Exodus 33:18

And he said, I beseech thee, shew me thy glory.

And he said {H559}, I beseech thee {H4994}, shew {H7200} me thy glory {H3519}.

But Moshe said, "I beg you to show me your glory!"

Then Moses said, โ€œPlease show me Your glory.โ€

And he said, Show me, I pray thee, thy glory.

Commentary

Context of Exodus 33:18

This profound request from Moses comes at a pivotal moment in the narrative of the Exodus. Immediately preceding this verse, Moses has just completed a fervent intercession for the nation of Israel after their grievous sin with the golden calf. Despite their rebellion, God had assured Moses that His presence would go with them and give them rest (Exodus 33:14). Moses, who already enjoyed an extraordinarily intimate relationship with God, speaking to Him "face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend," now yearns for an even deeper, more direct revelation of God's very essence. This is not a request for proof, but for a profound, personal experience of God's ultimate majesty.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Profound Desire for God: Moses' plea, "shew me thy glory," encapsulates a deep spiritual yearning that transcends mere knowledge or blessing. It's a desire to truly know God in His ultimate being, reflecting a longing for intimacy with the divine that is central to the human spirit.
  • The Nature of God's Glory: Moses is asking for more than just a visible manifestation. God's "glory" (Hebrew: kabod) encompasses His inherent weight, honor, splendor, and ultimate attributes โ€“ His character, power, and holiness. It is the visible manifestation of His invisible essence.
  • Seeking Deeper Revelation: Even with a unique relationship, Moses recognized that there was always more of God to know and experience. This encourages believers to continually seek a fuller, more profound understanding of God, acknowledging His infinite nature.
  • God's Transcendence and Immanence: The request, and God's subsequent response, highlights the tension between God's absolute transcendence (His inability to be fully seen by sinful humanity) and His immanence (His willingness to reveal Himself and dwell among His people).

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "glory" is kabod (ื›ึผึธื‘ื•ึนื“). This term literally means "weight" or "heaviness," and by extension, "honor," "dignity," "splendor," or "reputation." When applied to God, kabod refers to the manifest presence of God, the visible display of His inherent majesty, power, and holiness. It's not just a light show, but the very essence of God's being made apparent. Moses' request was to perceive the fullness of God's character and attributes, which God partially granted by proclaiming His name and goodness, while protecting Moses from seeing His face (Exodus 33:20).

Practical Application

Moses' heartfelt cry serves as a timeless example for all believers. It reminds us that:

  • Spiritual Growth is an Ongoing Pursuit: No matter how close we feel to God, there is always more of His character and glory to explore. We should cultivate a similar yearning for deeper intimacy and understanding.
  • Desire God Himself, Not Just His Gifts: Moses sought God's glory, His very being, not just His blessings or power. Our prayers should reflect a desire for God's presence above all else.
  • Humility in Seeking God: Moses' request, though bold, was made in humility, acknowledging God's supreme majesty. We approach God with reverence, knowing that His full glory is beyond our comprehension in this earthly life, yet we can continually seek His manifest presence.
  • God Desires to Reveal Himself: While God's full glory cannot be seen by sinful humans, He delights in revealing Himself and His character to those who earnestly seek Him. This desire for revelation culminates in the new heaven and new earth, where God's glory will be the light.

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Exodus 33:20

    And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live.

  • Revelation 21:23

    And 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 2:13

    Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

  • John 1:18

    No 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 6:16

    Who 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 4:6

    For 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 3:18

    But 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.
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