Exodus 34:29

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Exodus 34:28-35

Here is, I. The continuance of Moses in the mount, where he was miraculously sustained, Exod. 34:28. He was there in very intimate communion with God, without interruption, forty days and forty nights, and did not think it long. When we are weary of an hour or two spent in attendance upon God and adoration of him, we should think how many days and nights Moses spent with him, and of the eternal day we hope to spend in praising him. During all this time Moses did neither eat nor drink. Though... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 34:29

And it came to pass, when Moses came down Mount Sinai ,.... Which was on the day of atonement, according to Jarchi, that is, the tenth of Tisri, or September; and so the Jewish chronologers F17 Seder Olam Rabba, c. 6. p. 19. fix his descent on this day: with the two tables of testimony in Moses's hand ; the two tables he carried up, on which God had wrote the law, called "the testimony", being a testification and declaration of his will to the children of Israel: when he came... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 34:29

The skin of his face shone - קרן karan , was horned: having been long in familiar intercourse with his Maker, his flesh, as well as his soul, was penetrated with the effulgence of the Divine glory, and his looks expressed the light and life which dwelt within. Probably Moses appeared now as he did when, in our Lord's transfiguration, he was seen with Elijah on the mount, Matthew 17. As the original word קרן karan signifies to shine out, to dart forth, as horns on the head of an... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 34:29

Verse 29 29.And it came to pass when Moses came down Another remarkable honor given to the Law is here narrated, viz., that the brightness of the heavenly glory appeared in the face of Moses; for it is said that his face gave forth rays, or was irradiated. The word is derived from קרן keren, a horn; and therefore it is probable that rays shone forth from his face, which rendered it luminous; and this effulgence God shed upon him, whilst He was speaking to him in the mount. It is not certain... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 34:10-29

Revived obligations. Former instructions are renewed; only, however, so far as relates to the duties of religion. Renewal of the civil code was not required. Subject to this limit, the new book of the covenant ( Exodus 34:27 ) revives, supplements, expands, and endorses the teachings and precepts of the old one. We have in it— I. PROMISE ( Exodus 34:10 , Exodus 34:11 ). God, as on the former occasion ( Exodus 23:23-30 ), pledges himself to drive out all their enemies. The... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 34:27-35

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 34:28-35

Fellowship with God and its fruits. I. COMMUNION WITH GOD . 1 . The length of his sojourn—forty days and forty nights. Time sped unmarked in the presence and fellowship of God. The future glory an untiring joy. The redeemed serve him day and night in his temple. 2 . Lower wants were forgotten: "he did neither eat bread nor drink water." The need of the body was unfelt in the satisfying of the desires of the spirit. "In thy presence is fulness of joy." To escape from... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 34:29

The skin of his face shone while he talked with him . Rather, "through his talking with him." The glory of God, as revealed to Moses on this occasion, caused his face to become henceforth radiant. Compare the effect of the transfiguration ( Matthew 17:2 ). The Vulgate wrongly translates haran , "to shine," as if it were derived from keren , "a horn"—whence the painters of mediaeval times commonly represent Moses as horned. St. Paul's words ( 2 Corinthians 3:7 ) are conclusive as to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 34:29

Moses wist not that the skin of his face shone while he talked with him. His face "shone"—literally, "shot out rays"—as we say, was irradiated , became radiant . Notice: I. THE CAUSE OF THE PHENOMENON . "Talked with him." Self had been forgotten in communion with Jehovah, in hearing him and attending to his utterances. It is from such communion as this that the radiant countenance results. 1 . What the communion is . God a Spirit. Communion must be spiritual The... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 34:29-35

The shining of Moses' face. This strange phenomenon, one of the distinctive marks which most closely assimilate the Jewish with the Christian lawgiver, is well worthy of our attentive consideration. I. AS TO ITS ORIGIN . Admission to the Divine presence within the cloud had not, on the former occasion, left any such visible trace. It cannot, therefore, be ascribed simply to communion with God for a period of a certain duration. We must endeavour to see how the second sojourn in... read more

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