Exodus 34:10 Meaning: God's Marvels After the Golden Calf
He said, “Behold, I make a covenant: before all your people I will do marvels, such as have not been worked in all the earth, nor in any nation; and all the people among whom you are shall see the work of Yahweh; for it is an awesome thing that I do with you.
And he said, Behold, I make a covenant: before all thy people I will do marvels, such as have not been done in all the earth, nor in any nation: and all the people among which thou art shall see the work of the Lord: for it is a terrible thing that I will do with thee.
And he said, Behold, I make a covenant: before all thy people I will do marvels, such as have not been wrought in all the earth, nor in any nation; and all the people among which thou art shall see the work of Jehovah; for it is a terrible thing that I do with thee.
And He saith, `Lo, I am making a covenant: before all thy people I do wonders, which have not been done in all the earth, or in any nation, and all the people in whose midst thou art have seen the work of Jehovah, for it is fearful that which I am doing with thee.
And he said, Behold, I make a covenant: before all thy people I will do marvels that have not been done in all the earth, nor in any nation; and all the people in the midst of which thou [art] shall see the work of Jehovah; for a terrible thing it shall be that I will do with thee.
Meaning in one sentence
After Israel's sin, God renews His covenant with unprecedented wonders. Find out what 'marvels' and 'awesome thing' really mean.
Context
This verse comes at a turning point. Israel had shattered the covenant by worshiping a golden calf, and Moses had pleaded with God not to abandon them. On Mount Sinai, God passed before Moses and proclaimed His name, merciful, gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness. Moses fell to the ground in worship and asked for forgiveness, confessing that the people were stiff-necked. Then God answered. He did not scold or withdraw. He declared, in effect, I am making a covenant. And He promised wonders so great they would have no equal anywhere on earth. The rest of the chapter spells out what this renewed relationship requires: Israel must worship no other gods, tear down pagan altars, and keep the feasts. But the promise comes first. God binds Himself to a people who have just proven unfaithful, and He seals it with extraordinary acts to prove He is with them.
Key Words
Three Hebrew words give the verse its weight. The first is nifla'ot, translated 'marvels' or 'wonders.' It comes from pala, a verb that means to be extraordinary, beyond human power. This is not just impressive, it is something only God can do. The second is nivreu, the word behind 'such as have not been worked' in the WEB. It is the verb bara, the same word used in Genesis for 'created', God creating something out of nothing. These marvels are not just modified natural events; they are new creations, unprecedented. The third word is nora, translated 'awesome' or 'terrible.' It comes from yare, to fear. The KJV says 'a terrible thing that I will do with thee.' It means something that makes you tremble, not in terror alone, but in a holy reverence that knows you are in the presence of a God who is both mighty and merciful. Together, these words say: God is about to do what He alone can do, and He wants you to see it and stand in awe.
How Christians Read This Verse
Commentators have long discussed which specific events these marvels refer to. Adam Clarke, writing from a Wesleyan tradition, points to the conquest of Canaan, the fall of Jericho, the sun standing still for Joshua. Gill, a Baptist commentator, adds wilderness wonders: the earth swallowing Korah, water from the rock, the bronze serpent. Calvin, a Reformer, sees the promise as God's way of distinguishing Israel from every other nation, proving He is their God. The Cambridge Bible notes that the verse seems to answer Moses' prayer in verse 9 imperfectly, suggesting the order of passages may have been rearranged. Despite these differences, all agree: these are acts of divine power never seen before, given after the people's worst failure. The covenant is renewed not because Israel deserves it, but because God chooses to show grace in visible, historical ways. Christians across traditions share this: God's commitment to His people is proved by deeds, not words alone.
A common misunderstanding
Some readers hear 'awesome thing' and think it means something cool or impressive, like an exciting experience. In fact, the Hebrew word nora means fearsome, terrible, inspiring reverent dread. The KJV translates it 'terrible thing.' This is not a feel-good promise. It is a solemn guarantee that God will act with such power that the nations will tremble. The marvels are not just nice, they shake the foundations of the earth and of the heart.
Living This Out
Maybe you have failed badly, broken a promise, disappointed those you love, wondered if God could still use you. This verse is for you. After the golden calf, God did not give up. He promised to do marvels that had never been done before. He did not just forgive; He showed His commitment through new, concrete acts of power. This week, ask God to open your eyes to the new things He is doing in your life. Watch for unexpected kindness, a sudden opening, a moment of strength you cannot explain. And when you see it, let it move you to awe, not just gratitude. Let it be a nora moment, one that makes you quietly afraid of how great God is, and how good.
Main takeaway: God forgives our worst failures and then does unprecedented wonders to prove His covenant love, inviting us to trust His awesome work.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
God told Moses He would do amazing things no one had ever seen before. God keeps His promises even when we make mistakes.
For ages 9, 12
After the Israelites sinned with the golden calf, Moses asked God to forgive them and stay with them. God agreed and promised to do incredible wonders that had never happened before, like parting the Jordan River and making walls fall down. This shows that when we mess up, God doesn't give up on us. He does new and powerful things to show He still loves us.
Questions People Ask
What are the 'marvels' in Exodus 34:10?
Commentators connect them to the wonders God performed in the wilderness and the conquest of Canaan. For example, the earth swallowing Korah (Numbers 16), the Jordan River parting (Joshua 3), and the walls of Jericho falling (Joshua 6). These were unprecedented events that demonstrated God's power and faithfulness to His covenant.
Why does God say 'I make a covenant' after the golden calf?
The people had broken the previous covenant by worshiping the calf. Instead of abandoning them, God initiates a renewal. As Wesley notes, when the covenant was broken, it was Israel who broke it; now it is God who makes it again. This shows grace and commitment, not a legal rehash of the old terms.
What does 'awesome thing' mean in this verse?
The Hebrew word is nora, from the root yare meaning to fear. It conveys something that inspires reverent terror and awe, not just a casual 'awesome.' The KJV translates it 'terrible thing,' meaning fearsome. God's acts are meant to show His majesty and power, making both Israel and the nations stop and tremble.
Is this covenant the same as the one at Sinai?
In many ways yes, it reaffirms the law and God's relationship with Israel. However, it comes after a major failure and includes a promise of unprecedented wonders. God is not just repeating old terms; He is deepening His commitment despite Israel's sin, proving He will go with them as Moses asked. The following verses (11-26) lay out commands again, but the tone is restoration.
For pastors & researchers
Hebrew interlinear, 8 commentaries & word study