Exodus 33:23

KJV

And I will take away mine hand, and thou shalt see my back parts: but my face shall not be seen.

KJV (with Strong's)

And I will take {H5493} away mine hand {H3709}, and thou shalt see {H7200} my back parts {H268}: but my face {H6440} shall not be seen {H7200}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Then I will remove my hand, and you will see my back, but my face is not to be seen."

Berean Standard Bible

Then I will take My hand away, and you will see My back; but My face must not be seen.”

American Standard Version

and I will take away my hand, and thou shalt see my back; but my face shall not be seen.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 33:23 culminates a profound divine encounter between God and Moses, wherein the Almighty, in His infinite wisdom and protective mercy, grants Moses a uniquely limited revelation of His glory. After sheltering Moses in the cleft of the rock, God promises to withdraw His hand, allowing Moses to perceive His "back parts," while unequivocally declaring that His "face"—the full, unmediated essence of His being—cannot be seen by any mortal and live. This verse powerfully articulates God's transcendent holiness, the safeguarding nature of His self-disclosure, and the inherent limitations of human capacity to directly apprehend the divine.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as the climactic moment in a deeply significant narrative arc that begins with Israel's egregious sin of the [golden calf worship](/exodus/32 "Exodus 32 - The Golden Calf Incident"). Following this profound act of covenant infidelity, God's righteous indignation threatened to consume the people, and He initially declared His intention not to accompany them into the Promised Land. Moses, demonstrating unparalleled intercessory zeal, pleaded passionately for God's continued presence, appealing to God's covenant promises and His own reputation among the nations, as recorded in [Exodus 32:11-14](/exodus/32-11-14 "Exodus 32:11-14 - Moses' Earnest Intercession"). God graciously relented, assuring Moses of His personal presence leading the people ([Exodus 33:14](/exodus/33-14 "Exodus 33:14 - God Promises His Presence")). Emboldened by this extraordinary intimacy, Moses made an audacious request: "I beseech thee, shew me thy glory" ([Exodus 33:18](/exodus/33-18 "Exodus 33:18 - Moses' Audacious Request")). God agreed to proclaim His goodness and His name before Moses ([Exodus 33:19](/exodus/33-19 "Exodus 33:19 - God's Gracious Response")), but with the critical, life-preserving caveat that no human could see His face and survive ([Exodus 33:20](/exodus/33-20 "Exodus 33:20 - The Impossibility of Seeing God's Face and Living")). To accommodate Moses' desire for revelation while safeguarding his life, God positioned him in [the cleft of the rock](/exodus/33-21-22 "Exodus 33:21-22 - God's Provision for Moses' Safety") and covered him with His hand as His glory passed by, leading directly to the carefully controlled, limited revelation described in verse 23.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The immediate historical backdrop for Exodus 33:23 is the period immediately succeeding the giving of the Law at Mount Sinai and Israel's subsequent catastrophic breach of the covenant. The covenant was foundational to Israel's identity, establishing a unique relationship with Yahweh and making His dwelling among them central to their national purpose and destiny. The golden calf incident represented an existential crisis for this relationship, raising the profound theological question of how a holy God could possibly dwell amidst a sinful people. Moses' persistent intercession and God's subsequent, albeit restricted, revelation of His glory, served to powerfully reaffirm God's unwavering commitment to His covenant people, albeit under terms that profoundly underscored His absolute holiness and the necessity of His gracious accommodation to human frailty. In the broader ancient Near Eastern context, the "face" of a king or deity often symbolized their direct presence, favor, or disfavor, and to "see the face" was to gain an audience or direct access. For the God of Israel, however, His "face" represented an essence too holy, too powerful, and too glorious for mortal eyes to behold, thereby highlighting His transcendence beyond human comprehension and the uniquely privileged, yet carefully mediated, nature of His interactions with humanity, even with His most intimate servant, Moses.
* **Key Themes:** Exodus 33:23 contributes significantly to several overarching theological and narrative themes within the book of Exodus and the broader Pentateuch. Foremost among these is the theme of **Divine Presence and Absence**, as God's willingness to remain with Israel despite their sin is central to Moses' intercession and God's subsequent revelation. The verse also underscores the theme of **God's Transcendent Holiness and Immanence**, demonstrating that while God is utterly distinct and unapproachable in His full glory, He simultaneously desires to draw near to His people and reveal Himself, albeit on His own terms. Furthermore, it highlights the theme of **Mediated Revelation**, where God chooses to reveal Himself through specific means and individuals, such as Moses, and in ways that protect human life. This encounter sets a precedent for understanding that human knowledge of God is always partial in this life, yet profoundly real and transformative, foreshadowing the ultimate revelation in Christ. It also reinforces the theme of **Covenant Faithfulness**, as God, despite Israel's unfaithfulness, continues to uphold His promises and maintain a relationship with His chosen people, proclaiming His character of mercy and grace in [Exodus 34:6-7](/exodus/34-6-7 "Exodus 34:6-7 - The Lord Proclaims His Character").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **take away (Hebrew, _çûwr'_):** This word (סוּר, H5493) is a primitive root meaning "to turn off" or "remove." In this context, it signifies God's deliberate and active withdrawal of His protective hand, marking the precise moment He chooses to grant a limited vision. It emphasizes divine control over the revelation, indicating a purposeful act of removal to allow for perception.
* **back parts (Hebrew, _ʾāḥôwr'_):** This word (אָחוֹר, H268) literally means "hinder part," "behind," or "after." When applied to God, it is a metaphorical expression, not implying a physical body, but rather the "after-effect," "residual manifestation," or "wake" of His passing glory. It denotes an indirect, mediated, or subsequent experience of God's presence, highlighting what is visible after the overwhelming essence has moved beyond direct sight, conveying a glimpse of His attributes rather than His full, unapproachable being.
* **face (Hebrew, _pânîym'_):** The Hebrew word (פָּנִים, H6440) refers to the "face" or "presence." In relation to God, it denotes His immediate, unveiled presence, the full manifestation of His essence, character, and glory. To see God's "face" would be to experience Him in His absolute totality, an encounter explicitly stated as impossible for mortals to survive. The contrast with "back parts" underscores the protective limitation God places on His self-revelation, emphasizing His ultimate mystery and unapproachable majesty.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And I will take away mine hand":** This clause marks the divine action that initiates the revelation. God's hand had been serving as a protective shield, covering Moses in the cleft of the rock as His glory passed by. The removal of this hand signifies the precise moment when the limited, permissible vision is granted, underscoring God's absolute sovereignty and control over the terms and extent of His self-disclosure to humanity.
* **"and thou shalt see my back parts":** This is the core of the granted revelation. Moses is permitted to see the "afterglow," the residual manifestation, or the "wake" of God's glory as it has just passed. This is not a static image but the dynamic effect of God's presence. It represents a profound, yet indirect and mediated, encounter with God's nature and attributes, sufficient to confirm His presence and character without overwhelming or destroying Moses. It is a real encounter, but one carefully calibrated to human capacity.
* **"but my face shall not be seen":** This final, emphatic clause reiterates the absolute and non-negotiable boundary of the revelation. It serves as a powerful theological statement about God's transcendent holiness and the inherent danger for any mortal being to encounter His full, unmediated glory. It emphasizes that while God graciously desires to reveal Himself, He does so in a manner that protects human life, maintaining His ultimate mystery, unapproachable majesty, and the infinite chasm between Creator and creature.

#### Literary Devices
Exodus 33:23 employs several profound literary devices to convey its complex theological truths. **Anthropomorphism** is prominently featured, as God is described with human body parts: a "hand," "back parts," and a "face." These are not to be interpreted literally, as God is Spirit, but serve as powerful **Metaphors** to make the ineffable divine reality comprehensible to human understanding. The phrase "back parts" itself is a specific metaphor, suggesting a residual or indirect perception of God's glory, akin to seeing the lingering light of a powerful flash or the wake left by a swift vessel, rather than directly confronting its source. There is also a striking **Paradox** at play: God reveals Himself most profoundly by simultaneously limiting His revelation. This divine act of **Divine Accommodation** demonstrates God's condescension to human capacity, revealing what is necessary and safe for Moses to perceive, while simultaneously maintaining His infinite, unapproachable holiness and mystery. The verse's concise and contrasting clauses ("thou shalt see... but my face shall not be seen") create a dramatic tension and emphasize the stark boundary between the permissible and the forbidden in encountering the divine.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 33:23 stands as a pivotal text for understanding the dynamics of divine revelation, powerfully asserting God's absolute holiness and transcendence while simultaneously affirming His profound desire for relationship and His gracious immanence. It teaches us that God reveals Himself progressively and protectively, accommodating His infinite glory to the finite limitations of human perception and endurance. The "back parts" signify a real, though indirect, encounter with God's attributes, particularly His goodness, mercy, and faithfulness, which are subsequently proclaimed in the profound self-revelation of [Exodus 34](/exodus/34 "Exodus 34 - God Proclaims His Name and Attributes"). This carefully limited revelation preserves human life and profoundly underscores that a full, unmediated comprehension of God's essence remains beyond mortal grasp in this earthly life. The passage sets a crucial precedent for all subsequent biblical understanding of God's self-disclosure, emphasizing that while He desires to be known, He remains ultimately mysterious and sovereign over the terms of His own self-disclosure.

* [Exodus 34:6-7](/exodus/34-6-7 "The Lord's Proclamation of His Character")
* [John 1:18](/john/1-18 "No One Has Seen God")
* [1 Timothy 6:16](/1_timothy/6-16 "God Dwells in Unapproachable Light")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Exodus 33:23 profoundly calls us to cultivate a posture of deep humility, reverence, and awe before the majestic and incomprehensible God. It serves as a powerful reminder that while God graciously chooses to make Himself known to us, His being infinitely transcends our complete intellectual grasp or sensory perception. We are invited to earnestly seek Him, trusting that He reveals Himself in ways perfectly suited for us to receive—whether through the inspired pages of His Holy Word, the breathtaking beauty and order of His creation, or the transformative and sanctifying work of His indwelling Spirit. This passage encourages us to cherish every glimpse of divine truth we have been given, recognizing it as an immeasurable gift of divine mercy and protective love. It also fosters a profound longing for the eschatological future, when the inherent limitations of our earthly existence will be removed, and we will finally be able to behold God "face to face," knowing Him fully as we ourselves are fully known. Until that glorious day, we are called to walk by faith, relying on the precious, albeit partial, revelations He provides, which are more than sufficient to sustain us in our journey of sanctification, worship, and faithful obedience.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the concept of God revealing only His "back parts" challenge or affirm your current understanding of His nature, accessibility, and the limits of human knowledge about Him?**
* **In what specific ways do you perceive God accommodating His truth and presence to your human limitations in your personal spiritual journey or in the broader narrative of biblical revelation?**
* **What practical implications does this passage have for balancing our earnest desire to know God more deeply with a humble acknowledgment of His ultimate transcendence and unsearchable mystery?**

### FAQ

**What does "back parts" mean in Exodus 33:23?**

Answer: The term "back parts" (Hebrew: *ʾāḥôr*) is a metaphorical expression, not to be interpreted literally as implying a physical body for God. Instead, it refers to the residual manifestation or the "after-effect" of God's glory as He passes by. It's akin to perceiving the afterglow or the wake left by an incredibly bright light or a powerful, swiftly moving force. This signifies a real, yet indirect and limited, experience of God's presence and attributes, specifically those aspects that are safe for a mortal to perceive, as opposed to His full, unveiled essence.

**Why couldn't Moses see God's "face"?**

Answer: God explicitly states in [Exodus 33:20](/exodus/33-20 "Exodus 33:20 - No One Can See God's Face and Live") that "no man shall see me, and live." God's "face" represents His full, unmediated, and overwhelming essence, glory, and power. A direct, unmitigated encounter with the absolute holiness and majesty of God would be fatal for any sinful human being. God's decision to shield Moses from His "face" was therefore an act of profound divine mercy and protection, allowing Moses to experience a deep and transformative revelation without being consumed by it.

**Is this a physical description of God?**

Answer: No, this is not a physical description of God. Scripture consistently teaches that God is Spirit ([John 4:24](/john/4-24 "John 4:24 - God Is Spirit")) and does not possess a physical body in the way humans do. The use of anthropomorphic terms like "hand," "back parts," and "face" are **anthropomorphisms**, which are literary devices where human characteristics or forms are attributed to God. These metaphors are employed to help finite human beings understand God's actions, interactions, and nature in a relatable way, without implying that God has a corporeal form.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Exodus 33:23, with its depiction of a veiled and partial revelation of God's glory, finds its ultimate fulfillment and complete resolution in the person of Jesus Christ. While Moses could only glimpse the "back parts" of God, and the Old Testament explicitly declares that no one has ever truly seen God's "face" ([John 1:18](/john/1-18 "John 1:18 - No One Has Seen God")), the New Testament triumphantly proclaims that Jesus is the "image of the invisible God" ([Colossians 1:15](/colossians/1-15 "Colossians 1:15 - Christ, the Image of the Invisible God")) and the very "radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being" ([Hebrews 1:3](/hebrews/1-3 "Hebrews 1:3 - Christ, the Radiance of God's Glory")). In the Incarnation, the transcendent God condescended to become immanent, dwelling among humanity in a way that is both fully divine and fully human. When Philip asked Jesus to show them the Father, Jesus responded with the profound declaration, "Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father" ([John 14:9](/john/14-9 "John 14:9 - He Who Has Seen Me Has Seen the Father")). Jesus is the full, final, and perfect revelation of God, the "face" of God made visible, tangible, and comprehensible to humanity, allowing us to encounter the divine glory not through a fleeting, protective glimpse, but through an incarnate, personal, and redemptive relationship. This glorious reality paves the way for the future hope where, in the new heavens and new earth, redeemed believers are promised to "see his face" directly ([Revelation 22:4](/revelation/22-4 "Revelation 22:4 - His Servants Shall See His Face")) and to know Him fully, "face to face" ([1 Corinthians 13:12](/1_corinthians/13-12 "1 Corinthians 13:12 - We Shall See Face to Face")), a blessed state made possible only through the atoning and transforming work of 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

Exodus 33:20

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

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.

Job 11:7

¶ Canst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection?

1 Corinthians 13:12

For 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.

Job 26:14

Lo, these [are] parts of his ways: but how little a portion is heard of him? but the thunder of his power who can understand?