Exodus 33:20

What does Exodus 33:20 mean?

A plain-English look at Exodus 33:20 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And he said, Thou canst not see my face; for man shall not see me and live.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And he said, Thou canst not see my face; for man shall not see me and live.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

But it is not possible for you to see my face, for no man may see me and still go on living.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

He saith also, `Thou art unable to see My face, for man doth not see Me, and live;'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And again he said: Thou canst not see my face: for man shall not see me, and live.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And he said, Thou canst not see my face; for Man shall not see me, and live.

Context

v.19And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and will proclaim the name of Jehovah before thee; and I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy.

v.20This passage

v.21And Jehovah said, Behold, there is a place by me, and thou shalt stand upon the rock:

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Deuteronomy 5:24

    and ye said, Behold, Jehovah our God hath showed us his glory and his greatness, and we have heard his voice out of the midst of the fire: we have seen this day that God doth speak with man, and he liveth.

  • Judges 13:22

    And Manoah said unto his wife, We shall surely die, because we have seen God.

  • John 1:18

    No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.

  • Exodus 24:10

    and they saw the God of Israel; and there was under his feet as it were a paved work of sapphire stone, and as it were the very heaven for clearness.

  • 1 Timothy 6:16

    who only hath immortality, dwelling in light unapproachable; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honor and power eternal. Amen.

  • Isaiah 6:5

    Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, Jehovah of hosts.

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