Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Exodus 32:14
And the LORD repented of the evil which he thought to do unto his people.
14. And Jehovah repented, &c.] so Gen 6:7, Jdg 2:18 , 1Sa 15:11; 1Sa 15:35, 2Sa 24:16 al. Hebrew writers often express themselves ‘anthropopathically,’ i.e. attribute to God the feelings or emotions of a man. God is thus said to ‘repent,’ not because He really changes His purpose, but because He does so apparently, when, in consequence of a change in the character and conduct of men, He is obliged to make a corresponding change in the purpose towards them which He had previously announced, and adopt towards them a new attitude. See esp. Jeremiah 18, where it is taught that if man repents, a threat may be withdrawn (cf. Jer 26:3; Jer 26:13; Jer 26:19, Jon 3:9-10), while on the other hand if man turns to evil a promise may be revoked. Here Jehovah ‘repents,’ as a consequence of Moses’ intercession (cf. Amo 7:3; Amo 7:6). God is also said to ‘repent,’ when he stops a judgement in the midst, as it seems, of its course, through compassion (2Sa 24:16, Deu 32:36). Where, however, nothing is likely to occur to cause a change in Jehovah’s declared purpose, He is said to be ‘not a man, that he should repent’ (1Sa 15:29; cf. Num 23:19).
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Verse 14. And the Lord repented of the evil] This is spoken merely after the manner of men who, having formed a purpose, permit themselves to be diverted from it by strong and forcible reasons, and so change their minds relative to their former intentions.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
i.e. Changed his sentence. See on Gen 6:6.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
And the Lord repented of the evil which he thought to do unto his people. He did not do what he threatened to do, and seemed to have in his thoughts and designs, but did what Moses desired he would, Ex 32:12 not that any of God’s thoughts or the determinations of his mind are alterable; for the thoughts of his heart are to all generations; but he changes the outward dispensations of his providence, or his methods of acting with men, which he has been taking or threatened to take; and this being similar to what they do when they repent of anything, who alter their course, hence repentance is ascribed to God, though, properly speaking, it does not belong to him, see Jer 18:8. Aben Ezra thinks that the above prayer of Moses, which was so prevalent with God, does not stand in its proper place, but should come after Ex 32:31 for, to what purpose, says he, should Moses say to the Israelites, Ex 32:30 “peradventure I shall make an atonement for your sin”: if he was appeased by his prayer before?
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
14. The Lord repented See notes at Gen 6:6; Jdg 2:18, and 1Sa 15:11.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Exo 32:14. The Lord repented of the evil That is, to give weight to the intercession of Moses, he did that which men do, who are influenced by proper arguments, he altered his sentiments. The Almighty can neither change nor repent: such expressions are always to be understood, as they are always spoken, after the manner of men; but this expression we have explained fully in the note on Gen 6:6.
REFLECTIONS.We have here the prayer of Moses; and an effectual fervent prayer it is. God, even in the restraint he seemed to lay, had given a ground of encouragement, and faith knows how to plead every argument. Though their provocations were great, and God might justly consume them, he begs for mercy, and that God would repent of the evil; that he would change the sentence he was ready to utter. For which purpose he urges,
1. The mercy that God had shewn them. He had brought them from Egypt, and will he now cast them off? Past mercies received are an encouraging ground to hope still. If God has pardoned and been gracious to us before, let us not despair, but apply to him again, however undeserving. 2. God’s glory was concerned. The Egyptians will triumph in their ruin. It lies near the heart of a true believer to hear the heathen blaspheme; and he wishes in himself and others to remove every such occasion. 3. He produces the promise made to their fathers. If they were not spared on any other consideration, yet, for his oath to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, let them find mercy. God’s promises are a sure ground of hope: while we have them to plead, we may draw near, and not despair.
Hereupon God is entreated. He spares at Moses’s intercession. Behold the power of prayer. And shall Moses be heard for the thousands of Israel, and shall not Jesus in heaven succeed for the sinful soul? However desperate our state may appear, we should not utterly abandon ourselves: while we have such an advocate with the Father, the most miserable and the most guilty may find mercy!
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Psa_106:23; Psa_106:45 .
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Exo 32:14 And the LORD repented of the evil which he thought to do unto his people.
Ver. 14. And the Lord repented. ] See Exo 32:12 . Moses here had a hard pull, but he carried it.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
thought to do. Hebrew which He spake of doing.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
repented
(See Scofield “Zec 8:14”).
Fuente: Scofield Reference Bible Notes
Deu 32:26, 2Sa 24:16, 1Ch 21:15, Psa 106:45, Jer 18:8, Jer 26:13, Jer 26:19, Joe 2:13, Jon 3:10, Jon 4:2
Reciprocal: Gen 6:6 – repented Gen 18:32 – I will not Exo 32:12 – repent Exo 33:3 – for I Deu 9:15 – I turned Deu 9:19 – But the Deu 10:10 – the Lord hearkened 2Ki 13:23 – because of his covenant Psa 90:13 – let it Psa 106:23 – stood Jer 42:10 – for I
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Exo 32:14. The Lord repented of the evil Changed his sentence at the entreaty of Moses, who in this represented the Lord Christ, the great Mediator and Intercessor for all the sinful race. He was pleased not to inflict upon them that punishment which he threatened, (Exo 32:10,) and so acted as men do when they repent and change their minds. Though he designed to punish them, yet he would not ruin them. See here the power of prayer! God suffers himself to be prevailed with by humble, believing importunity. And see the compassion of God toward poor sinners, and how ready he is to forgive! It must, however, be well observed that such expressions as this, of the Lords repenting, must be understood as spoken after the manner of men. For that no proper change or repentance can take place in the Divine Mind, plainly follows from the perfection of the divine knowledge, which comprehends at one view all things, past, present, and to come, and can never be surprised at their happening as they do, or change his mind on that account. See this further explained on Gen 6:6.