Exodus 34:10 · Bible study
Exodus 34:10 Commentary: Covenant Renewed with Marvels
Hebrew · 10 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
What are the 'marvels' God promised in Exodus 34:10? A study of covenant renewal after the golden calf, with insights on God's grace and power.
Research Summary
- Meaning: God renews the broken covenant, promising unprecedented acts of power to display His presence and secure His people.
- Key words: Covenant (berit, “cut”), marvels (nifla’ot, from pala), created (nivre’u, from bara), terrible/awesome (nora, from yare).
- Main debate: Do the “marvels” refer strictly to the conquest of Canaan or also to events in the wilderness? Most commentators include the conquest; some add wilderness miracles.
- Theological theme: Covenant grace, God restores relationship after failure, confirming His promise through visible, incomparable acts.
- Best use: A key text for teaching on divine initiative in salvation, God’s power in history, and the relationship between grace and obedience.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
And the LORD said, “Behold, I am making a covenant. Before all your people I will perform wonders that have never been done in any nation in all the world. All the people among whom you live will see the LORD’s work, for it is an awesome thing that I am doing with you.
WEB World English Bible 2000
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.
KJV King James Version 1769
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.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
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.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
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.
Darby Darby Bible 1890
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.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
The Lord answered: I will make a covenant in the sight of all, I will do signs such as were never seen upon the earth, nor in any nations; that this people, in the midst of whom thou art, may see the terrible work of the Lord which I will do.
Translations in other languages (10 available)
Y él dijo: He aquí, yo hago concierto delante de todo tu pueblo: haré maravillas que no han sido hechas en toda la tierra, ni en nación alguna; y verá todo el pueblo en medio del cual estás tú, la obra de Jehová; porque ha de ser cosa terrible la que yo haré contigo.
E ele disse: Eis que, eu faço concerto diante de todo o teu povo: farei maravilhas que não foram feitas em toda a terra, nem em nação alguma; e verá todo o povo em meio do qual estás tu, a obra do SENHOR; porque será coisa terrível a que eu farei contigo.
L’ Éternel répondit: Voici, je traite une alliance. Je ferai, en présence de tout ton peuple, des prodiges qui n’ ont eu lieu dans aucun pays et chez aucune nation; tout le peuple qui t’ environne verra l’ œuvre de l’ Éternel, et c’ est par toi que j’ accomplirai des choses terribles.
Und er sprach: Siehe, ich will einen Bund machen vor allem deinem Volk und will Wunder tun, dergleichen nicht geschaffen sind in allen Landen und unter allen Völkern, und alles Volk, darunter du bist, soll sehen des HERRN Werk; denn wunderbar soll sein, was ich bei dir tun werde.
Toen zeide Hij: Zie, Ik maak een verbond; voor uw ganse volk zal Ik wonderen doen, die niet geschapen zijn op de ganse aarde, noch onder enige volken; alzo dat dit ganse volk, in welks midden gij zijt, des HEEREN werk zien zal, dat het schrikkelijk is, hetwelk Ik met u doe.
E l’Eterno risposo: “Ecco, io faccio un patto: farò dinanzi a tutto il tuo popolo maraviglie, quali non si son mai fatte su tutta la terra né in alcuna nazione; e tutto il popolo in mezzo al quale ti trovi vedrà l’opera dell’Eterno, perché tremendo è quello ch’io sono per fare per mezzo di te.
Który odpowiedział: Oto, Ja postanowię przymierze; przed wszystkim ludem twoim czynić będę cuda, które nie były czynione po wszystkiej ziemi i we wszystkich narodziech; i obaczy wszystek lud, między którymeś ty, sprawę Pańską; bo straszne będzie to, co Ja uczynię z tobą.
И сказал [Господь Моисею]: вот, Я заключаю завет: пред всем народом твоим соделаю чудеса, каких не было по всей земле и ни у каких народов; и увидит весь народ, среди которого ты находишься, дело Господа; ибо страшно будет то, что Я сделаю для тебя;
耶和華說：「 我 要立 約，要在 百姓 面前 行 奇妙的事，是在遍 地 萬 國 中所 未曾 行的。在你 四 圍的 外邦人 就要看見 耶和華 的作為，因 我 向你 所 行的 是 可畏懼的事。
And the Lord said, See, this is what I will undertake: before the eyes of your people I will do wonders, such as have not been done in all the earth or in any nation: and all your people will see the work of the Lord, for what I am about to do for you is greatly to be feared.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Biblical Hebrew)
Old Testament · Biblical Hebrew · Exodus 34:10
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators across traditions agree that in Exodus 34:10 God responds to Moses’ intercession by renewing the covenant that Israel shattered through the golden calf. This renewal is entirely God’s initiative. He promises to perform 'marvels' (Hebrew nifla’ot) that are without precedent, the verb nivre’u ('they have been created,' from bara) deliberately echoes the creation account (Genesis 1) to stress that these acts surpass anything previously seen (Cambridge Bible). Calvin notes that this restored covenant is confirmed by wonders that will prove God’s presence among His people. Matthew Henry adds that when the covenant was broken, Israel broke it; when it is renewed, God makes it, all glory belongs to Him. The 'marvels' are seen by most commentators as the miraculous conquest of Canaan described in the following verses and in the books of Joshua and Judges (Clarke, Gill, Keil & Delitzsch). The result is that all nations will see Yahweh’s work, and it will be 'terrible' (nora), inspiring awe and dread in Israel’s enemies (Keil). The verse thus shows God’s grace: He does not abandon His people but acts in power to restore and vindicate them.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Medium
Main views:
- Conquest-focused: The immediate context (vv.11-17) details the driving out of nations, and commentators like Clarke and Calvin see the marvels primarily in the conquest of Canaan.
- Wilderness-inclusive: Gill and Keil include events like the earth swallowing Korah, the smitten rock, and the bronze serpent alongside the conquest, based on the broad scope of God’s wonders in Numbers.
What is clear: God takes initiative to restore the broken covenant and promises to act powerfully for His people in ways that have no precedent.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| The specific content of the “marvels” | All agree God promises unprecedented acts of power to confirm the covenant. | Some limit these to the conquest of Canaan (Clarke, Calvin), while others include events in the wilderness like the earth swallowing Korah or the rock giving water (Gill, Keil). |
| The recipient of the covenant | God makes the covenant with Israel as a people. | Calvin notes the LXX reads “with you” (Moses), so some interpret the covenant as first made with Moses as representative, but the effect is the same for the nation. |
| The meaning of “terrible thing” (nora) | It inspires awe and fear, demonstrating God’s majestic power. | Some see the terror primarily directed at Israel’s enemies (Keil), while others include the awe experienced by Israel themselves (Matthew Henry). |
| The connection to the earlier Sinai covenant | This is a renewal after breach. | Those in the Reformed tradition typically see this as the same covenant of grace renewed; others emphasize that the new element of God’s forgiveness and presence goes beyond the earlier covenant. |
Historical & Cultural Context
Exodus 34 takes place immediately after the crisis of the golden calf (Exodus 32). Moses had destroyed the first set of tablets, and God threatened to withdraw His presence from Israel. Through Moses’ bold intercession (33:12-23), the Lord reveals His glory and proclaims His name, “Yahweh, Yahweh, a merciful and gracious God” (34:6). This self-revelation is the foundation for covenant renewal. In verse 10, God declares, “Behold, I am making a covenant.” The Hebrew verb koret (participle, “cutting”) reflects the ancient practice of cutting animals to seal a treaty (cf. Genesis 15). Here, however, God alone initiates and establishes the covenant; Israel is the recipient.
The 'marvels' are set against the backdrop of the exodus and wilderness. They are new acts of deliverance, surpassing even the plagues and the Red Sea. The language of 'work of Yahweh' (ma’aseh Yahweh) echoes the creation narrative and other descriptions of divine intervention in history (e.g., Deuteronomy 32:4). The promise that “all the people among whom you are shall see” looks forward to the conquest, when Rahab would declare that the inhabitants of Canaan had heard of Yahweh’s mighty acts and their hearts melted (Joshua 2:9-11). The verse puts its hearers on notice: the covenant is not merely verbal but will be backed by visible, awe-inspiring power.
The immediate following commands (34:11-17) show the other side of the covenant: Israel must not make treaties with the nations in Canaan but must destroy their altars and idols. The 'terrible thing' (nora) God does will so overwhelm the Canaanites that they will be driven out before Israel. This aligns with ancient Near Eastern vassal treaties, where the great king promises protection and military victory in exchange for exclusive loyalty. In renewing the covenant, God reaffirms both His commitment to give Israel the land and His demand for absolute devotion.
Textual Notes
The consulted sources note no significant textual variants for Exodus 34:10. The Hebrew text is stable across the major manuscripts, and the translations show only minor differences in rendering the sense.
Reception History
Exodus 34:10 has received focused attention in covenant theology. Jewish interpreters highlight the role of Moses as mediator and God’s faithfulness despite Israel’s sin. In Christian tradition, the verse is cited in discussions of the relationship between the old covenant and the new covenant in Christ; the “marvels” are seen as typological pointers to the greater deliverance of salvation. The verse also appears in hymns that celebrate God’s mighty acts in history. Its theme of God’s initiative after failure resonates with the doctrine of grace across denominations.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- God Takes the First Step. After the people broke the covenant, God declares, “Behold, I make a covenant.” He does not wait for them to earn restoration. The initiative is His alone, a pattern seen throughout Scripture.
- The Promises Surpass All Precedent. The marvels are “created”, a word used for God’s original creation. God is not limited by past acts; He does a new thing that exceeds anything before.
- Witnesses Are Called to Respond. All the people will see Yahweh’s work. Seeing leads to fearing, and fearing leads to faithful obedience. The covenant is not a private deal but a public display of God’s glory.
Five-point outline
- Covenant Renewal Proceeds from Grace. God restores what Israel broke (Matthew Henry).
- The Marvels Are Unprecedented. Using the verb “create” (bara) for events, not just objects (Cambridge Bible).
- All People See the Work of Yahweh. The covenant is confirmed before the whole nation and the surrounding peoples.
- It Is a Terrible (Awesome) Thing. God’s power inspires both worship and fear, securing Israel’s safety.
- The Goal Is Exclusive Loyalty. The commands that follow (vv.11-17) demand separation from idolatry, showing the covenant’s ethical dimension.
Illustration hooks
- Think of a friend who, after a serious betrayal, reaches out to restore the relationship without being asked. That initiative mirrors God’s.
- Consider the feeling of standing before a massive waterfall or a night sky full of stars, a moment that leaves you wordless. That is the kind of awe the “marvels” produced.
- Imagine a courtroom where the judge sets aside a just sentence and offers a pardon, and then personally guarantees the future of the accused. That gives a glimpse of what God does here.
Questions your congregation is asking
- “If God already made a covenant with Israel at Sinai, why does He need to make it again? Have I broken my baptismal vows or church membership commitments?”
- “The marvels sound dramatic. Does God still do unprecedented miracles today, or were those only for biblical times?”
- “How can I ‘see the work of the Lord’ in my own life when my situation feels ordinary or difficult?”
Leading a Discussion
This passage invites us to consider the nature of God's covenant faithfulness and the power of His grace. After the golden calf, God could have started over. Instead, He renews His promise and adds the assurance of unprecedented marvels. The questions below will help you explore the dynamics of sin, forgiveness, and restoration.
Discussion questions
- Read Exodus 33-34. What does Moses’ intercession reveal about his relationship with God and his care for the people?
- In verse 10, God says “I make a covenant.” Why is it important that God takes the initiative after Israel’s failure?
- The Hebrew word for “marvels” (nifla’ot) is related to the word for “wonderful.” What kind of wonders do you typically associate with God? How does this promise expand your view?
- The verb “created” (nivre’u) is used for events, not just material things. Why does the Bible use creation language here? What does that say about the novelty of what God is about to do?
- All the people “shall see the work of Yahweh.” How does public witness shape faith, both for ancient Israel and for our church communities today?
- The next verses (11-17) contain strict warnings against idolatry. How do grace and demand work together in this covenant renewal?
- This passage is set after one of Israel’s worst sins. How does it encourage you when you have failed in your commitment to God?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| Exodus 24:7 | He took the book of the covenant and read it in the hearing of the people, and they said, “We will do all that Yahweh has said, and be obedient.” |
| Exodus 24:8 | Moses took the blood, and sprinkled it on the people, and said, “Look, this is the blood of the covenant, which Yahweh has made with you concerning all these words.” |
| Exodus 34:27 | Yahweh said to Moses, “Write these words; for in accordance with these words I have made a covenant with you and with Israel.” |
| Deuteronomy 4:13 | He declared to you his covenant, which he commanded you to perform, even the ten commandments. He wrote them on two stone tablets. |
| Deuteronomy 4:32 | For ask now of the days that are past, which were before you, since the day that God created man on the earth, and from the one end of the sky to the other, whether there has been anything as great as this thing is, or has been heard like it? |
| Deuteronomy 4:37 | Because he loved your fathers, therefore he chose their offspring after them, and brought you out with his presence, with his great power, out of Egypt; |
| Deuteronomy 5:2 | Yahweh our God made a covenant with us in Horeb. |
| Deuteronomy 5:3 | Yahweh didn’t make this covenant with our fathers, but with us, even us, who are all of us here alive today. |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
9 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
Clarke identifies the marvels God promises as the specific acts of conquest in Canaan, such as the fall of Jericho and the sun standing still. He sees God's covenant here as a mutual commitment: God binds himself to give them the land, and they bind themselves to obey the commands that follow.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible Protestant 1832
Barnes points out that the word "marvels" is defined by what comes in the very next verse. To reinforce this meaning, he also compares the usage with similar passages elsewhere.
Calvin's Commentaries Reformed 1564
Calvin resolves the ambiguity of who the covenant is made with by noting that Moses acts as the people's representative, so the promise effectively belongs to the whole nation. God's miraculous defeat of the nations will visibly prove He is Israel's unique God, giving all the people firsthand evidence to inspire sincere submission.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
The commentary notes that the Hebrew uses a participle for "I make," meaning "am about to make," and that "wrought" translates "created," applied here to an event requiring superhuman power rather than a material object. It also observes that this verse does not directly answer the preceding question, suggesting Exodus 33:14-16 would fit better at that point.
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
The Geneva Bible notes emphasize that God's covenant is made openly before all the people, not in secret. The marvels promised are utterly unprecedented, unlike anything done in any nation, so that every onlooker sees the awesome and fearsome work the Lord will perform through Moses.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill explains this covenant as a renewal after Israel broke the earlier one. He catalogs specific marvels God would perform, such as earth swallowing rebels, water from rock, and the sun standing still. He notes the debate over whether the "terrible thing" refers to Moses's radiant face or the awe-inspiring deeds God would do for Israel against surrounding nations.
Keil & Delitzsch OT Commentary Protestant 1876
Keil-Delitzsch highlights that after seeing God's glory, Moses immediately seized the newly revealed grace to strengthen the covenant. Moses included himself with the stiff-necked people, pleading their deep-rooted corruption itself as the very reason God should forgive and make them His own possession, mirroring how God spared humanity after the flood. This bold plea prompted God to restore the broken covenant.
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Henry highlights that when the covenant was broken, Israel broke it, but when it is renewed, God alone makes it. He sees God’s initiative in restoring fellowship as the key wonder, calling covenant-blessings marvellous acts that only God can accomplish.
Wesley's Explanatory Notes Methodist/Wesleyan 1754
Wesley stresses that when the covenant was broken, Israel bore the blame; when it is renewed, God alone makes it and receives all the glory. The marvels God promises are without precedent, like the drying of Jordan or the sun standing still, designed to inspire terror in enemies and compel people to acknowledge the Lord's work.