But now go, literally “and now you [singular] go,” is a command. Lead the people is also in the imperative mood. Note that Yahweh says neither “your people” nor “my people.” This neutrality should be preserved here if possible. To the place of which I have spoken to you is literally “unto where I spoke to you [singular].” The place is added for clarity. It refers to the land first promised in 3.8.

Behold is a word to get attention. Most translations omit it, but New Revised Standard Version has “See.” Good News Translation has “Remember” in place of Behold, which refers back to the first reference of Yahweh’s angel leading the people in 23.23. My angel shall go before you is literally “my messenger will go to your face.” The singular you is used, referring to Moses. On angel and “messenger,” see the comment at 23.23.

Nevertheless is the usual conjunction waw, but the clause that it introduces gives the meaning of an emphatic “but.” New International Version has “However,” and Durham has “Yet.” In the day when I visit is literally “in the day of my visiting.” The word for visit may mean “attend to” in the sense of “observing” (as in 4.31), or it may mean “call to account” in the sense of punishment (as in 20.5). Here the meaning is “when the day comes for punishment” (New Revised Standard Version). I will visit their sin upon them is quite literal. It means, as Good News Translation puts it, “I will punish these people for their sins.” The word for sin is singular, the same word used in verse 31. (See the comment on chataʾ at 20.20.)

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 .