Library Theodoret Questions on Exodus
Questions on Exodus 67: “Let me alone, and I will blot them out”
How should one understand “And now let me alone, and being angry with wrath against them I will blot them out and make you into a great nation”?
The word shows both God’s freedom from passion and his kindness. For one who does something in anger is also annoyed at those who intercede; but God said: “Let me alone, and being angry with wrath against them I will blot them out.” No one waits for those who intercede in order to be angry, but in order to be entreated. So “Let me alone” is said instead of “Restrain me.” For since the great Moses did not know the people’s lawlessness, God both made this clear to him and stirred him to intercession. And “I will make you into a great nation” foreshadows our things. For what did not happen then happened after the appearing of our Savior. The lawgiver, however, even though God had said that he was enough for intercession on behalf of the people, did not suppose himself sufficient to stop God’s wrath; hence he offered the names of the patriarchs in place of a petition, and reminded him of the oaths to them, and begged that the covenants made be confirmed.
Greek: Theodoret of Cyrus, Quaestiones in Octateuchum / Questions on Exodus (CPG 6200.02; cf. Fernández Marcos and Sáenz-Badillos; also PG 80, cols. 225–298). English: study translation for BWAB Library—not the copyrighted Robert C. Hill (CUA Press) translation. The full Questions on Exodus (72 questions) is hosted here.