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Commentary on Exodus 34:29-35

Esther M. Menn
Moses countenance glows throughout this scene of covenant renewal, following the sin of
the golden calf in Exodus 32.
The Israelites stand in awe of Gods glory reflected in Moses incandescent face as he
descends from Sinai bearing a new set of tablets inscribed with the ten words or
commandments of the covenant (Exodus 34:10-28, here a ritual ten commandments, in
contrast to the better-known versions in Exodus 20:1-17 and Deuteronomy 5:6-21).
Moses shining face embodies Gods steadfast love and faithfulness to Israel, despite the
Israelites confused and rebellious worship of the image of a calf they proclaim as the
gods who brought you up out of the land of Egypt (Exodus 32:5). A traditional declaration
earlier in Exodus 34 emphasizes that covenant renewal is in keeping with Gods essential
character:
The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in
steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for the thousandth generation,
forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, yet by no means clearing the guilty, but
visiting the iniquity of the parents upon the children and the childrens children, to the third
and fourth generation (Exodus 34:6-7).1
The light of divine presence transforms Moses appearance on an ongoing basis, whenever
he emerges from the tent of meeting after speaking with God face to face, as one speaks to
a friend (Exodus 33:7-11; cf., Numbers 12:8; Deuteronomy 34:10). Moses dazzling face
confirms that his plea for Gods presence among the Israelites as they leave Sinai (Exodus
34:9) has been answered, even before the tabernacle is built and filled with glory (Exodus
40:34-38).
On Transfiguration Sunday, we may proclaim with confidence the gracious character
of God, who offers a second chance by renewing the covenant and remaining present
among the community, as seen first in the face of Moses and then in the face of Christ.
Within the larger narrative context in which the prophets absence while mediating the
covenant raises doubts concerning his leadership, Moses radiant visage affirms his
authority as Gods representative. Transformed unconsciously through his mountaintop
encounter with God for forty days and nights, Moses brings and even embodies divine
revelation concerning the way of life within a covenant relationship with God.
Moses himself is denied a vision of Gods face when he requests to see the divine glory but
is granted only a backwards glimpse from a protective cleft (Exodus 33:18-23). By

contrast, the Israelites are granted an unexpected and overwhelming vision of Moses
shining face as it reflects the divine glory.
The curious verb shone describing Moses skin (Exodus 34:29) is not found elsewhere in
the Bible. Since it resembles the Hebrew word for an animals horn, Jerome in the
Vulgate posits that Moses sprouted horns, an interpretive tradition followed by artists such
as Michelangelo and Chagall. This image creates an uneasy parallel with the calf fashioned
by Aaron in his brothers absence.
Since elsewhere in the Bible light shines from Gods face as a source of blessing and
peace,2 the light shining from Moses face creates a more compelling parallel between the
deity and his human spokesperson. A close correspondence between the two emerges
elsewhere as well, as both God and Moses are portrayed as bringing up Israel out of Egypt
(Exodus 20:2; 32:1, 7) and writing upon the stone tablets (Exodus 31:18; 34:1, 27-28).
Today, we might reflect upon how Gods light shines through the actions and lives of
leaders and ordinary people of faith, to make Gods transforming presence known in
the congregation and wider community.
Given the importance of Moses shining visage, the purpose of the veil is unclear. The
Hebrew word only appears only here, and denotes some sort of mask, hood, or other type of
face covering. Since the Israelites responded to Moses appearance with fear and reluctance
to approach (Exodus 34:29), the veil may have assured and protected them. Even the
reflected radiance of Gods presence might be unbearable on a sustained basis, especially to
a people suffering from the trauma of sin and its consequences.
Alternatively, the veil may limit Moses authority to a mediating role, so that when not
speaking to God or to the people on Gods behalf, he conceals his extraordinary appearance
as a form of self-effacement. Elsewhere, the Bible notes that Moses was a very humble man
(Numbers 12:3).
The periodic veiling of Moses face also hints at the Israelites fluctuating experience of
divine availability and absence. Just as Moses face is alternately exposed or cloaked,
Gods presence may be at times perceptible or mysteriously hidden. Whatever the case,
Pauls assertion in his metaphorical appropriation that Moses manipulated the veil to
deceive the Israelites (2 Cor 3:13) should not be accepted uncritically.
We might develop the imagery of the veil to address moments when Gods purpose
is unclear, even though we are assured of Gods continued presence in our lives and
world.
Fiery imagery for Gods active presence illumines the book of Exodus, as in the burning
bush (Exodus 3:3), the LORDs descent on Mt. Sinai in fire (19:18), and the pillar of cloud

and fire accompanying Israel in the wilderness (13:24) and settling on the tabernacle
(34:34-38).
The brightness of Moses face in Exodus 34:29-35 provides another instance of this
passionate imagery and points to the brilliance of Gods own face as the source of blessing
and peace, beautifully expressed in the Priestly Blessing: May the LORD bless you and
keep you; the LORD make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you; the LORD
lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace (Numbers 6:24-26).
Consider closing the sermon with the Priestly Blessing to invoke the grace, peace, and
blessing of Gods shining face upon the congregation.

cf., Numbers 14:18; Nehemiah 9:17; Psalm 86:15; 103:8; 145:8; Jeremiah 32:18; Joel
2:13; Jonah 4:2; Nahum 1:3.
2

Psalm 4:6; 67:1; 80:3; 119:135; Numbers 6:24-26

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