Exodus 33:23
And I will take away mine hand, and thou shalt see my back parts: but my face shall not be seen.
Original Language Analysis
וַהֲסִֽרֹתִי֙
And I will take
H5493
וַהֲסִֽרֹתִי֙
And I will take
Strong's:
H5493
Word #:
1 of 9
to turn off (literally or figuratively)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
2 of 9
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כַּפִּ֔י
away mine hand
H3709
כַּפִּ֔י
away mine hand
Strong's:
H3709
Word #:
3 of 9
the hollow hand or palm (so of the paw of an animal, of the sole, and even of the bowl of a dish or sling, the handle of a bolt, the leaves of a palm-
יֵֽרָאֽוּ׃
and thou shalt see
H7200
יֵֽרָאֽוּ׃
and thou shalt see
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
4 of 9
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
5 of 9
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אֲחֹרָ֑י
my back parts
H268
אֲחֹרָ֑י
my back parts
Strong's:
H268
Word #:
6 of 9
the hinder part; hence (adverb) behind, backward; also (as facing north) the west
וּפָנַ֖י
but my face
H6440
וּפָנַ֖י
but my face
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
7 of 9
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
Cross References
Exodus 33:20And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live.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.Job 26:14Lo, these are parts of his ways: but how little a portion is heard of him? but the thunder of his power who can understand?Job 11:7Canst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection?1 Corinthians 13:12For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
Historical Context
Exodus 34:29-35 describes the result: Moses' face shone so brightly from this encounter that Israelites couldn't look at him, requiring him to veil his face. Paul uses this in 2 Corinthians 3:7-18 to contrast Old and New Covenant glory.
Questions for Reflection
- How does this 'partial seeing' increase your longing for the day when 'we shall see him face to face' (1 Corinthians 13:12)?
- What does the progressive nature of revelation in Moses' life teach about God's patient unfolding of knowledge of Himself?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And I will take away mine hand, and thou shalt see my back parts: but my face shall not be seen—Moses sees God's אֲחֹרָי (achorai, 'back parts' or 'afterglow')—the diminishing radiance after God passes, not the direct full-frontal glory. This is maximum revelation possible for mortals in unredeemed state. Some interpret this anthropomorphically (God's 'back'), others as aftermath/echo of glory. Either way, it represents mediated, limited revelation that protects while satisfying. Moses receives more than any other Old Testament figure, yet even he sees only partially (1 Corinthians 13:12). This provisional revelation awaits its fulfillment when 'we shall see him as he is' (1 John 3:2).