And he said is sometimes left untranslated, for it only marks the continuation of God’s speech to Moses. Good News Translation continues the quotation without interruption. Other translations retain this phrase to show a brief time for Moses to remove his sandals. (Compare New English Bible and Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch, “Then he said.”)

The God of your father probably refers to the God of Amram, the father of Moses (see 6.20). The Masoretic text (Masoretic Text) has the singular, father, but Good News Translation (“the God of your ancestors”) follows the src Samaritan Pentateuchsrc*, which has the plural, “fathers.” (Compare New English Bible, “the God of your forefathers.”) This formula appears frequently in Masoretic Text with the plural, but most scholars accept the singular here as the preferred reading, and translators are urged to use the singular. In some languages a literal translation of God of your father would indicate that Moses’ father owned God. In such a case one should translate as “I am the God whom your father worshiped.”

The God of … the God of … the God of … emphasizes the individual relationship God had with each of the patriarchs (a similar expression is in 2.24); however, this may seem too wordy in some translations. In this case nothing except emphasis seems to be lost by condensing the formula as in Good News Translation (“the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob”), but it may place the three patriarchs in apposition with “ancestors,” thereby forcing the reading of “fathers” instead of “father.” Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch avoids this by first clarifying the singular father: “I am the God whom your father worshiped, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.” One may also say “I am the God of your father and of your ancestors, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.” Other ways of expressing “ancestors” are “those who lived long ago,” “great fathers of long ago,” “grandfathers in ancient times,” “big grandfathers,” and so on.

And Moses hid his face should be understood as “covered his face” (Good News Translation), but there is no indication whether he used his hands or his robe. However, it is entirely possible that he held up his arm in such a way that his robe, with full sleeves, was protecting his face. In some languages translators will need to make this information explicit. In such a case one may choose between “arm” or “robe.” (See the translation model below.) Good News Translation begins more naturally with “So,” because he was afraid to look at God. He was terrified because of the belief that no one could see God and live.

An alternative translation model for this verse is:

• “I am the God whom your father worshiped. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob also worshiped me.” Moses was afraid to look at God, so he covered his face [with his arm (or, robe)].

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 .