But as for you is simply “and you” (singular) in the Hebrew, but the intended contrast with verse 29 is better expressed by the English But. This may be understood as a contrast, either between Yahweh’s power and the king’s stubbornness (as in Revised Standard Version), or between the king (“that you may know”) and Moses (I know). This second meaning is followed by Good News Translation, “But I know” (so also New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh and New International Version). Your servants refers to the king’s “officials.”

You do not yet fear is plural, including both the king and his “officials.” The word for fear also carries the meaning of “reverence” (Translator’s Old Testament), or “respect” (New Jerusalem Bible), but in this verse the idea of being “afraid of” (Moffatt) is also present.

The LORD God is literally “from before Yahweh God,” which suggests fear “in the Presence of Yahweh God” (Durham). LORD God is Yahweh ʾelohim in the Hebrew, a combination seldom used except in Genesis 2–3. This is the only place it is found in Exodus or in any of Moses’ speech. It has been suggested that Moses is saying “Yahweh is God,” in order to correct the king’s words in verse 28, where he may be distinguishing between Moses’ God, Yahweh, and Elohim, the God of the thunder. Although this is not explicit, and should not be translated explicitly, translators may wish to allow for this interpretation. In some languages one may say “Yahweh, who is God.”

An alternative translation model for this verse is:

• But I know that you and your officials are not yet really afraid of Yahweh, who is God.

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 .