Exodus 33:11

“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.”
King James Version (KJV)

Other Translations of Exodus 33:11

And the Lord spake vnto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh vnto his friend. And he turned againe into the campe, but his seruant Ioshua the sonne of Nun, a yong man, departed not out of the Tabernacle.
- King James Version (1611) - Compare to scan of original Exodus chapter 33

Thus the LORD used to speak to Moses face to face, just as a man speaks to his friend. When Moses returned to the camp, his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, would not depart from the tent.
- New American Standard Version (1995)

And Jehovah spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend. And he turned again into the camp: but his minister Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, departed not out of the Tent.
- American Standard Version (1901)

And the Lord had talk with Moses face to face, as a man may have talk with his friend. And when Moses came back to the tents, his servant, the young man Joshua, the son of Nun, did not come away from the Tent.
- Basic English Bible

And Jehovah spoke with Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his friend. And he returned to the camp; but his attendant, Joshua the son of Nun, a young man, departed not from within the tent.
- Darby Bible

And the Lord spoke to Moses face to face, as a man is wont to speak to his friend. And when he returned into the camp, his servant Josue the son of Nun, a young man, departed not from the tabernacle.
- Douay Rheims Bible

And the LORD spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaketh to 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.
- Webster's Bible

Yahweh spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. He turned again into the camp, but his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, didn't depart out of the Tent.
- World English Bible

And Jehovah hath spoken unto Moses face unto face, as a man speaketh unto his friend; and he hath turned back unto the camp, and his minister Joshua, son of Nun, a youth, departeth not out of the tent.
- Youngs Literal Bible

And the LORD spoke unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend. And he would return into the camp; but his minister Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, departed not out of the Tent.
- Jewish Publication Society Bible

Chris's comment on 2021-06-13 21:56:11:

Hello Tony. I remember your question coming up a few weeks ago, so it remains fresh in my mind.

We know from Exodus 33:18-23, when Moses desired to see God's Glory, the LORD gave him clear instructions as to what would happen; i.e. His Glory (His Goodness) would pass by Moses but his eyes would be shielded from seeing God's Face, "for shall no man see me, and live" (v20).

So, if this is such a clear Truth that was given to Moses, & then we read "And the LORD spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend." (v11), how should we understand it? It seems correct to understand this ("face to face") as a metaphor to describe the closeness that Moses shared with the Almighty, as when a friend shares intimately with his friend. With that in mind, we can almost hear the words & tone of voice that Moses used to speak to God in verses 12-18: one of a special friendship, having liberty to speak from the heart. Just as we today might speak to God from our heart as submissive loving children to our Wise & altogether loving merciful Heavenly Father.

We have many other metaphors used in the Bible: e.g. 1 Thessalonians 2:7 describe Paul's special love for the believers there as a nursing mother feeds, cares & protects her children. Or, Matthew 3:16, showing the descent of the Holy Spirit upon Jesus. Even though some Churches depict the Spirit as a dove (which is heresy: Deuteronomy 4:15-19), we see the Spirit's descent was observed in a special revelation to John, like the slow graceful descending of a dove - no bird involved here at all. So Moses speaking to God 'face to face' is given in similar fashion - a picture of intimacy yet Moses being shielded & withheld from instant death.

Rod's comment on 2021-06-13 18:30:53:

He was speaking to God as we would to a friend, Exodus 20 explains that it is impossible to see God's face and live.

the rest of chapter 33 explains what happened in detail.

Exodus 33:9 "And it came to pass, as Moses entered into the tabernacle, the cloudy pillar descended, and stood at the door of the tabernacle, and the LORD talked with Moses."

Exodus 33:11 "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."

Exodus 33:18-23 And he said, I beseech thee, shew me thy glory. 19 And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy. 20 And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live. 21 And the LORD said, Behold, there is a place by me, and thou shalt stand upon a rock: 22 And it shall come to pass, while my glory passeth by, that I will put thee in a clift of the rock, and will cover thee with my hand while I pass by: 23 And I will take away mine hand, and thou shalt see my back parts: but my face shall not be seen.

Tony's comment on 2021-06-13 08:31:53:

What does that interpret? Did Moses actually saw god, the whole face?

shibin vilangara's comment on 2015-02-01 19:33:28:

God is best friend to those who really want His friendship. trustworthy and faithful. He will never leave us...nor forsake us..

Jaya's comment on 2014-08-26 22:07:01:

God loves his children , what a great Lord! He is our friend, the King of all kings treats us equal to his status , respects our friendship , he waits for us to share things with him , not that he does not know anything he knows the spirit man. By spending time with him we are letting Gods perfect plan to get fulfilled , its our privilege we could go to him as a friend share all our positive and negatives , and foolish things , we get filled with wisdom from wise king Lord Jesus.

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