לְאַבְרָהָ֨ם לְיִצְחָ֤ק וּֽלְיַעֲקֹב֙ (le’Avraham le’Yitsḥaq ul’Ya’aqov)
– Preposition: לְ (“to”)
– Function: Identifies the recipients of the divine oath.
7. לֵאמֹ֔ר לְזַרְעֲךָ֖ אֶתְּנֶֽנָּה (le’mor lezar’akha ett’nennah)
– Verb: אֶתְּנֶֽנָּה (“I will give it”) – Qal imperfect 1st person singular
– Translation: “Saying, ‘To your offspring I will give it’”
– Function: Restates the divine covenant promise.
Explanation of Grammatical Function
The Use of Imperative Verbs לֵךְ and עֲלֵה
– The imperative לֵךְ (“Go!”) is a direct divine command to Moshe.
– The second imperative עֲלֵה (“Ascend!”) adds a movement of elevation, emphasizing the physical and spiritual journey.
– The combination of two imperatives strengthens urgency and divine authority.
Direct and Indirect Objects in the Command
– Direct Object: אַתָּ֣ה וְהָעָ֔ם (“You and the people”) → Who must act?
– Indirect Object: אֶל־הָאָ֗רֶץ (“To the land”) → Where must they go?
This grammatical arrangement clarifies both the subject (Moshe and Israel) and the destination (the Promised Land).
Relative Clauses Introduced by אֲשֶׁר
1. אֲשֶׁר הֶֽעֱלִ֖יתָ (“Whom you brought up”) → Modifies “the people,” confirming Moshe’s leadership role.
2. אֲשֶׁ֣ר נִ֠שְׁבַּעְתִּי (“That I swore”) → Connects the land with God’s oath to the patriarchs.
Theological Implications of Divine Command and Covenant
1. The Continuation of Divine Guidance
– Despite the golden calf incident, God does not abandon His promise.
2. The Connection Between Redemption and Covenant
– Moshe’s leadership is affirmed, linking the Exodus (redemption) with the covenant (inheritance of the land).
3. The Promise to the Patriarchs as a Legal and Theological Foundation
– The land is not given arbitrarily; it is a fulfillment of a sworn oath.
The Role of Imperatives and Object Relationships in Divine Instruction
Exodus 33:1 demonstrates how divine commands use imperative verbs and object relationships to establish clarity. The grammatical structure reinforces theological themes, ensuring that the Israelites understand their movement toward destiny.
