The Problem of the Divine Presence: Source-Critical Suggestions for the Analysis of Exodus Xxxiii 12-23

Abstract

Employing insights from both pre-critical Jewish commentators and critical scholars, this article offers some suggestions for the source-critical analysis of Exod. xxxiii 12–23. After briefly reviewing the history of modern source-critical analysis of the passage and considering the insights of several medieval Jewish commentators, it analyzes the text in two units, vv. 12-17 and vv. 18-23. Taking a clue from these pre-modern readers, it seeks to perform the modern critical task of distinguishing the text's sources by looking for the points at which the text fits together and for the meaning created by this splicing of sources rather than focusing primarily on the text's internal inconsistencies per se. In conclusion, it is suggested that in each of these units, the blending of sources has transformed a personal request of Moses into Moses' intercession for Israel to enable the Lord's ongoing presence in the midst of his people.