What Does Exodus 33:17 Mean in the King James?
And the LORD said unto Moses, I will do this thing also that thou hast spoken: for thou hast found grace in my sight, and I know thee by name.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
The request is answered inside relationship: “I know you by name” means your nature is personally recognized.
THE MEANING
Your spoken request is held within favor and personal knowing; the response attends to the person as well as the words. The name carries nature, so being known by name means being recognized as a whole person.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
The lie that your words must carry the whole weight of your appeal, apart from the person speaking.
THE ROOT
יָדַע
yada
GROWS FROM
ידע
To know, recognize, or perceive through encounter.
“know” in this verse is yada. In this phrase, yada joins knowing to personal encounter, while שֵׁם (shem, name as nature) identifies the one known in their nature. The line holds recognition and identity together: Moses is present as a known person, and his request stands inside that relationship.
ALSO GROWS
daʿat: Knowledge, understanding.
דַּעַת
This noun grows from the same root, so “I know you” carries knowing at the heart of the relationship.
nodaʿ: Known, recognized.
נוֹדָע
This related form describes the state of being known, echoing the personal recognition in “I know thee by name.”
חֵן
chen
GROWS FROM
חנן
To show favor or act graciously.
“grace” in this verse is chen. חֵן (chen, favor) comes from חנן (chanan, to show favor), joining “found favor” to the action of looking on someone with favor. The branch חַנּוּן (channun, gracious) describes one who acts with favor, so this root frames the promised response as favor expressed in action.
ALSO GROWS
chanan: To show favor, be gracious.
חָנַן
The verb gives the action behind the favor Moses has found.
channun: Gracious, favor-giving.
חַנּוּן
This describes the character of one who acts with favor, the quality that frames the response.
techinnah: A plea for favor; supplication.
תְּחִנָּה
This branch links favor with a request brought into relationship.
THE PATTERN
Being known by name expresses personal belonging that shapes what follows.
But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.And the LORD came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth.To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.THE THREAD
I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.The Greek verb γινώσκω (ginōskō, to know) carries the encounter-based knowing paired with Hebrew יָדַע (yada, to know). John makes that knowing mutual, opening “I know thee by name” as personal recognition.
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