
Text -- Exodus 33:20-23 (NET)




Names, People and Places, Dictionary Themes and Topics



collapse allCommentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per phrase)
Wesley: Exo 33:20 - -- A full discovery of the glory of God would quite overpower the faculties of any mortal man.
A full discovery of the glory of God would quite overpower the faculties of any mortal man.

Wesley: Exo 33:20 - -- He had given him wonderful instances of his goodness in being reconciled to Israel; but that was only goodness in the stream, he would shew him goodne...
He had given him wonderful instances of his goodness in being reconciled to Israel; but that was only goodness in the stream, he would shew him goodness in the spring. This was a sufficient answer to his request: Shew me thy glory, saith Moses; I will shew thee my goodness, saith God. God's goodness is his glory; and he will have us to know him by the glory of his mercy, more than by the glory of his majesty.

Wesley: Exo 33:20 - -- In bestowing his gifts, and is not debtor to any, nor accountable to any; all his reasons of mercy are fetched from within himself, not from any merit...
In bestowing his gifts, and is not debtor to any, nor accountable to any; all his reasons of mercy are fetched from within himself, not from any merit in his creatures, and I will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy - For his grace is always free. He never damns by prerogative, but by prerogative he saves.

Wesley: Exo 33:22 - -- In that he was to be sheltered from the dazzling light, and devouring fire of God's glory. This was the rock in Horeb, out of which water was brought,...
In that he was to be sheltered from the dazzling light, and devouring fire of God's glory. This was the rock in Horeb, out of which water was brought, of which it is said, That rock was Christ, 1Co 10:4. 'Tis in the clefts of this rock that we are secured from the wrath of God, which otherwise would consume us: God himself will protect those that are thus hid: and it is only through Christ that we have the knowledge of the glory of God. None can see that to their comfort, but those that stand upon this rock, and take shelter in it.

Wesley: Exo 33:23 - -- parts - The face in man is the seat of majesty, and men are known by their faces, in them we take a full view of men; that sight of God Moses might no...
parts - The face in man is the seat of majesty, and men are known by their faces, in them we take a full view of men; that sight of God Moses might not have, but such a sight as we have of a man who is gone past us, so that we only see his back. Now Moses was allowed to see this only, but when he was a witness to Christ's transfiguration, he saw his face shine as the sun.
JFB -> Exo 33:18-23
JFB: Exo 33:18-23 - -- This is one of the most mysterious scenes described in the Bible: he had, for his comfort and encouragement, a splendid and full display of the divine...
This is one of the most mysterious scenes described in the Bible: he had, for his comfort and encouragement, a splendid and full display of the divine majesty, not in its unveiled effulgence, but as far as the weakness of humanity would admit. The face, hand, back parts, are to be understood figuratively.
Clarke: Exo 33:20 - -- No man see me, and live - The splendor would be insufferable to man; he only, whose mortality is swallowed up of life, can see God as he is. See 1Jo...
No man see me, and live - The splendor would be insufferable to man; he only, whose mortality is swallowed up of life, can see God as he is. See 1Jo 3:2. From some disguised relation of the circumstances mentioned here, the fable of Jupiter and Semele was formed; she is reported to have entreated Jupiter to show her his glory, who was at first very reluctant, knowing that it would be fatal to her; but at last, yielding to her importunity, he discovered his divine majesty, and she was consumed by his presence. This story is told by Ovid in his Metamorphoses, book iii., table iii., 5.

Clarke: Exo 33:21 - -- Behold, there is a place by me - There seems to be a reference here to a well-known place on the mount where God was accustomed to meet with Moses. ...
Behold, there is a place by me - There seems to be a reference here to a well-known place on the mount where God was accustomed to meet with Moses. This was a rock; and it appears there was a cleft or cave in it, in which Moses was to stand while the Divine Majesty was pleased to show him all that human nature was capable of bearing: but this appears to have referred more to the counsels of his mercy and goodness, relative to his purpose of redeeming the human race, than to any visible appearance of the Divine Majesty itself. See Clarke on Exo 33:18 (note)
1. The conclusion of this chapter is very obscure: we can scarcely pretend to say, in any precise manner, what it means; and it is very probable that the whole concerned Moses alone. He was in great perplexity and doubt; he was afraid that God was about to abandon this people; and he well knew that if he did so, their destruction must be the consequence. He had received general directions to decamp, and lead the people towards the promised land; but this was accompanied with a threat that Jehovah would not go with them. The prospect that was before him was exceedingly gloomy and discouraging; and it was rendered the more so because God predicted their persevering stiffneckedness, and gave this as one reason why he would not go up among them, for their provocations would be so great and so frequent that his justice would be so provoked as to break through in a moment and consume them. Moses, well knowing that God must have some great and important designs in delivering them and bringing them thus far, earnestly entreated him to give him some discovery of it, that his own mind might be satisfied. God mercifully condescends to meet his wishes in such a way as no doubt gave him full satisfaction; but as this referred to himself alone the circumstances are not related, as probably they could be of no farther use to us than the mere gratifying of a principle of curiosity
2. On some occasions to be kept in the dark is as instructive as to be brought into the light. In many cases those words of the prophet are strictly applicable. Verily, thou art a God, who Hidest Thyself, O God of Israel, the Savior! One point we see here very plainly, that while the people continued obstinate and rebellious, that presence of God by which his approbation was signified could not be manifested among them; and yet, without his presence to guide, protect, and provide for them, they could neither go up nor be saved. This presence is promised, and on the fulfillment of the promise the safety of Israel depended. The Church of God is often now in such a state that the approbation of God cannot be manifested in it; and yet if his presence were wholly withdrawn, truth would fall in the streets, equity go backward, and the Church must become extinct. How have the seeds of light and life been preserved during the long, dark, and cold periods when error was triumphant, and the pure worship of God adulterated by the impurities of idolatry and the thick darkness of superstition, by the presence of his endless mercy, preserving his own truth in circumstances in which he could not show his approbation! He was with the Church in the wilderness, and preserved the living oracles, kept alive the heavenly seeds, and is now showing forth the glory of those designs which before he concealed from mankind. He cannot err because he is infinitely wise; he can do nothing that is unkind, because he delighteth in mercy. We, as yet, see only through a glass darkly; by and by we shall see face to face. The Lord’ s presence is with his people; and those who trust in him have confident rest in his mercy.
Calvin: Exo 33:20 - -- 20.And he said, Thou canst not see my face Moses had indeed seen it, but in such a mode of revelation, as to be far inferior to its full effulgence. ...
20.And he said, Thou canst not see my face Moses had indeed seen it, but in such a mode of revelation, as to be far inferior to its full effulgence. Long before the birth of Moses, Jacob had said, “I have seen God face to face,” (Gen 32:30;) and to Moses, as I have lately shewn, a still clearer vision was vouchsafed. Now, however, he obtains something better and more excellent; and yet not so as perfectly to see God such as He is in Himself, but so far as the human mind is capable of bearing. For, although the angels are said to see God’s face in a more excellent manner than men, still they do not apprehend the immense perfection of His glory, whereby they would be absorbed. Justly, therefore, does God declare that He cannot be seen by a mortal man; for we shall not see him as He is, until we shall be like Him. (1Jo 3:2.) For it must needs be that that incomprehensible brightness would bring us to nothing. God, therefore, whilst He withholds us from a complete knowledge of Him, nevertheless manifests Himself as far as is expedient; nay, attempering the amount of light to our humble capacity, He assumes the face which we are able to bear.

Calvin: Exo 33:21 - -- 21.And the Lord said, Behold, there is a place by me This description may illdeed appear puerile, but it is well adapted to our imperfection; nor wil...
21.And the Lord said, Behold, there is a place by me This description may illdeed appear puerile, but it is well adapted to our imperfection; nor will any despise it who is duly conscious of his own imbecility and ignorance. There seems to be a contradiction between these two things, that the beauty of God should be shewn to Moses, and still that the sight of Him should be refused. This difficulty is here solved, for Moses was to see God only from behind. It is a similitude taken from men, whom we only partially recognise, if their face be turned away; for clear recognition is only obtained by seeing the face and countenance.
The fissure or hole in the rock was like a narrow and oblique window, which so far admits the sun’s rays as that one, who is shut up in a deep and obscure place, may receive some advantage from the light, yet never see the sun itself nor enjoy its brightness. Thus we, imprisoned as it were in our bodies, cannot behold God’s glory freely and directly; but He illuminates us obliquely, so that at least we see Him from behind. I do not speak of all, but of the most perfect amongst us, such as Moses was, who, although he obtained the extraordinary privilege which is here recorded, yet could not endure God’s glory through the infirmity of his flesh; and therefore the hand of God was interposed, so that he should only see Him in part. By God’s hand is meant the darkness wherewith He was covered, lest the eyes of Moses should be stretched in curiosity to see further than was lawful. Some 375 refer “my back parts” to the fullless of time, when Christ was manifested in the flesh, as if it were said, Thou shalt not see me until clothed in human nature; this is a subtle speculation, but by no means sound, nay, altogether wide of the genuine meaning.
Defender -> Exo 33:20
Defender: Exo 33:20 - -- No man can see God in the glory of His triune personal presence, but He often revealed Himself through "the angel of His presence" (Isa 63:9), a pre-i...
TSK: Exo 33:20 - -- Thou canst not : This is well explained by Rabbi Jehudah, in Sepher Cosri (P. iv. § 3): ""Of that divine glory mentioned in the Scripture, there i...
Thou canst not : This is well explained by Rabbi Jehudah, in Sepher Cosri (P. iv. § 3): ""Of that divine glory mentioned in the Scripture, there is one degree which the eyes of the prophets were able to explore; another which all the Israelites saw, as the cloud and consuming fire; the third is so bright, and so dazzling, that no mortal is able to comprehend it; but should anyone venture to look on it, his whole frame would be dissolved.""In such inconceivable splendour is the Divine Majesty revealed to the inhabitants of the celestial world, where he is said to ""dwell in the light which no man can approach unto""(1Ti 6:16). By the ""face of God,""therefore, we are to understand that light inaccessible before which angels may stand, but which would be so insufferable to mortal eyes, that no man could see it and live. Exo 24:10; Gen 32:30; Deu 5:24; Jdg 6:22, Jdg 13:22; Isa 6:5; Joh 1:18; 1Ti 6:16; Heb 1:13; Rev 1:16, Rev 1:17


TSK: Exo 33:22 - -- in a clift : Psa 18:2; Son 2:3; Isa 2:21, Isa 32:2; 1Co 10:4; 2Co 5:19
cover thee : Deu 33:12; Psa 91:1, Psa 91:4; The rock on which Moses stood, and ...
in a clift : Psa 18:2; Son 2:3; Isa 2:21, Isa 32:2; 1Co 10:4; 2Co 5:19
cover thee : Deu 33:12; Psa 91:1, Psa 91:4; The rock on which Moses stood, and in the clift of which he was sheltered, was doubtless an emblem of Christ; in whose person, character, and salvation alone, sinners may by faith see the glory of God, and live; for there it appears in softened splendour; as the sun, when his brightness is diminished by a mist, is beheld more distinctly by the human eye. - Scott

collapse allCommentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per Verse)
Barnes -> Exo 33:19-20
Barnes: Exo 33:19-20 - -- But his request could not be granted in accordance with the conditions of human existence. The glory of the Almighty in its fulness is not to be rev...
But his request could not be granted in accordance with the conditions of human existence. The glory of the Almighty in its fulness is not to be revealed to the eye of man. Compare Jdg 6:22; Isa 6:5. A further revelation of the divine goodness was however possible (see Exo 33:6-7).
It was vouchsafed to Paul, as it had been to Moses, to have special "visions and revelations of the Lord"2Co 12:1-4. But he had, also like Moses, to find the narrow reach of the intellect of man in the region of Godhead 1Ti 6:16. However intimate may be our communion with the Holy One, we are still, as long as we are in the flesh, "to see through a glass darkly,"waiting for the time when we shall see, with no figure of speech, "face to face"1Co 13:12. Then we know "that we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is"1Jo 3:2.
Will be gracious ... - Yahweh declares His own will to be the ground of the grace which He is going to show the nation. Paul applies these words to the election of Jacob in order to overthrow the self-righteous boasting of the Jews Rom 9:15.
Such passages as this, being clearly in accordance with what we know of the relation of spiritual existence to the human senses, show how we are to interpret the expressions "face to face"Exo 33:11; Deu 34:10, "mouth to mouth"Num 12:8, and others of the like kind. See Exo 24:10; Isa 6:1; and compare Joh 14:9.
Poole: Exo 33:20 - -- My face ; either,
1. My essence. But that no man can see, neither in this life, nor in the next. Or rather,
2. My glorious presence. This may note e...
My face ; either,
1. My essence. But that no man can see, neither in this life, nor in the next. Or rather,
2. My glorious presence. This may note either,
1. God’ s purpose that that blissful vision of God in glory shall be given to no man here, but is reserved for the future life. Or rather,
2. The impossibility of the thing from man’ s weakness, which is such, that if God should display all the beams of his glory to him, it would certainly astonish, overwhelm, and destroy him.

Poole: Exo 33:21 - -- There is a place by me , in this mountain where my residence and glorious presence now is, and in that part of it whence my voice now cometh to thine ...
There is a place by me , in this mountain where my residence and glorious presence now is, and in that part of it whence my voice now cometh to thine ears.

Poole: Exo 33:22 - -- That thou mayst not be undone by thy own desires, nor swallowed up with the sight of my glory.
That thou mayst not be undone by thy own desires, nor swallowed up with the sight of my glory.

Poole: Exo 33:23 - -- My back parts , i.e. imperfectly and in part, as when we see only a man’ s back parts, and not his face. Thou shalt see a shadow or obscure delin...
My back parts , i.e. imperfectly and in part, as when we see only a man’ s back parts, and not his face. Thou shalt see a shadow or obscure delineation of my glory, as much as thou canst bear, though not as much as thou dost desire.
Haydock: Exo 33:20 - -- My face, even in my assumed form. (Menochius) ---
The effulgence would cause death, as was commonly believed, Genesis xiii. 16. To behold the divi...
My face, even in my assumed form. (Menochius) ---
The effulgence would cause death, as was commonly believed, Genesis xiii. 16. To behold the divine essence, we must be divested of our mortal body, 1 Corinthians ii. 9. (St. Gregory of Nazianzus, or. 49.) (Haydock) ---
Moses, therefore, did not see it on earth, though he had greater favours shewn to him than the other prophets, Numbers xii. 6. (Theodoret, q. 68; St. Chrysostom; &c.) (Worthington)

Haydock: Exo 33:23 - -- See my back parts. The Lord, by his angel, usually spoke to Moses in the pillar of the cloud, so that he could not see the glory of Him that spoke f...
See my back parts. The Lord, by his angel, usually spoke to Moses in the pillar of the cloud, so that he could not see the glory of Him that spoke familiarly with him. In the vision here mentioned, he was allowed to see something of Him, in an assumed corporeal form: not in the face, the rays of which were too bright for mortal eye to bear, but to view Him as it were behind, when his face was turned from him. (Challoner) ---
Thus our curiosity is repressed. (Du Hamel) ---
Servius observes, on Virgil, that the "gods mostly declare themselves by suddenly disappearing. They will shew their faces." (Iliad. N. Grotius) ---
The rock was Christ, (Du Hamel) in whose sacred humanity we discern, at a distance, the majesty of God. (St. Augustine, q. 154.) Moses saw the hinder parts of God, or what should happen to Jesus Christ in the latter days of the synagogue. (Origen, hom. 12.) By this wonderful vision, God was pleased to declare that he was appeased. (Haydock)
Gill: Exo 33:20 - -- And he said, thou canst not see my face,.... Meaning not his form, his essence, his very nature, and the glory of it, that Moses must know he could ne...
And he said, thou canst not see my face,.... Meaning not his form, his essence, his very nature, and the glory of it, that Moses must know he could never see; but the brightest displays of his grace and goodness in Christ, the fullest discoveries of it, which are too much for man, in the present state of things, to have, who sees in part, and but through a glass darkly, not face to face, or in the most complete and perfect manner; it is but a small part and portion of God, and of his ways and works, as of creation and providence, so more especially of grace, salvation, and redemption by Jesus Christ, that is known of him; the things of the Gospel in their full perfection are what eye has not seen; and particularly were more hidden and unseen under the legal dispensation; this face was covered with types and shadows, and dark representations of things; though, in comparison of that state, we now, with open face, behold the glory of the Lord, yet still it is through a glass darkly, and we have not the clear and full view of things as will be hereafter:
for there shall no man see me and live: if there was to be such a revelation made of the grace and goodness, and glory of God in Christ, as it really is in itself, it would be too much for mortals in the present state to bear; it would break their earthen vessels in pieces; the full discovery therefore is reserved to a future state, when these things will be seen as they are, and men will be in a condition to receive them; otherwise we find that men have, in a sense, seen the face of God in this life, and have lived; though many, and even good men, have been possessed with such a notion, that if a man saw God he must die, see Gen 32:30.

Gill: Exo 33:21 - -- And the Lord said, behold, there is a place by me,.... Near him, not in or by the tabernacle, where it may be the pillar of cloud now was, as it had ...
And the Lord said, behold, there is a place by me,.... Near him, not in or by the tabernacle, where it may be the pillar of cloud now was, as it had been, Exo 33:9 but upon the rock, where it had been for many days, and near to which there was a fit place for Moses to be in, and have that view of the goodness and glory of God he would favour him with:
and thou shall stand upon a rock; in Horeb, typical of Christ the rock, the rock of Israel, and the rock of ages, the rock of refuge, salvation, and strength; comparable to one for shelter, solidity, firmness, strength, and duration; and happy are they who stand upon this rock; they are safe and secure, they stand on high, and have noble prospects of the perfections of God, and of the riches of his grace and goodness, see Psa 50:2.

Gill: Exo 33:22 - -- And it shall come to pass, while my glory passeth by,.... The displays of his grace and goodness are made:
that I will put thee in a clift of the r...
And it shall come to pass, while my glory passeth by,.... The displays of his grace and goodness are made:
that I will put thee in a clift of the rock; in one of the clefts, made by smiting it, through which the waters gushed out for the relief of the Israelites, and their flocks: and we are told c, that to this day, on the summit of Mount Sinai, by the Arabians called Gibel el Mousa, or the mountain of Moses, is perceived a large chasm in the rock, said to be the cave where Moses hid himself from God, when the glory of the Lord passed before him. Now this cleft may be an emblem of Christ, as crucified, smitten, wounded and slain; who was smitten by the law and justice of God, as this rock was smitten by the rod of Moses: and had gashes and wounds made in him like the clefts of a rock, being pierced with the nails and spear: and in these clefts of the rock saints dwell by faith, Son 2:14,
and will cover thee with my hand; with his cloud, as Ben Melech, and so may denote the cloudiness, obscurity, and darkness of the legal dispensation: but here it seems to denote imperfection, not being able to bear the full sight of the divine glory, and which angels themselves cannot bear, but cover their faces; and also the danger of being consumed, were it not that saints are in Christ, and covered and secured in him, otherwise God is a consuming fire:
while I pass by thee; or his glory, the glory of all his perfections, wisdom, holiness, justice, power, and faithfulness, and especially of his grace, mercy, and goodness in Christ.

Gill: Exo 33:23 - -- And I will take away mine hand,.... As being covered with the hand may signify the obscurity of the former dispensation, the taking of it away may den...
And I will take away mine hand,.... As being covered with the hand may signify the obscurity of the former dispensation, the taking of it away may denote a more clear revelation of the grace and goodness of God in Christ, and so of the glory of it under the Gospel dispensation; and yet what is seen in this, in comparison of the reality of things as they are, or of the heavenly state, are but as next expressed:
and thou shalt see my back parts; which some understand of the humanity of Christ, and his sufferings in it, sometimes expressed by his heel, and the bruising of it, Gen 3:15 or else the works of God in creation, by which the invisible things of God are seen, and which give a knowledge of him "a posteriori"; and so Maimonides d interprets the phrase, which follow me, flow from my will, i.e. all my creatures: or rather it denotes the imperfect knowledge of God in the present state, even as revealed in Christ, in whom there are the clearest and brightest displays of his glory; yet this, in comparison of the beatific sight of him, is but like seeing a man that is gone by, whose back is only to be seen:
but my face shall not be seen; in the present state, the face of God, that is, his favour, communion with him, and the light of his countenance, are to be sought for, and may be enjoyed; the glory of himself is to be seen in the face or person of Christ, and the glory of that face or person is to be seen in the glass of the Gospel, but at present imperfectly; God in Christ as he is, the fullest and brightest displays of his glory, grace, and goodness, are reserved to another state, see 1Co 13:9 or it may regard the divine nature of Christ, which could not be seen by Moses, but his back parts, or human; Christ as clothed with flesh might, and would be seen by him, as he was seen by him on the mount, Mat 17:3.

expand allCommentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes
NET Notes: Exo 33:20 Gesenius notes that sometimes a negative statement takes the place of a conditional clause; here it is equal to “if a man sees me he does not li...


NET Notes: Exo 33:22 The construction has a preposition with an infinitive construct and a suffix: “while [or until] I pass by” (Heb “in the passing by o...

NET Notes: Exo 33:23 The Niphal imperfect could simply be rendered “will not be seen,” but given the emphasis of the preceding verses, it is more binding than ...
Geneva Bible: Exo 33:20 And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and ( l ) live.
( l ) For Moses did not see his face in full majesty, but as ...

Geneva Bible: Exo 33:21 And the LORD said, Behold, [there is] a place by ( m ) me, and thou shalt stand upon a rock:
( m ) In mount Horeb.

Geneva Bible: Exo 33:23 And I will take away mine hand, and thou shalt see my ( n ) back parts: but my face shall not be seen.
( n ) As much of my glory as in this mortal li...

expand allCommentary -- Verse Range Notes
TSK Synopsis -> Exo 33:1-23
TSK Synopsis: Exo 33:1-23 - --1 The Lord refuses to go as he had promised with the people.4 The people mourn thereat.7 The tabernacle is removed out of the camp.9 The Lord talks fa...
MHCC -> Exo 33:12-23
MHCC: Exo 33:12-23 - --Moses is very earnest with God. Thus, by the intercession of Christ, we are not only saved from ruin, but become entitled to everlasting happiness. Ob...
Matthew Henry -> Exo 33:12-23
Matthew Henry: Exo 33:12-23 - -- Moses, having returned to the door of the tabernacle, becomes a humble and importunate supplicant there for two very great favours, and as a prince ...
Keil-Delitzsch -> Exo 33:18-23
Keil-Delitzsch: Exo 33:18-23 - --
Moses was emboldened by this, and now prayed to the Lord, "Let me see Thy glory." What Moses desired to see, as the answer of God clearly shows, mus...
Constable: Exo 15:22--Lev 1:1 - --II. THE ADOPTION OF ISRAEL 15:22--40:38
The second major section of Exodus records the events associated with Go...

Constable: Exo 32:1--34:35 - --D. The breaking and renewal of the covenant chs. 32-34
"If a narrative paradigmatic of what Exodus is re...

Constable: Exo 33:1-23 - --2. The re-establishment of fellowship ch. 33
Breaking God's covenant resulted in the Israelites' separation from fellowship with Him. It did not termi...
Guzik -> Exo 33:1-23
Guzik: Exo 33:1-23 - --Exodus 33 - Israel's Path of Restored Fellowship
A. Israel's repentance and restoration.
1. (1-3) The people learn of God's heart towards their sin....
