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Book of Exodus - Chapter 34 - Verse 29

34:29
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.

Meaning

After spending forty days and nights on Mount Sinai receiving the Ten Commandments from God, Moses descended from the mountain with the two tablets of testimony in his hands. As he came down, he was unaware that his face was radiant because he had been speaking with God. This shining of his face symbolized the presence of the divine and reflected the glory of God. It signified the close relationship Moses had with God and the authority he held as the leader of the Israelites. The glowing face of Moses served as a physical manifestation of the spiritual enlightenment and wisdom he had attained through his encounter with the Almighty. This verse highlights the powerful connection between God and his chosen servant Moses, emphasizing the importance of communication and obedience to God's commandments.

Theological Overview

This verse from the book of Exodus describes the moment when Moses descended from Mount Sinai after receiving the Ten Commandments from God. As Moses returned from his encounter with God, his face was radiant, shining so brightly that he had to cover it with a veil to avoid startling the Israelites. This radiant glow on Moses' face symbolized the divine presence and power of God that he had experienced atop the mountain. The term "wist" in this verse indicates that Moses was unaware of the transformation in his appearance, highlighting the profound impact of his encounter with God. This event reflects the theological concept of the transformative nature of an encounter with the divine, as seen through Moses' shining face. The word "shone" may also suggest the spiritual enlightenment and wisdom that Moses gained from his communion with God, which he would later share with the people as their leader. Overall, this verse illustrates the intimate connection between Moses and God, as well as the awe-inspiring nature of divine encounters in the biblical narrative.

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