Exodus 34:29 - Printer Friendly

ESV: When Moses came down from Mount Sinai, with the two tablets of the testimony in his hand as he came down from the mountain, Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone because he had been talking with God.

NIV: When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the covenant law in his hands, he was not aware that his face was radiant because he had spoken with the Lord.

NASB: And it came about, when Moses was coming down from Mount Sinai (and the two tablets of the testimony were in Moses’ hand as he was coming down from the mountain), that Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone because of his speaking with Him.

CSB: As Moses descended from Mount Sinai—with the two tablets of the testimony in his hands as he descended the mountain—he did not realize that the skin of his face shone as a result of his speaking with the Lord.

NLT: When Moses came down Mount Sinai carrying the two stone tablets inscribed with the terms of the covenant, he wasn’t aware that his face had become radiant because he had spoken to the Lord.

KJV: 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.

NKJV: Now it was so, when Moses came down from Mount Sinai (and the two tablets of the Testimony were in Moses’ hand when he came down from the mountain), that Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone while he talked with Him.

Exodus 34:29–35 says that after speaking with God on Sinai (Exodus 34:1–2), Moses' face was shining. This is more than an intimidating attitude or a happy expression. The text notes that Moses' actual skin was "shining." This was a result of his close encounter with God's glory (Exodus 33:18–23; 34:5–7). The people are afraid to look at him (Genesis 32:30), so Moses covers his face when speaking to them. Scripture does not indicate how long this condition lasted.

Moses obeys God's command to bring new stone tablets (Exodus 32:19) onto Mount Sinai. There, God fulfills His earlier promise to reveal more of His glory to Moses (Exodus 33:18–23). The Lord renews the covenant with Israel and gives additional details on subjects such as idolatry, the Sabbath, and certain festivals. When Moses returns, the people are intimidated by his now-shining face.

Israel quickly broke God's laws (Exodus 20:3–6) by committing idolatry (Exodus 32:1–6). This caused a rift between them and God. One consequence was a removal of God's direct presence (Exodus 33:1–3). In this chapter, the covenant is renewed. The remaining chapters (Exodus 35—40) mirror the instructions for building the tabernacle (Exodus 25—31).

The book of Exodus establishes God's covenant relationship with the full-fledged nation of Israel. The descendants of Abraham prosper after settling in Egypt, only to be enslaved by a fearful, hateful Egyptian Pharaoh. God appoints Moses to lead the people out of this bondage. Moses serves as God's spokesman, as the Lord brings plagues and judgments on Egypt, leading to the release of Israel.