Exodus 33:12-23

Moses and the Glory of the LORD

12 Moses said to the LORD, “You have been telling me, ‘Lead these people,’ but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. You have said, ‘I know you by name and you have found favor with me.’

13 If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you. Remember that this nation is your people.”

14 The LORD replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”

15 Then Moses said to him, “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here.

16 How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?”

17 And the LORD said to Moses, “I will do the very thing you have asked, because I am pleased with you and I know you by name.”

18 Then Moses said, “Now show me your glory.”

19 And the LORD said, “I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the LORD, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.

20 But,” he said, “you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live.”

21 Then the LORD said, “There is a place near me where you may stand on a rock.

22 When my glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft in the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by.

23 Then I will remove my hand and you will see my back; but my face must not be seen.”

Exodus 33:12-23 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO EXODUS 33

This chapter informs us, that the Lord refusing to go with the people, only sending an angel with them, they are filled with concern, and troubled, Ex 33:1-6. Moses upon this pitched the tabernacle without the camp, where everyone that sought the Lord went; Moses entered into it himself, and the Lord talked to him in a friendly manner in the cloudy pillar that stood at the door of it, and the people worshipped, every man at his own tent door; all which foreboded good, and tended to reconciliation, Ex 33:7-11. Moses improved the opportunity, and entreats the presence of God to go with them, which was granted, Ex 33:12-17 and that he might have a sight of the glory of God; and this is promised to pass before him, he being put into the cleft of the rock, Ex 33:18-23.

Cross References

• 1. Exodus 3:10; S Exodus 15:17
• 2. ver 17; Isaiah 43:1; Isaiah 45:3; Isaiah 49:1; John 10:14-15; 2 Timothy 2:19
• 3. S Genesis 6:8
• 4. Psalms 25:4; Psalms 27:11; Psalms 51:13; Psalms 86:11; Psalms 103:7; Psalms 143:8; Psalms 119:33
• 5. Exodus 3:7; Exodus 34:9; Deuteronomy 9:26,29; Psalms 77:15
• 6. S Exodus 13:21; Deuteronomy 4:37; Isaiah 63:9; Haggai 1:13; Haggai 2:4
• 7. Deuteronomy 12:9,10; Deuteronomy 25:19; Joshua 1:13; Joshua 11:23; Joshua 21:44; Joshua 22:4; Joshua 23:1; 1 Kings 8:56; Isaiah 63:14; Jeremiah 31:2; Matthew 11:28; Hebrews 4:1-11
• 8. ver 3; Exodus 34:9; 2 Kings 13:23; 2 Kings 17:18; 2 Kings 23:27; 2 Kings 24:20; Psalms 51:11; Psalms 80:3,7,19; Jeremiah 7:15; Jeremiah 52:3
• 9. Exodus 34:5; Exodus 40:34,35; Numbers 9:15; Numbers 14:14
• 10. Exodus 34:10; Leviticus 20:24,26; Numbers 23:9; Dt 4:7,32,34; Deuteronomy 32:9; Deuteronomy 33:28
• 11. Exodus 34:28; Deuteronomy 9:18,25; Deuteronomy 10:10; James 5:16
• 12. S Genesis 6:8
• 13. S Exodus 16:7; John 1:14; John 12:41; 1 Timothy 6:16; Revelation 15:8
• 14. 1 Kings 19:11
• 15. Exodus 6:3; Exodus 34:5-7
• 16. Romans 9:15*
• 17. S Genesis 16:13; S Exodus 3:6; S Deuteronomy 5:26; S John 1:18; Genesis 32:30; Isaiah 6:5
• 18. Genesis 49:24; 1 Kings 19:9; Psalms 27:5; Psalms 31:20; Psalms 62:7; Psalms 91:1; Isaiah 2:21; Jeremiah 4:29
• 19. Psalms 91:4; Isaiah 49:2; Isaiah 51:16