Exodus 34:35
A focused desk for reading, commentary, cross-references, original language notes, and your own observations.
Exodus 34:35
35 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.
Chapter Context
Exodus 34 is a narrative with legal sections chapter in the Old Testament that explores themes of mercy, holiness, sacrifice. Written during the Egyptian bondage and wilderness wandering (c. 1446-1406 BCE), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: Egypt was the dominant superpower with a complex polytheistic religion and a god-king pharaoh.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
- Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
- Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
- Verses 13-20: Central message and teachings
- Verses 21-35: Conclusion and application
This chapter is significant because it foreshadows Christ's work through typology and prophetic elements. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within Exodus and its broader place in the scriptural canon.
Verse Study
Exodus 34:35
35 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.
Analysis
Moses was with God 'forty days and forty nights' without eating or drinking—sustained supernaturally during extended communion with God. He wrote the covenant words (the Decalogue) on tablets. When descending, Moses' face radiated (קָרַן, qaran—shone/had horns of light) from being in God's presence. The verb qaran creates a wordplay: Moses' face had 'horns' (rays) of light from beholding God's glory (2 Cor 3:7-18). This transformation prefigures Christ's transfiguration (Matt 17:2) and our transformation into His image.
Historical Context
This is Moses' third forty-day period on Sinai. The radiance was so intense that Israel feared approaching him, requiring a veil (v. 30-35). Michelangelo's famous statue depicts Moses with horns due to translating qaran literally.
Reflection
- How does extended time in God's presence transform you visibly to others?
- In what ways should believers today reflect Christ's glory through transformation rather than merely external religiosity?