Exodus 34:35
New International Version
they saw that his face was radiant. Then Moses would put the veil back over his face until he went in to speak with the LORD.

New Living Translation
and the people of Israel would see the radiant glow of his face. So he would put the veil over his face until he returned to speak with the LORD.

English Standard Version
the people of Israel would see the face of Moses, that the skin of Moses’ face was shining. And Moses would put the veil over his face again, until he went in to speak with him.

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.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
And whenever the children of Israel saw the face of Moses, that the skin of Moses’ face shone, then Moses would put the veil on his face again, until he went in to speak with Him.

New American Standard Bible
the sons of Israel would see the face of Moses, that the skin of Moses’ face shone. So Moses would put the veil back over his face until he went in to speak with Him.

NASB 1995
the sons of Israel would see the face of Moses, that the skin of Moses’ face shone. So Moses would replace the veil over his face until he went in to speak with Him.

NASB 1977
the sons of Israel would see the face of Moses, that the skin of Moses’ face shone. So Moses would replace the veil over his face until he went in to speak with Him.

Legacy Standard Bible
and the sons of Israel would see the face of Moses, that the skin of Moses’ face shone. So Moses would return the veil over his face until he went in to speak with Him.

Amplified Bible
the Israelites would see the face of Moses, how his skin shone [with a unique radiance]. So Moses put the veil on his face again until he went in to speak with God.

Christian Standard Bible
and the Israelites would see that Moses’s face was radiant. Then Moses would put the veil over his face again until he went to speak with the LORD.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
and the Israelites would see that Moses’ face was radiant. Then Moses would put the veil over his face again until he went 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.

Contemporary English Version
They could see that his face was still shining. So after he had spoken with them, he would put the veil back on and leave it on until the next time he went to speak with the LORD.

English Revised 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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
they would see that Moses' face was shining. Then Moses would put the veil back on until he went in again to speak with the LORD.

Good News Translation
and they would see that his face was shining. Then he would put the veil back on until the next time he went to speak with the LORD.

International Standard Version
The Israelis would see the face of Moses and that the skin of his face shone; then Moses would put the veil back over his face until he went in to speak with God.

Majority 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.

NET Bible
When the Israelites would see the face of Moses, that the skin of Moses' face shone, Moses would put the veil on his face again, until he went in to speak with the LORD.

New Heart English Bible
The children of Israel saw Moses' face, that the skin of Moses' face shone: and Moses put the veil on his face again, until he went in to speak with him.

Webster's Bible Translation
And the children of Israel saw the face of Moses, that the skin of Moses's face shone: and Moses put the vail upon his face again, until he went in to speak with him.

World English Bible
The children of Israel saw Moses’ face, that the skin of Moses’ face shone; so Moses put the veil on his face again, until he went in to speak with him.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and the sons of Israel have seen the face of Moses, that the skin of the face of Moses has shone, and Moses has put back the veil on his face until his going in to speak with Him.

Young's Literal Translation
and the sons of Israel have seen the face of Moses that the skin of the face of Moses hath shone, and Moses hath put back the vail on his face until his going in to speak with Him.

Smith's Literal Translation
And the sons of Israel saw the face of Moses that the skin of Moses' face shone: and Moses turned back the vail upon his face till his going in to speak with him.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And they saw that the face of Moses when he came out was horned, but he covered his face again, if at any time he spoke to them.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And they saw that the face of Moses, when he came out, was radiant, but he covered his face again, whenever he spoke to them.

New American Bible
Then the Israelites would see that the skin of Moses’ face was radiant; so he would again put the veil over his face until he went in to speak with the LORD.

New Revised Standard Version
the Israelites would see the face of Moses, that the skin of his face was shining; and Moses would put the veil on his face again, until he went in to speak with him.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And the children of Israel saw the face of Moses, that the skin of Moses' face shone; and Moses took off the veil from his face when he went in to speak with the LORD.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And when Moshe was entering before LORD JEHOVAH to speak with Him, he was taking the veil to himself until he would go out, and when he had gone out, he said to those of the house of Israel anything that he was commanded.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And the children of Israel saw the face of Moses, that the skin of Moses' face sent forth beams; and Moses put the veil back upon his face, until he went in to speak with Him.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the children of Israel saw the face of Moses, that it was glorified; and Moses put the veil over his face, till he went in to speak with him.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The LORD Renews the Covenant
34But whenever Moses went in before the LORD to speak with Him, he would remove the veil until he came out. And when he came out, he would tell the Israelites what he had been commanded, 35and 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.

Cross References
2 Corinthians 3:7-18
Now if the ministry of death, which was engraved in letters on stone, came with such glory that the Israelites could not gaze at the face of Moses because of its fleeting glory, / will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious? / For if the ministry of condemnation was glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry of righteousness! ...

Matthew 17:2
There He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light.

Acts 6:15
All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel.

Revelation 1:16
He held in His right hand seven stars, and a sharp double-edged sword came from His mouth. His face was like the sun shining at its brightest.

1 Corinthians 13:12
Now we see but a dim reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

John 1:14
The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Hebrews 1:3
The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His nature, upholding all things by His powerful word. After He had provided purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.

Luke 9:29
And as He was praying, the appearance of His face changed, and His clothes became radiantly white.

John 17:24
Father, I want those You have given Me to be with Me where I am, that they may see the glory You gave Me because You loved Me before the foundation of the world.

1 John 3:2
Beloved, we are now children of God, and what we will be has not yet been revealed. We know that when Christ appears, we will be like Him, for we will see Him as He is.

Exodus 33:11
Thus the LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. Then Moses would return to the camp, but his young assistant Joshua son of Nun would not leave the tent.

Exodus 24:15-18
When Moses went up on the mountain, the cloud covered it, / and the glory of the LORD settled on Mount Sinai. For six days the cloud covered it, and on the seventh day the LORD called to Moses from within the cloud. / And the sight of the glory of the LORD was like a consuming fire on the mountaintop in the eyes of the Israelites. ...

Numbers 12:6-8
He said, “Hear now My words: If there is a prophet among you, I, the LORD, will reveal Myself to him in a vision; I will speak to him in a dream. / But this is not so with My servant Moses; he is faithful in all My house. / I speak with him face to face, clearly and not in riddles; he sees the form of the LORD. Why then were you unafraid to speak against My servant Moses?”

Deuteronomy 34:10
Since that time, no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face—

Psalm 34:5
Those who look to Him are radiant with joy; their faces shall never be ashamed.


Treasury of Scripture

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

Exodus 34:29,30
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…

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.

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Beams Children Face Forth Israel Moses Moses's Radiant Replace Shining Shone Skin Speak Vail Veil
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Beams Children Face Forth Israel Moses Moses's Radiant Replace Shining Shone Skin Speak Vail Veil
Exodus 34
1. The tablets are replaced
5. The name of the Lord proclaimed
8. Moses entreats God to go with them
10. God makes a covenant with them, repeating certain duties
28. Moses after forty days on the mount, comes down with the tablets
29. His face is radiant, and he covers it with a veil














The Israelites would see
This phrase emphasizes the communal and public nature of Moses' transformation. The Hebrew root for "see" is "ra'ah," which implies not just a physical sight but a deeper understanding or perception. The Israelites' ability to see Moses' radiant face signifies their recognition of God's presence and authority in Moses' leadership. Historically, this visibility underscores the importance of witness in the community of faith, where God's work is not hidden but evident to all.

that the face of Moses was radiant
The word "radiant" comes from the Hebrew "qaran," which can mean "to shine" or "to send out rays." This radiance is a physical manifestation of Moses' encounter with God, reflecting the divine glory. In a conservative Christian perspective, this radiance symbolizes the transformative power of God's presence. It serves as a reminder that true encounters with God leave a visible mark on believers, changing them in ways that others can perceive.

So Moses would put a veil over his face
The act of veiling is significant both culturally and theologically. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, veils were often used to signify separation or protection. Here, the veil serves to protect the Israelites from the overwhelming glory of God reflected in Moses' face. Theologically, it represents the separation between God and humanity due to sin, a theme that is later addressed in the New Testament with the tearing of the temple veil at Christ's crucifixion, symbolizing restored access to God.

whenever he went in to speak with the LORD
This phrase highlights the intimate and ongoing relationship between Moses and God. The Hebrew word for "speak" is "dabar," which implies not just talking but communicating with authority and purpose. Moses' regular communication with God underscores the importance of continual dialogue with the divine in leadership and spiritual growth. It serves as an inspiration for believers to seek constant communion with God, knowing that such encounters will equip and transform them for their mission in the world.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
and the Israelites
בְנֵֽי־ (ḇə·nê-)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121: A son

would see
וְרָא֤וּ (wə·rā·’ū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 7200: To see

that
כִּ֣י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

the face
פְּנֵ֣י (pə·nê)
Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 6440: The face

of Moses
מֹשֶׁ֔ה (mō·šeh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 4872: Moses -- a great Israelite leader, prophet and lawgiver

was radiant.
קָרַ֔ן (qā·ran)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7160: To shoot out horns, rays

So Moses
מֹשֶׁ֑ה (mō·šeh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 4872: Moses -- a great Israelite leader, prophet and lawgiver

would put the veil
הַמַּסְוֶה֙ (ham·mas·weh)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4533: A veil

back
וְהֵשִׁ֨יב (wə·hê·šîḇ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7725: To turn back, in, to retreat, again

over
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

his face
פְּנֵ֣י (pə·nê)
Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 6440: The face

until
עַד־ (‘aḏ-)
Preposition
Strong's 5704: As far as, even to, up to, until, while

he went in
בֹּא֖וֹ (bō·’ōw)
Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

to speak
לְדַבֵּ֥ר (lə·ḏab·bêr)
Preposition-l | Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct
Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdue

with the LORD.
אִתּֽוֹ׃ (’it·tōw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 854: Nearness, near, with, by, at, among


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OT Law: Exodus 34:35 The children of Israel saw Moses' face (Exo. Ex)
Exodus 34:34
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