Exodus 33:18 — Word Study
WLCוַיֹּאמַ֑ר הַרְאֵ֥נִי נָ֖א אֶת־ כְּבֹדֶֽךָ׃
BSAThen Moses saidʼâmar▸ Pleasenâʼ [I beseech thee, I pray] show merâʼâh [let me see, reveal to me] Your glorykâbôwd [Thy, divine, great honor, splendor, majestic presence]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| וַיֹּאמַ֑ר | and he said | Verb, Qal, sequential imperfect third person masculine singular |
| הַרְאֵ֥נִי | show me | Verb hiphil imperative second person masculine singular, suffix |
| נָ֖א | please | Particle |
| אֶת־ | the object marker | Particle |
| כְּבֹדֶֽךָ׃ | glory your | Noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Then Moses said, “Please show me Your glory.” |
| KJV | And he said, I beseech thee, shew me thy glory. |
| ASV | And he said, Show me, I pray thee, thy glory. |
| YLT | And he saith, 'Shew me, I pray Thee, Thine honour;' |
| WEB | Moses said, “Please show me your glory.” |
| BBE | And Moses said, O Lord, let me see your glory. |
The translations agree on the essence of Moses' plea for God's glory.
The sentence consists of a main clause followed by a request and its object, clearly outlining Moses' plea.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbאָמַר
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Exodus 33:18
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — The Encounter on Mount Sinaigenerated
Exodus 33:18 captures a pivotal moment where Moses, having received assurance of God's favor, boldly asks to see God's glory. This request reflects Moses' deep desire for a closer relationship with God, as he seeks to understand and witness the divine presence that has guided the Israelites out of Egypt.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Exodus 33:20 | But He added, “You cannot see My face, for no one can see Me and live.” |
| 2 | Psalm 4:6 | Many ask, “Who can show us the good?” Shine the light of Your face upon us, O LORD. |
| 3 | John 1:18 | No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is Himself God and is at the Father’s side, has made Him known. |
| 4 | 2 Corinthians 3:18 | And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into His image with intensifying glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. |
| 5 | 2 Corinthians 4:6 | For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 8 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — כְּבֹדֶךָ, ke.vo.De.khagenerated
The word כְּבֹדֶךָ (kavodkha) is a noun meaning 'glory' and conveys concepts of honor, splendor, and majesty. It is often used in the context of God's divine presence and attributes, indicating a weightiness that commands respect.
In this verse, it is in the construct state, indicating possession, as Moses asks to see 'Your glory,' emphasizing the relationship between God and His attributes. The parsing as a masculine singular noun suggests a singular, unified manifestation of God's greatness.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
In the Berean Standard Bible, the verse reads as 'Please show me Your glory,' and this is consistent across the KJV, ASV, YLT, WEB, and BBE versions.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb וַיֹּאמַ֑ר (vai.yo.mar), 'and he said,' governs the sentence, with the imperative הַרְאֵ֥נִי (har'e.ni), 'show me,' directly following it. The structure emphasizes Moses' request as a direct response to God's earlier assurances.
The phrase אֶת־כְּבֹדֶךָ ('et-kevodkha) serves as the object of the request, specifying what Moses desires to see, thus clarifying the focus of his plea.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates the request with the word μοι (moi), meaning 'to me,' which personalizes Moses' request for divine revelation. This choice highlights the intimate nature of Moses' plea.
The Greek term for 'glory' used in the Septuagint corresponds to the Hebrew concept but may carry nuances of interpretation that reflect the translators' understanding of God's presence.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Exodus 33:18 shows Moses asking God to reveal His glory. This moment is significant as it reflects Moses' deep desire for a closer relationship with God and understanding of His divine presence, following God's assurance of favor.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
Moses is expressing a desire for a deeper understanding and experience of God's divine presence, which he believes will affirm his relationship with God.
Moses' request is significant because it demonstrates his longing for intimacy with God and a desire to witness the divine nature that guides and protects the Israelites.
God responds by promising to show His goodness and proclaim His name, but also warns Moses that he cannot see His face and live, indicating the holiness and majesty of God.
We learn about the importance of seeking a deeper relationship with God and the reverence required when approaching the divine.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- What does it mean to seek God's glory in my own life?
- How can I foster a deeper relationship with God, like Moses did?
- What are some ways I can recognize God's presence in my daily life?
- How do I respond to God's holiness and majesty in my prayers?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early Church Fathers reference this verse to discuss the nature of divine desire and the longing to see God, illustrating the depth of Moses' request.
The saintly Moses, his faithful servant, showed the flame of this desire of his when he said to God, with whom he spoke face to face as to a friend: “If I have found favor before you, show me yourself.” What,Early Church Fathers on Exodus 33 →
This is why love which longs to see God, even if it lacks judgment, does have the spirit of devotion. This is why Moses dares to say, “If I have found favor in your sight, show me your face.” This is why another man says,Early Church Fathers on Exodus 33 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Exodus 33:18 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleAnd he said, I beseech thee, show me thy glory. Not any visible lustre, splendour, and brightness, as a symbol of the divine Presence, that he had seen, Exodus 16:7 nor the glorious essence of God,
Read John Gill on Exodus 33 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryAnd he said, I beseech thee, shew me thy glory. I beseech thee, show me thy glory.
Read Robert Jamieson on Exodus 33 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Biblei.e. Thy glorious majesty, the brightness of thy countenance, some such manifestation of thyself as becomes thy excellency, and such as shall be seen in the other life; or that glorious shape which, together with a human voice, thou hast now assumed. But for the essence of God, as that was and is and ever will be invisible to bodily eyes, , so a man of such great reason and deep knowledge in Divine things, and universal learning, could not be ignorant of it, and therefore would not desire it.
Read Matthew Poole on Exodus 33 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsExodus 33:18 And he said, I beseech thee, shew me thy glory.Ver. 18. Show me thy glory.] None ever knew God’ s glory; our cockle shell can never comprehend this sea: yet it may be apprehended that it is incomprehensible.
Read John Trapp on Exodus 33 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English ReadersMOSES’ REQUEST TO SEE GOD’S GLORY, AND GOD’S REPLY TO IT.(18-23) Not till he had received full assurance of the people’s restoration to favour did Moses prefer any request for himself. Then, however, he made use of the privilege granted him to speak with God, “as a man speaketh unto his friend,” in order to obtain a blessing for which his spiritual nature craved, and than which he could conceive nothing more desirable. “Shew me,” he said, “I beseech thee, thy glory.” All that he had yet seen of God was insufficient—only raised his desire, only sharpened his appetite to see more. He craved for that “beatific vision” which is the final reward of them that are perfected in another world. God…
Read Charles John Ellicott on Exodus 33 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 18. Show me thy glory] Moses probably desired to see that which constitutes the peculiar glory or excellence of the Divine nature as it stands in reference to man. By many this is thought to signify his eternal mercy in sending Christ Jesus into the world. Moses perceived that what God was now doing had the most important and gracious designs which at present he could not distinctly discover; therefore he desires God to show him his glory. God graciously promises to indulge him in this request as far as possible, by proclaiming his name, and making all his goodness pass before him, Exodus 33:19. But at the same time he assures him that he could not see his face - the fulness of his…
Read AdamClarke on Exodus 33 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges12–23. Moses resumes the intercession broken off at v. 3; and starting from the command given him in Exodus 32:34 a, Exodus 33:1 a obtains from Jehovah (vv. 14–16, as the text stands; see, however, on v. 14) the promise that He will not carry out the threat of v. 3, but will Himself accompany the people on their way to Canaan, and also (vv. 17–23) that He will vouchsafe Moses himself a glimpse of His glory.
Read Cambridge on Exodus 33 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleShew me thy glory - The faithful servant of Yahweh, now assured by the success of his mediation, yearns, with the proper tendency of a devout spirit, for a more intimate communion with his divine Master than he had yet enjoyed.
Read Albert Barnes on Exodus 33 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
Then Moses said, “Please show me Your glory.”
Moses said, “Please show me your glory.”
Then Moses said, “Please show me Your glory.”
And Moses said, “Show me your glory.”
Tyndale line
And he said, I beseech thee, shew me thy glory.
And he said, Show me, I pray thee, thy glory.
And he said, Shew me, I pray thee, thy glory.
And he said, I beseech thee, show me thy glory.
Againe he sayde, I beseech thee, shewe me thy glory.
Strictly literal
And he said, Let me, I pray thee, see thy glory.
And he saith, 'Shew me, I pray Thee, Thine honour;'
And he says, “Please show me Your glory”;
And he said, Let me see, I beseech thee, thy glory.
Moses said, “Please show me your glory.”
From the Latin
And he said: Shew me thy glory.
Simplified
“Now please reveal to me your glory,” Moses asked.
And Moses said, O Lord, let me see your glory.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text reads: וַיֹּאמַ֑ר הַרְאֵ֥נִי נָ֖א אֶת־כְּבֹדֶֽךָ׃. The Septuagint matches three of the five words directly, while the Samaritan Pentateuch differs by using כבודך (weight) instead of the Masoretic כְּבֹדֶךָ. The Dead Sea Scrolls show one word on the leather and others that were restored, indicating some editorial intervention.
וַיֹּאמַ֑ר הַרְאֵ֥נִי נָ֖א אֶת־ כְּבֹדֶֽךָ׃
3 of the 5 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
ויאמר הראני נא את כבודך
1 word differs from the Masoretic Text: כבודך (weight)
ויאומר הרא׳ני [נא] [את] [כבד׳ך]
1 word on the leather — 1 partly restored, 3 supplied entire by an editor.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Exodus 33:18
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
אָמַר (amar) is a Hebrew verb meaning 'to say' or 'to utter,' with a broad range of uses including to promise, command, or even boast. It appears in various forms, such as in the Qal (to say), Niphal (to be told), and Hiphil (to avow). The entries highlight its versatility in both spoken and internal contexts, though no specific verse is noted.
אָמַר 5287 vb. utter, say
Qal
Say
Say in the heart (= think)
Promise
Command (esp. late)
Niph. be said, told
Hiph. avow, avouch (lit. cause to declare)
Hithp. act proudly, boast
base
H559 אָמַר utter, say .. Say
. Say in the heart (= think)
. Promise
. Command (esp. late)
. be said, told
. avow, avouch (lit. cause to declare)
. act proudly, boast
559 'amar aw-mar'
a primitive root; to say (used with great
latitude):--answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call,
certify, challenge, charge, + (at the, give) command(-ment),
commune, consider, declare, demand, X desire, determine, X
expressly, X indeed, X intend, name, X plainly, promise,
publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), X still, X
suppose, talk, tell, term, X that is, X think, use (speech),
utter, X verily, X yet.
אָמַר (a.mar) — to say.
1) to say, speak, utter
1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend
1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called
1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly
1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch
Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine singularHc/Vqw3ms
רָאָה (ra'ah) is a Hebrew verb meaning 'to see' and encompasses a wide range of visual and perceptual actions, including looking, observing, and causing others to see. It can refer to both literal sight and figurative understanding, with various grammatical forms indicating different nuances, such as appearing or being visible. The entries indicate a rich semantic field without significant disagreement among lexicographers.
רָאָה 1315 vb. see
Qal 1141
see, subj.
see, c. acc. rei
see, sq. acc. cl. or phr. of closer design
see, so as to learn to know
abs. see, have (power of) vision
see = perceive
look at, see, by direct volition
of mental observation
c. ב, lit., look into, hence look at with interest
see, c. acc. rei
Niph.
appear
be seen
be visible
Pu. appar. his bones are not detected
Hithp. recipr. look at each other
Hiph.
cause one to see something, shew
cause to experience something
cause to look intently at, to behold
Hoph.
be caused to see, be shewn
be exhibited to
base
H7200a רָאָה see .. . see, subj.
. see, c. acc. rei
. see, sq. acc. + cl. or phr. of closer design
. see, so as to learn to know
. abs. see, have (power of) vision
. see = perceive
. look at, see, by direct volition
. of mental observation
. . c. ב, lit., look into, hence look at with interest
. see, c. acc. rei
. . appear
. be seen
. be visible
. appar. his bones are not detected
. recipr. look at each other
. . . cause one to see something, shew
. cause to experience something
. cause to look intently at, to behold
. . be caused to see, be shewn
. be exhibited to
H7200b רְאוּת look
7200 ra'ah raw-aw'
a primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively (in
numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive,
intransitive and causative):--advise self, appear, approve,
behold, X certainly, consider, discern, (make to) enjoy, have
experience, gaze, take heed, X indeed, X joyfully, lo, look
(on, one another, one on another, one upon another, out, up,
upon), mark, meet, X be near, perceive, present, provide,
regard, (have) respect, (fore-, cause to, let) see(-r, -m, one
another), shew (self), X sight of others, (e-)spy, stare, X
surely, X think, view, visions.
רָאָה (ra.ah) — to see: see.
: see/show
1) to see, look at, inspect, perceive, consider
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to see
1a2) to see, perceive
1a3) to see, have vision
1a4) to look at, see, regard, look after, see after, learn about, observe, watch, look upon, look out, find out
1a5) to see, observe, consider, look at, give attention to, discern, distinguish
1a6) to look at, gaze at
1a7) to provide, choose
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to appear, present oneself
1b2) to be seen
1b3) to be visible
1c) (Pual) to be seen
1d) (Hiphil)
1d1) to cause to see, show
1d2) to cause to look intently at, behold, cause to gaze at
1e) (Hophal)
1e1) to be caused to see, be shown
1e2) to be exhibited to
1f) (Hithpael) to look at each other, face
רָאָה (ra.ah) — to see: examine.
: examine/consider
1) to see, look at, inspect, perceive, consider
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to see
1a2) to see, perceive
1a3) to see, have vision
V-Hiphil-Impv-2ms | Suff — Verb hiphil imperative second person masculine singular · suffixHVhv2ms/Sp1bs
נָא (na') is a Hebrew particle used primarily for entreaty or exhortation, meaning 'I pray,' 'now,' or 'please.' It often appears attached to verbs in the imperative or future forms, and can also modify interjections, adverbs, or conjunctions. The entries consistently emphasize its role in expressing a plea or request.
נָא part. of entreaty or exhortation, I (we) pray, now (enclitic)
base
H4994 נָא I (we) pray, now (enclitic)
4994 na' naw
a primitive particle of incitement and entreaty, which may
usually be rendered: "I pray," "now," or "then"; added mostly
to verbs (in the Imperative or Future), or to interjections,
occasionally to an adverb or conjunction:--I beseech (pray)
thee (you), go to, now, oh.
נָא (na) — please.
1) I (we) pray, now, please
1a) used in entreaty or exhortation
Part — ParticleHTj
אֵת (eth) is primarily a grammatical marker in Hebrew, indicating the definite direct object of a verb. It is not translated into English and typically precedes nouns that are definite. The word is derived from a demonstrative sense of entity, related to the Hebrew word for 'self.' Its Aramaic equivalent is יָת (yat).
אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite
base
H853 אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite
853 'eth ayth
apparent contracted from 226 in the demonstrative sense of
entity; properly, self (but generally used to point out more
definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or
namely):--(as such unrepresented in English).
see HEBREW for 0226
אֵת (et) — [Obj.].
sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative
Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
HTo — ParticleHTo
כָּבוֹד (kabowd) refers to concepts of abundance, honour, and glory. It encompasses external splendor, dignity of position, and reputation, as well as the inner nobility of a person. The term can denote both the weightiness of glory and the reverence due to someone. The entries consistently emphasize its positive connotations.
כָּבוֹד n.m. and f. abundance, honour, glory
abundance, riches
honour, splendor, glory, of external condition and circumstances
honour, dignity of position
honour, reputation, of character
my honour, poet. of the seat of honour in the inner man, the noblest part of man
honour, reverence, glory, as due to one or ascribed to one
glory as the object, of honour, reverence and glorifying
base
H3519 כָּבוֹד abundance, honour, glory . abundance, riches
. honour, splendor, glory, of external condition and circumstances
. honour, dignity of position
. honour, reputation, of character
. my honour, poet. of the seat of honour in the inner man, the noblest part of man
. honour, reverence, glory, as due to one or ascribed to one
. glory as the object, of honour, reverence and glorifying
3519 kabowd kaw-bode'
rarely kabod {kaw-bode'}; from 3513; properly, weight, but
only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or
copiousness:--glorious(-ly), glory, honour(-able).
see HEBREW for 03513
כָּבוֹד (ka.vod) — glory.
1) glory, honour, glorious, abundance
1a) abundance, riches
1b) honour, splendour, glory
1c) honour, dignity
1d) honour, reputation
1e) honour, reverence, glory
1f) glory
N-cs | Suff — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHNcmsc/Sp2ms