Exodus 34:29–35 And Moses’ Shining Face -- By: Joshua M. Philpot

Journal: Bulletin for Biblical Research
Volume: BBR 23:1 (NA 2013)
Article: Exodus 34:29–35 And Moses’ Shining Face
Author: Joshua M. Philpot


Exodus 34:29–35
And Moses’ Shining Face

Joshua M. Philpot

Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

The purpose of the present study is twofold: (1) to deduce the meaning of Moses’ shining face and his veil in Exod 34:29–35 and (2) to understand how these terms function in the context of the book of Exodus, chs. 32–34 specifically. Scholars rightly translate the verb קרן as “to shine,” but there is no consensus as to its function. Unlike some interpretations, this article argues that Moses’ shining face functions to signify God’s goodness and grace to the Israelites, not his judgment and wrath. The attendant “veil” is more akin to a head-scarf and should not be confused with the veil of the tabernacle. The function of the veil is simple—it is worn as a response to the Israelites’ fear in Exod 34:30 and used by Moses to conceal his face when he is not operating as a mediator.

Key Words: Exodus, Moses, shining face, veil, glory

Introduction

Scholars are well aware of the interpretive difficulties in Exod 34:29–35 relating to the phrase פָּנָיו עוֹר קָרַן (“the skin of his face shone”), as well as the מסְַוֶה (“veil”) that Moses dons after he descends from Sinai. The passage is primarily concerned with Moses’ ongoing practice of communicating the word of Yahweh to the people as a mediator,1 a conclusion that is generally not disputed. The purpose of the present study, however, is to deduce the meaning and function of Moses’ “shining face” and “veil” and how they operate within the context of the entire Sinai episode (Exod 19–40). The difficulties in their meaning and function have led interpreters to propose a variety of theories and solutions, and thus a consensus opinion remains elusive. In order to arrive at a confident conclusion, this article will take up two questions: (1) what is the meaning of פָּנָיו עוֹר קָרַן, and how does the phrase function in context; and (2) what, if anything, does the “veil” contribute to this passage?

Moses’ Shining Face (Exodus 34:29–32)

The episode of Moses’ shining face is the conclusion to the whole Sinai event. When the people arrive at Sinai in

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