What's easily missed is that God isn't just promising to do great things, but that He is actively creating these wonders, emphasizing their unprecedented and awe-inspiring nature. The promise of "marvels, such as have not been created" highlights that God's power in renewing this covenant will be so potent and unique that it will be like a fresh creation, unlike anything ever seen before.
And he said, “Behold, I am making a covenant. Before all your people I will do marvels, such as have not been created in all the earth or in any nation. And all the people among whom you are shall see the work of the LORD, for it is an awesome thing that I will do with you.
English Standard Version (ESV)
God is about to re-establish His covenant with Israel after their devastating sin of the golden calf. He promises Moses that He will perform astounding miracles before all the people, ensuring their enemies witness His awesome power as Israel takes possession of the Promised Land. This renewed covenant is established on God's faithfulness and requires Israel's obedience to His commands.
After Israel broke the covenant, who steps up to make it right? It's not about us earning it back, but about God's faithfulness.
The verse begins with God saying, 'Behold, I make a covenant.' This is crucial. Israel had just demonstrated a profound unfaithfulness by their sin with the golden calf. Yet, it is not Israel that initiates the renewal of the covenant, but God. This highlights a core truth of Scripture: God is the initiator of relationship. He extends grace and faithfulness even when we falter. Our role is to respond to His initiative with obedience and trust.
What kind of 'marvels' does God promise to do? They aren't just impressive tricks; they're acts that prove His unique power to everyone.
God promises to 'do marvels, such as have not been created in all the earth or in any nation.' These aren't small feats; they are unprecedented acts of divine power. Think of the parting of the Red Sea, the Jordan River, or the hailstorms that routed armies. These weren't just for Israel's benefit, but for witness: 'And all the people among whom you are shall see the work of the LORD.' God's mighty acts serve as a public demonstration of His sovereignty and power, meant to awe both His people and their enemies.
The word 'terrible' here doesn't mean 'bad.' It points to something profound that inspires deep respect and even fear. What is this 'awesome thing'?
The verse concludes by calling God's work 'an awesome thing.' The Hebrew word carries a sense of awe, dread, and profound respect – the kind of fear that acknowledges overwhelming power and majesty. This 'awesome thing' is God working His people, but also working their enemies. It's the terrifying reality for those who oppose God and His purposes. For Israel, it should inspire reverence and obedience, recognizing the immense power now committed to their side, but also the weighty responsibility that comes with it.
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Understand the original words
berit · Hebrew Noun
A sacred, binding agreement between God and His people, characterized by mutual obligations, divine promises, and divine intervention.
niphla'ot · Hebrew Noun
Extraordinary acts of power that evoke wonder or astonishment; events that transcend the natural order, demonstrating God's sovereign authority.
nora · Hebrew Adjective
Inspiring terror, dread, or intense reverence; often used to describe God’s presence or His mighty works that cause humans to acknowledge His greatness.
This passage directly illustrates the 'marvels' God promised to do, showing His power in miraculously parting the Jordan River for the Israelites to cross.
Psalm 106:22This verse echoes the sentiment of Exodus 34:10, referring back to God's mighty and awesome deeds among His people, highlighting His powerful acts.
Isaiah 45:7This prophetic passage speaks of God as the creator of both light and darkness, peace and disaster, aligning with the 'awesome' and 'terrible' nature of God's acts mentioned in Exodus.
1 Corinthians 15:10Paul's testimony reflects how God's grace works powerfully and 'terribly' (in the sense of awe-inspiringly) through individuals, much like God promises to work His marvels for Israel.
Deuteronomy 10:21This verse emphasizes the awesome power and deeds God has performed for Israel, directly paralleling the 'marvels' and 'terrible things' mentioned in Exodus 34:10.
clarkeExodus 34:10: "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."
I will do marvels - This seems to refer to what God did in putting them in possession of the land of Canaan, causing the walls of Jericho to fall down; making the sun and moon to stand still, etc. And thus God mad…
wesleyExodus 34:10: "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."
34:10 Behold I make a covenant - When the covenant was broke, it was Israel that broke it; now it comes to be renewed, it is God that makes it. If there be quarrels, we must bear all the blame; if there be peace,…
What's easily missed is that God isn't just promising to do great things, but that He is actively creating these wonders, emphasizing their unprecedented and awe-inspiring nature. The promise of "marvels, such as have not been created" highlights that God's power in renewing this covenant will be so potent and unique that it will be like a fresh creation, unlike anything ever seen before.
God is about to re-establish His covenant with Israel after their devastating sin of the golden calf. He promises Moses that He will perform astounding miracles before all the people, ensuring their enemies witness His awesome power as Israel takes possession of the Promised Land. This renewed covenant is established on God's faithfulness and requires Israel's obedience to His commands.
God is about to re-establish His covenant with Israel after their devastating sin of the golden calf. He promises Moses that He will perform astounding miracles before all the people, ensuring their enemies witness His awesome power as Israel takes possession of the Promised Land. This renewed covenant is established on God's faithfulness and requires Israel's obedience to His commands.
"And he said, “Behold, I am making a covenant. Before all your people I will do marvels, such as have not been created in all the earth or in any nation. And all the people among whom you are shall see the work of the LORD, for it is an awe…" — What's easily missed is that God isn't just promising to do great things, but that He is actively creating these wonders, emphasizing their unprecedented and awe-inspiring nature. The promise of…
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Last reviewed October 2026
