King James Bible
"And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy."
God responds to Moses' request to see His glory by promising a revelation of His goodness—His moral perfection and benevolent character. This occurs after the golden calf incident, demonstrating that even in judgment, God's fundamental nature remains good. God's name in Hebrew thought encompasses His entire character and attributes. This proclamation will be a verbal revelation accompanying the visual display, giving Moses deeper understanding of who Yahweh truly is. God asserts His sovereign freedom in dispensing grace and mercy—these are not earned or demanded but flow from His own will. This declaration becomes foundational for understanding divine election and the unmerited nature of salvation throughout Scripture.