Exodus 34:33

KJV

And [till] Moses had done speaking with them, he put a vail on his face.

KJV (with Strong's)

And till Moses {H4872} had done {H3615} speaking {H1696} with them, he put {H5414} a vail {H4533} on his face {H6440}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Once Moshe had finished speaking with them, he put a veil on his face.

Berean Standard Bible

When Moses had finished speaking with them, he put a veil over his face.

American Standard Version

And when Moses had done speaking with them, he put a veil on his face.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 34:33 describes the moment Moses placed a veil over his face immediately after concluding his communication of God's commands to the Israelites. This action followed his second descent from Mount Sinai, where his face had become radiant from prolonged communion with the divine presence. The veil served both as a practical measure to manage the overwhelming divine radiance for the people, enabling continued interaction with their mediator, and as a profound theological symbol hinting at the temporary and veiled nature of the Old Covenant's glory, a theme later fully elucidated in the New Testament.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed within the narrative of Moses' second forty-day encounter with God on [Mount Sinai](/exodus/19 "Exodus 19 - God's Descent on Mount Sinai"). He had ascended to receive a new set of stone tablets, replacing those he had shattered in righteous anger over Israel's idolatry with the golden calf. Upon his descent, Moses was unaware that his face glowed with an intense radiance, a direct consequence of his intimate communion with the Lord ([Exodus 34:29](/exodus/34-29 "Exodus 34:29 - Moses' Radiant Face")). The Israelites, including Aaron, were so awestruck and fearful of this overwhelming brilliance that they hesitated to approach him ([Exodus 34:30](/exodus/34-30 "Exodus 34:30 - Israel's Fear of Moses' Face")). Moses then delivered the divine commandments and statutes. Immediately after he "had done speaking" these words, as detailed in [Exodus 34:33](/exodus/34-33 "Exodus 34:33 - Moses Veils His Face"), he placed the veil over his face. The subsequent verses further elaborate on this practice, noting that Moses would remove the veil when entering the Lord's presence in the Tabernacle but would replace it when addressing the people or when not in direct communion with God, establishing a consistent pattern of mediation and reverence ([Exodus 34:34-35](/exodus/34-34 "Exodus 34:34-35 - Moses' Practice with the Veil")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, the "face" (Hebrew: _panim_) was often understood as representing one's presence, authority, or even the very essence of a person. For Moses, his radiant face was an unmistakable, visible manifestation of his unparalleled and intimate communion with Yahweh, unequivocally marking him as God's chosen mediator and authoritative spokesman. The people's inability to gaze directly upon this reflected glory powerfully underscores the profound holiness, transcendence, and unapproachable nature of God, a central theme consistently emphasized throughout the Old Testament. The veil, therefore, functioned as a practical and necessary barrier, enabling the people to interact with Moses without being overwhelmed or harmed by the divine brilliance. This period was a critical juncture in Israel's formation as God's covenant people, and the visible manifestation of divine glory through Moses served to authenticate his prophetic office and the divine origin of the Law, establishing the terms of their relationship with a holy God under the Old Covenant, which was characterized by mediated access.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several major theological and narrative themes within Exodus and the broader Pentateuch. It highlights the **transcendence and holiness of God**, demonstrating that even reflected divine glory is too intense for sinful humanity to bear directly. It underscores **Moses' unique role as mediator** between God and Israel, a role authenticated by the visible sign of God's presence upon him. The act of veiling also introduces the theme of **mediated access to God's presence**, a defining characteristic of the Old Covenant, where direct, unveiled communion was reserved for Moses alone in specific contexts. Furthermore, it subtly foreshadows the **temporary and preparatory nature of the Mosaic covenant**, whose glory, though real, was destined to fade and be superseded by a greater, unveiled glory in the New Covenant, a theme later profoundly explored by the Apostle Paul in [2 Corinthians 3](/2_corinthians/3 "The Superiority of the New Covenant").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Vail (Hebrew, _maçveh'_):** This noun (H4533) refers specifically to a covering or shroud, emphasizing its function as a physical barrier. It denotes an object used for concealment, suggesting something that obscures or hides. In this context, it highlights the act of covering Moses' radiant face, creating a necessary separation between the divine glory reflected on him and the human capacity to behold it. The veil is not merely an accessory but a functional object of concealment.
* **Speaking (Hebrew, _dâbar'_):** This verb (H1696) signifies "to speak," "to declare," or "to command." It underscores Moses' primary role as the divine messenger, through whom God's words were communicated to the people. The phrase "had done speaking" indicates that the veil was not a hindrance to communication itself, but rather a response to the residual, intense glory that remained after the divine message had been fully delivered, a glory too overwhelming for the people to continuously bear.
* **Face (Hebrew, _pânîym'_):** While literally meaning "face" (H6440), _pânîym_ often carries the broader sense of "presence," "countenance," or "person" in Hebrew thought. To "see the face" of someone, especially God, implied direct encounter and intimate communion. Here, Moses' _pânîym_ radiated with divine glory, making it the focal point of the interaction and the very object that required veiling, symbolizing the encounter with God's presence.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And [till] Moses had done speaking with them":** This initial clause precisely establishes the timing of Moses' action. The KJV's "till" (or "until") indicates that the veiling occurred *after* the completion of his communication. Moses had just finished delivering God's words—the commandments and statutes—to the people, fulfilling his primary role as prophet and mediator. This emphasizes that the divine message was delivered directly and unveiled, but the *aftermath* of his divine encounter necessitated the veil.
* **"he put a vail on his face":** This is the direct, immediate action Moses takes. The placement of the veil signifies a deliberate response to the overwhelming radiance of his face, which was a direct result of his prolonged and intimate communion with God on Mount Sinai. It was a practical necessity to protect the people from the intense, reflected glory, enabling them to approach and interact with him without fear or harm. This act also profoundly underscores the mediated nature of the Old Covenant, where direct, sustained access to God's unmediated glory was not yet possible for the general populace.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices that enrich its theological meaning. **Symbolism** is paramount, as the veil itself symbolizes a barrier, a necessary concealment of divine glory, and the mediated nature of the Old Covenant. It represents the inherent inability of the people to directly behold the divine presence, even when reflected. There is an implicit **contrast** between the unveiled glory of God (which Moses experienced in direct communion) and the veiled glory that the people could bear, highlighting the chasm between divine holiness and human capacity. The veil also functions as **foreshadowing**, subtly hinting at the temporary and fading nature of the glory associated with the Old Covenant. This veiled glory would eventually be superseded by a greater, unveiled, and permanent glory revealed in the New Covenant through Christ. This profound foreshadowing is later explicitly unpacked and given its ultimate theological significance by the Apostle Paul in his epistles.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 34:33 highlights profound theological truths concerning God's transcendent holiness, humanity's limited capacity to endure unmediated divine glory, and the essential role of mediation in the Old Covenant. The veil on Moses' face served as a tangible sign of the awesome, unapproachable nature of God's presence, even when reflected through His chosen mediator. It underscored the necessary distance between a holy God and a sinful people, a distance that required a mediator like Moses and a system of laws, sacrifices, and rituals to bridge. This act of veiling also subtly prefigured the temporary and preparatory nature of the Mosaic covenant, whose glory, though real and awe-inspiring, was destined to fade in comparison to the enduring, transformative, and accessible glory revealed in Jesus Christ.

* [2 Corinthians 3:7-18](/2_corinthians/3-7 "Paul's Interpretation of Moses' Veil and the Superiority of the New Covenant")
* [Hebrews 10:19-22](/hebrews/10-19 "Bold Access to God Through Christ's Blood")
* [Luke 24:45](/luke/24-45 "Opening the Minds to Understand Scripture")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The veil on Moses' face, as interpreted by the Apostle Paul, serves as a powerful metaphor for spiritual perception and access to God. For believers today, the glorious truth of the New Covenant is that through Jesus Christ, the veil has been definitively and permanently removed. We no longer live under a covenant of fading glory or mediated, limited access to God's presence. Instead, we are invited to approach God with "unveiled faces," to behold His glory directly through the person and finished work of Jesus Christ. This profound reality means embracing a life of open, intimate communion with God, free from the barriers of sin and the limitations of the Law. Our transformation into Christlikeness is not merely a result of external adherence to rules, but an internal, Spirit-led process of continually beholding the Lord's glory. This calls us to actively cultivate a relationship with God marked by openness, transparency, and a continuous gaze upon His character revealed in Christ, allowing His Spirit to progressively conform us to His image, from one degree of glory to another.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I still be operating as if a "veil" separates me from God's full presence and transformative glory?**
* **How does understanding the "unveiling" in Christ change my approach to prayer, worship, and daily life, fostering greater intimacy?**
* **What does it mean practically to live with an "unveiled face," being transformed by the Spirit as I behold the Lord's glory in Scripture and through prayer?**
* **How can I more fully embrace the bold and confident access to God's presence that Christ has secured for me through His sacrifice?**

### FAQ
**Why did Moses need to put a veil on his face?**

Answer: Moses put a veil on his face primarily because his face was radiant with the reflected glory of God, an intensity that the Israelites could not endure to look upon ([Exodus 34:29-30](/exodus/34-29 "Exodus 34:29-30 - Moses' Radiant Face")). The veil served as a necessary physical and symbolic barrier, protecting the people from the overwhelming divine splendor and allowing them to approach and interact with Moses, their mediator, without fear or harm. Additionally, as later interpreted by the Apostle Paul in [2 Corinthians 3:7-18](/2_corinthians/3-7 "Paul's Commentary on the Veil"), the veil also symbolized the temporary and fading nature of the glory of the Old Covenant, and the spiritual blindness of the Israelites who could not perceive its true purpose, which pointed towards Christ.

**What is the theological significance of the veil?**

Answer: The veil holds multiple layers of theological significance. First, it powerfully highlights God's transcendent holiness and the inherent human inability to withstand His unmediated glory, even when reflected. Second, it underscores Moses' unique and indispensable role as mediator between God and Israel, where he alone could directly commune with God, but even his reflected glory needed to be veiled for the people's sake. Third, and most profoundly, the veil symbolizes the temporary and preparatory nature of the Old Covenant. Its glory, though real and awe-inspiring, was fading, and it obscured the ultimate spiritual reality that would be fully revealed in Christ. It also represented the spiritual blindness of the people, whose minds were veiled from understanding the true end and purpose of the Law, which was Christ ([2 Corinthians 3:13-16](/2_corinthians/3-13 "The Veil Over Hearts")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The veil on Moses' face in Exodus 34:33 finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the New Covenant. The Apostle Paul masterfully interprets this Old Testament event in [2 Corinthians 3](/2_corinthians/3 "The Superiority of the New Covenant"), revealing that Moses' veil not only covered a fading glory but also symbolized the spiritual blindness of the Israelites, whose minds were veiled from understanding the true purpose of the Law, which pointed to Christ. In Jesus, this veil is definitively removed. His life, death, and resurrection constitute the ultimate unveiling of God's glory, not as a reflected, fading radiance, but as the very essence of God Himself, full of grace and truth ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "The Word Made Flesh")). Through Christ's atoning sacrifice, the literal veil in the temple, separating humanity from God's holiest presence, was miraculously torn from top to bottom at His crucifixion ([Matthew 27:51](/matthew/27-51 "The Temple Veil Torn")), signifying that direct, unhindered access to God is now granted to all believers. We no longer need a mediator like Moses or a physical covering; through Jesus, we have bold and confident access to the Father by one Spirit ([Hebrews 10:19-22](/hebrews/10-19 "Bold Access Through Christ"); [Ephesians 2:18](/ephesians/2-18 "Access to the Father Through Christ")). The glory of the New Covenant in Christ is not fading but ever-increasing, transforming us from one degree of glory to another as we, with unveiled faces, behold the Lord's glory ([2 Corinthians 3:18](/2_corinthians/3-18 "Transformation by Beholding Glory")). Thus, Jesus is the ultimate fulfillment of the veiled glory, ushering in an era of direct, Spirit-empowered communion with God, where the glory is not hidden but fully revealed and actively transforms those who believe.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

2 Corinthians 4:4

In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

2 Corinthians 4:6

For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to [give] the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians 3:13

And not as Moses, [which] put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished:

2 Corinthians 3:18

But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, [even] as by the Spirit of the Lord.

Romans 10:4

For Christ [is] the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.