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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478} saw {H7200} the face {H6440} of Moses {H4872}, that the skin {H5785} of Moses {H4872}' face {H6440} shone {H7160}: and Moses {H4872} put {H7725} the vail {H4533} upon his face {H6440} again {H7725}, until he went {H935} in to speak {H1696} with him.

Complete Jewish Bible

But when the people of Isra'el saw Moshe's face, that the skin of Moshe's face shone, he would put the veil back over his face until he went in again to speak with [ADONAI].

Berean Standard Bible

and the Israelites would see that the face of Moses was radiant. So Moses would put the veil back over his face until he went in to speak with the LORD.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 34:35 climactically concludes the narrative of Moses' second encounter with God on Mount Sinai, vividly portraying his face radiating with such intense divine glory that the Israelites could not bear to look upon it. This verse underscores Moses' unparalleled role as a mediator between a holy God and His people, as he consistently veiled his face when addressing the community, removing it only when he re-entered the Lord's presence to commune with Him, thereby emphasizing the profound and transformative power of direct divine encounter.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Exodus 34:35 serves as the culminating point of a significant narrative sequence that began with Israel's catastrophic sin of the golden calf in [Exodus 32](/exodus/32 "Exodus 32 - The Golden Calf"). Following this egregious breach of the covenant, Moses courageously interceded on behalf of the people and sought a deeper revelation of God's glory in [Exodus 33](/exodus/33 "Exodus 33 - Moses' Intercession and Desire to See God's Glory"). Chapter [Exodus 34](/exodus/34 "Exodus 34 - The Renewed Covenant") then details God's gracious renewal of the covenant, Moses' second forty-day and forty-night period on Mount Sinai, during which he received a new set of stone tablets inscribed with the Law. The verses immediately preceding (Exodus 34:29-34) specifically describe Moses' descent from the mountain, his unawareness of his radiant face, and the fearful reaction of Aaron and the Israelites, which prompted him to veil his face. This verse thus solidifies Moses' unique status as God's chosen intermediary, whose very person visibly bore the indelible mark of divine communion, a powerful testament to the transformative nature of being in God's presence.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, the concept of a deity's visible glory or presence was frequently associated with overwhelming light, fire, or splendor, which was often considered dangerous or impossible for mortals to behold directly. The Israelites, having already witnessed the terrifying manifestations of God's presence at Mount Sinai—including thunder, lightning, thick cloud, and fire, as described in [Exodus 19:16-19](/exodus/19-16-19 "Exodus 19:16-19 - The Theophany at Sinai")—were acutely aware of the vast chasm between human sinfulness and divine holiness. Moses' radiant face was a tangible, undeniable sign of his intimate communion with Yahweh, a visible manifestation of the divine *kavod* (glory). This phenomenon underscored his unparalleled mediatorial role, as he alone could approach God directly and then convey His words to a people who, out of fear and reverence, preferred to hear God's voice through a human agent (see [Exodus 20:18-19](/exodus/20-18-19 "Exodus 20:18-19 - The People's Fear and Request for a Mediator")). The veil, therefore, served not only to protect the people from the overwhelming glory but also to regulate their interaction with their divinely appointed representative.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes within Exodus and the broader Pentateuch. Firstly, it highlights the **holiness and glory of God**, demonstrating that His presence is so potent it physically transforms those who draw near. Secondly, it emphasizes **mediation**, showcasing Moses' unique and indispensable role as the covenant mediator, standing between God and Israel. His radiant face visibly authenticated his divine commission. Thirdly, the passage subtly introduces the theme of **human inability to bear divine glory directly**, foreshadowing the need for a more perfect and permanent means of access to God's presence, a theme later developed in the New Testament. Finally, it reinforces the **transformative power of divine encounter**, illustrating that intimate communion with God leaves an indelible mark, physically and spiritually, on the one who experiences it.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Shone (Hebrew, _qâran'_):** The Hebrew verb קָרַן (_qâran_) is derived from the noun for "horn" (קֶרֶן, _qeren_), and thus can mean "to shoot out horns." However, in this context, it is used figuratively to mean "to radiate" or "to shine," specifically referring to rays of light emanating from Moses' face. This effulgence was not a natural occurrence but a miraculous, supernatural light, a direct consequence and visible manifestation of God's glory dwelling upon and through Moses after his prolonged communion with the Divine. It denotes a profound, transformative encounter.
* **Face (Hebrew, _pânîym'_):** The Hebrew word פָּנִים (_pânîym_), translated as "face," is a plural noun used singularly, referring to the physical countenance. However, it often carries a broader theological significance, encompassing presence, person, or even the very essence of an individual. In the context of Moses' encounter with God, to see God's "face" (as Moses sought in [Exodus 33:18-23](/exodus/33-18-23 "Exodus 33:18-23 - Moses Sees God's Glory")) implies a direct, intimate, and transformative encounter with God's very being. Thus, Moses' shining face signifies not merely a physical phenomenon but a visible sign that his entire person had been profoundly affected by the immediate presence of the Divine.
* **Vail (Hebrew, _maçveh'_):** The Hebrew noun מַסְוֶה (_maçveh_) refers specifically to a covering or veil. Its use here is pivotal, as it signifies a barrier or screen. Moses put the veil on his face to shield the Israelites from the intense, overwhelming, and perhaps even terrifying glory that radiated from him. This act of veiling highlights the people's inability to endure the direct manifestation of God's glory, even when mediated through Moses. It also underscores the temporary and conditional nature of the Old Covenant's revelation, which required a covering due to the people's sinfulness and spiritual immaturity, a point later expounded by the Apostle Paul.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the children of Israel saw the face of Moses":** This opening clause emphasizes the direct and collective observation by the entire community of Israel. It was not a private vision but a public, undeniable reality that confronted them. Their seeing implies a recognition of something extraordinary, awe-inspiring, and yet also frightening, about Moses' appearance immediately upon his descent from Sinai.
* **"that the skin of Moses' face shone":** This is the core observation and the reason for the Israelites' reaction. The verb "shone" (from _qâran_) describes the miraculous effulgence emanating from Moses' skin, specifically his face. This radiance was a direct, physical manifestation of the divine glory (כבוד, _kavod_) that Moses had absorbed during his prolonged time in God's immediate presence on Mount Sinai. It served as tangible proof of his unique and intimate communion with the Almighty.
* **"and Moses put the vail upon his face again":** This describes Moses' immediate and repeated action. The word "again" implies that he had removed it to speak to them (as per Exodus 34:33), but now, seeing their fearful reaction, he replaced it. This act was a compassionate response to the Israelites' fear and inability to gaze upon the divine glory, protecting them from its overwhelming intensity. It also served to regulate his interaction with them, allowing them to approach him without terror and receive God's commands.
* **"until he went in to speak with him":** This final clause clarifies the specific condition under which the veil was removed. Moses removed the veil exclusively when he re-entered the presence of the Lord to speak with Him. This highlights the crucial distinction between his unmediated, direct access to God and his mediated interaction with the people, emphasizing that the veil was a necessity for the latter, but a hindrance and unnecessary for the former.

#### Literary Devices
Exodus 34:35 is rich in **Symbolism**. Moses' shining face is the primary symbol, representing the transformative power of divine presence, the tangible manifestation of God's glory, and Moses' unique role as a divinely appointed mediator. It is a visible sign of the renewed covenant relationship and God's approval. The **veil** itself is another powerful symbol, representing the inability of the Israelites (and humanity in general) to directly behold the full intensity of God's glory due to their sinfulness and the limitations of the Old Covenant. It also symbolizes the separation between the holy and the profane, and later, as interpreted by Paul, the spiritual blindness that prevented many under the old covenant from grasping its true, temporary meaning. The narrative also employs **Contrast** between Moses' unveiled access to God's presence and the people's need for a veiled mediator, highlighting the qualitative difference in their relationship with the divine. The entire scene functions as a **Theophany** (or rather, the visible *result* of a theophany), a manifestation of God's presence and power, albeit indirectly through Moses.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 34:35 profoundly illustrates the transformative power of God's presence and the nature of divine glory. Moses' radiant face is a physical testament to the reality that encountering the living God leaves an indelible mark, reflecting His very character and splendor. This passage also underscores the mediatorial principle inherent in the Old Covenant, where a chosen individual (Moses) stood between a holy God and a sinful people, bearing the divine word and presence to them. The necessity of the veil, however, points to the inherent limitations of this covenant—a glory that was both awe-inspiring and terrifying, ultimately requiring a covering due to human inability to endure its full intensity. This foreshadows the greater, unveiled glory of the New Covenant, where direct access to God's presence is made possible through Christ, a glory that is not fading but ever-increasing.

* [Exodus 33:18-23](/exodus/33-18-23 "Exodus 33:18-23 - Moses Sees God's Glory"): This passage details Moses' audacious request to see God's glory and God's partial, veiled revelation to him, which directly precedes and provides the theological foundation for the radiance of Moses' face described in Exodus 34:35.
* [2 Corinthians 3:7-18](/2_corinthians/3-7-18 "2 Corinthians 3:7-18 - The Fading Glory of the Old Covenant vs. the Greater Glory of the New"): The Apostle Paul offers a profound theological commentary on Moses' veil, contrasting the fading glory of the Old Covenant, which required a veil, with the surpassing and permanent glory of the New Covenant in Christ, which transforms believers from glory to glory with unveiled faces.
* [Hebrews 12:18-24](/hebrews/12-18-24 "Hebrews 12:18-24 - Mount Sinai vs. Mount Zion"): This passage contrasts the terrifying and unapproachable nature of Mount Sinai under the Old Covenant, where the people were kept at a distance, with the welcoming and accessible Mount Zion under the New Covenant, where believers approach God through Christ, the mediator of a better covenant, without fear or veils.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Exodus 34:35 offers a powerful spiritual truth for believers today: sustained, intimate communion with God inevitably transforms us. While we may not experience a literal shining of our faces, our inner being and outward character should increasingly reflect the glory of God. Just as Moses' face radiated God's presence, our lives, words, and actions should bear witness to the Lord we serve, becoming living epistles known and read by all. This passage challenges us to prioritize intimate time with God, recognizing that such encounters are not merely informational but deeply transformational. In the New Covenant, through Christ, we have unveiled access to God's presence by the Holy Spirit, enabling a continuous process of spiritual growth and transformation into His image. Our calling is to live as those who have seen the Lord, allowing His light to shine through us into a world that desperately needs to see His glory and experience His love.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what tangible ways does my daily life visibly reflect the time I spend in God's presence?**
* **What "veils" (such as spiritual blindness, fear, unconfessed sin, or worldly distractions) might be preventing me from experiencing or reflecting God's glory more fully?**
* **How can I cultivate a deeper, more consistent communion with God that leads to tangible transformation in my character and actions, allowing His light to shine through me?**

### FAQ

**Why did Moses veil his face?**

Answer: Moses veiled his face for two primary reasons, as indicated in the text and further elaborated by later biblical interpretation. First, the radiance of his face was so intense and overwhelming—a direct manifestation of God's glory—that the [children of Israel were afraid to come near him](/exodus/34-30 "Exodus 34:30 - Israelites' Fear of Moses' Shining Face"). The veil served as a compassionate act to shield them from this overwhelming splendor, allowing them to approach him and hear God's commands without terror. Second, and more profoundly, as the Apostle Paul explains in [2 Corinthians 3:13-16](/2_corinthians/3-13-16 "2 Corinthians 3:13-16 - The Veil Over Hearts"), the veil symbolized the spiritual blindness of the Israelites under the Old Covenant, preventing them from fully grasping the temporary and fading nature of that covenant's glory and its ultimate fulfillment in Christ. Moses put the veil on "so that the Israelites would not look at the end of what was fading away" (2 Corinthians 3:13, NIV).

**Does God's presence still make people's faces shine today?**

Answer: While the literal, physical shining of a person's face as described for Moses in [Exodus 34:35](/exodus/34-35 "Exodus 34:35 - Moses' Radiant Face") is a unique, miraculous event specifically associated with his direct, prolonged encounter with God on Mount Sinai, the principle of transformation through divine presence remains profoundly true for believers today. In the New Covenant, through faith in [Jesus Christ](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh"), believers have unveiled access to God's presence by the Holy Spirit. As [2 Corinthians 3:18](/2_corinthians/3-18 "2 Corinthians 3:18 - Transformed into His Image") teaches, "And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit." This transformation is primarily spiritual and moral, manifesting in our character, attitudes, and actions, reflecting the light and love of Christ. While our faces may not literally radiate light, our lives should shine as lights in the world, bearing witness to the glory of God (see [Matthew 5:14-16](/matthew/5-14-16 "Matthew 5:14-16 - You Are the Light of the World")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Exodus 34:35 finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Moses' radiant face, a temporary and fading reflection of God's glory, pointed forward to the one who is the very "radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature" ([Hebrews 1:3](/hebrews/1-3 "Hebrews 1:3 - The Supremacy of Christ")). While Moses' glory was mediated and required a veil because it was a fading glory, Christ is the unveiled, permanent glory of God, the "light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ" ([2 Corinthians 4:6](/2_corinthians/4-6 "2 Corinthians 4:6 - God's Light in Our Hearts")). He is the true and perfect mediator, through whom we, with "unveiled face," can now behold the Lord's glory and be transformed into His image by the Spirit ([2 Corinthians 3:18](/2_corinthians/3-18 "2 Corinthians 3:18 - Transformed into His Image")). The veil over Moses' face symbolized the separation and the temporary nature of the Old Covenant; in Christ, that veil is torn (as powerfully signified by the tearing of the temple curtain at His death, [Matthew 27:51](/matthew/27-51 "Matthew 27:51 - The Temple Veil Torn")), granting direct, unhindered access to God's presence and a permanent, ever-increasing participation in His divine glory.

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

Exodus 34:29

And it came to pass, when Moses came down from mount Sinai with the two tables of testimony in Moses' hand, when he came down from the mount, that Moses wist not that the skin of his face shone while he talked with him.

Exodus 34:30

And when Aaron and all the children of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone; and they were afraid to come nigh him.

Ecclesiastes 8:1

¶ Who [is] as the wise [man]? and who knoweth the interpretation of a thing? a man's wisdom maketh his face to shine, and the boldness of his face shall be changed.

Daniel 12:3

And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.

Philippians 2:15

That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;

Matthew 5:16

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Matthew 13:43

Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.