Definition: And the children of Israel saw the face of Moses, that the skin of Mosesâ face shone: and Moses put the vail upon his face again, until he went in to speak with him.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Exodus 34:35. It's a really important and fascinating passage! Here’s what it means in simple terms: Basically, God is showing himself to the Israelites. “And the children of Israel saw the face of Moses…” – This means that the Israelites were experiencing a very powerful and personal encounter with Moses. They weren't just seeing him ; they were seeing his face . It’s like a really intense, clear vision. “…that the skin of Mosesâ face shone…” – This is a bit figurative, but it means that Moses’s skin seemed to glow or shimmer with a special light. It's an unusual description, and it suggests something significant was happening. It wasn't just his appearance; it felt like he was radiating power and significance. “and Moses put the vail upon his face again…” – This is the key part! Moses was wearing a special garment called the “vellum” (pronounced "vel"). He donned this veil, which was a large, shimmering cloth, over his face. It’s like he was symbolically covering himself with something holy and divine. “…until he went in to speak with him.” – Moses was now going to talk to the Israelites. This suggests that God was communicating with them through this act of wearing the vellum. What's the significance? This verse is a symbolic representation of God’s covenant with Israel. It signifies: God’s Presence: Seeing God in this way meant He was close and present to them. A Covenant: Wearing the vellum symbolized a binding agreement – a promise made between God and his people. Divine Revelation: It's an act of revealing His will and identity to the Israelites. In essence, it’s a powerful image of God revealing Himself powerfully to the Israelites, establishing a fundamental relationship. Do you want me to explain any part of this verse in more detail? Perhaps you'd like to know: What the “vellum” was? The context of this passage within the larger story of the Exodus?