Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Exodus 33:11
And the LORD spoke 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.
11. would speak unto Moses face to face ] not from the distant heaven, or with the comparative indistinctness of a vision or a dream (Num 12:8), but ‘face to face’ (so Deu 34:10; cf. Deu 5:4), or ‘mouth to mouth’ (Nu. l.c.), like one friend speaking to another. Moses would then return into the camp; but his minister (Exo 24:13), Joshua, remained permanently in charge of the Tent (cf. Samuel, 1Sa 3:3; 1Sa 3:15).
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Face to face – See Exo 33:20 note.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 11. The Lord spake unto Moses face to face] That there was no personal appearance here we may readily conceive; and that the communications made by God to Moses were not by visions, ecstacies, dreams, inward inspirations, or the mediation of angels, is sufficiently evident: we may therefore consider the passage as implying that familiarity and confidence with which the Divine Being treated his servant, and that he spake with him by articulate sounds in his own language, though no shape or similitude was then to be seen.
Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man] There is a difficulty here. Joshua certainly was not a young man in the literal sense of the word; “but he was called so,” says Mr. Ainsworth, “In respect of his service, not of his years; for he was now above fifty years old, as may be gathered from Jos 24:29. But because ministry and service are usually by the younger sort, all servants are called young men, Ge 14:24.” See also Ge 22:3, and Ge 41:12. Perhaps the word naar, here translated young man, means a single person, one unmarried.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Face to face, or, mouth to mouth, as Num 12:8. Not that God hath face or mouth, or that Moses could behold it, which is denied, Exo 33:20. But the sense is, he spake with him freely and familiarly, and immediately, not by an angel in a dream or vision, as he did to other prophets. See Deu 34:10.
Joshua abode in the tabernacle, either to keep it from injury or inconvenience; for as it was set up by mans help, so it needed mans care to preserve it; or to assist and direct those who resorted thither to seek God in Mosess absence. And Joshua seems to be appointed for this work rather than Aaron, or any other of the elders, because they had one way or other been guilty of the late idolatry, and God would hereby punish them with a temporary suspension from his service, and their office.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
And the Lord spake unto Moses face to face,…. Not by an angel, but he himself in person; not by a dream or vision, but apparently, in real visible appearance; not in dark speeches, but clearly in plain words, easy to be understood; and not by a voice from heaven at a distance, but mouth to mouth, being very near, as when on the mount, and now at the door of the tabernacle:
as a man speaketh unto his friend; freely, familiarly, plainly, cordially, openly, without any reserve or show of authority, or causing dread and fear; for he also spake to the children of Israel “face to face”, but then it was out of the fire in a terrible manner which they could not bear, De 5:4
and he turned again into the camp; to acquaint the people, the heads and elders of them, what discourse he had with God, what success he had met with on their behalf, and how the Lord stood affected to them, or what was his will concerning them:
but his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, departed not out of the tabernacle; who is here described by his name, Joshua; by his descent, the son of Nun; by his relation to Moses, a servant of his, who waited on him wherever he went, when upon the mount and now at the tabernacle; and by his age, a young man, as he was in comparison of Moses, and is so called chiefly because he was his servant, it being usual to call servants young men, of whatsoever age; for Joshua, strictly speaking, could not be a young man in years; he was the general of the army at the battle with Amalek; and, according to Aben Ezra, was now fifty six years of age, which he collects from his living to the age of one hundred and ten years; now to fifty six add the forty years in the wilderness, seven years, in which he subdued the land of Canaan, and seven more in dividing it, as say their wise men, the sum is one hundred an ten years: and it not being easy to account for it, that Moses should depart alone, unaccompanied by Joshua, who always attended him, and no sufficient reason is given why he should stay behind in the tabernacle; as for private devotion, which this was not a place for; or for judging the causes of the people in the absence of Moses, which we never find he did or to guard the tabernacle, to be a watchman in it, or even at the head of a watch over it, which, as it seemed unnecessary, so was an employment too mean for him; the words therefore may be rendered as they are by some, and the rather, as there is an accent which makes a considerable stop on the word , translated a “young man” w, “and he turned again to the camp”, and “his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man”; that is, along with him; they both returned to the camp, and then it follows, “he”, i.e. the Lord, “departed not out of the tabernacle”, but continued there; to whom Moses afterwards returned and had the following discourse: a learned man x thinks that the grand tabernacle is here meant, yet unfinished, though not the final erection of it; and that here is a dislocation in the history, and supposes that Moses having been forty days absent, found upon his return a good progress made in the work of the tabernacle, and the ornaments and utensils belonging thereunto: and as soon as the wood work of the tabernacle was finished, he ordered it to be put together; but because the tabernacle had neither a door to it, nor were the hangings of the outer court finished, therefore Joshua the servant of Moses, the son of Nun, a young man, departed not out of the tabernacle, but remained there to preserve it from being polluted: but it is a mistake of his that the tabernacle had not a door to it, and it is strange he should make it, when it is twice mentioned in the preceding verses; and since the pillar of cloud and the Lord in it were there, no man durst draw near to pollute it, so that there was no need of Joshua’s being there to preserve it; and besides, it was after this Moses went up to the mount and stayed another forty days and forty nights, see Ex 34:4.
w So Junius & Tremellius, Piscator, Rivet. x Clayton’s Chronology of the Hebrew Bible, p. 343.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
11. And the Lord spake unto Moses face to face Moses will hereafter be dignified by this distinction, where God would declare the difference between him and other Prophets. (Num 12:8.) Familiar intercourse is therefore described in this phrase, as if it were said that God appeared to Moses by an extraordinary mode of revelation. If any object that there is a contradiction between this statement and what we shall presently see, “Thou canst not see my face,” the solution is easy, viz., that although God revealed Himself to Moses in a peculiar manner, still He never appeared in the fullness of His glory, but only so far as man’s infirmity could endure. For this expression contains an implied comparison, i.e., that no man was ever equal to Moses, or arrived at such a pitch of dignity. And this tends to magnify the Law, that Moses its minister reported what he had familiafly learnt, so that no ambiguity might be suspected. When it is said that Joshua departed not from the tabernacle, we gather that the dwelling-place of Moses was in the camp; and perhaps the fact of his being a young man is mentioned, (365) in order more highly to illustrate God’s grace, in choosing that he should have the charge of the sanctuary. It is true that Joshua at this time was of mature age; but God’s special blessing was manifested in him, in that God passed over many old men, and set him who was younger to be the keeper of His tabernacle.
(365) “So called (says Ainsworth) in respect of his service, not of years, for he was now above fifty years old, as may be gathered by Jos 24:29. But because ministry and service are usually by the younger sort, all servants are called young men. See Gen 14:24.” “Perhaps, (adds Adam Clarke,) נער naghar, here translated young man, means a single person, one unmarried.” Others suppose that he was so called as being integer, upright, and without guile; and De Lyra, as being young in respect to Moses.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(11) Face to face.Comp. Num. 12:8; Deu. 34:10. This is clearly spoken of as a privilege peculiar to Moses; but in what exactly the peculiarity consisted is not apparent. Some special closeness of approach is no doubt meantsome nearness such as had been enjoyed by no mortal previously. In later times, Isaiah (Isa. 6:1-5) and Ezekiel (Eze. 1:28) were perhaps equally favoured.
His servant Joshua.Comp. Exo. 24:13, where Joshua is called Moses minister, the word employed in the Hebrew being the same.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
Exo 33:11. The Lord spake unto Moses face to face, &c. i.e. Not by visions, dreams, or any obscure and awful resemblances; but by a distinct voice, in a conspicuous, familiar, friendly, and condescending manner. See Deu 34:10 and compare Exo 33:20 of this chapter. His servant Joshuaa young man, might be rendered, his servant Joshuawho ministered unto him: see note on ch. Exo 24:5. Joshua must now have been near fifty years old.
REFLECTIONS.While matters stand thus in suspense, God separates himself from them. The tabernacle is removed without the camp, in token that he left them: yet not so removed, but that they who were disposed might follow it. Thither the people whose hearts sought after God resorted; and thither Moses, as their advocate, went to intercede for them. The people followed him with their eyes; and God’s appearance in the cloud at the door of the tabernacle bespoke his returning favour to them; on which they all worshipped him at the door of their tents, to beg that mercy which they had so justly forfeited. God there speaks friendly to Moses, and he returns to encourage the people, while Joshua remains before the Lord. Learn, (1.) That the removal of God’s ordinances is a great judgment upon any people. 2. While there is a praying remnant left, there is hope. 3. The eye of faith, which follows Jesus into the heavenly tabernacle, keeps the soul from sinking under its fears.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Is it not probable that this was the Lord Jesus in a visible form, as the covenant man? see Gen_17:1; Gen_18:1-2 ; Jdg 13:3-8 with Exo 21:22 .
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Exo 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.
Ver. 11. Face to face. ] Friendly and familiarly, as Num 12:8 . And perhaps in human shape, as he spake with Abraham his friend. Gen 18:16-33
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
the LORD spake. See note on Exo 6:10, and compare note on Exo 3:7.
face to face. To emphasise the communion in the presence of corporate failure; this must ever be individual and personal.
servant = personal attendant, as in Exo 24:13. Hebrew n’ar, rendered “servant ‘. 2Sa 19:17. 2Ki 5:20. Neh 5:10, &c. = assistant.
Joshua. See Exo 17:9. He had not been in the camp; and when Moses went out Joshua remained in the tent.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
spake: Exo 33:9, Gen 32:30, Num 12:8, Deu 5:4, Deu 34:10
his friend: 2Ch 20:7, Job 16:21, Isa 42:8, Joh 3:29, Joh 11:11, Joh 15:14, Joh 15:15, Jam 2:23
his servant: Exo 17:9, Exo 24:13, Exo 32:17
Reciprocal: Num 14:14 – art seen Deu 1:38 – which standeth 1Co 13:12 – face 2Pe 3:9 – not willing
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Exo 33:11. The Lord spake unto Moses face to face Or, mouth to mouth, as in Num 12:8. Not that God hath a face or mouth, or that Moses could behold it; which is denied, Exo 33:20; but the sense is, he spoke with him freely, familiarly, and immediately, and not as he did to other prophets, in dreams, or visions, or by an angel. As a man speaketh unto his friend Which intimates not only that God revealed himself to Moses with greater clearness than to any other of the prophets, but also with greater expressions of particular kindness than to any other. He spake not as a prince to a subject, but as a man to his friend, whom he loves, and with whom he takes sweet counsel. And he turned again into the camp To tell the people what hopes he had of bringing this business to a good issue. But his servant Joshua departed not out of the tabernacle Probably Joshua abode there to assist and direct those who resorted thither to seek God in Mosess absence. And he seems to have been appointed to this work rather than Aaron, or any other of the elders, because they had, one way or other, been guilty of the late idolatry, and God would hereby punish them with a temporary suspension from his service and their office.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
33:11 And the LORD spake unto Moses {d} 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.
(d) Most clearly and familiarly of all others, Num 12:7-8 De 34:10