Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version For the LORD had said to Moses, “Tell the Israelites, ‘You are a stiff-necked people. If I were to go with you even for a moment, I might destroy you. Now take off your ornaments and I will decide what to do with you.’” New Living Translation For the LORD had told Moses to tell them, “You are a stubborn and rebellious people. If I were to travel with you for even a moment, I would destroy you. Remove your jewelry and fine clothes while I decide what to do with you.” English Standard Version For the LORD had said to Moses, “Say to the people of Israel, ‘You are a stiff-necked people; if for a single moment I should go up among you, I would consume you. So now take off your ornaments, that I may know what to do with you.’” Berean Standard Bible For the LORD had said to Moses, “Tell the Israelites, ‘You are a stiff-necked people. If I should go with you for a single moment, I would destroy you. Now take off your jewelry, and I will decide what to do with you.’” Berean Literal Bible And YHWH had said to Moses, “Say to the sons of Israel, ‘You⁺ are a stiff-necked people. In one moment I will come up among you and I will consume you. And now put down your ornaments from on you, and I will know what I shall do to you.’” King James Bible For the LORD had said unto Moses, Say unto the children of Israel, Ye are a stiffnecked people: I will come up into the midst of thee in a moment, and consume thee: therefore now put off thy ornaments from thee, that I may know what to do unto thee. New King James Version For the LORD had said to Moses, “Say to the children of Israel, ‘You are a stiff-necked people. I could come up into your midst in one moment and consume you. Now therefore, take off your ornaments, that I may know what to do to you.’ ” New American Standard Bible For the LORD had said to Moses, “Say to the sons of Israel, ‘You are an obstinate people; if I were to go up in your midst for just one moment, I would destroy you. So now, take off your jewelry that I may know what I shall do to you.’” NASB 1995 For the LORD had said to Moses, “Say to the sons of Israel, ‘You are an obstinate people; should I go up in your midst for one moment, I would destroy you. Now therefore, put off your ornaments from you, that I may know what I shall do with you.’” NASB 1977 For the LORD had said to Moses, “Say to the sons of Israel, ‘You are an obstinate people; should I go up in your midst for one moment, I would destroy you. Now therefore, put off your ornaments from you, that I may know what I will do with you.’” Legacy Standard Bible So Yahweh said to Moses, “Say to the sons of Israel, ‘You are a stiff-necked people; should I go up in your midst for one moment, I would consume you. So now, put off your ornaments from you, that I may know what I shall do with you.’” Amplified Bible For the LORD had said to Moses, “Say to the sons of Israel, ‘You are a stiff-necked (stubborn, rebellious) people! If I should come among you for one moment, I would destroy you. Now therefore, [penitently] take off your ornaments, so that I may know what to do with you.’” Berean Annotated Bible For the LORD {YHWH} had said to Moses (drawn out), “Tell the Israelites (God prevails), ‘You⁺ are a stiff-necked people. If I should go with you for a single moment, I would destroy you. Now take off your jewelry, and I will decide what to do with you. Christian Standard Bible For the LORD said to Moses, “Tell the Israelites: You are a stiff-necked people. If I went up with you for a single moment, I would destroy you. Now take off your jewelry, and I will decide what to do with you.” Holman Christian Standard Bible For the LORD said to Moses: “Tell the Israelites: You are a stiff-necked people. If I went with you for a single moment, I would destroy you. Now take off your jewelry, and I will decide what to do with you.” American Standard Version And Jehovah said unto Moses, Say unto the children of Israel, Ye are a stiffnecked people; if I go up into the midst of thee for one moment, I shall consume thee: therefore now put off thy ornaments from thee, that I may know what to do unto thee. English Revised Version And the LORD said unto Moses, Say unto the children of Israel, Ye are a stiffnecked people: if I go up into the midst of thee for one moment, I shall consume thee: therefore now put off thy ornaments from thee, that I may know what to do unto thee. GOD'S WORD® Translation The LORD had said to Moses, "Tell the Israelites, 'You are impossible to deal with. If I were with you, I might destroy you at any time. Now take off your jewelry, and I'll decide what to do with you.'" Good News Translation For the LORD had commanded Moses to tell them, "You are a stubborn people. If I were to go with you even for a moment, I would completely destroy you. Now take off your jewelry, and I will decide what to do with you." International Standard Version The LORD had told Moses, "Say to the Israelis, 'You are an obstinate people, and if for one moment I went up among you, I would put an end to you. Now take off your ornaments so I may decide what to do with you.'" NET Bible For the LORD had said to Moses, "Tell the Israelites, 'You are a stiff-necked people. If I went up among you for a moment, I might destroy you. Now take off your ornaments, that I may know what I should do to you.'" New Heart English Bible The LORD said to Moses, "Tell the children of Israel, 'You are a stiff-necked people. If I were to go up into your midst for one moment, I would consume you. Therefore now take off your jewelry from you, that I may know what to do to you.'" Webster's Bible Translation For the LORD had said to Moses, Say to the children of Israel, Ye are a stiff-necked people: I will come up into the midst of thee in a moment, and consume thee: therefore now put off thy ornaments from thee, that I may know what to do to thee. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleFor the LORD had said to Moses, “Tell the Israelites, ‘You are a stiff-necked people. If I should go with you for a single moment, I would destroy you. Now take off your jewelry, and I will decide what to do with you.’” World English Bible Yahweh had said to Moses, “Tell the children of Israel, ‘You are a stiff-necked people. If I were to go up among you for one moment, I would consume you. Therefore now take off your jewelry from you, that I may know what to do to you.’” Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd YHWH says to Moses, “Say to the sons of Israel: You [are] a stiff-necked people; [in] one moment I could come up into your midst and could have consumed you; and now, put down your ornaments from off you, and I know what I do to you”; Berean Literal Bible And YHWH had said to Moses, “Say to the sons of Israel, ‘You⁺ are a stiff-necked people. In one moment I will come up among you and I will consume you. And now put down your ornaments from on you, and I will know what I shall do to you.’” Young's Literal Translation And Jehovah saith unto Moses, 'Say unto the sons of Israel, Ye are a stiff-necked people; one moment -- I come up into thy midst, and have consumed thee; and now, put down thine ornaments from off thee, and I know what I do to thee;' Smith's Literal Translation And Jehovah will say to Moses, Say to the sons of Israel, Ye are a people of a hard neck: one moment I will come up in the midst of thee, and finish thee: and now bring down thy ornaments from thee, and I shall know what I shall do to thee. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd the Lord said to Moses: Say to the children of Israel: Thou are 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 with thee. Catholic Public Domain Version And the Lord said to Moses: “Say to the sons of Israel: You are a stiff-necked people. I should at once go up into your midst and destroy you. Now immediately put aside your ornaments, so that I may know what to do to you.” New American Bible The LORD spoke to Moses: Speak to the Israelites: You are a stiff-necked people. Were I to go up in your company even for a moment, I would destroy you. Now off with your ornaments! Let me think what to do with you. New Revised Standard Version For the LORD had said to Moses, “Say to the Israelites, ‘You are a stiff-necked people; if for a single moment I should go up among you, I would consume you. So now take off your ornaments, and I will decide what to do to you.’” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleThen the LORD said to Moses, Say to the children of Israel, You are a stiff-necked people; I will come up among you in a moment, and consume you; therefore now put off your armor from you, that I may know what to do to you. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And the people heard this evil response and it grieved them and no man took up his weapons upon him. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And the LORD said unto Moses: 'Say unto the children of Israel: Ye are a stiffnecked people; if I go up into the midst of thee for one moment, I shall consume thee; therefore now put off thy ornaments from thee, that I may know what to do unto thee.' Brenton Septuagint Translation For the Lord said to the children of Israel, Ye are a stiff-necked people; take heed lest I bring on you another plague, and destroy you: now then put off your glorious apparel, and your ornaments, and I will shew thee what I will do to thee. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Command to Leave Sinai…4When the people heard these bad tidings, they went into mourning, and no one put on any of his jewelry. 5For the LORD had said to Moses, “Tell the Israelites, ‘You are a stiff-necked people. If I should go with you for a single moment, I would destroy you. Now take off your jewelry, and I will decide what to do with you.’” 6So the Israelites stripped themselves of their jewelry from Mount Horeb onward.… Cross References For the LORD had said to Moses, Exodus 32:10 Now leave Me alone, so that My anger may burn against them and consume them. Then I will make you into a great nation.” Deuteronomy 9:14 Leave Me alone, so that I may destroy them and blot out their name from under heaven. Then I will make you into a nation mightier and greater than they are.” Numbers 14:11-12 And the LORD said to Moses, “How long will this people treat Me with contempt? How long will they refuse to believe in Me, despite all the signs I have performed among them? / I will strike them with a plague and destroy them—and I will make you into a nation greater and mightier than they are.” “Tell the Israelites, Leviticus 1:2 “Speak to the Israelites and tell them: When any of you brings an offering to the LORD, you may bring as your offering an animal from the herd or the flock. Exodus 19:3 Then Moses went up to God, and the LORD called to him from the mountain, “This is what you are to tell the house of Jacob and explain to the sons of Israel: Numbers 5:1 Then the LORD said to Moses, ‘You are a stiff-necked people. Exodus 32:9 The LORD also said to Moses, “I have seen this people, and they are indeed a stiff-necked people. Deuteronomy 9:13 The LORD also said to me, “I have seen this people, and they are indeed a stiff-necked people. Deuteronomy 9:6 Understand, then, that it is not because of your righteousness that the LORD your God is giving you this good land to possess, for you are a stiff-necked people. If I should go with you for a single moment, I would destroy you. Deuteronomy 9:19 For I was afraid of the anger and wrath that the LORD had directed against you, enough to destroy you. But the LORD listened to me this time as well. Leviticus 10:2-3 So fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed them, and they died in the presence of the LORD. / Then Moses said to Aaron, “This is what the LORD meant when He said: ‘To those who come near Me I will show My holiness, and in the sight of all the people I will reveal My glory.’” But Aaron remained silent. Numbers 16:31-35 As soon as Moses had finished saying all this, the ground beneath them split open, / and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them and their households—all Korah’s men and all their possessions. / They went down alive into Sheol with all they owned. The earth closed over them, and they vanished from the assembly. … Now take off your jewelry, Genesis 35:2-4 So Jacob told his household and all who were with him, “Get rid of the foreign gods that are among you. Purify yourselves and change your garments. / Then let us arise and go to Bethel. I will build an altar there to God, who answered me in my day of distress. He has been with me wherever I have gone.” / So they gave Jacob all their foreign gods and all their earrings, and Jacob buried them under the oak near Shechem. Isaiah 3:18-24 In that day the Lord will take away their finery: their anklets and headbands and crescents; / their pendants, bracelets, and veils; / their headdresses, ankle chains, and sashes; their perfume bottles and charms; … and I will decide what to do with you.’” Jeremiah 18:7-10 At any time I might announce that a nation or kingdom will be uprooted, torn down, and destroyed. / But if that nation I warned turns from its evil, then I will relent of the disaster I had planned to bring. / And if at another time I announce that I will build up and establish a nation or kingdom, … Jonah 3:10 When God saw their actions—that they had turned from their evil ways—He relented from the disaster He had threatened to bring upon them. Treasury of Scripture For the LORD had said to Moses, Say to the children of Israel, You are a stiff necked people: I will come up into the middle of you in a moment, and consume you: therefore now put off your ornaments from you, that I may know what to do to you. ye are Exodus 33:3 Unto a land flowing with milk and honey: for I will not go up in the midst of thee; for thou art a stiffnecked people: lest I consume thee in the way. Numbers 16:45,46 Get you up from among this congregation, that I may consume them as in a moment. And they fell upon their faces… in a moment Numbers 16:21,45 Separate yourselves from among this congregation, that I may consume them in a moment… Job 34:20 In a moment shall they die, and the people shall be troubled at midnight, and pass away: and the mighty shall be taken away without hand. Psalm 73:19 How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors. put off Isaiah 22:12 And in that day did the Lord GOD of hosts call to weeping, and to mourning, and to baldness, and to girding with sackcloth: I may Genesis 18:21 I will go down now, and see whether they have done altogether according to the cry of it, which is come unto me; and if not, I will know. Genesis 22:12 And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me. Deuteronomy 8:2 And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no. Jump to Previous Children Consume Decide Destroy Israel Israelites Jewelry Midst Minute Moment Moses Obstinate Ornaments Stiffnecked Stiff-NeckedJump to Next Children Consume Decide Destroy Israel Israelites Jewelry Midst Minute Moment Moses Obstinate Ornaments Stiffnecked Stiff-NeckedExodus 33 1. The Lord refuses to go as he had promised with the people4. The people mourn there 7. The tabernacle is removed out of the camp 9. The Lord talks familiarly with Moses 12. Moses prevails with God, and desires to see his glory For the LORD had said to Moses This phrase indicates direct communication from God to Moses, emphasizing Moses' role as a mediator between God and the Israelites. It reflects the unique relationship Moses had with God, often described as speaking "face to face" (Exodus 33:11). This communication underscores the seriousness of the message and the authority with which it is delivered. Tell the Israelites ‘You are a stiff-necked people. If I should go with you for a single moment, I would destroy you. Now take off your jewelry and I will decide what to do with you.’” Persons / Places / Events 1. The LORD (Yahweh)The covenant God of Israel, who is holy and just, communicating His displeasure with the Israelites' behavior. 2. Moses The leader and prophet of Israel, acting as an intermediary between God and the people. 3. The Israelites The chosen people of God, described here as "stiff-necked," indicating their stubbornness and rebellion. 4. The Wilderness The setting where the Israelites are journeying after their exodus from Egypt, a place of testing and revelation. 5. The Golden Calf Incident The backdrop to this passage, where the Israelites had sinned by creating and worshiping a golden calf, leading to God's anger. Teaching Points Understanding StubbornnessThe term "stiff-necked" (Hebrew: qesheh-oref) implies a refusal to submit to God's authority. Reflect on areas in your life where you may resist God's guidance. The Consequences of Sin God's warning about potential destruction highlights the seriousness of sin. Consider how sin separates us from God and the importance of repentance. The Call to Repentance Removing jewelry symbolizes humility and repentance. Identify ways to demonstrate genuine repentance in your life. God's Mercy and Patience Despite His anger, God offers a chance for repentance. Reflect on God's patience in your life and how you can extend that patience to others. Intercession and Leadership Moses' role as an intercessor shows the power of prayer and leadership. Consider how you can intercede for others and lead them towards God. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Exodus 33:5?2. How does Exodus 33:5 illustrate God's response to Israel's disobedience? 3. What does "stiff-necked people" reveal about Israel's spiritual condition in Exodus 33:5? 4. How can we avoid becoming "stiff-necked" in our relationship with God today? 5. Compare God's warning in Exodus 33:5 with His patience in other Scriptures. 6. How should Exodus 33:5 influence our understanding of repentance and humility before God? 7. Why does God call the Israelites a "stiff-necked people" in Exodus 33:5? 8. How does Exodus 33:5 reflect God's relationship with the Israelites? 9. What does Exodus 33:5 reveal about God's expectations for obedience? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Exodus 33? 11. What does 'House of Jacob' mean in the Bible? 12. Deuteronomy 5:4 states God spoke 'face to face' with Israel; how can this be verified historically or scientifically? 13. Exodus 7--Overall: Why do no independent ancient records outside the Bible confirm these miraculous plagues? 14. Deuteronomy 26:5-10 references the Exodus from Egypt, yet why do Egyptian records lack explicit corroboration of such a mass departure? What Does Exodus 33:5 Mean For the LORD had said to MosesGod Himself initiates this conversation. He is not reacting impulsively; He speaks with deliberate clarity, just as He had done at the burning bush (Exodus 3:4) and later “face to face” with Moses (Numbers 12:8). By reminding us that the LORD spoke, the text underscores: • Authority – what follows is not Moses’ idea; it carries divine weight (Deuteronomy 34:10). • Relationship – the covenant mediator hears directly from God, anticipating the ultimate Mediator, Christ (Hebrews 3:5–6). Tell the Israelites Moses must relay God’s exact words. Israel cannot plead ignorance. This mirrors earlier moments: • At Sinai, Moses “reported the words of the people to the LORD” and vice versa (Exodus 19:7-9). • In Deuteronomy 5:5 he again stands “between the LORD and you.” The pattern reveals: God’s holiness is uncompromised, yet He graciously communicates through a mediator so the people may respond rather than be consumed (Exodus 20:19). You are a stiff-necked people The phrase pictures an ox refusing to yield to its yoke—a vivid indictment of Israel’s hard-hearted rebellion seen in the golden-calf episode (Exodus 32:9). Other echoes: Deuteronomy 9:6, Acts 7:51. Key truths: • Sin is not a slip; it is stubborn resistance. • God calls sin what it is before He offers mercy. Personal application arises naturally: the Lord still confronts obstinacy (James 4:6). If I should go with you for a single moment, I would destroy you Holiness and sin cannot coexist without judgment (Habakkuk 1:13). Compare Exodus 32:10, where God warned of consuming wrath, and 1 Corinthians 10:5, where most of the wilderness generation “were struck down.” Points to note: • God’s presence is blessing or peril depending on human response. • His justice is immediate—“a single moment”—showing absolute moral purity. • Yet He warns rather than instantly destroys, revealing patience (Psalm 103:8). Now take off your jewelry The ornaments used for idolatry (Exodus 32:2-4) must be removed. This external act pictures inward repentance, much like Jacob’s household burying their foreign gods and earrings at Shechem (Genesis 35:2-4). Practical implications: • Put away symbols of past rebellion (Isaiah 2:20-21). • Humble yourself—ornament in Scripture often symbolizes pride (1 Peter 3:3-4). • Repentance is visible and tangible; faith produces deeds (James 2:17). and I will decide what to do with you The future is placed solely in God’s hands. He remains sovereign yet responsive to repentance (Jeremiah 18:7-10; Jonah 3:10). Important insights: • Mercy is never owed; it is bestowed. • God’s “decision” will unfold in the rest of the chapter—His presence will accompany Israel, but only through Moses’ intercession (Exodus 33:14-17). • The statement invites ongoing humility, echoing David’s plea: “Let us fall into the hands of the LORD, for His mercies are great” (2 Samuel 24:14). summary Exodus 33:5 exposes Israel’s stubborn sin, highlights the peril of God’s holy presence, calls for tangible repentance, and leaves the outcome to sovereign mercy. The verse reminds every generation that while sin invites immediate judgment, God offers a mediated path to forgiveness and continued fellowship for those who humble themselves and turn from rebellion. (5)For the Lord had said unto Moses.--Rather, And the Lord said unto Moses. The message did not precede the repentance of the people, but followed it.I will come up into the midst of thee in a moment, and consume thee.--Rather, were I to go up in the midst of thee, even for a moment (a brief space), I should consume thee. The people learnt by this the reason of God's proposed withdrawal. It was in mercy, that they might not be consumed, as there was danger of their being unless they repented and turned to God. Put off thy ornaments.--Rather, leave off thy ornaments, i.e., put them aside altogether; show thy penitence by giving up the use of them; then shall I know what to do with thee; then shall I be able to deal with thee in a way which otherwise were impossible. Verse 5. ? For the Lord had said unto Moses, etc. Rather, "And the Lord said unto M." (so most recent commentators, as Keil, Kalisch, etc.) The message was sent to the people after their repentance, and in reply to it. It was not, however, as our version makes it, a threat of destruction, but only a repetition of the statement made in ver. 2, that, if God went up with them, the probable result would be their destruction. Translate - "Ye are a stiff-necked people; were I for one moment to go up in the midst of thee, I should destroy thee," Put off thy ornaments. The command seems strange, when we had just been told that "no man did put on him his ornaments" (ver 4) but the word translated put off probably means "lay aside altogether." The intention was to make their continued disuse of the ornaments a test of their penitence.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew For the LORDיְהוָ֜ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel had said וַיֹּ֨אמֶר (way·yō·mer) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 559: To utter, say to אֶל־ (’el-) Preposition Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to Moses, מֹשֶׁ֗ה (mō·šeh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 4872: Moses -- a great Israelite leader, prophet and lawgiver “Tell אֱמֹ֤ר (’ĕ·mōr) Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular Strong's 559: To utter, say the Israelites, בְּנֵֽי־ (bə·nê-) Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 1121: A son ‘You אַתֶּ֣ם (’at·tem) Pronoun - second person masculine plural Strong's 859: Thou and thee, ye and you are a stiff-necked קְשֵׁה־ (qə·šêh-) Adjective - masculine singular construct Strong's 7186: Hard, severe people. עַם־ (‘am-) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock If I should go אֶֽעֱלֶ֥ה (’e·‘ĕ·leh) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular Strong's 5927: To ascend, in, actively with you בְקִרְבְּךָ֖ (ḇə·qir·bə·ḵā) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular Strong's 7130: The nearest part, the center for a single אֶחָ֛ד (’e·ḥāḏ) Number - masculine singular Strong's 259: United, one, first moment, רֶ֧גַע (re·ḡa‘) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 7281: A wink, a very short space of time I would destroy you. וְכִלִּיתִ֑יךָ (wə·ḵil·lî·ṯî·ḵā) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singular | second person masculine singular Strong's 3615: To be complete, at an end, finished, accomplished, or spent Now וְעַתָּ֗ה (wə·‘at·tāh) Conjunctive waw | Adverb Strong's 6258: At this time take off הוֹרֵ֤ד (hō·w·rêḏ) Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine singular Strong's 3381: To come or go down, descend your jewelry, עֶדְיְךָ֙ (‘eḏ·yə·ḵā) Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular Strong's 5716: Finery, an outfit, a headstall and I will decide וְאֵדְעָ֖ה (wə·’ê·ḏə·‘āh) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect Cohortative - first person common singular Strong's 3045: To know what מָ֥ה (māh) Interrogative Strong's 4100: What?, what!, indefinitely what to do אֶֽעֱשֶׂה־ (’e·‘ĕ·śeh-) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular Strong's 6213: To do, make with you.’” לָּֽךְ׃ (lāḵ) Preposition | second person masculine singular Strong's 0: 0 Links Exodus 33:5 NIVExodus 33:5 NLT Exodus 33:5 ESV Exodus 33:5 NASB Exodus 33:5 KJV Exodus 33:5 BibleApps.com Exodus 33:5 Biblia Paralela Exodus 33:5 Chinese Bible Exodus 33:5 French Bible Exodus 33:5 Catholic Bible OT Law: Exodus 33:5 Yahweh said to Moses Tell the children (Exo. 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