What does Exodus 34:34 mean?
"But when Moses went in before the LORD to speak with him, he took the vail off, until he came out. And he came out, and spake unto the children of Israel that which he was commanded." - Exodus 34:34
Exodus 34:34 (KJV) says, "But when Moses went in before the LORD to speak with him, he took the vail off, until he came out. And he came out, and spake unto the children of Israel that which he was commanded."
This verse comes at the end of a passage in which Moses has just descended from Mount Sinai after receiving the second set of stone tablets containing the Ten Commandments. The passage recounts how Moses' face was radiant after speaking with God, so much so that the Israelites were afraid to come near him. As a result, Moses would put a veil over his face whenever he spoke to the people, but would remove it when talking to God.
The context of this verse is important in understanding its deeper meaning. The veil that Moses wore when speaking to the people was a physical representation of the spiritual veil that separated the Israelites from direct communication with God. It symbolized the distance and separation caused by sin and the inability of the people to fully comprehend God's glory. The removal of the veil when Moses spoke to God represents the intimacy and unobstructed communication between Moses and the Lord.
The themes present in this verse include the idea of the divine presence of God, the contrast between the sacred and the profane, and the concept of intermediary figures. The presence of God is evident in the fact that Moses is able to speak directly to Him, and the removing of the veil signifies the closeness and access to the divine that Moses was granted. The contrast between the sacred and the profane is depicted in the veil itself, which served as a barrier between the holiness of God and the sinful nature of the people. The idea of intermediary figures is also present, as Moses acts as a mediator between God and the Israelites, conveying the divine commandments and teachings to the people.
Symbolically, the removal of the veil can be understood as a representation of the unveiling of spiritual truth. It signifies the revelation of God's glory and the lifting of the barriers that separate humanity from the divine. The act of speaking directly to the people without the veil demonstrates the direct communication of God's word and the clarity of divine revelation.
In a broader theological context, this verse foreshadows the coming of Jesus Christ as the ultimate mediator between God and humanity. The New Testament discusses how Jesus' sacrifice and resurrection reconciled humanity with God, removing the veil that separated us from His presence. In 2 Corinthians 3:16, it says, "Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away," further emphasizing the idea of the removal of the veil signifying access to God through Christ.
Overall, Exodus 34:34 (KJV) holds deep theological and symbolic significance, emphasizing the presence of God, the contrast between the sacred and the profane, and the role of intermediary figures. It serves as a powerful reminder of the access to the divine that is made possible through the removal of spiritual veils and the reconciliation brought by Jesus Christ.
Have questions about Exodus 34:34?
Dive deeper into this scripture with Bible Chat — an AI-powered tool for exploring God's Word through conversation. Ask questions, get context, and grow in your understanding of the Bible.
Get Our Apps
Exodus 34:34 Artwork
Exodus 34:34 - "But when Moses went in before the LORD to speak with him, he took the vail off, until he came out. And he came out, and spake unto the children of Israel that which he was commanded."
"But when Moses went in before the LORD to speak with him, he took the vail off, until he came out. And he came out, and spake unto the children of Israel that which he was commanded." - Exodus 34:34
Exodus 40: 34
Exodus 28:31-34
Exodus 28:31-34
Exodus 28:31-34
Exodus 34:17 - "Thou shalt make thee no molten gods."
Exodus 34:5 - "And the LORD descended in the cloud, and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the LORD."
Exodus 40:34 - "¶ Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle."
Exodus 34:8 - "And Moses made haste, and bowed his head toward the earth, and worshipped."
Exodus 34:13 - "But ye shall destroy their altars, break their images, and cut down their groves:"
Exodus 34:33 - "And till Moses had done speaking with them, he put a vail on his face."
Exodus 34:14 - "For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God:"
Exodus 26:34 - "And thou shalt put the mercy seat upon the ark of the testimony in the most holy place."
Exodus 16:34 - "As the LORD commanded Moses, so Aaron laid it up before the Testimony, to be kept."
Exodus 25:34 - "And in the candlestick shall be four bowls made like unto almonds, with their knops and their flowers."
Exodus 39:34 - "And the covering of rams' skins dyed red, and the covering of badgers' skins, and the vail of the covering,"
Exodus 12:34 - "And the people took their dough before it was leavened, their kneadingtroughs being bound up in their clothes upon their shoulders."
Exodus 36:34 - "And he overlaid the boards with gold, and made their rings of gold to be places for the bars, and overlaid the bars with gold."
Exodus 34:22 - "¶ And thou shalt observe the feast of weeks, of the firstfruits of wheat harvest, and the feast of ingathering at the year's end."
Exodus 28:34 - "A golden bell and a pomegranate, a golden bell and a pomegranate, upon the hem of the robe round about."
Exodus 34:2 - "And be ready in the morning, and come up in the morning unto mount Sinai, and present thyself there to me in the top of the mount."
"Thou shalt make thee no molten gods." - Exodus 34:17
Exodus 34:31 - "And Moses called unto them; and Aaron and all the rulers of the congregation returned unto him: and Moses talked with them."
Exodus 21:34 - "The owner of the pit shall make it good, and give money unto the owner of them; and the dead beast shall be his."
Exodus 34:23 - "¶ Thrice in the year shall all your men children appear before the Lord GOD, the God of Israel."
Exodus 34:19 - "All that openeth the matrix is mine; and every firstling among thy cattle, whether ox or sheep, that is male."
Exodus 34:25 - "Thou shalt not offer the blood of my sacrifice with leaven; neither shall the sacrifice of the feast of the passover be left unto the morning."
Exodus 34:6 - "And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth,"
Exodus 34:21 - "¶ Six days thou shalt work, but on the seventh day thou shalt rest: in earing time and in harvest thou shalt rest."