Exodus Chapter 33

The Command to Leave Sinai

(Deuteronomy 1:1-8)

1And the LORD said unto Moses, Depart, and go up hence, thou and the people which thou hast brought up out of the land of Egypt, unto the land which I sware unto Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, saying, Unto thy seed will I give it: 2And I will send an angel before thee; and I will drive out the Canaanite, the Amorite, and the Hittite, and the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite: 3Unto a land flowing with milk and honey: for I will not go up in the midst of thee; for thou art a stiffnecked people: lest I consume thee in the way.

4And when the people heard these evil tidings, they mourned: and no man did put on him his ornaments. 5For the LORD had said unto Moses, Say unto the children of Israel, Ye are a stiffnecked people: I will come up into the midst of thee in a moment, and consume thee: therefore now put off thy ornaments from thee, that I may know what to do unto thee. 6And the children of Israel stripped themselves of their ornaments by the mount Horeb.

The Tent of Meeting

7And Moses took the tabernacle, and pitched it without the camp, afar off from the camp, and called it the Tabernacle of the congregation. And it came to pass, that every one which sought the LORD went out unto the tabernacle of the congregation, which was without the camp. 8And it came to pass, when Moses went out unto the tabernacle, that all the people rose up, and stood every man at his tent door, and looked after Moses, until he was gone into the tabernacle. 9And it came to pass, as Moses entered into the tabernacle, the cloudy pillar descended, and stood at the door of the tabernacle, and the LORD talked with Moses. 10And all the people saw the cloudy pillar stand at the tabernacle door: and all the people rose up and worshipped, every man in his tent door. 11And the LORD spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend. And he turned again into the camp: but his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, departed not out of the tabernacle.

The Glory of the Lord

12And Moses said unto the LORD, See, thou sayest unto me, Bring up this people: and thou hast not let me know whom thou wilt send with me. Yet thou hast said, I know thee by name, and thou hast also found grace in my sight. 13Now therefore, I pray thee, if I have found grace in thy sight, shew me now thy way, that I may know thee, that I may find grace in thy sight: and consider that this nation is thy people. 14And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest. 15And he said unto him, If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence. 16For wherein shall it be known here that I and thy people have found grace in thy sight? is it not in that thou goest with us? so shall we be separated, I and thy people, from all the people that are upon the face of the earth.

17And the LORD said unto Moses, I will do this thing also that thou hast spoken: for thou hast found grace in my sight, and I know thee by name. 18And he said, I beseech thee, shew me thy glory. 19And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy. 20And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live. 21And the LORD said, Behold, there is a place by me, and thou shalt stand upon a rock: 22And it shall come to pass, while my glory passeth by, that I will put thee in a clift of the rock, and will cover thee with my hand while I pass by: 23And I will take away mine hand, and thou shalt see my back parts: but my face shall not be seen.

King James Bible

Text courtesy of BibleProtector.com.

The Command to Leave Sinai
(Deuteronomy 1:1–8)

1 Yahweh spoke to Moses, “Depart, go up from here, you and the people that you have brought up out of the land of Egypt, to the land of which I swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, saying, ‘I will give it to your seed.’ 2 I will send an angel before you; and I will drive out the Canaanite, the Amorite, and the Hittite, and the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite: 3 to a land flowing with milk and honey: for I will not go up in the midst of you, for you are a stiff-necked people, lest I consume you in the way.”

4 When the people heard this evil news, they mourned: and no one put on his jewelry. 5 Yahweh said to Moses, “Tell the children of Israel, ‘You are a stiff-necked people. If I were to go up into your midst for one moment, I would consume you. Therefore now take off your jewelry from you, that I may know what to do to you.’” 6 The children of Israel stripped themselves of their jewelry from Mount Horeb onward.

The Tent of Meeting

7 Now Moses used to take the tent and to pitch it outside the camp, far away from the camp, and he called it “The Tent of Meeting.” It happened that everyone who sought Yahweh went out to the Tent of Meeting, which was outside the camp. 8 It happened that when Moses went out to the Tent, that all the people rose up, and stood, everyone at their tent door, and watched Moses, until he had gone into the Tent. 9 It happened, when Moses entered into the Tent, that the pillar of cloud descended, stood at the door of the Tent, and spoke with Moses. 10 All the people saw the pillar of cloud stand at the door of the Tent, and all the people rose up and worshiped, everyone at their tent door. 11 Yahweh spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. He turned again into the camp, but his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, didn’t depart out of the Tent.

The Promise of God’s Presence

12 Moses said to Yahweh, “Behold, you tell me, ‘Bring up this people:’ and you haven’t let me know whom you will send with me. Yet you have said, ‘I know you by name, and you have also found favor in my sight.’ 13 Now therefore, if I have found favor in your sight, please show me now your ways, that I may know you, so that I may find favor in your sight: and consider that this nation is your people.” 14 He said, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” 15 He said to him, “If your presence doesn’t go with me, don’t carry us up from here. 16 For how would people know that I have found favor in your sight, I and your people? Isn’t it in that you go with us, so that we are separated, I and your people, from all the people who are on the surface of the earth?”

17 Yahweh said to Moses, “I will do this thing also that you have spoken; for you have found favor in my sight, and I know you by name.” 18 He said, “Please show me your glory.” 19 He said, “I will make all my goodness pass before you, and will proclaim the name of Yahweh before you. I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy.” 20 He said, “You cannot see my face, for man may not see me and live.” 21 Yahweh also said, “Behold, there is a place by me, and you shall stand on the rock. 22 It will happen, while my glory passes by, that I will put you in a cleft of the rock, and will cover you with my hand until I have passed by; 23 then I will take away my hand, and you will see my back; but my face shall not be seen.”

The Command to Leave Sinai
(Deuteronomy 1:1–8)

1 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Leave this place, you and the people you brought up out of the land of Egypt, and go to the land that I promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob when I said, ‘I will give it to your descendants.’ 2 And I will send an angel before you, and I will drive out the Canaanites, Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites. 3 Go up to a land flowing with milk and honey. But I will not go with you, because you are a stiff-necked people; otherwise, I might destroy you on the way.”

4 When the people heard these bad tidings, they went into mourning, and no one put on any of his jewelry. 5 For the LORD had said to Moses, “Tell the Israelites, ‘You are a stiff-necked people. If I should go with you for a single moment, I would destroy you. Now take off your jewelry, and I will decide what to do with you.’ ”

6 So the Israelites stripped themselves of their jewelry from Mount Horeb onward. a

The Tent of Meeting

7 Now Moses used to take the tent and pitch it at a distance outside the camp. He called it the Tent of Meeting, and anyone inquiring of the LORD would go to the Tent of Meeting outside the camp. 8 Then, whenever Moses went out to the tent, all the people would stand at the entrances to their own tents and watch Moses until he entered the tent. 9 As Moses entered the tent, the pillar of cloud would come down and remain at the entrance, and the LORD would speak with Moses. 10 When all the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the entrance to the tent, they would stand up and worship, each one at the entrance to his own tent.

11 Thus the LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. Then Moses would return to the camp, but his young assistant Joshua son of Nun would not leave the tent.

The Promise of God’s Presence

12 Then Moses said to the LORD, “Look, You have been telling me, ‘Lead this people up,’ but You have not let me know whom You will send with me. Yet You have said, ‘I know you by name, and you have found favor in My sight.’ 13 Now if indeed I have found favor in Your sight, please let me know Your ways, that I may know You and find favor in Your sight. Remember that this nation is Your people.”

14 And the LORD answered, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”

15 “If Your Presence does not go with us,” Moses replied, “do not lead us up from here. 16 For how then can it be known that Your people and I have found favor in Your sight, unless You go with us? How else will we be distinguished from all the other people on the face of the earth?”

17 So the LORD said to Moses, “I will do this very thing you have asked, for you have found favor in My sight, and I know you by name.”

18 Then Moses said, “Please show me Your glory.”

19 “I will cause all My goodness to pass before you,” the LORD replied, “and I will proclaim My name—the LORD—in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” b

20 But He added, “You cannot see My face, for no one can see Me and live.”

21 The LORD continued, “There is a place near Me where you are to stand upon a rock, 22 and when My glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft of the rock and cover you with My hand until I have passed by. 23 Then I will take My hand away, and you will see My back; but My face must not be seen.”

Footnotes:

6 a That is, from Mount Sinai onward, or possibly a mountain in the range containing Mount Sinai
19 b Cited in Romans 9:15

The Command to Leave Sinai

(Deuteronomy 1:1-8)

1And Jehovah speaketh unto Moses, 'Go, ascend from this place, thou and the people, whom thou hast brought up out of the land of Egypt, unto the land which I have sworn to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, saying, To thy seed I give it,' 2(and I have sent before thee a messenger, and have cast out the Canaanite, the Amorite, and the Hittite, and the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite,) 3unto a land flowing with milk and honey, for I do not go up in thy midst, for thou art a stiff-necked people -- lest I consume thee in the way.'

4And the people hear this sad thing, and mourn; and none put his ornaments on him. 5And Jehovah saith unto Moses, 'Say unto the sons of Israel, Ye are a stiff-necked people; one moment -- I come up into thy midst, and have consumed thee; and now, put down thine ornaments from off thee, and I know what I do to thee;' 6and the sons of Israel take off their ornaments at mount Horeb.

The Tent of Meeting

7And Moses taketh the tent, and hath stretched it out at the outside of the camp, afar off from the camp, and hath called it, 'Tent of Meeting;' and it hath come to pass, every one seeking Jehovah goeth out unto the tent of meeting, which is at the outside of the camp. 8And it hath come to pass, at the going out of Moses unto the tent, all the people rise, and have stood, each at the opening of his tent, and have looked expectingly after Moses, until his going into the tent. 9And it hath come to pass, at the going in of Moses to the tent, the pillar of the cloud cometh down, and hath stood at the opening of the tent, and He hath spoken with Moses; 10and all the people have seen the pillar of the cloud standing at the opening of the tent, and all the people have risen and bowed themselves, each at the opening of his tent. 11And Jehovah hath spoken unto Moses face unto face, as a man speaketh unto his friend; and he hath turned back unto the camp, and his minister Joshua, son of Nun, a youth, departeth not out of the tent.

The Glory of the Lord

12And Moses saith unto Jehovah, 'See, Thou art saying unto me, Bring up this people, and Thou hast not caused me to know whom Thou dost send with me; and Thou hast said, I have known thee by name, and also thou hast found grace in Mine eyes. 13And now, if, I pray Thee, I have found grace in Thine eyes, cause me to know, I pray Thee, Thy way, and I know Thee, so that I find grace in Thine eyes, and consider that this nation is Thy people;' 14and He saith, 'My presence doth go, and I have given rest to thee.' 15And he saith unto Him, 'If Thy presence is not going -- take us not up from this place; 16and in what is it known now, that I have found grace in Thine eyes -- I and Thy people -- is it not in Thy going with us? and we have been distinguished -- I and Thy people -- from all the people who are on the face of the ground.'

17And Jehovah saith unto Moses, 'Even this thing which thou hast spoken I do; for thou hast found grace in Mine eyes, and I know thee by name.' 18And he saith, 'Shew me, I pray Thee, Thine honour;' 19and He saith, 'I cause all My goodness to pass before thy face, and have called concerning the Name of Jehovah before thee, and favoured him whom I favour, and loved him whom I love.' 20He saith also, 'Thou art unable to see My face, for man doth not see Me, and live;' 21Jehovah also saith, 'Lo, a place is by Me, and thou hast stood on the rock, 22and it hath come to pass, in the passing by of Mine honour, that I have set thee in a cleft of the rock, and spread out My hands over thee, until My passing by, 23and I have turned aside My hands, and thou hast seen My back parts, and My face is not seen.'

The F.O.G Commentary:

1What is the meaning of Exodus 33?

2Introduction to Exodus 33

3Context of Exodus 33

4Ancient Key Word Study

5Compare & Contrast

6Exodus 33 Unique Insights

7Exodus 33 Connections to Yeshua

8Exodus 33 Scriptural Echoes

9Exodus 33 Devotional

10Did You Know

What is the meaning of Exodus 33?

Introduction to Exodus 33

Exodus 33 stands as one of the most profound chapters in the Torah, marking a pivotal moment in Israel’s relationship with God following the golden calf incident. This remarkable passage captures an intimate dialogue between Moses and יהוה (Yahweh), revealing extraordinary insights into divine-human relationships and the nature of God’s presence. The chapter showcases the delicate balance between divine justice and mercy, while also containing one of the most audacious requests ever made by a human to God: Moses’ plea to see His glory.

At its heart, this chapter explores the tension between God’s holiness and His desire to dwell among His people, setting the stage for the ultimate resolution that would come through the Messiah. The text provides a masterclass in intercession and demonstrates the unprecedented access to God that Moses enjoyed, described as speaking with Him “face to face, as a man speaks with his friend” (Exodus 33:11).

Context of Exodus 33

This chapter follows the catastrophic events of Exodus 32, where Israel committed idolatry with the golden calf while Moses was receiving the Torah on Mount Sinai. The severity of this sin cannot be overstated – it was a direct violation of the first two commandments and occurred mere days after the people had pledged complete obedience to God’s covenant. The aftermath left both the tablets of the Law broken and the relationship between God and Israel severely damaged.

Within the broader narrative of Exodus, chapter 33 serves as a crucial turning point. It falls between the first failed attempt at covenant relationship (broken tablets) and the covenant renewal (new tablets) in chapter 34. This positioning is significant as it demonstrates the process of restoration and the prerequisites for divine presence. The chapter’s themes of divine presence, intercession, and glory foreshadow later biblical developments, particularly in the tabernacle/temple theology and ultimately in the incarnation of the Messiah.

In the larger biblical narrative, this chapter provides essential theological groundwork for understanding God’s presence among His people. The concepts introduced here – particularly the tension between divine presence and human sinfulness – echo throughout Scripture, finding their ultimate resolution in Yeshua the Messiah, who would “tabernacle” among us (John 1:14).

Ancient Key Word Study

פָּנִים (panim) – “Face/Presence”: This word appears multiple times in the chapter and carries deep theological significance. Beyond its literal meaning of “face,” it represents the personal presence and favor of God. The phrase “My face will go with you” (verse 14) uses this term to indicate not just God’s guidance but His personal, intimate presence with His people.
חֵן (chen) – “Grace/Favor”: This term, appearing in verses 12-17, is crucial for understanding the basis of Moses’ bold intercession. It’s not merely about finding approval but speaks to an unmerited, divine disposition of favor. This same concept becomes central to New Testament theology of grace through the Messiah.
כָּבוֹד (kavod) – “Glory”: Used in verse 18, this term literally means “weight” or “heaviness” but is used metaphorically for honor and glory. When Moses asks to see God’s glory, he’s requesting to experience the full weight of God’s manifest presence – an unprecedented request in human history.
אָחוֹר (achor) – “Back”: In verse 23, this word is used in the famous phrase “you shall see My back.” The term suggests not just a physical back but the aftermath or traces of God’s presence, implying that humans can only comprehend God’s nature through His actions and effects in the world.
נָחָה (nachah) – “Lead”: This verb in verse 12 carries the connotation of gentle guidance and protection. It’s often used in contexts of shepherd-like leadership, foreshadowing the Messiah as the Good Shepherd.
יָדַע (yada) – “Know”: Used repeatedly in the chapter, this Hebrew word implies intimate, experiential knowledge rather than mere intellectual understanding. Moses’ claim to be “known by name” speaks to a profound level of personal relationship with God.
דֶּרֶךְ (derek) – “Way”: Appearing in verse 13, this term refers not just to a physical path but to God’s methods and character. Moses’ request to know God’s ways is a desire for deep understanding of His nature and methods of operation.

Compare & Contrast

Verse 11 states Moses spoke with God “face to face,” yet verse 20 declares no one can see God’s face and live. This apparent contradiction is resolved through understanding the Hebrew idiom “face to face” (פָּנִים אֶל־פָּנִים) implies intimate dialogue rather than literal visual contact. The phrase was chosen specifically to emphasize the uniqueness of Moses’ relationship with God, contrasting with the normal prophetic experience through dreams and visions (Numbers 12:6-8).
The phrase “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy” (verse 19) uses a Hebrew construction (וְחַנֹּתִי אֶת־אֲשֶׁר אָחֹן) that emphasizes God’s absolute sovereignty in dispensing mercy. This formulation, rather than a simple statement about mercy, was chosen to underscore both God’s freedom and the fact that mercy cannot be earned or manipulated.
In verse 14, God’s response “My presence will go with you” uses the term פָּנַי (My face) rather than the more common שְׁכִינָה (Shekinah) for divine presence. This choice emphasizes the personal, relational aspect of God’s presence rather than just His manifest glory.
The description of the Tent of Meeting being “outside the camp” (verse 7) uses specific spatial terminology to emphasize the rupture in relationship caused by the golden calf incident. The physical distance symbolized the spiritual distance, yet the tent’s accessibility demonstrated God’s continued availability to those who sought Him.
The phrase “I know you by name” (verse 17) employs personal knowledge terminology (יָדַע) rather than simple recognition vocabulary, emphasizing intimate relationship over mere acquaintance. This choice of words establishes the pattern for how God knows His people individually.

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Exodus 33 Unique Insights

The chapter contains several extraordinary mystical and theological elements that have captivated scholars and sages throughout history. The Talmud (Berachot 7a) discusses Moses’ request to see God’s glory as a desire to understand the apparent contradictions in divine justice – why the righteous suffer and the wicked prosper. According to this interpretation, God’s response of showing His “back” means revealing the aftermath of His providence rather than its immediate manifestation.

The early rabbinic tradition provides a fascinating insight into the Tent of Meeting’s location outside the camp. Midrash Tanchuma suggests this arrangement created three concentric circles of holiness: the Tent of Meeting, the Levite camp, and the general camp. This structure would later influence the design of the Temple and even New Testament understanding of approaching God through progressive stages of sanctification.

The Jewish mystical tradition sees in Moses’ dialogue with God a template for spiritual ascent. The progression from finding favor, to knowing God’s ways, to seeing His glory represents stages in spiritual development. This understanding influenced both medieval Jewish mysticism and Christian contemplative traditions.

Early Church fathers, particularly Origen and Gregory of Nyssa, saw in Moses’ ascent a pattern for the soul’s journey toward God. They interpreted the “cleft in the rock” where Moses was hidden as symbolic of the Messiah, through whom we can approach God’s otherwise unapproachable glory. This interpretation gains weight when considering Paul’s identification of the rock in the wilderness as the Messiah (1 Corinthians 10:4).

Exodus 33 Connections to Yeshua

The parallels between Moses’ intercession and the Messiah’s mediatorial role are striking. Just as Moses stood in the gap between God and Israel, offering himself to be blotted out of God’s book for their sake (Exodus 32:32), so Yeshua would later make the ultimate intercession by actually taking our sins upon Himself (2 Corinthians 5:21).

The theme of God’s presence dwelling among His people finds its ultimate fulfillment in the incarnation. John’s declaration that “the Word became flesh and dwelt [literally: tabernacled] among us, and we beheld His glory” (John 1:14) directly echoes the language and themes of Exodus 33. In Yeshua, we see the perfect resolution of the tension between God’s holiness and His desire to dwell with His people – He is Emmanuel, God with us (Matthew 1:23).

Exodus 33 Scriptural Echoes

The themes and language of Exodus 33 reverberate throughout Scripture. The concept of God’s presence (פָּנִים) becomes a major motif in the Psalms, particularly in Psalm 27:8-9 where David seeks God’s face. The prophet Isaiah draws on the imagery of God’s glory passing by in his temple vision (Isaiah 6:1-7), and Ezekiel’s visions of divine glory (Ezekiel 1) echo Moses’ experience.

In the New Testament, Paul references this chapter when discussing the fading glory on Moses’ face (2 Corinthians 3:7-18), contrasting it with the permanent glory revealed in the Messiah. The concept of God’s presence dwelling among His people finds its ultimate expression in Revelation 21:3, where the tabernacle of God is with men in the New Jerusalem.

Exodus 33 Devotional

In our modern context, this chapter speaks powerfully to several vital spiritual truths. First, it reminds us that authentic spiritual leadership, like Moses demonstrated, requires both intimacy with God and love for people. Moses was unwilling to proceed without God’s presence, teaching us to prioritize divine guidance over human planning and efficiency.

The chapter challenges us to examine our own desire for God’s presence. Moses wasn’t content with angelic guidance or even miracles – he insisted on God’s personal presence. In our technology-driven world, we must ask ourselves whether we’ve substituted programs and methods for the reality of divine presence.

Finally, Moses’ boldness in asking to see God’s glory encourages us to pursue deeper experiences of God. While maintaining appropriate reverence, we shouldn’t be afraid to ask God for greater revelation of Himself, always remembering that such revelation now comes primarily through His Son, the Messiah Yeshua.

Did You Know

The Tent of Meeting mentioned in this chapter was a temporary structure, different from the Tabernacle that would later be constructed. It served as an interim meeting place between God and Moses during the period of breach caused by the golden calf incident.
The phrase “face to face” used to describe Moses’ communication with God is unique in the Torah and emphasizes the unparalleled nature of Moses’ prophetic experience. Later Jewish tradition would refer to this as prophesying through a “clear lens” rather than a “cloudy lens.”
The Hebrew word for “presence” (פָּנִים) appears 13 times in this chapter, more than in any other chapter of the Bible, emphasizing the central theme of divine presence.
Ancient Jewish tradition suggests that the “cleft of the rock” where God placed Moses was actually created at that moment, representing a unique space between heaven and earth where divine revelation could safely occur.
The declaration of God’s attributes in verse 19 becomes the basis for the “Thirteen Attributes of Mercy” in Jewish tradition, recited during times of repentance and particularly on Yom Kippur.
Archaeological discoveries have shown that ancient Near Eastern kings would often place their name on someone or something to indicate ownership and protection, giving deeper meaning to God “knowing Moses by name.”
The concept of seeing God’s “back” rather than His face has influenced both Jewish and Christian mystical traditions, suggesting that we can only understand God through His actions in history rather than direct apprehension of His essence.
The unusual placement of the Tent of Meeting outside the camp created a unique situation where seeking God required a deliberate journey away from the community, a pattern that would influence later monastic traditions.

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