For the LORD had said to Moses is literally “And Yahweh said unto Moses.” Revised Standard Version interprets this as an English pluperfect (had said), so that Yahweh’s command may be understood to have been given before the response of the people in verse 4 (similarly Good News Translation, New Revised Standard Version, New International Version, and Durham). As explained at 12.35, the Hebrew does not mark a pluperfect, so this must be determined by the context. In some cases it becomes a subjective decision on the part of the translator. In this case, however, it is advisable. (The situation resembles the problem of source texts and the use of pluperfect discussed in 11.1 and in the introduction to that section.) In languages where the pluperfect cannot easily be expressed, verses 4 and 5 may need to be interchanged; for example: “Even before the LORD said these words, he told Moses, ‘These people really are rebellious, …’. So the people started mourning….”

Say to the people of Israel is literally “You [singular] say unto the sons of Israel.” This is addressed to Moses. You are a stiff-necked people is literally “You [plural] a people hard of neck.” (The singular “you” is used in verse 3.) These are the words Yahweh is commanding Moses to say to the Israelites. (See the comment on this expression at 32.9.) Good News Translation has “You are a stubborn people.”

If for a single moment is literally “one moment,” or “one instant.” I should go up among you is literally “I will go up in your [singular] midst.” Good News Translation has “If I were to go with you even for a moment.” I would consume you is literally “and I will finish you off.” (See the comment on consume at 32.10.) This refers to the people of Israel, not to Moses. The you is singular in both cases because people is singular in form, but in many languages it will need to be plural. The if, the should, and the would had to be supplied from the context for the requirements of English, since the Hebrew does not otherwise mark the subjunctive mood. This statement explains why Yahweh said he will not go with the people (verse 3). Contemporary English Version places the phrase a single moment after I would consume you and translates the first part of this verse as “These people really are rebellious, and I would kill them at once, if I went with them.” This is a possible restructuring for some translators.

So now put off your ornaments from you is literally “And now you [singular] cause your ornaments to descend from upon you.” This means “Now take off your jewelry” (Good News Translation), or “leave off your finery” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh), depending on how the word for ornaments is rendered. (See verse 4.) That I may know what to do with you is literally “and I will know what I will do to you.” This suggests that Yahweh is still undecided about punishing them. Good News Translation has “and I will decide what to do with you,” and New Jerusalem Bible has “and then I shall decide how to deal with you!”

Quoted with permission from Osborn, Noel D. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Exodus. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1999. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .