“But,” he said, literally “And he said,” simply means that Yahweh continued to speak. Yahweh actually speaks three times in response to Moses’ request in verse 18, each time introduced by the words “And he said.” This suggests some editorial reworking of earlier traditions. In the present context, however, these introductions may be omitted, as in Good News Translation.

You cannot see my face is literally “you [singular] are not able to see my face.” This suggests that Moses would simply be unable to endure looking at the face of God. Translator’s Old Testament has “You must not look at my face,” and Durham has “You cannot stand to see my Presence.” Good News Translation interprets you cannot see as “I will not let you see.” This will be a good alternative translation model for many translators.

For man shall not see me and live is literally “for the man shall not see me and live.” This is a prohibitive statement following the form of the ten commandments, which may be understood either as “I will not permit it” or as “one look will kill you.” Good News Translation rearranges these ideas in a more natural order, “I will not let you see my face, because no one can see me and stay alive,” and Contemporary English Version similarly has “anyone who sees my face will die.”

Quoted with permission from Osborn, Noel D. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Exodus. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1999. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .