Exodus 33:18

18 Moses said, "Show me your glory, I pray."

Exodus 33:18 Meaning and Commentary

Exodus 33:18

And he said, I beseech thee, show me thy glory.
] Not any visible lustre, splendour, and brightness, as a symbol of the divine Presence, that he had seen, ( Exodus 16:7 Exodus 16:10 ) nor the glorious essence of God, as Maimonides F2, which is invisible and cannot be seen, and of which Moses could not be ignorant; nor the glory of the heavenly state, which also he must know he could not see until he came thither; but he seems to mean some visible glorious representation of God, such as he had never seen, though he had been with him so long on the mount in the cloud, and heard his voice, and saw some appearances of brightness and glory, yet not in any form that he could frame any idea of; perhaps he may mean the Angel of God's presence, called his face, the promised Messiah and glorious Redeemer and Saviour, in whom there is such a bright display of the glory of the divine perfections; yea, is the brightness of his Father's glory, and the express image of his person; and this favour was granted him, with some proper limitations and restrictions; for though this request was, no doubt, sincere and upright, it might be attended with frailty and weakness; yet it is not utterly denied, but with some explanation is allowed, and perhaps was the highest favour ever granted to any before the incarnation of our Lord, at least in so full and glorious a manner as this was; Moses having by his suit obtained much, wants more and is emboldened to ask it, and in a good measure had it, as the following words show.


FOOTNOTES:

F2 Yesude Hatorah, c. 1. sect. 10.

Exodus 33:18 In-Context

16 For how shall it be known that I have found favor in your sight, I and your people, unless you go with us? In this way, we shall be distinct, I and your people, from every people on the face of the earth."
17 The Lord said to Moses, "I will do the very thing that you have asked; for you have found favor in my sight, and I know you by name."
18 Moses said, "Show me your glory, I pray."
19 And he said, "I will make all my goodness pass before you, and will proclaim before you the name, "The Lord'; and I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy.
20 But," he said, "you cannot see my face; for no one shall see me and live."

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New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.