Give heed to him, literally “You [singular] be guarded from before him,” uses the passive imperative form of the same word for “guard” in verse 20. It means “pay attention to him” (Good News Translation), or “show respect to him” (Translator’s Old Testament). New Jerusalem Bible has “Revere him.” For and hearken to his voice, New International Version has “listen to what he says,” but it carries the stronger meaning that Good News Translation translates as “obey him” (similarly New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh, New Jerusalem Bible, and Translator’s Old Testament). Contemporary English Version has “Carefully obey everything the angel says.” Do not rebel against him is literally “do not cause bitterness in him.” Others have “do not defy him” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh), “you are not to resent him” (Durham), and “provoke him not” (American Standard Version).

For he will not pardon your transgression uses the plural your with the singular transgression. Revised English Bible has “rebelliousness,” and Translator’s Old Testament has “he will not forgive you if you rebel.” Good News Translation avoids the your, with “he will not pardon such rebellion.” Contemporary English Version says “and he won’t tolerate rebellion.” Another way to express this is “If you rebel against him he will be very angry.” For my name is in him is literally “for my name [is] in his inward part.” This of course refers to the name Yahweh, but it also has the deeper meaning of Yahweh’s power and “Presence” (Durham). This may also be expressed with the word “authority” (New American Bible, Revised English Bible). Translator’s Old Testament has “He has my full authority,” and Contemporary English Version has “I am giving him complete authority.” Good News Translation is a bit weak: “for I have sent him.” Both Good News Translation and Contemporary English Version place the clause he will not pardon your transgression at the end of the verse. Many translators will find this restructuring helpful.

An alternative translation model for this verse is:

• Carefully obey everything that my messenger says, because I am giving him complete authority. If you rebel against him, he will be very angry.

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 .