Exodus 34:29

Authorized King James Version

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.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיְהִ֗י
H1961
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#2
בְּרִדְתּ֖וֹ
H3381
came down
to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau
#3
וּמֹשֶׁ֣ה
H4872
And it came to pass when Moses
mosheh, the israelite lawgiver
#4
הָהָ֑ר
H2022
from mount
a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)
#5
סִינַ֔י
H5514
Sinai
sinai, mountain of arabia
#6
וּשְׁנֵ֨י
H8147
with the two
two; also (as ordinal) twofold
#7
לֻחֹ֤ת
H3871
tables
probably meaning to glisten; a tablet (as polished), of stone, wood or metal
#8
הָֽעֵדֻת֙
H5715
of testimony
testimony
#9
בְּיַד
H3027
hand
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
#10
וּמֹשֶׁ֣ה
H4872
And it came to pass when Moses
mosheh, the israelite lawgiver
#11
בְּרִדְתּ֖וֹ
H3381
came down
to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau
#12
מִן
H4480
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
#13
הָהָ֑ר
H2022
from mount
a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)
#14
וּמֹשֶׁ֣ה
H4872
And it came to pass when Moses
mosheh, the israelite lawgiver
#15
לֹֽא
H3808
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#16
יָדַ֗ע
H3045
wist
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
#17
כִּ֥י
H3588
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#18
קָרַ֛ן
H7160
shone
to shoot out horns; figuratively, rays
#19
ע֥וֹר
H5785
not that the skin
skin (as naked); by implication, hide, leather
#20
פָּנָ֖יו
H6440
of his face
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
#21
בְּדַבְּר֥וֹ
H1696
while he talked
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
#22
אִתּֽוֹ׃
H854
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc

Analysis

Within the broader context of Exodus, this passage highlights salvation through simile or metaphorical language. The theological weight of divine revelation connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about divine revelation, contributing to our understanding of God's nature and relationship with humanity. This verse contributes to the book's overall argument by building upon previous themes while advancing the overall message of Exodus.

Historical Context

The historical context of the period of Egyptian bondage and wilderness wandering (c. 1440-1400 BCE) provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood divine revelation. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

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