Exodus 33:20
And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live.
Original Language Analysis
לֹ֥א
H3808
לֹ֥א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
2 of 11
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תוּכַ֖ל
Thou canst
H3201
תוּכַ֖ל
Thou canst
Strong's:
H3201
Word #:
3 of 11
to be able, literally (can, could) or morally (may, might)
יִרְאַ֥נִי
not see
H7200
יִרְאַ֥נִי
not see
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
4 of 11
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
5 of 11
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
פָּנָ֑י
my face
H6440
פָּנָ֑י
my face
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
6 of 11
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
כִּ֛י
H3588
כִּ֛י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
7 of 11
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
8 of 11
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יִרְאַ֥נִי
not see
H7200
יִרְאַ֥נִי
not see
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
9 of 11
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
Cross References
Genesis 32:30And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.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.Isaiah 6:5Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.Exodus 24:10And they saw the God of Israel: and there was under his feet as it were a paved work of a sapphire stone, and as it were the body of heaven in his clearness.Deuteronomy 5:24And ye said, Behold, the LORD our God hath shewed us his glory and his greatness, and we have heard his voice out of the midst of the fire: we have seen this day that God doth talk with man, and he liveth.Judges 6:22And when Gideon perceived that he was an angel of the LORD, Gideon said, Alas, O Lord GOD! for because I have seen an angel of the LORD face to face.Judges 13:22And Manoah said unto his wife, We shall surely die, because we have seen God.
Historical Context
This theological principle explains why Old Testament theophanies involved mediated forms (cloud, fire, angel of the Lord). Even Isaiah's temple vision left him undone (Isaiah 6:5), and Manoah feared death after seeing the angel of the Lord (Judges 13:22).
Questions for Reflection
- How does this limitation increase your appreciation for Christ's incarnation, which made 'seeing' God possible?
- What does God's protective limitation teach about His care for our weakness even while drawing us near?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live—God establishes a crucial limitation: seeing the divine 'face' (פָּנַי, panai—God's essence, full unveiled glory) would annihilate mortal humanity. This explains the apparent contradiction with v.11's 'face to face'—that phrase meant relational intimacy, not visual perception of divine essence. The principle holds throughout Scripture until glorification enables believers to 'see his face' (Revelation 22:4). This verse reveals both human limitation (we cannot bear unmediated holiness) and divine protection (God shields us from what would destroy us). Only the incarnate Christ makes seeing God possible (John 1:18, 14:9).