Exodus 33:11 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Thus the Lord used to speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. When Moses turned again into the camp, his assistant Joshua the son of Nun, a young man, would not depart from the tent.

NIV: The Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend. Then Moses would return to the camp, but his young aide Joshua son of Nun did not leave the tent.

NASB: So 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.

CSB: The Lord would speak with Moses face to face, just as a man speaks with his friend, then Moses would return to the camp. His assistant, the young man Joshua son of Nun, would not leave the inside of the tent.

NLT: Inside the Tent of Meeting, the Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend. Afterward Moses would return to the camp, but the young man who assisted him, Joshua son of Nun, would remain behind in the Tent of Meeting.

KJV: 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.

NKJV: So the Lord spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. And he would return to the camp, but his servant Joshua the son of Nun, a young man, did not depart from the tabernacle.

This describes the unique way in which Moses communicated with God. God will note that no mortal can survive exposure to His holy presence (Exodus 33:20). So, these meetings probably included a temporary physical form or vision. No details are given. But the "face to face" idea implies something straightforward and open. Their conversations were not mysterious or shrouded in riddles (Numbers 12:8).

These conversations occurred inside a tent kept outside of the main Israelite camp. This separation was due to Israel's recent sin of idolatry (Exodus 32:1–6). A cloud covers the tent entrance to signify when Moses is speaking with God (Exodus 33:9–10).

Joshua was introduced when Moses had him lead Israel's militia against an Amalekite attack (Exodus 17:8–9). Joshua also accompanied Moses onto Sinai as an assistant (Exodus 32:17; Numbers 11:28). He secures the tent of meeting when Moses is not there. Soon, Joshua will be one of twelve to scout out the Promised Land (Numbers 13:8, 16) and one of only two giving a faith-filled report (Numbers 14:6–9). He will assume leadership over Israel when Moses dies (Deuteronomy 34:7, 9).

Exodus 33:7–11 describes the "tent of meeting" where God communicated with Moses after Israel's sin of idolatry (Exodus 32:1–6; 33:1–6). This is located outside the camp, symbolizing the separation from God caused by sin. Israelites would watch and worship as a column of clouds appeared at the tent. Inside, the Lord conversed with Moses exactly as two ordinary people would. Joshua (Exodus 17:8–9; 32:17) guards the tent when Moses is away.

God commands Israel to leave the Sinai region. They are to move on towards the Promised Land, but without the Lord's usual presence. Moses meets with God outside the camp and the Lord says He will once again accompany Israel. Moses asks to see the full glory of God. Since this would kill Moses, God arranges for a much more limited experience.

Israel fell into idolatry (Exodus 32:1–6) very soon after receiving God's laws against it (Exodus 20:3–6). Yet the Lord still plans to bring them into a Promised Land. In this chapter, the people are commanded to leave Sinai and head towards Canaan. But the covenant must be renewed (Exodus 34). Until then, there is a level of separation between the nation and their God.

The book of Exodus establishes God's covenant relationship with the full-fledged nation of Israel. The descendants of Abraham prosper after settling in Egypt, only to be enslaved by a fearful, hateful Egyptian Pharaoh. God appoints Moses to lead the people out of this bondage. Moses serves as God's spokesman, as the Lord brings plagues and judgments on Egypt, leading to the release of Israel.