Exodus 33:15
ESV
And he said to him, "If your presence will not go with me, do not bring us up from here.
NIV
Then Moses said to him, "If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here.
NASB
Then he said to Him, 'If Your presence does not go with us, do not lead us up from here.
CSB
"If your presence does not go," Moses responded to him, "don’t make us go up from here.
NLT
Then Moses said, 'If you don’t personally go with us, don’t make us leave this place.
KJV
And he said unto him, If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence.
NKJV
Then he said to Him, “If Your Presence does not go with us, do not bring us up from here.
What does Exodus 33:15 mean?
God has indicated that His presence will go with Israel (Exodus 33:14). He had recently withdrawn (Exodus 33:1–3) because of the nation's idolatry (Exodus 32:1–6). But the covenant will be renewed (Exodus 34). Here, Moses presses God for additional assurance.Moses phrases his question in a form implying ongoing action. This might be translated as, "if your presence will not continue along with me…" He realizes that his need for God is ongoing. Moses does not expect to reach a point of no longer needing the Lord's help. Moses also understands that it is God's presence which sets Israel apart from other nations (Exodus 33:16). Without that, the people are no better off and no different from the nations currently living in the Promised Land (Genesis 15:18–21; Deuteronomy 7:7–8; 9:6).
