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.
Original Language Analysis
וַיְהִ֗י
H1961
וַיְהִ֗י
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
1 of 22
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
בְּרִדְתּ֖וֹ
came down
H3381
בְּרִדְתּ֖וֹ
came down
Strong's:
H3381
Word #:
2 of 22
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
וּמֹשֶׁ֣ה
And it came to pass when Moses
H4872
וּמֹשֶׁ֣ה
And it came to pass when Moses
Strong's:
H4872
Word #:
3 of 22
mosheh, the israelite lawgiver
הָהָ֑ר
from mount
H2022
הָהָ֑ר
from mount
Strong's:
H2022
Word #:
4 of 22
a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)
לֻחֹ֤ת
tables
H3871
לֻחֹ֤ת
tables
Strong's:
H3871
Word #:
7 of 22
probably meaning to glisten; a tablet (as polished), of stone, wood or metal
בְּיַד
hand
H3027
בְּיַד
hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
9 of 22
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
וּמֹשֶׁ֣ה
And it came to pass when Moses
H4872
וּמֹשֶׁ֣ה
And it came to pass when Moses
Strong's:
H4872
Word #:
10 of 22
mosheh, the israelite lawgiver
בְּרִדְתּ֖וֹ
came down
H3381
בְּרִדְתּ֖וֹ
came down
Strong's:
H3381
Word #:
11 of 22
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
מִן
H4480
מִן
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
12 of 22
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
הָהָ֑ר
from mount
H2022
הָהָ֑ר
from mount
Strong's:
H2022
Word #:
13 of 22
a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)
וּמֹשֶׁ֣ה
And it came to pass when Moses
H4872
וּמֹשֶׁ֣ה
And it came to pass when Moses
Strong's:
H4872
Word #:
14 of 22
mosheh, the israelite lawgiver
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
15 of 22
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יָדַ֗ע
wist
H3045
יָדַ֗ע
wist
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
16 of 22
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
כִּ֥י
H3588
כִּ֥י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
17 of 22
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
ע֥וֹר
not that the skin
H5785
ע֥וֹר
not that the skin
Strong's:
H5785
Word #:
19 of 22
skin (as naked); by implication, hide, leather
פָּנָ֖יו
of his face
H6440
פָּנָ֖יו
of his face
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
20 of 22
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
Cross References
Matthew 17:2And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.Exodus 32:15And Moses turned, and went down from the mount, and the two tables of the testimony were in his hand: the tables were written on both their sides; on the one side and on the other were they written.Luke 9:29And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering.Revelation 1:16And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.2 Corinthians 3:13And 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:Revelation 10:1And I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven, clothed with a cloud: and a rainbow was upon his head, and his face was as it were the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire:
Historical Context
Standing pillars (matsevot) were sacred stones marking worship sites. Early patriarchs erected such stones (Gen 28:18, 35:14), but by the conquest period they were associated with Canaanite Baal worship and forbidden.
Questions for Reflection
- Why does God require complete destruction of false worship rather than mere avoidance?
- What spiritual influences or practices in your life require total elimination rather than moderation?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Prohibition against bowing to or serving (עָבַד, avad) foreign gods, or following their practices. Instead, Israel must 'utterly overthrow' (הָרֵס תְּהָרְסֵם, hares teharesem—intensive form) and 'quite break down' (שַׁבֵּר תְּשַׁבֵּר, shaber teshabber) their pillars. No syncretism, no cultural accommodation, no tolerance of idolatry—complete destruction is required. Half-measures lead to spiritual compromise.