Exodus 34 35

Exodus 34:35 kjv

And the children of Israel saw the face of Moses, that the skin of Moses' face shone: and Moses put the vail upon his face again, until he went in to speak with him.

Exodus 34:35 nkjv

And whenever the children of Israel saw the face of Moses, that the skin of Moses' face shone, then Moses would put the veil on his face again, until he went in to speak with Him.

Exodus 34:35 niv

they saw that his face was radiant. Then Moses would put the veil back over his face until he went in to speak with the LORD.

Exodus 34:35 esv

the people of Israel would see the face of Moses, that the skin of Moses' face was shining. And Moses would put the veil over his face again, until he went in to speak with him.

Exodus 34:35 nlt

and the people of Israel would see the radiant glow of his face. So he would put the veil over his face until he returned to speak with the LORD.

Exodus 34 verses

Exodus 34 35 Meaning

Exodus 34:35 reveals a profound and recurring aspect of Moses' relationship with God: his face continually radiated the divine glory after moments of communion with the Lord. This light was so intense that the Israelites perceived it clearly, prompting Moses to veil his face in their presence. He removed this veil only when re-entering God's immediate presence to receive further instruction or communicate. This verse emphasizes the visible manifestation of divine encounter and the perpetual, mediated access Moses had to God's glory.

Exodus 34 35 Context

Exodus chapter 34 describes the renewal of the covenant between God and Israel after the devastating sin of the golden calf. Following God's willingness to re-engage with His people despite their rebellion, Moses ascends Mount Sinai again with new stone tablets to receive God's commands. Before receiving the law, God proclaims His glorious character to Moses (Ex 34:6-7), highlighting His mercy, grace, faithfulness, and justice. This experience of direct communion with God leaves an indelible mark on Moses: his face literally reflects the divine glory. The verses immediately preceding 34:35 (Ex 34:29-33) introduce this phenomenon of Moses' shining face, the Israelites' fear, and Moses' initial veiling. Verse 34:35, therefore, explains the ongoing practice and reason for Moses' veiling and unveiling, emphasizing that this divine radiance was a continuous outcome of his regular interactions with God. It solidifies Moses' unique role as the primary mediator between God and Israel, consistently bringing God's word and presence to the people.

Exodus 34 35 Word analysis

• And the children of Israel saw: The children of Israel (בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל, bene Yisra'el) represent the collective recipients of God's covenant and law. Their seeing (וַיִּרְאוּ, vayir'u, from רָאָה, ra'ah) is an act of direct, eyewitness perception, signifying a concrete reality. Their visual confirmation lends credibility to the phenomenon and underscores their interaction with the mediated presence of God through Moses.

• Moses' face: The Hebrew word panim (פָּנִים) literally means "face" but can also denote "presence" or "countenance." Here, it points to the visible part of Moses, his very countenance, which displayed the divine glory. It's the most direct and personal point of encounter with the manifested glory of God, a proxy for God's own "face."

• that the skin of Moses' face shone:

  • skin: or (עוֹר). Specifying "skin" emphasizes the physical manifestation on Moses' outer person, making it tangible and visible to all. It was not a transient glow but imprinted upon his very being.
  • shone: qaran (קָרַן). This verb is crucial. It means "to send out rays," "to radiate," "to emit beams of light." It is related to qeren (קֶרֶן), meaning "horn" (like rays or points of light). This is the source of the common misconception (from the Latin Vulgate's cornuta, "horned") that Moses had horns. The actual meaning clearly describes a divine luminescence, a direct emanation of glory. This shining reflected his proximity to God's unparalleled light and majesty.

• and Moses put the veil upon his face again:

  • put the veil: Moses (מֹשֶׁה, Moshe) taking deliberate action. The veil (מַסְוֶה, masveh) is a covering, distinguishing between his personal communion with God and his public interaction with the people. It served a dual purpose: either to shield the people from the overpowering glory or, as later interpreted by Paul in 2 Corinthians 3, to obscure the fading nature of the glory of the old covenant, symbolizing the inability of the Israelites to grasp the spiritual depth and temporal limitations of the Law's glory.
  • again: shuv (שׁוּב), implying repetition or habit. This highlights that the act of veiling and unveiling was not a one-time event but a continuous pattern tied to Moses' prophetic duties and ongoing communion. The glory wasn't a transient flicker but a persistent presence on Moses when he returned from God's presence.

• until he went in to speak with Him:

  • went in: A physical and spiritual return to the consecrated space, likely the Tent of Meeting, where God's presence resided. This implies intentional, reverent approach.
  • to speak with Him: diber immo (דִּבֵּר עִמּוֹ). "Him" refers unambiguously to the Lord, Yahweh. This phrase underscores Moses' unique and privileged role as God's personal interlocutor, having face-to-face conversations. It shows the veil was a temporary barrier for the people, removed for unhindered communication with God. It was a cycle of revelation, mediation, and reverence.

Exodus 34 35 Bonus section

The continuous nature of the glory on Moses' face signifies an ongoing spiritual connection rather than a one-time event. This underscores the constant flow of communication and revelation from God to His chosen mediator. The interaction between God, Moses, and the Israelites also serves as a crucial theological setup for understanding mediation in a broader sense. Moses was the prototype of the prophet who speaks to God and then speaks for God, bringing divine truth and commands. This sets the stage for the coming of Jesus Christ, the ultimate Prophet and Mediator, who embodies the divine glory fully and offers a covenant of enduring glory that does not fade but increasingly transforms His followers from within. Moses' unique glory was awesome but also brought a distance and a veil; Christ's glory brings intimacy, reconciliation, and open access for all who believe.

Exodus 34 35 Commentary

Exodus 34:35 concludes a remarkable account of God's renewed covenant with Israel and Moses' unique role as its mediator. The shining of Moses' face was not a fleeting moment but an enduring manifestation of his intimate, recurring communion with God. This radiance was the physical reflection of God's glory, transforming Moses by divine proximity. It set Moses apart as uniquely touched by God's presence, serving as a powerful, visible sign to a nation prone to idolatry and doubt.

The act of veiling and unveiling was pivotal. While it protected the Israelites from an overwhelming sight and managed their fear of God's awesome power mediated through Moses, Paul's inspired interpretation in 2 Corinthians 3:7-18 offers a deeper theological insight. Paul argues that Moses' veil served not just to shield the Israelites, but also to obscure the "fading" glory of the old covenant. The Law, while glorious, was a ministry of death that would eventually be superseded. The Israelites, hardened in heart, could not see "to the end of what was being brought to an end"—the temporary nature and ultimate fulfillment of the Law in Christ.

In contrast, the New Covenant brings a permanent and transformative glory through Christ, a glory that indwells believers by the Holy Spirit. Unlike Moses' external and fading glory, believers in Christ "with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another" (2 Cor 3:18). Moses’ shining face foreshadowed Christ, the true image of God's glory, who shines eternally and by whom all believers are transformed from within, not with an external glow but with an internal spiritual renewal that shines through righteous living.

Examples:

• The believer's life: Just as Moses' face shone from being with God, a Christian's life should reflect God's presence through acts of love, compassion, and righteousness, evidence of a spirit-led transformation.
• Worship and service: Removing the veil before God highlights the unhindered access we now have through Christ. In worship, we approach God directly; in service, we then take His glory (transformed lives) into the world.