Exodus 33:18
Exodus 33:18 in Multiple Translations
Then Moses said, “Please show me Your glory.”
And he said, I beseech thee, shew me thy glory.
And he said, Show me, I pray thee, thy glory.
And Moses said, O Lord, let me see your glory.
“Now please reveal to me your glory,” Moses asked.
Againe he sayde, I beseech thee, shewe me thy glory.
And he saith, 'Shew me, I pray Thee, Thine honour;'
Moses said, “Please show me your glory.”
And he said, I beseech thee, show me thy glory.
And he said: Shew me thy glory.
Then Moses/I said, “Please let me see your glorious presence!”
Berean Amplified Bible — Exodus 33:18
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Exodus 33:18 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יֹּאמַ֑ר
הַרְאֵ֥/נִי
נָ֖א
אֶת
כְּבֹדֶֽ/ךָ
וַ/יֹּאמַ֑ר
ʼâmar
H559
to say
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
הַרְאֵ֥/נִי
râʼâh
H7200
Provider
V-Hiphil-Impv-2ms | Suff
נָ֖א
nâʼ
H4994
please
Part
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM
כְּבֹדֶֽ/ךָ
kâbôwd
H3519
glory
N-cs | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Exodus 33:18
וַ/יֹּאמַ֑ר
ʼâmar
H559
"to say"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.
Definition: 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
Usage: Occurs in 4337 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. See also: Genesis 1:3; Genesis 18:23; Genesis 25:32.
הַרְאֵ֥/נִי
râʼâh
H7200
"Provider"
V-Hiphil-Impv-2ms | Suff
The Hebrew word for provider means to see or look after, and is used to describe God's care for his people. It appears in various forms throughout the Bible, including in Genesis and other books.
Definition: (Lord will) Provide, cause to be seen. This name means to see, look at, inspect, look after
Usage: Occurs in 1206 OT verses. KJV: advise self, appear, approve, behold, [idiom] certainly, consider, discern, (make to) enjoy, have experience, gaze, take heed, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] joyfully, lo, look (on, one another, one on another, one upon another, out, up, upon), mark, meet, [idiom] be near, perceive, present, provide, regard, (have) respect, (fore-, cause to, let) see(-r, -m, one another), shew (self), [idiom] sight of others, (e-) spy, stare, [idiom] surely, [idiom] think, view, visions. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 41:41; Exodus 33:13.
נָ֖א
nâʼ
H4994
"please"
Part
The Hebrew word 'nâ'' is used to express a polite request, like 'please' or 'I pray', and is often added to verbs to make them more polite. In the Bible, it appears in passages like Ezra's reading of the law to the people.
Definition: 1) I (we) pray, now, please 1a) used in entreaty or exhortation
Usage: Occurs in 374 OT verses. KJV: I beseech (pray) thee (you), go to, now, oh. See also: Genesis 12:11; Judges 4:19; 1 Kings 13:6.
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
כְּבֹדֶֽ/ךָ
kâbôwd
H3519
"glory"
N-cs | Suff
Glory refers to great honor or splendor, often used to describe God's majesty, as in Psalm 138:5 where David praises God's glorious name. It can also refer to wealth or abundance, like in Genesis 31:1 where Jacob's wealth is described.
Definition: 1) glory, honour, glorious, abundance 1a) abundance, riches 1b) honour, splendour, glory 1c) honour, dignity 1d) honour, reputation 1e) honour, reverence, glory 1f) glory
Usage: Occurs in 189 OT verses. KJV: glorious(-ly), glory, honour(-able). See also: Genesis 31:1; Psalms 113:4; Psalms 3:4.
Study Notes — Exodus 33:18
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Exodus 33:18 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Exodus 33:18
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Exodus 33:18
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Exodus 33:18
- Trapp's Commentary on Exodus 33:18
- Ellicott's Commentary on Exodus 33:18
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Exodus 33:18
- Cambridge Bible on Exodus 33:18
- Barnes' Notes on Exodus 33:18
- Whedon's Commentary on Exodus 33:18
- Sermons on Exodus 33:18
Context — The Promise of God’s Presence
16For 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?”
17So 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.”
18Then 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.” 20But He added, “You cannot see My face, for no one can see Me and live.”Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Revelation 21:23 | And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, because the glory of God illuminates the city, and the Lamb is its lamp. |
| 2 | Exodus 33:20 | But He added, “You cannot see My face, for no one can see Me and live.” |
| 3 | Titus 2:13 | as we await the blessed hope and glorious appearance of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ. |
| 4 | 1 Timothy 6:16 | He alone is immortal and dwells in unapproachable light. No one has ever seen Him, nor can anyone see Him. To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen. |
| 5 | 2 Corinthians 4:6 | For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. |
| 6 | John 1:18 | No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is Himself God and is at the Father’s side, has made Him known. |
| 7 | 2 Corinthians 3:18 | And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into His image with intensifying glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. |
| 8 | Psalms 4:6 | Many ask, “Who can show us the good?” Shine the light of Your face upon us, O LORD. |
Exodus 33:18 Summary
In this verse, Moses is asking God to show him His glory, which means he wants to experience God's presence and character in a deeper way. This is something we can all ask for in our own lives, as seen in Jeremiah 29:13 where it says that if we seek God with all our hearts, we will find Him. By asking to see God's glory, Moses is showing his desire to know God more intimately and to understand His ways, and this is something we can all learn from. As we seek to experience God's glory, we can remember that He is a good and loving God, as seen in Psalm 100:5, and that He desires to reveal Himself to us.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Moses mean by asking to see God's glory?
Moses is seeking a deeper understanding and experience of God's presence and character, as seen in Exodus 33:18, similar to the desire expressed in Psalm 27:4 to behold God's beauty and seek Him in His temple.
Is it possible for humans to see God's glory and live?
According to Exodus 33:20, no one can see God's face and live, but as seen in Exodus 33:18, Moses is allowed to experience God's glory in a way that is safe for him, and this is a special exception, as also seen in Isaiah 6:1-5 where Isaiah sees God's glory and is not harmed.
How does this verse relate to the concept of God's goodness?
In Exodus 33:19, God says He will cause all His goodness to pass before Moses, which shows that God's glory is closely tied to His goodness and character, as also seen in Psalm 23:6 where God's goodness and mercy follow the psalmist.
What can we learn from Moses' request to see God's glory?
Moses' request shows his desire for a deeper relationship with God and his willingness to ask boldly for what he desires, as seen in John 15:7 where Jesus teaches that if we ask anything in His name, He will do it.
Reflection Questions
- What does it mean to you to experience God's glory, and how can you seek a deeper experience of His presence in your life?
- How does Moses' request to see God's glory challenge or inspire you in your own relationship with God?
- In what ways can you ask God to show you His glory in your life, and what might be the results of such a request?
- How does this verse relate to your understanding of God's character and nature, and what does it reveal about His heart towards you?
Gill's Exposition on 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 nor the glorious essence of God,
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Exodus 33:18
And he said, I beseech thee, shew me thy glory. I beseech thee, show me thy glory.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Exodus 33:18
i.e. Thy glorious majesty, the brightness of thy countenance, some such manifestation of thyself as becomes thy excellency, and such as shall be seen in the other life; or that glorious shape which, together with a human voice, thou hast now assumed. But for the essence of God, as that was and is and ever will be invisible to bodily eyes, , so a man of such great reason and deep knowledge in Divine things, and universal learning, could not be ignorant of it, and therefore would not desire it.
Trapp's Commentary on Exodus 33:18
Exodus 33:18 And he said, I beseech thee, shew me thy glory.Ver. 18. Show me thy glory.] None ever knew God’ s glory; our cockle shell can never comprehend this sea: yet it may be apprehended that it is incomprehensible.
Ellicott's Commentary on Exodus 33:18
MOSES’ REQUEST TO SEE GOD’S GLORY, AND GOD’S REPLY TO IT.(18-23) Not till he had received full assurance of the people’s restoration to favour did Moses prefer any request for himself. Then, however, he made use of the privilege granted him to speak with God, “as a man speaketh unto his friend,” in order to obtain a blessing for which his spiritual nature craved, and than which he could conceive nothing more desirable. “Shew me,” he said, “I beseech thee, thy glory.” All that he had yet seen of God was insufficient—only raised his desire, only sharpened his appetite to see more. He craved for that “beatific vision” which is the final reward of them that are perfected in another world. God could not grant his request in full, for it is impossible so long as we are in the flesh that we should look on God and live. “No man hath seen God at any time” (John 1:18). But He granted all that could be granted. He made “all his goodness pass before” Moses; He gave him a fresh revelation of His name (Exodus 34:6-7); and He even let him see some actual portion of His “glory”—as much as mortal man could possibly behold—more than any son of man had ever beheld before—more, probably, than any other son of man will ever behold until the consummation of all things (Exodus 33:22-23).
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Exodus 33:18
Verse 18. Show me thy glory] Moses probably desired to see that which constitutes the peculiar glory or excellence of the Divine nature as it stands in reference to man. By many this is thought to signify his eternal mercy in sending Christ Jesus into the world. Moses perceived that what God was now doing had the most important and gracious designs which at present he could not distinctly discover; therefore he desires God to show him his glory. God graciously promises to indulge him in this request as far as possible, by proclaiming his name, and making all his goodness pass before him, Exodus 33:19. But at the same time he assures him that he could not see his face - the fulness of his perfections and the grandeur of his designs, and live, as no human being could bear, in the present state, this full discovery. But he adds, Thou shalt see my back parts, את אחרי eth achorai, probably meaning that appearance which he should assume in after times, when it should be said, God is manifest in the flesh. This appearance did take place, for we find God putting him into a cleft of the rock, covering him with his hand, and passing by in such a way as to exhibit a human similitude. John may have had this in view when he said, The Word was made flesh and dwelt AMONG us, full of grace and truth, and WE BEHELD HIS GLORY. What this glory was, and what was implied by this grace and truth, we shall see in the succeeding chapter.
Cambridge Bible on Exodus 33:18
12–23. Moses resumes the intercession broken off at v. 3; and starting from the command given him in Exodus 32:34 a, Exodus 33:1 a obtains from Jehovah (vv. 14–16, as the text stands; see, however, on v. 14) the promise that He will not carry out the threat of v. 3, but will Himself accompany the people on their way to Canaan, and also (vv. 17–23) that He will vouchsafe Moses himself a glimpse of His glory.
Barnes' Notes on Exodus 33:18
Shew me thy glory - The faithful servant of Yahweh, now assured by the success of his mediation, yearns, with the proper tendency of a devout spirit, for a more intimate communion with his divine Master than he had yet enjoyed.
Whedon's Commentary on Exodus 33:18
18. Show me thy glory — Moses grows bolder with every new word of grace from Jehovah, and now, like Jacob at Peniel, (Genesis 32:29, note,) cries out for a revelation of the divine glory.
Sermons on Exodus 33:18
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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A Craving for the Presence of the Lord by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the pastor emphasizes the importance of being a watchman and warning the body of Christ. He acknowledges that while there will be encouraging messages about communi |
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Intimacy by Jackie Pullinger | In this sermon, the speaker shares a personal experience of attending a conference in South Africa and the challenges of the schedule. Despite feeling exhausted, the speaker allowe |
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Alone - Abandonment by Leonard Ravenhill | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the need for a revival in the church. He describes the current state of the church as weak and powerless, comparing it to people in Africa l |
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Intimacy With God by J. Oswald Sanders | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of spending time alone with God. He uses the example of Moses, who spent six days alone with God on the mountain and became ra |
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The Power of Prayer by Alan Redpath | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of prayer leading to action. He highlights the need for conviction to be carried into life and for decisions to be made based |
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A Missional Encounter by Jackie Pullinger | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the story of Moses and the encounter with God on Mount Sinai. The people were afraid of approaching God because of His power and might. Howeve |
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(Revival) Part 5 - Glory of God by Martyn-Lloyd Jones | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the concept of revival and reawakening in the church. He emphasizes the importance of understanding what happens when God graciously visits h |