and when My glory passes byThis phrase refers to a theophany, a visible manifestation of God to humans. In the context of Exodus, God's glory is His divine presence, often associated with light and majesty. The concept of God's glory passing by is significant, as it indicates a moment of divine revelation and intimacy. In biblical history, God's glory is often linked to the tabernacle and later the temple, where His presence dwelt among His people (
Exodus 40:34-35,
1 Kings 8:10-11). The idea of God passing by also echoes other biblical instances where God reveals Himself, such as to Elijah on Mount Horeb (
1 Kings 19:11-13).
I will put you in a cleft of the rock
The cleft of the rock symbolizes a place of safety and protection. In the harsh and rugged terrain of the Sinai Peninsula, a cleft would provide shelter from the elements. Spiritually, this imagery conveys God's protection over Moses, shielding him from the full intensity of His glory, which no human can withstand (Exodus 33:20). The rock is often seen as a type of Christ, who is our spiritual refuge and strength (1 Corinthians 10:4,Psalm 18:2).
and cover you with My hand
This phrase illustrates God's personal care and protection. The anthropomorphic language of God's hand suggests His power and authority, as well as His intimate involvement in the lives of His people. The covering of Moses signifies God's grace and mercy, shielding him from the overwhelming holiness of God's presence. This act of covering can be seen as a precursor to the atoning work of Christ, who covers our sins and allows us to stand in the presence of God (Romans 4:7).
until I have passed by
The passing by of God indicates a temporary yet profound encounter. It underscores the transient nature of divine revelation in the Old Testament, where God's presence was often momentary and specific. This phrase also highlights the anticipation of a more permanent indwelling of God's presence, fulfilled in the New Testament through the Holy Spirit (John 14:16-17). The passing by can be seen as a foreshadowing of the ultimate revelation of God in Jesus Christ, who is the image of the invisible God (Colossians 1:15).
Persons / Places / Events
1.
MosesThe leader of the Israelites, chosen by God to lead His people out of Egypt. In this passage, Moses is seeking a deeper understanding and experience of God's presence.
2.
God (Yahweh)The one true God, revealing His glory to Moses in a unique and protective manner.
3.
Cleft of the RockA specific place where God places Moses to protect him from the full intensity of His glory. This symbolizes God's protection and provision.
4.
Mount SinaiThe location where Moses meets with God and receives the Law. It is a place of divine revelation and covenant.
5.
The Glory of GodRepresents God's presence, holiness, and majesty. It is so powerful that it requires divine protection for Moses to experience it.
Teaching Points
God's Glory and HolinessGod's glory is overwhelming and holy. We must approach Him with reverence and awe, recognizing our need for His protection and grace.
Divine ProtectionJust as God protected Moses, He provides protection for us. We can trust Him to shield us from what we cannot bear on our own.
Seeking God's PresenceLike Moses, we should earnestly seek to know God more deeply. This involves spending time in prayer, worship, and the study of His Word.
Transformation through EncounterEncounters with God's presence lead to transformation. As we behold His glory, we are changed into His likeness.
Christ as the FulfillmentJesus is the ultimate revelation of God's glory. In Him, we see the fullness of God and experience His grace and truth.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Exodus 33:22?
2.How does Exodus 33:22 illustrate God's protection in our daily lives?
3.What does "cover you with My hand" reveal about God's nature?
4.How can we seek God's presence as Moses did in Exodus 33?
5.Connect Exodus 33:22 with Psalm 91:4 on God's protective care.
6.How can we trust God's protection during life's challenges, as shown here?
7.What does Exodus 33:22 reveal about God's nature and protection?
8.How does Exodus 33:22 illustrate God's relationship with Moses?
9.What is the significance of God placing Moses in the cleft of the rock?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Exodus 33?
11.How do we explain the anthropomorphic language in Exodus 33:22–23 where God shows Moses only His back, suggesting that God has a physical form?
12.How does the account in Exodus 24 align or conflict with other passages describing God's nature and appearance?
13.Why did Moses cover his face with a veil?
14.If Exodus 33:11 says Moses spoke with God “face to face,” how do we reconcile this with Exodus 33:20 where God says no one can see His face and live?What Does Exodus 33:22 Mean
When My glory passes byGod answers Moses’ plea to “show me Your glory” (Exodus 33:18) by promising an unveiling—but only on God’s terms. Scripture repeatedly shows that His glory is overwhelming: “The priests could not stand to minister…for the glory of the LORD filled the house” (1 Kings 8:11).
• Glory speaks of God’s manifest presence—radiant, holy, weighty.
• It is active: it “passes by,” reminding us that God chooses to reveal Himself and we respond (Exodus 33:19;John 1:14).
• Even a momentary glimpse transforms lives, as Isaiah, Ezekiel, and John testify (Isaiah 6:1-5;Ezekiel 1:28;Revelation 1:17).
I will put you in a cleft of the rockThe Lord provides a specific, secure place for Moses. A rock cleft is:
• A narrow refuge—close quarters that keep Moses steady while all creation might shake (Psalm 18:2;Psalm 27:5).
• A picture of permanence: “Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD GOD is an everlasting rock” (Isaiah 26:4).
• A pointer to Christ, “the spiritual rock that accompanied them” (1 Corinthians 10:4). God Himself supplies the only safe vantage point from which sinful humans can experience His holiness.
and cover you with My handGod’s own hand shields Moses, underscoring both intimacy and protection.
• The same hand that formed the stars now gently guards a single man (Psalm 95:5).
• Protection is personal: “He will cover you with His feathers; under His wings you will find refuge” (Psalm 91:4).
• No one can snatch us from that hand (John 10:28-29). The gesture declares that safety with God is relational, not merely positional.
until I have passed byThere is a time limit: Moses may see only after the glory moves on (Exodus 33:23).
• The sequence preserves life—“man shall not see Me and live” (Exodus 33:20).
• God’s passing leaves an afterglow that sustains faith; Job felt something similar: “He passes me on the left, and I do not perceive Him” (Job 9:11).
• Moments of revelation are gifts, but walking by faith fills the in-between (Mark 6:48;2 Corinthians 5:7).
summaryExodus 33:22 shows a holy God initiating relationship while safeguarding His servant. His glory approaches, He provides the rock refuge, He covers with His own hand, and He controls the timing. The verse assures us that encountering God’s majesty is both awe-inspiring and utterly secure because the same God who overwhelms also protects, guiding us to worship Him with reverent confidence.
(22)
And will cover thee with my hand.--Kalisch observes with justice that the mysteriousness of this obscure section "attains its highest climax in the three last verses" (
Exodus 33:21-23). Human language is, by its very nature, unfit for the expression of sublime spiritual truths, and necessarily clothes them in a materialistic garment which is alien to their ethereal nature. All that we can legitimately gather from this verse and the next is that Moses was directed to a certain retired position, where God miraculously both protected him and shrouded him, while a manifestation of His glory passed by of a transcendent character, and that Moses was allowed to see, not the full manifestation, but the sort of after-glow which it left behind, which was as much as human nature could endure.
Verse 22. -I will put thee in a cliftof the rock, The "clift" has been identified with the "cave of Elijah" (1 Kings 19:9); but the words used are different; and even were they the same, no identity could be established. It is rather in the broader lines of their missions and characters that resemblance is to be sought between Moses and Elijah than in the minuter details of their careers.Cover thee with my hand -i.e., "at once conceal thee and protect thee." Without these precautions, it is implied, the nearness of the Divine Presence might have had injurious effects.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
and when
וְהָיָה֙(wə·hā·yāh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961:To fall out, come to pass, become, be
My glory
כְּבֹדִ֔י(kə·ḇō·ḏî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 3519:Weight, splendor, copiousness
passes by,
בַּעֲבֹ֣ר(ba·‘ă·ḇōr)
Preposition-b | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 5674:To pass over, through, or by, pass on
I will put you
וְשַׂמְתִּ֖יךָ(wə·śam·tî·ḵā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singular | second person masculine singular
Strong's 7760:Put -- to put, place, set
in a cleft
בְּנִקְרַ֣ת(bə·niq·raṯ)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 5366:A hole, crevice
of the rock
הַצּ֑וּר(haṣ·ṣūr)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6697:A cliff, a rock, boulder, a refuge, an edge
and cover you
וְשַׂכֹּתִ֥י(wə·śak·kō·ṯî)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 5526:To entwine as a, screen, to fence in, cover over, protect
with My hand
כַפִּ֛י(ḵap·pî)
Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 3709:Hollow or flat of the hand, palm, sole (of the foot), a pan
until
עַד־(‘aḏ-)
Preposition
Strong's 5704:As far as, even to, up to, until, while
I have passed by.
עָבְרִֽי׃(‘ā·ḇə·rî)
Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | first person common singular
Strong's 5674:To pass over, through, or by, pass on
Links
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OT Law: Exodus 33:22 It will happen while my glory passes (Exo. Ex)
