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Complete Jewish Bible

Exodus 33:11

Adonai would speak to Moshe face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. Then he would return to the camp; but the young man who was his assistant, Y'hoshua the son of Nun, never left the inside of the tent.

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Communion;   God;   Joshua;   Moses;   Prophets;   Tabernacle;   Thompson Chain Reference - Divine;   Friendship;   Friendship-Friendlessness;   God;   Joshua;   Moses;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Communion with God;  

Dictionaries:

- Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Joshua the son of nun;   Moses;   Pentateuch;   Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Holy, Holiness;   Know, Knowledge;   Priest, Christ as;   Temple;   Testimony;   Easton Bible Dictionary - Communion;   Minister;   Nun;   Servitor;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Abraham;   Inspiration;   Moses;   Prophet;   Servant;   Tabernacle;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Cloud, Pillar of;   Clouds;   Exodus, Book of;   Friend, Friendship;   Nun;   Tabernacle;   Theophany;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Face;   Joshua;   Love, Lover, Lovely, Beloved;   Moses;   Numbers, Book of;   Nun;   Tabernacle;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - Light and Darkness;   Morrish Bible Dictionary - Nun;   People's Dictionary of the Bible - Servant;   Smith Bible Dictionary - Nun;   Watson's Biblical & Theological Dictionary - Joshua;   Minister;   Urim and Thummim;  

Encyclopedias:

- Condensed Biblical Cyclopedia - Moses, the Man of God;   International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Criticism (the Graf-Wellhausen Hypothesis);   Friend;   Joshua (2);   Mediation;   Moses;   Nun (2);   Pentateuch;   Pillar;   Priests and Levites;   Prophecy;   Tabernacle;   The Jewish Encyclopedia - Anger;   Elohist;   Exodus, Book of;   Friendship;   Priest;   Revelation;   Tabernacle;  

Devotionals:

- Daily Light on the Daily Path - Devotion for January 6;  

Parallel Translations

Hebrew Names Version
The LORD spoke to Moshe face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. He turned again into the camp, but his servant Yehoshua, the son of Nun, a young man, didn't depart out of the Tent.
King James Version
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.
Lexham English Bible
And Yahweh would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his neighbor. And he would return to the camp, and his assistant Joshua the son of Nun, a young man, did not leave the middle of the tent.
New Century Version
The Lord spoke to Moses face to face as a man speaks with his friend. Then Moses would return to the camp, but Moses' young helper, Joshua son of Nun, did not leave the Tent.
New English Translation
The Lord would speak to Moses face to face, the way a person speaks to a friend. Then Moses would return to the camp, but his servant, Joshua son of Nun, a young man, did not leave the tent.
Amplified Bible
And 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 attendant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, would not depart from the tent.
New American Standard Bible
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.
Geneva Bible (1587)
And the Lord spake vnto Moses, face to face, as a man speaketh vnto his friende. After he turned againe into the hoste, but his seruant Ioshua the sonne of Nun a yong man, departed not out of the Tabernacle.
Legacy Standard Bible
Thus Yahweh used to speak to Moses face to face, just as a man speaks to his friend. Then Moses would return to the camp, and his attendant Joshua the son of Nun, a young man, would not depart from the tent.
Darby Translation
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.
Easy-to-Read Version
In this way the Lord spoke to Moses face to face like a man speaks with his friend. Then Moses would go back to the camp, but his helper, Joshua son of Nun, always stayed in the tent.
English Standard Version
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.
George Lamsa Translation
And the LORD spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. And he returned to the camp; but his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, departed not from the tabernacle.
Good News Translation
The Lord would speak with Moses face-to-face, just as someone speaks with a friend. Then Moses would return to the camp. But the young man who was his helper, Joshua son of Nun, stayed in the Tent.
Christian Standard Bible®
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.
Literal Translation
And Jehovah would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. And he would return to the camp. And his attendant, Joshua the son of Nun, a young man did not leave the middle of the tabernacle.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
And the LORDE spake vnto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh vnto his frende. And whan he turned agayne to the hoost, ye yonge ma Iosua ye sonne of Nun his minister, departed not out of ye Tabernacle.
American Standard Version
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.
Bible in Basic English
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.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
And the Lord spake vnto Moyses face to face, as a man speaketh vnto his freende. And he turued agayne into the hoast: but the young man Iosuah his seruaunt the sonne of Nun, departed not out of the tabernacle.
JPS Old Testament (1917)
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.
King James Version (1611)
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.
Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
And the Lord spoke to Moses face to face, as if one should speak to his friend; and he retired into the camp: but his servant Joshua the son of Naue, a young man, departed not forth from the tabernacle.
English Revised Version
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 minister Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, departed not out of the Tent.
Berean Standard Bible
Thus the LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his friend. Then Moses would return to the camp, but his young assistant Joshua son of Nun would not leave the tent.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
Forsothe the Lord spak to Moises face to face, as a man is wont to speke to his freend; and whanne he turnede ayen in to `the castels, Josue, his mynystre, the sone of Nun, a child, yede not awey fro the tabernacle.
Young's Literal Translation
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.
Update Bible Version
And Yahweh spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. And he turned again into the camp: but his minister Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, didn't depart out of the Tent.
Webster's Bible Translation
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.
World English 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.
New King James Version
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.
New Living Translation
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.
New Life Bible
The Lord spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. When Moses returned to the other tents, his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, would not leave the meeting tent.
New Revised Standard
Thus the Lord used to speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend. Then he would return to the camp; but his young assistant, Joshua son of Nun, would not leave the tent.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
Thus Yahweh used to speak unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend, - and when he returned unto the camp, his attendant Joshua son of Nun, a young man, moved not from the midst of the tent.
Douay-Rheims 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.
Revised Standard Version
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 servant Joshua the son of Nun, a young man, did not depart from the tent.
THE MESSAGE
And God spoke with Moses face-to-face, as neighbors speak to one another. When he would return to the camp, his attendant, the young man Joshua, stayed—he didn't leave the Tent.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
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.

Contextual Overview

7 Moshe would take the tent and pitch it outside the camp, far away from the camp. He called it the tent of meeting. Everyone who wanted to consult Adonai would go out to the tent of meeting, outside the camp. 8 Whenever Moshe went out to the tent, all the people would get up and stand, each man at his tent door, and look at Moshe until he had gone into the tent. 9 Whenever Moshe entered the tent, the column of cloud would descend and station itself at the entrance to the tent; and Adonai would speak with Moshe. 10 When all the people saw the column of cloud stationed at the entrance to the tent, they would get up and prostrate themselves, each man at his tent door. 11 Adonai would speak to Moshe face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. Then he would return to the camp; but the young man who was his assistant, Y'hoshua the son of Nun, never left the inside of the tent.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

spake: Exodus 33:9, Genesis 32:30, Numbers 12:8, Deuteronomy 5:4, Deuteronomy 34:10

his friend: 2 Chronicles 20:7, Job 16:21, Isaiah 42:8, John 3:29, John 11:11, John 15:14, John 15:15, James 2:23

his servant: Exodus 17:9, Exodus 24:13, Exodus 32:17

Reciprocal: Numbers 14:14 - art seen Deuteronomy 1:38 - which standeth 1 Corinthians 13:12 - face 2 Peter 3:9 - not willing

Cross-References

Genesis 30:43
In this way the man became very rich and had large flocks, along with male and female slaves, camels and donkeys.
Genesis 33:5
Esav looked up; on seeing the women and children, he asked, "Who are these with you?" Ya‘akov answered, "The children God has graciously given to your servant."
Genesis 33:6
(iv) Then the slave-girls approached with their children, and they prostrated themselves;
Genesis 33:9
‘Esav replied, "I have plenty already; my brother, keep your possessions for yourself."
Genesis 33:11
So please accept the gift I have brought you, for God has dealt kindly with me and I have enough." Thus he urged him, until he accepted it.
Genesis 33:12
‘Esav said, "Let's break camp and get going. I'll go first."
Genesis 33:13
Ya‘akov said to him, "My lord knows that the children are small, and the sheep and cattle suckling their young concern me, because if they overdrive them even one day, all the flocks will die.
Genesis 33:15
‘Esav replied, "Then let me leave with you some of the people I have with me." But Ya‘akov said, "There's no need for my lord to be so kind to me."
Genesis 33:16
So ‘Esav left that day to return to Se‘ir.
Genesis 33:20
There he put up an altar, which he called El-Elohei-Yisra'el [God, the God of Isra'el].

Gill's Notes on the Bible

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, Deuteronomy 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 נער, 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 Exodus 34:4.

w So Junius & Tremellius, Piscator, Rivet. x Clayton's Chronology of the Hebrew Bible, p. 343.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Face to face - See Exodus 33:20 note.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse Exodus 33:11. 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 Joshua 24:29. But because ministry and service are usually by the younger sort, all servants are called young men, Genesis 14:24." See also Genesis 22:3, and Genesis 41:12. Perhaps the word נער naar, here translated young man, means a single person, one unmarried.


 
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