Exodus 34:29-35

Moses' Face Shines

29 It came about when Moses was coming down from Mount Sinai (and the 1two tablets of the testimony were in Moses' hand as he was coming down from the mountain ), that Moses did not know that 2the skin of his face shone because of his speaking with Him.
30 So when Aaron and all the sons of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone, and 3they were afraid to come near him.
31 Then Moses called to them, and Aaron and all the rulers in the congregation returned to him; and Moses spoke to them.
32 Afterward all the sons of Israel came near, and he commanded them to do everything that the LORD had spoken to him on Mount Sinai.
33 When Moses had finished speaking with them, 4he put a veil over his face.
34 But whenever Moses went in before the LORD to speak with Him, 5he would take off the veil until he came out; and whenever he came out and spoke to the sons of Israel what he had been commanded,
35 6the sons of Israel would see the face of Moses, that the skin of Moses' face shone. So Moses would replace the veil over his face until he went in to speak with Him.

Exodus 34:29-35 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO EXODUS 34

In this chapter Moses has orders to hew two tables of stone, that God might write on them the ten commands, and bring them up with him to the mount, Ex 34:1-4 where the Lord proclaimed his name, and caused his glory and his goodness to pass before him, Ex 34:5-7 when Moses took this favourable opportunity that offered to pray for the people, that God would forgive their sin, and go along with them, Ex 34:8,9 upon which he made a covenant with them, which on his part was to do wonders for them, and drive out the inhabitants of Canaan before them; and on their part, that they should have no confederacy and communion with these nations, and shun their idolatry, and everything that might lead unto it, Ex 34:10-17 and he repeated several laws before given, and urged the observance of them, which Moses was to acquaint the people with, Ex 34:18-27 and after a stay of forty days and forty nights on the mount, he came down with the two tables of the law; and the skin of his face shone so bright, that the people of Israel were afraid to come nigh him, and therefore he put a vail over his face while he conversed with them, Ex 34:28-35.

Cross References 6

  • 1. Exodus 32:15
  • 2. Matthew 17:2; 2 Corinthians 3:7
  • 3. 2 Corinthians 3:7
  • 4. 2 Corinthians 3:13
  • 5. 2 Corinthians 3:16
  • 6. 2 Corinthians 3:13

Footnotes 1

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