What did Moses actually see in Exodus 33?

Moses saw God’s back parts in a real theophany. God placed him in a cleft of the rock, covered him, and passed by so Moses could see His glory without dying. That was not symbolic language. It was a true visible encounter. God revealed Himself in a form Moses could bear. Just as Ezekiel’s visions are real manifestations of God, this was too. God can make Himself seen when He wills.