Exodus 33:20 Made Simple

KJV ORIGINAL

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

Close to the original. Clear modern English.

✦ MADE SIMPLE

And he said, 'You cannot see my face, because no person can see me and remain alive.'

⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE

God is telling Moses that no human being can look directly at God's full glory and survive the experience.

📚 Historical Context

This conversation takes place after Moses asks to see God's glory following the golden calf incident. Moses had been interceding for the Israelites and had developed an intimate relationship with God, but even he could not withstand seeing God's complete, unveiled presence. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, seeing a deity's face was considered either impossible or fatal.

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John 8:14

Jesus replied, 'Look, even though I'm speaking for myself here, what I'm saying is actually true. I know exactly where I came from and where I'm going — but you guys have no clue about either.'

2 Peter 2:14

They're always looking for the next person to mess around with and literally can't stop doing wrong. They target people who are already struggling and unsure of themselves. Their hearts are like trained athletes — but instead of training for good, they've mastered being greedy and selfish. They're heading straight for destruction.

2 Chronicles 19:7

Therefore, let reverence for the LORD guide you; be careful and act accordingly: for there is no wrongdoing with the LORD our God, no favoritism, and no accepting of bribes.

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