Exodus 33:20

33:20 But he added, “You cannot see my face, for no one can ¹  see me and live.” ² 

Genesis 32:30

32:30 So Jacob named the place Peniel, ³  explaining, ⁴  “Certainly ⁵  I have seen God face to face ⁶  and have survived.” ⁷ 

¹ tn In view of the use of the verb “can, be able to” in the first clause, this imperfect tense is given a potential nuance.

² tn 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 live” (GKC 498 §159.gg). The other passages that teach this are Gen 32:30; Deut 4:33, 5:24, 26; Judg 6:22, 13:22, and Isa 6:5.

³ sn The name Peniel means “face of God.” Since Jacob saw God face to face here, the name is appropriate.

⁴ tn The word “explaining” is supplied in the translation for stylistic reasons.

⁵ tn Or “because.”

⁶ sn I have seen God face to face. See the note on the name “Peniel” earlier in the verse.

⁷ tn Heb “and my soul [= life] has been preserved.”