The Church Fathers on this verse

Exodus 33:5Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

And the Lord said to Moses: Say to the children of Israel: Thou art a stiffnecked people, once I shall come up in the midst of thee, and shall destroy thee. Now presently lay aside thy ornaments, that I may know what to do to thee.

Douay-Rheims

וַיֹּ֨אמֶר יְהוָ֜ה אֶל־מֹשֶׁ֗ה אֱמֹ֤ר אֶל־בְּנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ אַתֶּ֣ם עַם־קְשֵׁה־עֹ֔רֶף רֶ֧גַע אֶחָ֛ד אֽ͏ֶעֱלֶ֥ה בְקִרְבְּךָ֖ וְכִלִּיתִ֑יךָ וְעַתָּ֗ה הוֹרֵ֤ד עֶדְיְךָ֙ מֵֽעָלֶ֔יךָ וְאֵדְעָ֖ה מָ֥ה אֶֽעֱשֶׂה־לָּֽךְ׃

Hebrew (Masoretic text)

The Church Fathers on this verse

One Church Father comments on this verse

Wlastow G.K.

19th centuryCommentator

The Lord's challenges serve to educate the people and inspire the noblest emotions within the hearts of Israel's descendants. The historical accounts penned by Moses and later prophets highlight the moral aspects of these events, chronicling the unfolding of God's kingdom on earth. The growth of moral consciousness within individual souls, both in families and communities, as well as among nations, is meticulously documented in the sacred texts. These scriptures portray Israel as a distinct community, embodying a collective experience that encompasses its flaws, sins, passions, and instances of genuine repentance. Notably, the Israelite community was unique among contemporaneous groups, as it fostered a sense of individual independence seldom seen elsewhere.

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Moreover, every individual was encouraged to engage deeply with their faith, unlike other societies where religious knowledge was confined to a select priestly class. Consequently, Israel's repentance was more than a mere ritual; it reflected the profound grief of countless hearts yearning for the nation's redemption. The Lord intentionally allows this sorrow to manifest by delaying His definitive judgement.

Cross references

Passages read together with this verse.