4533. masveh

Lexical Summary

masveh: Veil, covering

Original Word: מַסְוֶה
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: macveh
Pronunciation: mahs-veh'
Phonetic Spelling: (mas-veh')
KJV: vail
NASB: veil
Word Origin: [apparently from an unused root meaning to cover]

1. a veil

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

vail

Apparently from an unused root meaning to cover; a veil -- vail.

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from the same as suth
Definition
a veil
NASB Translation
veil (3).

Brown-Driver-Briggs

מַסְוֶה noun [masculine] veil; — absolute עַלמָּֿנָיו ׳מ Exodus 34:33 compare Exodus 34:34; Exodus 34:35 (P).

Topical Lexicon

Definition and Scope

Masveh denotes a veil or covering used to conceal the face. In Scripture the term is limited to the account of Moses’ radiant face after receiving the renewed covenant on Mount Sinai.

Biblical Occurrences

Exodus 34:33–35 records all three appearances:
• Exodus 34:33 – “When Moses had finished speaking with them, he put a veil over his face.”
• Exodus 34:34 – Moses removed the veil when entering the tent of meeting to speak with the LORD, then replaced it as he addressed the Israelites.
• Exodus 34:35 – The people saw the radiance but only through the veil that covered Moses afterward.

Historical Background

Following Israel’s sin with the golden calf, the covenant was renewed (Exodus 34). During forty days in God’s presence, Moses’ face absorbed a supernatural brilliance, testifying to divine glory yet simultaneously exposing Israel’s fear of direct holiness (Exodus 34:30). The veil provided a merciful mediation: it dimmed the intensity without obscuring the message.

Theological Significance

1. Mediation of Glory: The veil highlights the distance between a holy God and a sinful people. Moses alone could enter unveiled; the nation required a covering.
2. Fading Ministry: Paul later notes that the radiance was “fading away” (2 Corinthians 3:13), symbolizing the temporary and preparatory nature of the Mosaic covenant compared with the surpassing glory of the new covenant in Christ.
3. Removal in Christ: “Whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away” (2 Corinthians 3:16). The term becomes a metaphor for spiritual blindness lifted through the gospel.

Symbolism in Worship and Revelation

• Separation: Like the veil of the Tabernacle, masveh points to barriers erected by sin.
• Revelation: God’s glory is present, yet disclosure is measured for the hearer’s good.
• Transformation: Moses’ recurring encounters produced ongoing radiance; believers now “reflect the Lord’s glory” and “are being transformed into His image with intensifying glory” (2 Corinthians 3:18), indicating an interior, enduring work.

Practical Ministry Applications

• Preaching: Present the whole counsel of God with unveiled clarity, trusting the Spirit to illumine hearts rather than shielding hard truths.
• Discipleship: Encourage personal communion with Christ; as Moses’ face shone after meeting God, so believers manifest Christlike character through regular fellowship.
• Worship: Cultivate reverence for divine holiness while celebrating the bold access granted through Christ (Hebrews 10:19-22).
• Evangelism: Pray for the removal of veils that still lie over minds (2 Corinthians 4:3-4), knowing only the Lord can grant sight.

Related Terms and Concepts

Veil of the Tabernacle (Exodus 26:31), curtain of the Temple (Matthew 27:51), hardened heart, revealed glory, new covenant.

Forms and Transliterations

הַמַּסְוֶ֖ה הַמַּסְוֶה֙ המסוה מַסְוֶֽה׃ מסוה׃ ham·mas·weh hammasVeh hammasweh mas·weh masVeh masweh

Englishman's Concordance

Exodus 34:33
HEB: עַל־ פָּנָ֖יו מַסְוֶֽה׃
NAS: with them, he put a veil over
KJV: with them, he put a vail on his face.
INT: over his face A veil

Exodus 34:34
HEB: יָסִ֥יר אֶת־ הַמַּסְוֶ֖ה עַד־ צֵאת֑וֹ
NAS: with Him, he would take off the veil until
KJV: with him, he took the vail off,
INT: would take the veil until came

Exodus 34:35
HEB: מֹשֶׁ֤ה אֶת־ הַמַּסְוֶה֙ עַל־ פָּנָ֔יו
NAS: would replace the veil over
KJV: put the vail upon his face
INT: replace Moses the veil over his face

3 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 4533
3 Occurrences

ham·mas·weh — 2 Occ.
mas·weh — 1 Occ.