Exodus 34:34

KJV

But when Moses went in before the LORD to speak with him, he took the vail off, until he came out. And he came out, and spake unto the children of Israel [that] which he was commanded.

KJV (with Strong's)

But when Moses {H4872} went in {H935} before {H6440} the LORD {H3068} to speak {H1696} with him, he took {H5493} the vail {H4533} off {H5493}, until he came out {H3318}. And he came out {H3318}, and spake {H1696} unto the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478} that which he was commanded {H6680}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But when he went in before ADONAI for him to speak, he would take the veil off until he came out; then, when he came out, he would tell the people of Isra'el what he had been ordered.

Berean Standard Bible

But whenever Moses went in before the LORD to speak with Him, he would remove the veil until he came out. And when he came out, he would tell the Israelites what he had been commanded,

American Standard Version

But when Moses went in before Jehovah to speak with him, he took the veil off, until he came out; and he came out, and spake unto the children of Israel that which he was commanded.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 34:34 details Moses' consistent practice of removing the veil from his face when entering the presence of the LORD to receive divine communication, and then replacing it when he emerged to deliver God's commands to the Israelites. This verse underscores Moses' unique role as an indispensable mediator between a holy God and His covenant people, highlighting both the awe-inspiring nature of God's glory and the necessity of direct, unveiled communion with Him for the purpose of conveying His authoritative word.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows the dramatic account of Moses' second descent from Mount Sinai. After the catastrophic incident of the golden calf, God graciously renewed His covenant with Israel, providing new tablets of the Law (as detailed in [Exodus 34:1-28](/exodus/34 "Exodus 34 - Covenant Renewal and New Tablets")). Upon his descent, Moses' face radiated with a brilliant, supernatural glory, a direct result of his intimate communion with God (cf. [Exodus 34:29](/exodus/34-29 "Exodus 34:29 - Moses' Face Shines")). The intensity of this divine radiance was so overwhelming that the Israelites were afraid to approach him, prompting Moses to cover his face with a veil (as recounted in [Exodus 34:30-33](/exodus/34-30 "Exodus 34:30-33 - The Veil on Moses' Face")). Verse 34 then clarifies Moses' established protocol: the veil was a temporary measure, removed only when he re-entered God's presence, ensuring unhindered communication.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, direct, unmediated access to a deity was often reserved for priests or kings, and even then, often involved elaborate rituals or symbolic coverings to protect the mortal from divine power. The concept of a mediator, one who stands between a god and the people, was common, but Moses' direct, face-to-face interaction with YHWH was unparalleled (cf. [Numbers 12:8](/numbers/12-8 "Numbers 12:8 - God Speaks to Moses Face to Face")). The veil itself, while a practical response to the people's fear, also carried symbolic weight, indicating a separation or a hidden reality. This practice reinforced the unique, set-apart status of Moses and the profound holiness of God's presence, which could not be directly sustained by ordinary humans. It also foreshadowed the ultimate need for a more direct and permanent access to God's presence, beyond the temporary mediation of the Old Covenant.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Vail (Hebrew, מַסְוֶה, _masveh'_):** This noun refers specifically to a covering or veil, used only here and in the surrounding verses of Exodus 34. Its significance lies in its function: it serves as a barrier, shielding the people from the intense, lingering glory of God that radiated from Moses' face. The act of removing it signifies the necessity of approaching God without concealment, in a state of openness and readiness for divine communication. Its presence before the people and absence before God visually encapsulates the mediating role Moses played.
* **Went in before the LORD (Hebrew, לִפְנֵי יְהוָה, _lifnei YHWH'_):** This phrase denotes entering a sacred space and coming into the direct, personal presence of God. It implies a privileged and intimate encounter, distinct from the general presence of God among His people. For Moses, this meant entering the Tent of Meeting or, initially, ascending Mount Sinai, where God specifically manifested His presence to him. This highlights the unique access Moses had, which was unavailable to the rest of Israel.
* **Speak (Hebrew, דָּבַר, _dabar'_):** This verb signifies communication, often with authority or purpose. Here, it emphasizes that Moses' primary purpose in God's presence was to receive divine revelation and instruction. When he "spake unto the children of Israel that which he was commanded," it underscores that his words were not his own opinions or interpretations, but the direct, authoritative word of God, faithfully transmitted.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But when Moses went in before the LORD to speak with him":** This clause establishes the setting and purpose of Moses' action. It describes Moses' intentional movement into the designated place of divine encounter, emphasizing his privileged access to God's direct presence. His purpose was not merely to observe, but to engage in verbal communication, receiving instructions and revelations directly from the Almighty.
* **"he took the vail off, until he came out.":** This is the central action of the verse. Moses' removal of the veil signifies his readiness for unhindered communion with God. The veil, which shielded the people from God's glory, was unnecessary and inappropriate in God's immediate presence. The phrase "until he came out" indicates this was a consistent, established practice: the veil remained off for the entire duration of his time in God's presence.
* **"And he came out, and spake unto the children of Israel [that] which he was commanded.":** This clause describes the second phase of Moses' mediating role. Upon exiting God's presence, he immediately resumed his duty of conveying God's message to the people. The phrase "that which he was commanded" emphasizes the divine origin and authority of his words, ensuring that what he communicated was precisely what God had revealed to him, without addition or alteration.

#### Literary Devices
The verse effectively employs **Contrast** and **Symbolism**. The primary **Contrast** is between Moses' veiled face when speaking to the people and his unveiled face when speaking with the LORD. This highlights the differing nature of his interactions: one requiring a barrier due to the people's inability to bear divine glory, the other demanding complete openness for direct divine communication. The **Symbolism** of the veil is profound. It represents the temporary, mediated nature of the Old Covenant's access to God's presence, as well as the people's inability to fully perceive or endure the unmitigated glory of God. The act of removing the veil before the LORD symbolizes the intimacy and transparency required for true communion with the Holy One, while its reapplication before the people signifies the ongoing separation and the need for a mediator.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 34:34 powerfully illustrates the themes of divine glory, mediation, and access to God's presence under the Old Covenant. Moses' unveiled face before the LORD signifies the intimacy and directness of his unique relationship with God, a privilege not shared by the wider Israelite community. The veil, by contrast, underscores the people's inability to directly behold God's glory and their need for a mediator. This dynamic highlights God's holiness and the necessary separation between a holy God and a sinful humanity, even within a covenant relationship. It points forward to a time when such barriers would be removed, and direct access to God's presence would be granted through a new and better covenant.

* [2 Corinthians 3:7-18](/2_corinthians/3-7 "2 Corinthians 3:7-18 - The Veil and the New Covenant")
* [Hebrews 4:16](/hebrews/4-16 "Hebrews 4:16 - Approach the Throne of Grace")
* [Hebrews 10:19-22](/hebrews/10-19 "Our Confidence to Enter the Most Holy Place")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Moses' consistent practice of removing the veil before the LORD serves as a profound spiritual lesson for believers today. While we no longer approach a physical Tent of Meeting or see the lingering glory of God on a human face, the principle of unhindered communion with God remains paramount. Moses' willingness to lay aside all coverings and stand transparently before God reminds us of the posture of humility, honesty, and openness required for genuine prayer and worship. We are called to approach God not with hidden agendas or masked identities, but with unveiled hearts, ready to receive His word and be transformed by His presence. Furthermore, Moses' faithful transmission of "that which he was commanded" challenges us to be diligent and accurate in sharing God's truth with the world, ensuring that our words reflect His divine authority and not merely our own opinions.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life do I tend to "veil" myself from God, perhaps out of fear, shame, or a desire to maintain control?**
* **How does the concept of "unveiled" access to God through Christ impact my daily prayer life and worship?**
* **Am I faithfully communicating "that which I was commanded" (God's truth) to those around me, or am I diluting or distorting His message?**
* **What does Moses' consistent practice teach me about discipline and reverence in my spiritual walk?**

### FAQ
**Why did Moses need to take the veil off when he went in before the LORD?**

Answer: Moses needed to take the veil off when he went in before the LORD because the veil was a barrier, serving to shield the Israelites from the overwhelming glory that radiated from his face after his encounters with God (as described in [Exodus 34:29-33](/exodus/34-29 "Exodus 34:29-33 - Moses' Shines and Veils")). In God's direct presence, such a barrier was unnecessary and inappropriate. To "speak with him" required unhindered, direct communion. The act of removing the veil symbolized complete openness, transparency, and readiness to receive divine revelation directly from the source, without any impediment. It signified the unique intimacy and privilege of Moses' relationship with YHWH.

**What is the significance of Moses speaking "that which he was commanded" to the children of Israel?**

Answer: The phrase "that which he was commanded" is highly significant because it emphasizes the divine authority and fidelity of Moses' message. It underscores that Moses was not speaking his own words, opinions, or interpretations, but was acting as a direct conduit for God's authoritative word. This highlights his role as a true prophet and mediator, ensuring that the instructions, laws, and revelations delivered to Israel were precisely what God intended. It reinforces the concept that the Law and God's covenant stipulations were divinely originated, not humanly conceived, establishing their binding nature and ultimate truth for the people of Israel (compare with [Deuteronomy 18:18-19](/deuteronomy/18-18 "Deuteronomy 18:18-19 - The Prophet Like Moses")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Exodus 34:34, with its depiction of Moses' veiled and unveiled face, finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Moses, as the mediator of the Old Covenant, could only offer temporary and veiled access to God's glory, a glory that faded and required a covering (as expounded in [2 Corinthians 3:7-11](/2_corinthians/3-7 "2 Corinthians 3:7-11 - The Fading Glory of the Old Covenant")). His practice foreshadowed the ultimate and permanent removal of the veil through Christ. Jesus is the true and ultimate Mediator, not merely conveying God's word, but embodying God's very presence and glory (cf. [John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")). Through His atoning sacrifice, the "veil" separating humanity from God's holy presence—symbolized by the tearing of the temple curtain at His death (see [Matthew 27:51](/matthew/27-51 "Matthew 27:51 - The Temple Veil Torn"))—was permanently removed. Now, believers, through faith in Christ, have direct, unveiled access to God's throne of grace (as taught in [Hebrews 4:16](/hebrews/4-16 "Hebrews 4:16 - Approach the Throne of Grace") and [Hebrews 10:19-22](/hebrews/10-19 "Our Confidence to Enter the Most Holy Place")). We can, with unveiled faces, behold the glory of the Lord and be transformed into His image (as powerfully articulated in [2 Corinthians 3:18](/2_corinthians/3-18 "2 Corinthians 3:18 - Transformed by the Spirit")), experiencing a glory that surpasses and endures beyond the fading radiance of the Old Covenant.

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.