Stop searching everywhere for answers. Bible Gateway Plus puts trusted insights right alongside the passage you’re reading. Free 7-day trial.
Log In/Sign Up

#
Exodus 33
New International Version

33 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Leave this place, you and the people you brought up out of Egypt, and go up to the land I promised on oath(A) to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, saying, ‘I will give it to your descendants.’(B) 2 I will send an angel(C) before you and drive out the Canaanites, Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites.(D) 3 Go up to the land flowing with milk and honey.(E) But I will not go with you, because you are a stiff-necked(F) people and I might destroy(G) you on the way.”

4 When the people heard these distressing words, they began to mourn(H) and no one put on any ornaments. 5 For the Lord had said to Moses, “Tell the Israelites, ‘You are a stiff-necked people.(I) If I were to go with you even for a moment, I might destroy(J) you. Now take off your ornaments and I will decide what to do with you.’” 6 So the Israelites stripped off their ornaments at Mount Horeb.(K)

### The Tent of Meeting

7 Now Moses used to take a tent and pitch it outside the camp some distance away, calling it the “tent of meeting.”(L) Anyone inquiring(M) of the Lord would go to the tent of meeting outside the camp. 8 And whenever Moses went out to the tent, all the people rose and stood at the entrances to their tents,(N) watching Moses until he entered the tent. 9 As Moses went into the tent, the pillar of cloud(O) would come down and stay at the entrance, while the Lord spoke(P) with Moses. 10 Whenever the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the entrance to the tent, they all stood and worshiped, each at the entrance to their tent.(Q) 11 The Lord would speak to Moses face to face,(R) as one speaks to a friend. Then Moses would return to the camp, but his young aide Joshua(S) son of Nun did not leave the tent.

### Moses and the Glory of the Lord

12 Moses said to the Lord, “You have been telling me, ‘Lead these people,’(T) but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. You have said, ‘I know you by name(U) and you have found favor(V) with me.’ 13 If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways(W) so I may know you and continue to find favor with you. Remember that this nation is your people.”(X)

14 The Lord replied, “My Presence(Y) will go with you, and I will give you rest.”(Z)

15 Then Moses said to him, “If your Presence(AA) does not go with us, do not send us up from here. 16 How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us?(AB) What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?”(AC)

17 And the Lord said to Moses, “I will do the very thing you have asked,(AD) because I am pleased with you and I know you by name.”(AE)

18 Then Moses said, “Now show me your glory.”(AF)

19 And the Lord said, “I will cause all my goodness to pass(AG) in front of you, and I will proclaim my name,(AH) the Lord, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.(AI) 20 But,” he said, “you cannot see my face, for no one may see(AJ) me and live.”

21 Then the Lord said, “There is a place near me where you may stand on a rock. 22 When my glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft in the rock(AK) and cover you with my hand(AL) until I have passed by. 23 Then I will remove my hand and you will see my back; but my face must not be seen.”

#### Cross references

1. Exodus 33:1 : S Ex 13:11; S Nu 14:23; Heb 6:13
2. Exodus 33:1 : S Ge 12:7
3. Exodus 33:2 : S Ex 14:19
4. Exodus 33:2 : S Ex 23:28
5. Exodus 33:3 : S Ex 3:8
6. Exodus 33:3 : Ex 32:9; Ac 7:51
7. Exodus 33:3 : S Ex 32:10
8. Exodus 33:4 : Nu 14:39; Ezr 9:3; Est 4:1; Ps 119:53
9. Exodus 33:5 : S Ex 32:9
10. Exodus 33:5 : S Ex 32:10
11. Exodus 33:6 : S Ex 3:1
12. Exodus 33:7 : S Ex 27:21
13. Exodus 33:7 : S Ge 25:22; S 1Ki 22:5
14. Exodus 33:8 : ver 10; Nu 16:27
15. Exodus 33:9 : Ex 13:21; S 19:9; Dt 31:15; 1Co 10:1
16. Exodus 33:9 : S Ex 29:42; 31:18; Ps 99:7
17. Exodus 33:10 : S ver 8
18. Exodus 33:11 : Nu 12:8; Dt 5:4; 34:10
19. Exodus 33:11 : S Ex 17:9
20. Exodus 33:12 : Ex 3:10; S 15:17
21. Exodus 33:12 : ver 17; Isa 43:1; 45:3; 49:1; Jn 10:14-15; 2Ti 2:19
22. Exodus 33:12 : S Ge 6:8
23. Exodus 33:13 : Ps 25:4; 27:11; 51:13; 86:11; 103:7; 143:8
24. Exodus 33:13 : Ex 3:7; Dt 9:26, 29; Ps 77:15
25. Exodus 33:14 : S Ex 13:21; Dt 4:37; Isa 63:9; Hag 1:13; 2:4
26. Exodus 33:14 : Dt 12:9, 10; 25:19; Jos 1:13; 11:23; 21:44; 22:4; 23:1; 1Ki 8:56; Isa 63:14; Jer 31:2; Mt 11:28; Heb 4:1-11
27. Exodus 33:15 : ver 3; Ex 34:9; 2Ki 13:23; 17:18; 23:27; 24:20; Ps 51:11; 80:3, 7, 19; Jer 7:15; 52:3
28. Exodus 33:16 : Ex 34:5; 40:34, 35; Nu 9:15; 14:14
29. Exodus 33:16 : Ex 34:10; Lev 20:24, 26; Nu 23:9; Dt 4:7, 32, 34; 32:9; 33:28
30. Exodus 33:17 : Ex 34:28; Dt 9:18, 25; 10:10; Jas 5:16
31. Exodus 33:17 : S Ge 6:8
32. Exodus 33:18 : S Ex 16:7; Jn 1:14; 12:41; 1Ti 6:16; Rev 15:8
33. Exodus 33:19 : 1Ki 19:11
34. Exodus 33:19 : Ex 6:3; 34:5-7
35. Exodus 33:19 : Ro 9:15*
36. Exodus 33:20 : S Ge 16:13; S Ex 3:6; S Dt 5:26; S Jn 1:18
37. Exodus 33:22 : Ge 49:24; 1Ki 19:9; Ps 27:5; 31:20; 62:7; 91:1; Isa 2:21; Jer 4:29
38. Exodus 33:22 : Ps 91:4; Isa 49:2; 51:16

New International Version (NIV)

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.

### More on the NIV

- Unleash God's Word!

#### Bible Gateway Recommends

NIV, Biblical Theology Study Bible, Comfort Print: Follow God’s Redemptive Plan as It Unfolds throughout Scripture
Retail: $59.99
Our Price: $41.99
Save: $18.00 (30%)
Buy Now
NIV, The Woman's Study Bible, Full-Color, Red Letter: Receiving God's Truth for Balance, Hope, and Transformation
Retail: $49.99
Our Price: $34.99
Save: $15.00 (30%)
Buy Now
NIV, Artisan Collection Bible, Gilded Edges, Red Letter Edition, Comfort Print
Retail: $59.99
Our Price: $41.99
Save: $18.00 (30%)
Buy Now
NIV, Lucado Encouraging Word Bible, Comfort Print: Holy Bible, New International Version
Retail: $59.99
Our Price: $41.99
Save: $18.00 (30%)
Buy Now
NIV Application Bible, Red Letter, Comfort Print: Bringing the Ancient Message of the Bible into Your World
Retail: $54.99
Our Price: $35.00
Save: $19.99 (36%)
Buy Now
NIV, Radiant Virtues Bible: A Beautiful Word Collection, Red Letter Edition, Comfort Print: Explore the virtues of faith, hope, and love
Retail: $69.98
Our Price: $48.99
Save: $20.99 (30%)
Buy Now
View more titles