Exodus 33:11

Translations

Modern

Thus the LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. Then Moses would return to the camp, but his young assistant Joshua son of Nun would not leave the tent.

Traditional

And 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.

Literal

And YHWH would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. And he would return to the camp, and his minister, Joshua son of Nun, a young man, would not depart from the midst of the tent.

Latin

Loquebatur autem Dominus ad Moysen facie ad faciem, sicut solet loqui homo ad amicum suum. Cumque ille reverteretur in castra, minister ejus Josue filius Nun, puer, non recedebat de tabernaculo.

Original

Hebrew

English

Thus the LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. Then Moses would return to the camp, but his young assistant Joshua son of Nun would not leave the tent.

Notes

Exodus 33:11

Joshua had earlier gained experience as a military leader (see 17:9–13). Now, he was gaining experience as a spiritual leader (see also 24:13). He may have stayed behind to guard the tent, a function the Levites would later fulfill with the tabernacle (1 Chronicles 26).

Exodus 33:8–11

would stand … stand up and bow down: The people considered it amazing that Moses spoke directly to God, "face to face" (33:11).

Exodus 33:7–11

The way God communicated with his people before the completion of the tabernacle is likely described here. This helps explain the events recorded in 33:1–6 and 33:12–23.

Theme notes and profiles

Moses Knowing God Pure Worship Remaining in Christ Temple Design as a Picture of God's Truth The Central Sanctuary The Cloud and Fire

Events

Tabernacle Builtc. 1490 BC

Related verses

Numbers 12:8
I speak with him face to face, clearly and not in riddles; he sees the form of the LORD. Why then were you unafraid to speak against My servant Moses?”
Deuteronomy 34:10
Since that time, no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face—
Exodus 24:13
So Moses set out with Joshua his attendant and went up on the mountain of God.
Exodus 33:9
As Moses entered the tent, the pillar of cloud would come down and remain at the entrance, and the LORD would speak with Moses.
Deuteronomy 5:4
The LORD spoke with you face to face out of the fire on the mountain.
Genesis 32:30
So Jacob named the place Peniel, saying, “Indeed, I have seen God face to face, and yet my life was spared.”
John 15:14–15
You are My friends if you do what I command you.
John 11:11
After He had said this, He told them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I am going there to wake him up.”
James 2:23
And the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called a friend of God.
John 3:29
The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom stands and listens for him, and is overjoyed to hear the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete.
Isaiah 42:8
I am the LORD; that is My name! I will not yield My glory to another or My praise to idols.
2 Chronicles 20:7
Our God, did You not drive out the inhabitants of this land before Your people Israel and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham Your friend?

People

Joshua: Moses' assistant who led Israel into Canaan Moses: Prophet who led Israel out of Egypt Nun: Father of Joshua

Glossary

Angel of the Lord Book of Exodus Deuteronomy, Book of History of Israel Nun Servant Tabernacle Temple

Topics

Communion with God: Moses Communion: Moses God: Grace of Joshua: Also Called Jehoshua, and Jehoshuah, and Oshea: Intimately Associated with Moses Moses: Character of God Spoke To, As a Man to his Friend Moses: Prophecies of Prophets: Inspiration of Tabernacle: One Existed Before Moses Received the Pattern Authorized on Mount Sinai

Exodus 33:11

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