Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Exodus 33:16
For wherein shall it be known here that I and thy people have found grace in thy sight? [is it] not in that thou goest with us? so shall we be separated, I and thy people, from all the people that [are] upon the face of the earth.
16. For how can it be known that they stand in Jehovah’s favour except by His personally accompanying them, and thereby shewing that they are distinguished from all other nations of the earth?
separated, &c.] The word, as Exo 8:22, Exo 9:4, Exo 11:7 (Heb.): for the thought, cf. Exo 19:5, Deu 7:6 , 1Ki 8:53 (a different Heb. word).
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Thou goest with us – It was this which alone distinguished (rather than separated) them from other nations, and which alone would render the land of promise a home to be desired. Compare 2Sa 7:23.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 16. So shall we be separated] By having this Divine protection we shall be saved from idolatry, and be preserved in thy truth and in the true worshipping of thee; and thus shall we be separated from all the people that are upon the face of the earth: as all the nations of the world, the Jews only excepted, were at this time idolaters.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Wherein shall it be known here? by what other token shall other nations and after-ages know?
So shall we be separated, i.e. distinguished by thy peculiar kindness and privileges afforded to us. Or,
be made wonderful, or eminent, or glorious above all other people.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
For wherein shall it be known here,…. At Sinai, among the mountains in the wilderness:
that I and thy people have found grace in thy sight: were acceptable to him, highly esteemed by him, and had received peculiar favours from him; what evidence would there be of this? how would it appear to others? what knowledge could they have of it?
[is it] not in that thou goest with us? in such a grand majestic manner, and so visible as in a pillar of cloud by day, and a pillar of fire by night: this is a full proof, and a strong and convincing argument, even to a demonstration, that they were a special and peculiar people, the favourites of God, highly esteemed and honoured by him; but should this be discontinued, as seemed to be threatened, there would be nothing to demonstrate that they had found more grace and favour than other people; but this being the case,
so shall we be separated, I and thy people, from all the people [that are] upon the face of the earth; distinguished by this favour from them, and that in a very wonderful and marvellous manner, as the word signifies; and so some render it, “marvellously separated” a; for the pillar of cloud and fire was a very marvellous thing, and distinguished the people of Israel from all others in a surprising manner, none having been ever favoured in the like manner.
a “marvellously separated”, Ainsworth.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
16. So shall we be separated That is, notably distinguished from all the people that are upon the face of the earth, in having the manifest presence of Jehovah among them . If this glorious presence was not to go with them and thus distinguish them from all other peoples, Moses prefers not to go up from Sinai . Here we notice, further, the persistency of Moses’s intercession, and in the next verse we observe how powerfully it prevails with God .
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Exo 33:16 For wherein shall it be known here that I and thy people have found grace in thy sight? [is it] not in that thou goest with us? so shall we be separated, I and thy people, from all the people that [are] upon the face of the earth.
Ver. 16. So shall we be separated. ] Heb., Marvellously separated. The separation of the saints is a wonderful separation. See Deu 4:7 ; also Isa 20:6 , where Judea is for this cause called an “isle.”
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
wherein . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis (App-6).
so shall we be: or, “and by our being”.
earth. Hebrew. ‘adamah, ground.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
in that: Num 14:14, Mat 1:23
separated: Exo 8:22, Exo 19:5, Exo 19:6, Exo 34:10, Num 23:9, Deu 4:7, Deu 4:34, 2Sa 7:23, 1Ki 8:53, Psa 147:20, 2Co 6:17
Reciprocal: Lev 20:24 – which Num 6:2 – When Num 14:9 – the Lord Deu 33:28 – Israel Jdg 6:17 – If now 1Sa 8:20 – General 2Sa 14:22 – I have found Ezr 9:1 – have not separated Est 8:5 – if I Psa 4:3 – that the Pro 18:1 – Through Isa 5:2 – fenced it Mic 7:14 – which