Exo 33:18-23 | TNotes | STEP | 33:18 Moses asked for confirmation of God’s promises. He asked to see God’s glorious presence (literally glory ). He was asking for an experience of seeing the very essence of God (see study note on 16:7).

cRom 9:14-16►

d33:20-23►

‏ Exodus 33:18-23

33:18 ^a Moses asked for confirmation of God’s promises. He asked to see God’s glorious presence (literally glory). He was asking for an experience of seeing the very essence of God (see study note on 16:7).
33:19 ^b In his positive reply, God subtly changed the terms. He would grant Moses a glorious experience, but he would not show Moses his face. Rather, he would show him his goodness and express his character (my name), marked above all by mercy and compassion (see Rom 9:14-16 ^c).

• Yahweh: Here God is emphasizing his own personal name.
Summary for Exod 33:20-23: 33:20-23 ^d God longs to show us his character, but to see his face (his essence) and his glorious presence (33:22 ^e) would be to die. Moses was permitted a glimpse of that, but nothing more.