And the LORD descended in the cloud, and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the LORD.
descended
Exodus 19:18 And mount Sinai was altogether on a smoke, because the LORD descended upon it in fire: and the smoke thereof ascended as the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mount quaked greatly.
Exodus 33:9 And it came to pass, as Moses entered into the tabernacle, the cloudy pillar descended, and stood at the door of the tabernacle, and the LORD talked with Moses.
Numbers 11:17,25 And I will come down and talk with thee there: and I will take of the spirit which is upon thee, and will put it upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with thee, that thou bear it not thyself alone…
the name
Exodus 33:19 And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy.
Numbers 14:17 And now, I beseech thee, let the power of my Lord be great, according as thou hast spoken, saying,
Deuteronomy 32:3 Because I will publish the name of the LORD: ascribe ye greatness unto our God.
stood with him there
This phrase emphasizes the personal and intimate nature of God's relationship with Moses. Unlike other instances where God speaks from a distance, here He stands with Moses, indicating a special level of communion and favor. This moment is a continuation of the unique relationship Moses has with God, as described in Exodus 33:11, where it is said that the LORD spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. The standing posture also suggests readiness and authority, as God prepares to reveal His character and covenant to Moses.
and proclaimed His name, the LORD
Proclaiming His name signifies a revelation of God's character and essence. In Hebrew culture, a name is deeply connected to one's identity and attributes. The name "the LORD" (YHWH) is the covenant name of God, first revealed to Moses at the burning bush (Exodus 3:14). It conveys God's eternal, self-existent nature and His faithfulness to His promises. This proclamation is a profound moment where God declares His attributes, such as mercy, grace, and justice, which are further detailed in the following verses (Exodus 34:6-7). This revelation is foundational for understanding God's nature and is echoed throughout Scripture, including in the Psalms and the prophets, where God's name is synonymous with His power and faithfulness.
The verse begins by emphasizing God’s personal initiative to come down to Moses. A cloud frequently marks God’s manifest presence:
• Exodus 13:21-22 recounts a pillar of cloud that guided Israel.
• In Exodus 19:9 God says, “Behold, I will come to you in a dense cloud.”
• When Solomon dedicates the temple, “the cloud filled the house of the LORD” (1 Kings 8:10-11).
• On the Mount of Transfiguration “a bright cloud enveloped them” (Matthew 17:5).
Each example shows that the cloud is not a mere weather phenomenon; it is a gracious veil that both reveals and conceals divine glory, protecting humans while assuring them of God’s nearness. In Exodus 34 the cloud signals that the covenant-making God is once again drawing close to renew fellowship after Israel’s sin with the golden calf (Exodus 32).
Moses is not left standing alone on Sinai; the LORD chooses to stand with him. This stance underscores:
• Companionship—“My Presence will go with you” (Exodus 33:14).
• Continuity—Joshua later hears, “As I was with Moses, so I will be with you” (Joshua 1:5).
• Accessibility—Stephen sees “Jesus standing at the right hand of God” (Acts 7:55), a New Testament echo of divine willingness to be present with His people.
• Fulfillment—“The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us” (John 1:14); the ultimate standing-with-us is realized in Christ.
God does not merely issue commands from afar; He stands beside His servant, affirming their restored relationship and modeling the intimacy He desires with all who seek Him.
To proclaim His name is to reveal His character. Scripture links divine self-disclosure with the declaration of His name:
• At the burning bush God says, “I AM WHO I AM” (Exodus 3:14), anchoring His identity in eternal being.
• Immediately after verse 5, God expands the proclamation: “The LORD, the LORD God, compassionate and gracious…” (Exodus 34:6-7).
• Moses anticipates this moment in Deuteronomy 32:3-4: “I will proclaim the name of the LORD… He is the Rock.”
• The psalmist echoes, “The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger” (Psalm 103:8).
• Jesus mirrors the pattern: “I have revealed Your name to those You have given Me” (John 17:6; cf. 17:26).
By naming Himself, God confirms His covenant attributes—mercy, justice, steadfast love—and invites His people to trust Him afresh.
Exodus 34:5 portrays three interconnected movements: God descends, God stands, God proclaims. The cloud signals holy yet approachable glory; His standing affirms restored fellowship; His proclamation unveils His unchanging character. Together they reassure every reader that the LORD willingly draws near, remains present, and openly declares who He is so that His people can know, worship, and follow Him with confidence.
MOSES ALLOWED TO SEE GOD'S GLORY.(5-8) The present ascent of Moses to the top of Sinai had two objects:--(1) The repair of the loss occasioned by his breaking the first tables; and (2) the accomplishment of the promise made to him that (under certain restrictions) he should "see God's glory." Combined with this promise were two minor ones--that God would make His "goodness" pass before him, and that He would reveal to him afresh His name. The revelation of the name is recorded in Exodus 34:6-7, the manifestation of the glory in Exodus 34:5. How Moses was enabled to see God's goodness pass before him is not stated. (Comp. Note on Exodus 33:19.)
(5) The Lord descended in the cloud.--When Moses ceased to commune with God, the cloud removed from the door of the "Tent of Meeting," and, as it would seem, disappeared. On Moses reaching the summit of Sinai it once more became visible, "descended" on the spot where Moses was, and "stood with him there."
And proclaimed the name of the Lord.--Comp. Exodus 33:19; and for the terms of the proclamation see Exodus 34:6-7. . . .
Verses 5-8. - THE FULFILMENT BY GOD OF HIS PROMISE TO MOSES. This section coheres closely with the last section of the preceding chapter, and must be regarded, as the historical account of how God fulfilled the promises there made by him to Moses (Exodus 33:19-23). The promises were mainly two -1. That he would proclaim his name to him afresh; and
2. That he would pass by him, and let him see, after he had passed, what man might see of his glory. The fulfilment of the first promise appears in the long enumeration of attributes contained in vers. 6, 7; the fulfilment of the second is expressed with extreme brevity in the words - ,' And the Lord passed by before him" (ver. 6). Probably no further description could be given of that marvellous manifestation beyond those words in which it was promised (Exodus 33:21-23). Its effects were seen in that permanent reflection of God's glory on the face of Moses, which thenceforth compelled him to wear a veil mostly when he showed himself to the people (vers. 33-35). Verse 5. - The Lord descended in the cloud. The cloudy pillar, which had stood at the door of the Tent of Meeting (Exodus 33:10), was withdrawn while Moses ascended Sinai, and probably disappeared from men's sight. When Moses reached the top, it descended once more from the sky, and stood with him there. Then a voice from the cloud proclaimed the name of the Lord in the manner more fully stated in the ensuing verses.
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