Exodus Chapter 33 · Verse 18
And he said, I beseech thee, shew me thy glory.
Original Language Analysis
הַרְאֵ֥נִי
shew
H7200
הַרְאֵ֥נִי
shew
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
2 of 5
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
נָ֖א
I beseech thee
H4994
נָ֖א
I beseech thee
Strong's:
H4994
Word #:
3 of 5
'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction
Cross References
Exodus 33:20And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live.Revelation 21:23And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.Titus 2:13Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;John 1:18No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.1 Timothy 6:16Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.2 Corinthians 4:6For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.2 Corinthians 3:18But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
Historical Context
Previous theophanies (burning bush, Exodus 3; Sinai, Exodus 19) revealed God partially. Moses' request reflects human longing to transcend mediated revelation and encounter God's essential glory directly—a longing only fulfilled eschatologically.
Questions for Reflection
- Does your experience of God's presence increase your hunger for more of Him, or does familiarity breed complacency?
- How does Moses' insatiable desire for God challenge your contentment with shallow spiritual experience?
Analysis & Commentary
And he said, I beseech thee, shew me thy glory—Having secured God's presence for Israel, Moses requests the ultimate privilege: seeing God's כָּבוֹד (kavod, 'glory/weightiness'). This isn't presumption but deepened hunger—each revelation increases desire for more. Moses has experienced God's presence, friendship, and favor; now he seeks the beatific vision itself. This request reveals that knowing God intellectually and relationally still leaves the soul yearning for fuller comprehension. Moses anticipates every believer's ultimate hope: 'we shall see him as he is' (1 John 3:2). The boldness demonstrates that intimacy breeds greater longing, not satisfaction.