Exodus 33:11
ESV
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.
NIV
The Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend. Then Moses would return to the camp, but his young aide Joshua son of Nun did not leave the tent.
NASB
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.
CSB
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.
NLT
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.
KJV
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.
NKJV
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.
What does Exodus 33:11 mean?
This describes the unique way in which Moses communicated with God. God will note that no mortal can survive exposure to His holy presence (Exodus 33:20). So, these meetings probably included a temporary physical form or vision. No details are given. But the "face to face" idea implies something straightforward and open. Their conversations were not mysterious or shrouded in riddles (Numbers 12:8).These conversations occurred inside a tent kept outside of the main Israelite camp. This separation was due to Israel's recent sin of idolatry (Exodus 32:1–6). A cloud covers the tent entrance to signify when Moses is speaking with God (Exodus 33:9–10).
Joshua was introduced when Moses had him lead Israel's militia against an Amalekite attack (Exodus 17:8–9). Joshua also accompanied Moses onto Sinai as an assistant (Exodus 32:17; Numbers 11:28). He secures the tent of meeting when Moses is not there. Soon, Joshua will be one of twelve to scout out the Promised Land (Numbers 13:8, 16) and one of only two giving a faith-filled report (Numbers 14:6–9). He will assume leadership over Israel when Moses dies (Deuteronomy 34:7, 9).
