Exodus 33:20

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

And he said {H559}, Thou canst {H3201} not see {H7200} my face {H6440}: for there shall no man {H120} see {H7200} me, and live {H2425}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But my face," he continued, "you cannot see, because a human being cannot look at me and remain alive.

Berean Standard Bible

But He added, “You cannot see My face, for no one can see Me and live.”

American Standard Version

And he said, Thou canst not see my face; for man shall not see me and live.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 33:20 records God's solemn declaration to Moses that no human can behold His unmitigated divine presence and survive. This profound statement underscores the infinite holiness, transcendence, and unapproachable glory of God, while simultaneously revealing the inherent limitations and frailty of humanity. It sets a crucial boundary on direct interaction with the divine, emphasizing the necessity of God's gracious accommodation and mediated revelation for the preservation of His covenant people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a pivotal and deeply personal dialogue between God and Moses on Mount Sinai, immediately following the catastrophic incident of the golden calf. Despite Israel's grievous sin, Moses has successfully interceded for the nation, pleading for God's continued presence among them. In [Exodus 33:12-17](/exodus/33-12 "Exodus 33:12-17 - Moses' Intercession and God's Promise of Presence"), God reaffirms His commitment to Moses and promises His presence would go with them. Emboldened by this renewed assurance and a desire for deeper intimacy, Moses makes a daring request in [Exodus 33:18](/exodus/33-18 "Exodus 33:18 - Moses' Bold Request to See God's Glory"): "I beseech thee, shew me thy glory." God's response in [Exodus 33:19-23](/exodus/33-19 "Exodus 33:19-23 - God's Revelation of His Goodness and Partial Glory") is a testament to His mercy and wisdom, agreeing to proclaim His goodness and name, but with the critical caveat of verse 20, followed by the protective provision of seeing His "back" as He passes by. This passage highlights the tension between God's desire for relationship and His absolute holiness, setting the stage for the renewal of the covenant.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, the concept of encountering deity was often fraught with danger; direct contact with the divine was typically associated with death or divine judgment. What sets the Israelite understanding apart is not just the danger, but Yahweh's unique revelation of His character – His holiness is not merely destructive but also protective. The wilderness tabernacle, which Moses had been instructed to build, was designed precisely to mediate God's presence among His people, allowing for communion without annihilation. The "face" of God, in this context, refers to the full, unmediated manifestation of His divine essence and glory, which is too overwhelming for human perception in its fallen state. This declaration in [Exodus 33:20](/exodus/33-20 "Exodus 33:20 - God's Unapproachable Glory") serves to reinforce the absolute qualitative difference between the Creator and His creation, establishing the profound reverence required in approaching the God of Israel. It also sets the theological foundation for the elaborate sacrificial system and the role of the priesthood, all designed to bridge the chasm between a holy God and sinful humanity.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Face (Hebrew, פָּנִים, _panim'_):** While literally meaning a physical countenance, in this context, "face" signifies the full, unveiled, and direct presence or essence of God. To "see God's face" implies an unmediated, total perception of His being, His inherent glory, and His innermost nature. It is the locus of His self-revelation in its most intense and unmitigated form, representing the very core of His radiant holiness.
* **See (Hebrew, רָאָה, _ra'ah'_):** This verb denotes not merely a casual glance but a profound, direct, and experiential beholding or perception. When applied to God, it implies a full, unhindered encounter with His divine glory. The prohibition "Thou canst not see my face" therefore means that humanity, in its mortal and fallen state, is incapable of enduring such an unmediated, direct encounter with God's essence.
* **Live (Hebrew, חָיָה, _chayah'_):** This word refers to the state of being alive, to survive, or to continue in existence. The phrase "and live" underscores the immediate and fatal consequence of seeing God's full glory. It is not just about physical death, but the inability of a finite, sinful being to withstand the infinite purity and power of God's unmediated presence without being consumed or utterly dissolved.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he said, Thou canst not see my face:"**: This opening clause is a direct, emphatic divine prohibition issued by God to Moses. It establishes an absolute boundary, declaring the inherent impossibility for any human being, even one as privileged as Moses, to behold God's full, unveiled glory. This is not a punitive withholding but a protective declaration, acknowledging the fundamental disparity between the Creator's infinite holiness and the creature's finite, fallen nature.
* **"for there shall no man see me, and live."**: This second clause expands the prohibition from Moses specifically to a universal principle: "no man" (literally, "no human") can endure such an encounter and survive. The conjunction "for" indicates that the second clause provides the reason or explanation for the first. The consequence of such an unmediated encounter with divine glory is death, underscoring the lethal purity of God's presence and the profound vulnerability of humanity in its presence. This statement highlights God's transcendence and His protective mercy in regulating His revelation.

#### Literary Devices
Exodus 33:20 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its profound theological truth. **Anthropomorphism** is evident in the phrases "my face" and later "my back," attributing human body parts to God. This device makes the transcendent God relatable and comprehensible to human understanding, allowing for a conceptualization of His presence and interaction, even while emphasizing His ultimate otherness. The statement "there shall no man see me, and live" functions as an **Absolute Statement** or a form of **Hyperbole**, emphasizing the universal and undeniable truth of God's unapproachable holiness. It is an emphatic declaration that brooks no exceptions, highlighting the immense qualitative difference between the divine and the human. Furthermore, the passage presents a subtle **Paradox**: God desires intimate communion with Moses, yet His very nature precludes a full, direct revelation without fatal consequences for His servant. This tension between divine immanence (God's desire to be near) and divine transcendence (God's unapproachable holiness) is a recurring theme throughout the Old Testament, setting the stage for future, more complete revelations.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 33:20 is a cornerstone for understanding the profound holiness and transcendence of God, establishing a foundational theological truth that permeates all of Scripture. It reveals that God's nature is so pure and glorious that it cannot be directly apprehended by fallen humanity without dire consequences. This truth underscores the necessity of divine mediation and atonement, explaining why the Old Covenant required elaborate rituals, a tabernacle, and a priesthood to bridge the chasm between a holy God and sinful people. It teaches us that any encounter with God's unmitigated glory would result in our demise, not because God is cruel, but because His very being is a consuming fire to anything unholy. This verse sets the stage for understanding the profound grace involved in any form of divine revelation, as God consistently accommodates Himself to human capacity for our safety and salvation.

* [Isaiah 6:5](/isaiah/6-5 "Isaiah 6:5 - Isaiah's Vision and Woe")
* [1 Timothy 6:16](/1_timothy/6-16 "1 Timothy 6:16 - God's Unapproachable Light")
* [Hebrews 12:29](/hebrews/12-29 "Hebrews 12:29 - Our God is a Consuming Fire")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Exodus 33:20 calls us to a posture of profound reverence, humility, and awe before the Almighty God. It reminds us that while God desires intimacy and makes Himself known, His nature remains ultimately beyond our full comprehension and direct apprehension in this life. This truth should deepen our worship, driving us to acknowledge His absolute sovereignty and holiness, rather than approaching Him casually or presumptuously. It underscores our absolute dependence on His grace for any revelation of Himself, whether through His Word, His Spirit, or His Son. Understanding this divine boundary also cultivates a greater appreciation for the mediated ways God chooses to reveal Himself, protecting us even as He draws us near. It encourages us to trust in God's perfect wisdom in how and when He chooses to disclose His glory, knowing that His ways are always for our ultimate good and spiritual preservation. This verse fuels our longing for the future, when, transformed by His grace, we will be able to stand in His unmediated presence.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding God's unapproachable holiness, as revealed in Exodus 33:20, impact your personal worship and reverence for Him?**
* **In what ways does this passage highlight our absolute dependence on God's grace for any revelation of Himself, rather than on our own efforts or merit?**
* **How does the tension between God's hiddenness (His unapproachable glory) and His desire to be known (His gracious self-revelation) shape your spiritual walk and your understanding of faith?**

### FAQ

**Why did God allow Moses to see His "back" but not His "face" in the subsequent verses?**

Answer: God's distinction between allowing Moses to see His "back" and prohibiting him from seeing His "face" (as described in [Exodus 33:21-23](/exodus/33-21 "Exodus 33:21-23 - God's Gracious Provision for Moses")) is a crucial act of divine mercy and accommodation. "Seeing God's face" refers to a direct, unmediated encounter with the full, unveiled essence and glory of God, which is too overwhelming for human beings in their mortal, fallen state to endure and survive. The "back" signifies a mediated, partial, or consequential revelation of God's glory, a glimpse of His passing presence rather than a direct gaze upon His being. God placed Moses in the cleft of the rock and covered him with His hand, shielding him from the full blast of His glory, thereby protecting His servant while still satisfying his longing for a deeper encounter. This demonstrates God's graciousness in revealing Himself to humanity within safe, life-preserving boundaries.

**Does this verse contradict other biblical passages where people seem to "see" God, such as Jacob at Peniel or the elders on Mount Sinai?**

Answer: No, it does not contradict them. The key distinction lies in the nature of the "seeing." When [Exodus 33:20](/exodus/33-20 "Exodus 33:20 - God's Unapproachable Glory") states "no man shall see me, and live," it refers to seeing God's unmitigated, unveiled essence or full glory. Passages where individuals like Jacob ([Genesis 32:30](/genesis/32-30 "Genesis 32:30 - Jacob Wrestles with God at Peniel")) or the seventy elders ([Exodus 24:9-11](/exodus/24-9 "Exodus 24:9-11 - The Elders See God")) "saw" God describe theophanies – temporary, mediated manifestations of God in a form that could be perceived by humans without immediate death. These were not direct encounters with God's absolute, unveiled glory but rather divine appearances adapted to human capacity, often involving angelic intermediaries or symbolic representations. The prohibition in Exodus 33:20 emphasizes the infinite qualitative difference between the Creator and His creation, ensuring that any direct encounter with His full being would be fatal to sinful humanity.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Exodus 33:20, with its declaration that "no man shall see my face, and live," finds its ultimate and glorious fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. This Old Testament truth powerfully underscores the necessity of the Incarnation. Humanity, in its fallen state, could not directly behold the unapproachable light and glory of God without perishing. Yet, God's desire was to reveal Himself and dwell among His people. This divine dilemma is resolved in Jesus Christ, who is the perfect mediator and the very image of the invisible God. As [John 1:18](/john/1-18 "John 1:18 - The Son Reveals the Father") proclaims, "No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father's side, he has made him known." In Christ, God took on human flesh, making the unseeable God visible and approachable. He is the "radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature" ([Hebrews 1:3](/hebrews/1-3 "Hebrews 1:3 - Christ, the Radiance of God's Glory")), allowing humanity to perceive God's character and truth in a way that is both safe and salvific. Through His atoning sacrifice, Jesus not only reveals God but also reconciles us to Him, enabling us to draw near with confidence to the throne of grace ([Hebrews 4:16](/hebrews/4-16 "Hebrews 4:16 - Approach the Throne of Grace with Confidence")). Moreover, Christ's work anticipates the future hope of believers: in the new heaven and new earth, our transformed, glorified bodies, made perfect in Him, will finally be able to behold God's face without fear of death, as promised in [Revelation 22:4](/revelation/22-4 "Revelation 22:4 - Believers See God's Face"), "They will see his face." Thus, what was impossible for Moses under the Old Covenant becomes the glorious reality for all believers through Christ.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

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].

Genesis 32:30

And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.

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.

Isaiah 6:5

¶ Then 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.

Judges 6:22

And 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 13:22

And Manoah said unto his wife, We shall surely die, because we have seen God.

Exodus 24:10

And 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.