Bible Strands
Exodus 34:33
When Moses had finished speaking with them, he put a veil over his face.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Moses acts immediately after delivering the Sinai commands to the assembled Israelites. He covers his face with a veil the moment his public address concludes.
The words — The Hebrew מַסְוֶה (masveh) means a covering or veil, and וַ/יִּתֵּן (va/yi.ten) literally translates to "and he put." The text records only the physical placement of the covering over his face, without stating its function or reason.
The thread — This physical act is later referenced in 2 Corinthians 3:13 and 2 Corinthians 4:4, where Paul contrasts Moses' veiling with spiritual blindness. The narrative also points forward to Romans 10:4, which identifies Christ as the termination of the law's righteous demands.
Why it lands — The passage requires the reader to distinguish between the moment of divine communication and the subsequent human reception of that message. It forces attention to the physical boundary Moses establishes between his role as God's messenger and his identity before the covenant people.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And till Moses had done speaking with them, he put a vail on his face.
Cross-references
- 2 Corinthians 4:4 The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
- 2 Corinthians 3:13 We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to keep the Israelites from gazing at the end of what was fading away.
- Romans 10:4 For Christ is the end of the law, to bring righteousness to everyone who believes.