The biblical account in Exodus 33:35 describes a profound transformation in Moses’ appearance after his direct communion with God: “When the people of Israel saw 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.” This verse has often been a source of both fascination and misunderstanding. What truly happened to Moses, and what deeper truths does this event convey about divine encounter and human response?
Myth 1: Moses’ Shining Face Was a Permanent Alteration
One common misconception surrounding Exodus 33:35 is that Moses’ radiant face was a permanent, static change, a divine “makeover” that lasted indefinitely. Some imagine it as a perpetual glow, a badge of his unique relationship with God. However, a closer reading of the text, particularly in conjunction with later New Testament commentary, reveals a more dynamic reality. The shining was not an unceasing state but directly linked to his fresh encounters with the Divine Presence.
Truth: The radiance of Moses’ face was a transient, recurring phenomenon. It manifested after his direct interactions with the Lord on Mount Sinai and would gradually fade until his next communion. This is implicitly understood in Exodus 34:29-35. The necessity for the veil, and its removal when he re-entered God’s presence, underscores this cyclical nature. It was a visible, yet temporary, reflection of God’s glory, not an inherent change to Moses’ physical being. This transient nature highlights the ongoing need for renewed engagement with God to sustain spiritual radiance, a powerful truth for believers today.
Myth 2: The Veil Was Primarily to Protect the People from Moses’ Radiance
Another prevalent idea is that Moses wore the veil purely to shield the Israelites from the overwhelming intensity of his shining face. While there is an element of truth to the people’s fear and discomfort (Exodus 34:30), the primary theological reason for the veil, especially as interpreted by the Apostle Paul, runs deeper than mere optical protection.
Truth: The veil served not only to alleviate the people’s fear but, more significantly, to obscure the fading glory. Paul, in 2 Corinthians 3:13, explicitly states that Moses “put a veil over his face so that the Israelites might not gaze at the outcome of what was being brought to an end.” The problem wasn’t just the intensity, but the transient nature of the Old Covenant’s glory. The fading radiance symbolized a temporary dispensation, a glory that would eventually give way to something greater. The veil prevented them from seeing the diminution, thereby preserving the awe, but also subtly pointing to a glory that was not eternal in its manifestation.
Myth 3: Moses’ Experience is Irrelevant to New Covenant Believers
Some might dismiss the narrative of Exodus 33:35 as an isolated, miraculous event unique to Moses and the Old Covenant, holding little relevance for those living under the New Covenant. This perspective limits the application of this powerful theological truth to contemporary faith.
Truth: Moses’ experience sets a profound precedent for understanding the transformative power of encountering God, a truth amplified and fulfilled in the New Covenant. Paul uses Moses’ veiled face as a contrast to the unveiled faces of believers in Christ. In 2 Corinthians 3:18, he declares, “And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.” Unlike Moses, whose glory faded, New Covenant believers, through the Spirit, are continually transformed by beholding Christ’s abiding glory. This transformation is not fading but progressive, leading to greater conformity to Christ’s image.
Moses’ shining face in Exodus 33:35 was a testament to the palpable reality of God’s presence and its immediate, albeit temporary, effect on humanity. It foreshadowed a greater glory, one that is accessible to all who believe in Christ, leading to an enduring and increasing spiritual radiance. Understanding these nuances moves us beyond superficial interpretations to grasp the profound theological insights embedded in this ancient text. Read more about the Old Covenant.