Moses Sees the Lord's Glory
Exodus 33
After the Lord declares he will not go up among the stiff-necked people, the people mourn and remove their ornaments, and Moses pitches a tent of meeting outside the camp where the Lord speaks with him face to face. Moses intercedes for the Lord's presence to go with Israel and asks to see the Lord's glory, which he is permitted to see only after it has passed by.
About these editions
The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.
Thomson 1808Septuagint
Brenton 1851Septuagint
Greek · BrentonSeptuagint
KJV 1769Masoretic
JPS 1917Masoretic
1
ThomsonTHE Lord said to Moses, Depart, go up hence thou and thy people whom thou hast led out of the land of Egypt, to the land which with an oath I promised to Abraham and Isaak and Jacob, saying, To your seed I will give it.
BrentonAnd the Lord said to Moses, Go forward, go up hence, thou and thy people, whom thou broughtest out of the land of Egypt, into the land which I swore to Abraam, and Isaac, and Jacob, saying, I will give it to your seed.
GreekΚαὶ εἶπε Κύριος πρὸς Μωυσῆς, προπορεύου, ἀνάβηθι ἐντεῦθεν σὺ καὶ ὁ λαός σου, οὓς ἐξήγαγες ἐκ γῆς Αἰγύπτου, εἰς τὴν γῆν, ἣν ὤμοσα τῷ Ἀβραὰμ, καὶ Ἰσαὰκ, καὶ Ἰακὼβ, λέγων, Τῷ σπέρματι ὑμῶν δώσω αὐτήν.
KJVAnd the LORD said unto Moses, Depart, and go up hence, thou and the people which thou hast brought up out of the land of Egypt, unto the land which I sware unto Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, saying, Unto thy seed will I give it:
JPSAnd the LORD spoke unto Moses: ‘Depart, go up hence, thou and the people that thou hast brought up out of the land of Egypt, unto the land of which I swore unto Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, saying: Unto thy seed will I give it—
2
ThomsonAnd I will send My angel before thee and he will drive out the Amorite and the Chettite and the Pherezite and the Gergasite and the Evite and the Jebusite and the Chananite.
BrentonAnd I will send at the same time my angel before thy face, and he shall cast out the Amorite and the Chettite, and the Pherezite and Gergesite, and Evite, and Jebusite, and Chananite.
GreekΚαὶ συναποστελῶ τὸν ἄγγελόν μου πρὸ προσώπου σου· καὶ ἐκβαλεῖ τὸν Ἀμοῤῥαῖον, καὶ Χετταῖον, καὶ Φερεζαῖον, καὶ Γεργεσαῖον, καὶ Εὐαῖον, καὶ Ἰεβουσαῖον, καὶ Χαναναῖον.
KJVAnd I will send an angel before thee; and I will drive out the Canaanite, the Amorite, and the Hittite, and the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite:
JPSand I will send an angel before thee; and I will drive out the Canaanite, the Amorite, and the Hittite, and the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite—
3
ThomsonAnd I will bring thee to a land flowing with milk and honey: for I must not go with thee because thou art a stiff-necked people, lest I destroy thee in the way.
BrentonAnd I will bring thee into a land flowing with milk and honey; for I will not go up with thee, because thou art a stiff-necked people, lest I consume thee by the way.
GreekΚαὶ εἰσάξω σε εἰς γῆν ῥέουσαν γάλα καὶ μέλι· οὐ γὰρ μὴ συναναβῶ μετὰ σου, διὰ τὸ λαὸν σκληροτράχηλόν σε εἶναι, ἵνα μὴ ἐξαναλώσω σεε ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ.
KJVUnto a land flowing with milk and honey: for I will not go up in the midst of thee; for thou art a stiffnecked people: lest I consume thee in the way.
JPSunto a land flowing with milk and honey; for I will not go up in the midst of thee; for thou art a stiffnecked people; lest I consume thee in the way.’
4
ThomsonAnd when the people heard these evil tidings they mourned bitterly.
BrentonAnd the people having heard this grievous saying, mourned in mourning apparel.
GreekΚαὶ ἀκούσας ὁ λαὸς τὸ ῥῆμα τὸ πονηρὸν τοῦτο, κατεπένθησεν ἐν πενθικοῖς.
KJVAnd when the people heard these evil tidings, they mourned: and no man did put on him his ornaments.
JPSAnd when the people heard these evil tidings, they mourned; and no man did put on him his ornaments.
5
ThomsonWhereupon the Lord said to the Israelites, You are a stiff-necked people, take care that I bring not another stroke on you and utterly consume you. Now therefore strip off the robes of your glory and your ornaments and I will shew thee what I will do to thee.
BrentonFor the Lord said to the children of Israel, Ye are a stiff-necked people; take heed lest I bring on you another plague, and destroy you: now then put off your glorious apparel, and your ornaments, and I will shew thee what I will do to thee.
GreekΚαὶ εἶπε Κύριος τοῖς υἱοῖς Ἰσραὴλ, ὑμεῖς λαὸς σκληροτράχηλος· ὁρᾶτε, μὴ πληγὴν ἄλλην ἐπάξω ἐγὼ ἐφʼ ὑμᾶς, καὶ ἐξαναλώσω ὑμᾶς· νῦν οὖν ἀφέλεσθε τὰς στολὰς τῶν δοξῶν ὑμῶν, καὶ τὸν κόσμον, καὶ δείξω σοι ἃ ποιήσω σοι.
KJVFor the LORD had said unto Moses, Say unto the children of Israel, Ye are a stiffnecked people: I will come up into the midst of thee in a moment, and consume thee: therefore now put off thy ornaments from thee, that I may know what to do unto thee.
JPSAnd the LORD said unto Moses: ‘Say unto the children of Israel: Ye are a stiffnecked people; if I go up into the midst of thee for one moment, I shall consume thee; therefore now put off thy ornaments from thee, that I may know what to do unto thee.’
6
ThomsonSo the Israelites stript off their ornaments and took down the barrier from the mountain Choreb
BrentonSo the sons of Israel took off their ornaments and their array at the mount of Choreb.
GreekΚαὶ περιέλαντο οἱ υἱοὶ Ἰσραὴλ τὸν κόσμον αὐτῶν, καὶ τὴν περιστολὴν ἀπὸ τοῦ ὄρους τοῦ Χωρήβ.
KJVAnd the children of Israel stripped themselves of their ornaments by the mount Horeb.
JPSAnd the children of Israel stripped themselves of their ornaments from mount Horeb onward.
7
Thomsonand Moses struck his tent and pitched it without the camp at a distance from the camp. Now it was called the tabernacle of the testimony, and and everyone who sought the Lord went out to this tabernacle without the camp.
BrentonAnd Moses took his tabernacle and pitched it without the camp, at a distance from the camp; and it was called the Tabernacle of Testimony: and it came to pass that every one that sought the Lord went forth to the tabernacle which was without the camp.
GreekΚαὶ λαβὼν Μωυσῆς τὴν σκηνὴν αὐτοῦ, ἔπηξεν ἔξω τῆς παρεμβολῆς, μακρὰν ἀπὸ τῆς παρεμβολῆς· καὶ ἐκλήθν Σκηνὴ μαρτυρίου· καὶ ἐγένετο, πᾶς ὁ ζητῶν Κύριον ἐξεπορεύετο εἰς τὴν σκηνὴν τὴν ἔξω τῆς παρεμβολῆς.
KJVAnd Moses took the tabernacle, and pitched it without the camp, afar off from the camp, and called it the Tabernacle of the congregation. And it came to pass, that every one which sought the LORD went out unto the tabernacle of the congregation, which was without the camp.
JPSNow Moses used to take the tent and to pitch it without the camp, afar off from the camp; and he called it The tent of meeting. And it came to pass, that every one that sought the LORD went out unto the tent of meeting, which was without the camp.
8
ThomsonAnd as Moses was going to the tabernacle without the camp, all the people stood looking, everyone at his tent door, and kept their eyes upon Moses as he was going until he entered the tabernacle.
BrentonAnd whenever Moses went into the tabernacle without the camp, all the people stood every one watching by the doors of his tent; and when Moses departed, they took notice until he entered into the tabernacle.
GreekἩνίκα δʼ ἂν εἰσεπορεύετο Μωυσῆς εἰς τὴν σκηνὴν ἔξω τῆς παρεμβολῆς, εἱστήκει πᾶς ὁ λαὸς σκοπεύοντες ἕκαστος παρὰ τὰς θύρας τῆς σκηνῆς αὐτοῦ· καὶ κατενοοῦσαν ἀπιόντος Μωυσῆ ἕως τοῦ εἰσελθεῖν αὐτὸν εἰς τὴν σκηνὴν.
KJVAnd it came to pass, when Moses went out unto the tabernacle, that all the people rose up, and stood every man at his tent door, and looked after Moses, until he was gone into the tabernacle.
JPSAnd it came to pass, when Moses went out unto the Tent, that all the people rose up, and stood, every man at his tent door, and looked after Moses, until he was gone into the Tent.
9
ThomsonAnd when Moses entered the tabernacle, the pillar of cloud descended and stood at the door of the tabernacle and talked with Moses.
BrentonAnd when Moses entered into the tabernacle, the pillar of the cloud descended, and stood at the door of the tabernacle, and God talked to Moses.
GreekὩς δʼ ἂν εἰσῆλθε Μωσῆς εἰς τὴν σκηνήν, κατέβαινεν ὁ στύλος τῆς νεφέλης, καὶ ἵστατο ἐπὶ τὴν θύραν τῆς σκηνῆς, καὶ ἐλάλει Μωσῇ·
KJVAnd it came to pass, as Moses entered into the tabernacle, the cloudy pillar descended, and stood at the door of the tabernacle, and the Lord talked with Moses.
JPSAnd it came to pass, when Moses entered into the Tent, the pillar of cloud descended, and stood at the door of the Tent; and [the LORD] spoke with Moses.
10
ThomsonAnd when all the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the door of the tabernacle all the people as they were standing worshipped every one at his tent door.
BrentonAnd all the people saw the pillar of the cloud standing by the door of the tabernacle, and all the people stood and worshipped every one at the door of his tent.
Greekκαὶ ἐλάλει Μωυσῇ. Καὶ ἑώρα πᾶς ὁ λαὸς τὸν στύλον τῆς νεφέλης ἑστῶτα ἐπὶ τῆς θύρας τῆς σκηνῆς· καὶ στάντες πᾶς ὁ λαὸς, προσεκύνησαν ἕκαστος ἀπὸ τῆς θύρας τῆς σκηνῆς αὐτοῦ.
KJVAnd all the people saw the cloudy pillar stand at the tabernacle door: and all the people rose up and worshipped, every man in his tent door.
JPSAnd when all the people saw the pillar of cloud stand at the door of the Tent, all the people rose up and worshipped, every man at his tent door.
11
ThomsonAnd when the Lord had talked with Moses face to face as one would talk to his friend, Moses returned to the camp, but his attendant Joshua the son of Naue being young did not go out of the tabernacle.
BrentonAnd the Lord spoke to Moses face to face, as if one should speak to his friend; and he retired into the camp: but his servant Joshua the son of Naue, a young man, departed not forth from the tabernacle.
GreekΚαὶ ἐλάλησε Κύριος πρὸς Μωυσῆν, ἐνώπιος ἐνωπίῳ, ὡς εἴτις λαλήσει πρὸς τὸν ἑαυτοῦ φίλον· καὶ ἀπελύετο εἰς τὴν παρεμβολήν· ὁ δὲ θεράπων Ἰησοῦς υἱὸς Ναυὴ νέος οὐκ ἐξεπορεύετο ἐκ τῆς σκηνῆς.
KJVAnd the LORD spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend. And he turned again into the camp: but his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, departed not out of the tabernacle.
JPSAnd the LORD spoke unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend. And he would return into the camp; but his minister Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, departed not out of the Tent.
12
ThomsonNow Moses had said to the Lord, Behold thou sayest, Lead on this people, but hast not let me know whom thou wilt send with me. Yet thou hast said to me, I know thee above all men and thou art in favour with Me.
BrentonAnd Moses said to the Lord, Lo! thou sayest to me, Lead on this people; but thou hast not shewed me whom thou wilt send with me, but thou hast said to me, I know thee above all, and thou hast favour with me.
GreekΚαὶ εἶπε Μωυσῆς, πρὸς Κύριον, Ἰδοὺ σύ μοι λέγεις, ἀνάγαγε τὸν λαὸν τοῦτον, σὺ δὲ οὐκ ἐδήλωσάς μοι, ὃν συναποστελεῖς μετʼ ἐμοῦ· σὺ δέ μοι εἶπας, Οἶδά σε παρὰ πάντας, καὶ χάριν ἔχεις παρʼ ἐμοί.
KJVAnd Moses said unto the LORD, See, thou sayest unto me, Bring up this people: and thou hast not let me know whom thou wilt send with me. Yet thou hast said, I know thee by name, and thou hast also found grace in my sight.
JPSAnd Moses said unto the LORD: ‘See, Thou sayest unto me: Bring up this people; and Thou hast not let me know whom Thou wilt send with me. Yet Thou hast said: I know thee by name, and thou hast also found grace in My sight.
13
ThomsonIf therefore I have found favour in Thy sight manifest Thyself to me in an evident manner, that I may see thee in what way soever I may have found favour in Thy sight, and that I may know that this great nation is Thy people.
BrentonIf then I have found favour in thy sight, reveal thyself to me, that I may evidently see thee; that I may find favour in thy sight, and that I may know that this great nation is thy people.
GreekΕἰ οὖν εὕρηκα χάριν ἐναντίον σου, ἐμφάνισόν μοι σεαυτόν· γνωστῶς ἴδω ἴδω σε, ὅπως ἂν ὦ εὑρηκὼς χάριν ἐναντίον σου,, καὶ ἵνα γνῶ, ὅτι λαός σου τὸ ἔθνος τὸ μέγα τοῦτο.
KJVNow therefore, I pray thee, if I have found grace in thy sight, shew me now thy way, that I may know thee, that I may find grace in thy sight: and consider that this nation is thy people.
JPSNow therefore, I pray Thee, if I have found grace in Thy sight, show me now Thy ways, that I may know Thee, to the end that I may find grace in Thy sight; and consider that this nation is Thy people.’
14
ThomsonAnd he said, Must I Myself go before thee and give thee rest?
BrentonAnd he says, I myself will go before thee, and give thee rest.
GreekΚαὶ λέγει, αὐτὸς προπορεύσομαί σου, καὶ καταπαύσω σε.
KJVAnd he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.
JPSAnd He said: ‘My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.’
15
Thomson—
BrentonAnd he says to him, If thou go not up with us thyself, bring me not up hence.
GreekΚαὶ λέγει πρὸς αὐτόν, εἰ μὴ αὐτὸς σὺ σνμπορεύῃ, μή με ἀναγάγῃς ἐντεῦθεν.
KJV—
JPS—
16
Thomsonfor how can it be known for certain that I and this people have found favour in Thy sight, but by Thy going with us? or I and this people be glorious above all that are on the earth?
BrentonAnd how shall it be surely known, that both I and this people have found favour with thee, except only if thou go with us? So both I and thy people shall be glorified beyond all the nations, as many as are upon the earth.
GreekΚαὶ πῶς γνωστὸν ἔσται ἀληθῶς, ὅτι εὕρηκα χάριν παρὰ σοί ἐγώ τε καὶ ὁ λαός σου, ἀλλʼ ἢ συμπορευομένου σου μεθʼ ἡμῶν; καὶ ἐνδοξασθήσομαι ἐγώ τε καὶ ὁ λαός σου παρὰ πάντα τὰ ἔθνη, ὅσα ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς ἐστί.
KJVFor wherein shall it be known here that I and thy people have found grace in thy sight? is it not in that thou goest with us? so shall we be separated, I and thy people, from all the people that are upon the face of the earth.
JPSFor wherein now shall it be known that I have found grace in Thy sight, I and Thy people? is it not in that Thou goest with us, so that we are distinguished, I and Thy people, from all the people that are upon the face of the earth?’
17
ThomsonThen the Lord said to Moses, Even this which thou hast said, I will do for thee; for thou hast found favour in My sight and I know thee above all men.
BrentonAnd the Lord said to Moses, I will also do for thee this thing, which thou hast spoken; for thou hast found grace before me, and I know thee above all.
GreekΚαὶ εἶπε Κύριος πρὸς Μωυσῆν, Καὶ τοῦτόν σοι τὸν λόγον, ὃν εἴρηκας ποιήσω· εὕρηκας, ποιήσω· εὕρηκας γὰρ χάριν ἐνώπιον ἐμοῦ, καὶ οἶδά σε παρὰ πάντας.
KJVAnd the LORD said unto Moses, I will do this thing also that thou hast spoken: for thou hast found grace in my sight, and I know thee by name.
JPSAnd the LORD said unto Moses: ‘I will do this thing also that thou hast spoken, for thou hast found grace in My sight, and I know thee by name.’
18
ThomsonUpon which Moses said, Manifest Thyself to me.
BrentonAnd Moses says, Manifest thyself to me.
GreekΚαὶ λέγει, ἐμφάνισόν μοι σεαυτόν.
KJV—
JPS—
19
ThomsonAnd he said, I will go before thee with My glory and I will call by My name, The Lord [i.e. Jehovah], before thee; and I will have mercy on whom I please to have mercy; and I will have compassion on whomsoever I compassionate;
BrentonAnd God said, I will pass by before thee with my glory, and I will call by my name, the Lord, before thee; and I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and will have pity on whom I will have pity.
GreekΚαὶ εἶπεν, ἐγὼ παρελεύσομαι πρότερός σου τῇ δόξῃ μου, καὶ καλέσω τῷ ὀνόματί μου, Κύριος ἐναντίον σου· καὶ ἐλεήσω, ὃν ἂν ἐλεῶ, καὶ οἰκτειρήσω, ὃν ἂν οἰκτείρῶ.
KJVAnd he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy.
JPSAnd He said: ‘I will make all My goodness pass before thee, and will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy.’
20
Thomsonbut, said he, thou canst not see My face; for no man can see My face and live.
BrentonAnd God said, Thou shalt not be able to see my face; for no man shall see my face, and live.
GreekΚαὶ εἶπε, οὐ δυνήσῃ ἰδεῖν τὸ πρόσωπόν μου· οὐ γὰρ μὴ ἴδῃ ἄνθρωπος τὸ πρόσωπόν μου, καὶ ζήσεται.
KJVAnd he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live.
JPSAnd He said: ‘Thou canst not see My face, for man shall not see Me and live.’
21
ThomsonThen the Lord said, Behold there is a place near Me. Thou shalt stand upon the rock,
BrentonAnd the Lord said, Behold, there is a place by me: thou shalt stand upon the rock;
GreekΚαὶ εἶπεν Κύριος, Ἰδοὺ τόπος παρʼ ἐμοί, στήσῃ ἐπὶ τῆς πέτρας·
KJVAnd the LORD said, Behold, there is a place by me, and thou shalt stand upon a rock:
JPSAnd the LORD said: ‘Behold, there is a place by Me, and thou shalt stand upon the rock.
22
Thomsonand when My glory is passing by, I will place thee in a cleft of the rock and cover thee with My hand over thee, until I pass by,
Brentonand when my glory shall pass by, then I will put thee into a hole of the rock; and I will cover thee over with my hand, until I shall have passed by.
GreekἩνίκα δʼ ἂν παρέλθηνᾑ ᾑ δόξα μου, καί θήσω σε εἰς ὀπὴν τῆς πέτρας, καὶ σκεπάσω τῇ χειρί μου ἐπὶ σὲ, ἕως ἂν παρέλθω.
KJVAnd it shall come to pass, while my glory passeth by, that I will put thee in a clift of the rock, and will cover thee with my hand while I pass by:
JPSAnd it shall come to pass, while My glory passeth by, that I will put thee in a cleft of the rock, and will cover thee with My hand until I have passed by.
23
Thomsonthen I will withdraw My hand and then thou shalt see what are behind Me but My face cannot be seen by thee.
BrentonAnd I will remove my hand, and then shalt thou see my back parts; but my face shall not appear to thee.
GreekΚαὶ ἀφελῶ τὴν χεῖρα, καὶ τότε ὄψει τὰ ὀπίσω μου· τὸ δὲ πρόσωπόν μου οὐκ ὀφθήσεταί σοι.
KJVAnd I will take away mine hand, and thou shalt see my back parts: but my face shall not be seen.
JPSAnd I will take away My hand, and thou shalt see My back; but My face shall not be seen.’