JD Abshire Supporter

You could have something there. In Exodus 33:20 we read: "And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live". The natural human body cannot withstand the glory, the brightness and pure white light radiating out from God. Simply put, I believe Moses would have been "toast" had he seen the uncloaked face of God. 

The incarnate Christ veiled by human flesh gave Peter, James and John a glimpse in Matthew 17. Verse 2 states: "And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light."

Paul in Acts 9 got a glimpse of the resurrected and glorified Christ and was blinded for 3 days.

In the New Jerusalem Revelation 21:33 states "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."

Exodus 33:21-22 "And the LORD said, Behold, there is a place by me, and thou shalt stand upon a rock:

And 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:"

1 Corinthians 10:1 " Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;" 
10:2 "And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;"
10:3 "And did all eat the same spiritual meat;"
10:4 "And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.

Symbolically I believe Christ was the place, the rock that is mentioned in (v.21) and the only thing that saved Moses from being zapped (v.22) is that he was in the cleft of the rock, covered by the protective hand of God.

As with God's plan of salvation, the cleft of the rock (in Christ) is the only secure place safe from the judgment and wrath of Almighty God.

December 04 2013 • 1 response • Vote Up • Share • Report

Joseph Turner Supporter Christian, Sunday School Teacher, Actor, Health Food Worker

One helpful resource is netbible.com. They give free notes and commentary on verses and such. To address the question at hand, feel free to look at this link:

https://net.bible.org/#!bible/Exodus+33:23

Basically the commentary talks about how the Hebrew word used is actually the plural form meaning 'backs'. The way it is being used denotes locality in general, but that is composed of numerous parts. Another way of looking at it, since God is spirit, the meaning could be rendered the 'after effects' of God's presence. It is also mentioned that though it is only the 'afterglow' of what God leaves behind Him, it is enough to suggest what the full brilliancy of His presence must be. 

I hope this helps. I give full credit to the website and the respective authors.

March 02 2014 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

James Vessels Supporter

God was going to show Moses the things he wanted him to know from the Creation until the present time. Moses wrote the 1st 5 books of the Bible. God had to show him his backside.

December 11 2015 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jeffrey Johnson Supporter

What is meant by seeing the back of God as per Exodus 33:23?

When God tells Moses he will see His "back" but not His "face," Scripture is using figurative language to describe the difference between partial revelation and direct revelation of God's glory.

God allows Moses to witness only what remains after His presence passes by. This is not a physical body part but a way of expressing that Moses will see the after‑effects of God's glory—a revelation Moses can endure without being destroyed. God shields Moses in the rock, covers him, and then removes His hand so Moses sees only what is safe.

"My face" — God's full, unveiled glory

God's "face" represents His immediate, unfiltered holiness. Scripture consistently shows that no human can survive such direct exposure (Exodus 33:20). The "face" symbolises the fullness of God's presence, the glory that remains inaccessible in this life.

Why God uses this contrast

The language shows both God's willingness to reveal Himself and His protection over Moses. Moses receives the greatest revelation a human can experience, yet God ensures it is given in a form that preserves Moses' life.

How this moment connects to Moses' shining face (Exodus 34)

When Moses later descends from Sinai, his face shines because he has been near God's glory. Even though he did not see God's "face," the measure of glory he encountered left a visible transformation. Scripture shows that proximity to God's presence produces real change in those who draw near.

How believers experience something similar today

Through Christ, believers behold God's glory in a way that transforms the inner life. Scripture teaches that the Spirit shapes character and renews the mind as believers look to the Lord (2 Corinthians 3:18). Time spent in God's presence through His Word, prayer, and obedience leaves a mark—seen not as physical radiance, but as a life shaped by holiness, peace, and godly conduct.

Summarising the whole topic.

God's words to Moses about seeing His "back" describe a limited encounter with divine glory. Scripture teaches that God's full presence overwhelms humanity, so He grants Moses a restrained glimpse that reveals His reality without consuming him. The image of God's "back" expresses that Moses witnesses only what follows after God passes, a trace of His majesty rather than His direct, unveiled presence. God's "face" represents the fullness of His holiness, which remains inaccessible in mortal life. This moment shows both God's nearness and His holiness: He draws close enough for Moses to know Him more deeply, yet He shields Moses from what no human can endure. The passage highlights that God reveals Himself in ways suited to human limitation, offering genuine encounter while preserving life.

4 days ago • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report