Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version When Aaron and all the Israelites saw Moses, his face was radiant, and they were afraid to come near him. New Living Translation So when Aaron and the people of Israel saw the radiance of Moses’ face, they were afraid to come near him. English Standard Version Aaron and all the people of Israel saw Moses, and behold, the skin of his face shone, and they were afraid to come near him. Berean Standard Bible Aaron and all the Israelites looked at Moses, and behold, his face was radiant. And they were afraid to approach him. Berean Literal Bible And Aaron saw—and all the sons of Israel—Moses, and behold, the skin of his face shone, and they were afraid to come near to him. King James Bible And when Aaron and all the children of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone; and they were afraid to come nigh him. New King James Version So when Aaron and all the children of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone, and they were afraid to come near him. New American Standard Bible So when Aaron and all the sons of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone, and they were afraid to approach him. NASB 1995 So when Aaron and all the sons of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone, and they were afraid to come near him. NASB 1977 So when Aaron and all the sons of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone, and they were afraid to come near him. Legacy Standard Bible Then Aaron and all the sons of Israel saw Moses, and behold, the skin of his face shone, and they were afraid to come near him. Amplified Bible When Aaron and all the Israelites saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone, and they were afraid to approach him. Berean Annotated Bible Aaron (light bringer) and all the Israelites (God prevails) looked at Moses (drawn out), and behold, his face was radiant. And they were afraid to approach him. Christian Standard Bible When Aaron and all the Israelites saw Moses, the skin of his face shone! They were afraid to come near him. Holman Christian Standard Bible When Aaron and all the Israelites saw Moses, the skin of his face shone! They were afraid to come near him. American Standard Version And when Aaron and all the children of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone; and they were afraid to come nigh him. Contemporary English Version When Aaron and the others looked at Moses, they saw this, and they were afraid to go near him. English Revised Version And when Aaron and all the children of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone; and they were afraid to come nigh him. GOD'S WORD® Translation When Aaron and all the Israelites looked at Moses and saw his face shining, they were afraid to come near him. Good News Translation Aaron and all the people looked at Moses and saw that his face was shining, and they were afraid to go near him. International Standard Version Aaron and all the Israelis saw Moses and immediately noticed that the skin of his face was shining, and they were afraid to come near him. NET Bible When Aaron and all the Israelites saw Moses, the skin of his face shone; and they were afraid to approach him. New Heart English Bible When Aaron and all the children of Israel saw Moses, look, the skin of his face shone; and they were afraid to come near him. Webster's Bible Translation And when Aaron and all the children of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone, and they were afraid to come nigh him. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleAaron and all the Israelites looked at Moses, and behold, his face was radiant. And they were afraid to approach him. World English Bible When Aaron and all the children of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone; and they were afraid to come near him. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand Aaron sees—all the sons of Israel also—Moses, and behold, the skin of his face has shone, and they are afraid of coming near to him. Berean Literal Bible And Aaron saw—and all the sons of Israel—Moses, and behold, the skin of his face shone, and they were afraid to come near to him. Young's Literal Translation and Aaron seeth -- all the sons of Israel also -- Moses, and lo, the skin of his face hath shone, and they are afraid of coming nigh unto him. Smith's Literal Translation And Aaron and all the sons of Israel will see Moses, and behold, the skin of his face shone; and they will fear coming near to him. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd Aaron and the children of Israel seeing the face of Moses horned, were afraid to come near. Catholic Public Domain Version Then Aaron and the sons of Israel, seeing that the face of Moses was radiant, were afraid to approach close by. New American Bible When Aaron, then, and the other Israelites saw Moses and noticed how radiant the skin of his face had become, they were afraid to come near him. New Revised Standard Version When Aaron and all the Israelites saw Moses, the skin of his face was shining, and they were afraid to come near him. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd when Aaron and all the children of Israel saw Moses' face, behold, the skin of Moses' face shone; and they were afraid to come near to him. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And when Moshe went down from the mountain of Sinai, two tablets of the Testimony were in the hand of Moshe when he went down from the mountain and Moshe did not know that the skin of his face shone as God spoke with him. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And when Aaron and all the children of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face sent forth beams; and they were afraid to come nigh him. Brenton Septuagint Translation And Aaron and all the elders of Israel saw Moses, and the appearance of the skin of his face was made glorious, and they feared to approach him. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The LORD Renews the Covenant…29And when Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the Testimony in his hands, he was unaware that his face had become radiant from speaking with the LORD. 30Aaron and all the Israelites looked at Moses, and behold, his face was radiant. And they were afraid to approach him. 31But Moses called out to them; so Aaron and all the leaders of the congregation returned to him, and Moses spoke to them.… Cross References Aaron and all the Israelites looked at Moses, 2 Corinthians 3:7 Now if the ministry of death, which was engraved in letters on stone, came with such glory that the Israelites could not gaze at the face of Moses because of its fleeting glory, 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. Deuteronomy 34:10 Since that time, no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face— and behold, his face was radiant. Matthew 17:2 There He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. Luke 9:29 And as He was praying, the appearance of His face changed, and His clothes became radiantly white. Daniel 10:6 His body was like beryl, his face like the brilliance of lightning, his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and legs like the gleam of polished bronze, and his voice like the sound of a multitude. And they were afraid to approach him. Deuteronomy 5:25-27 But now, why should we die? For this great fire will consume us, and we will die, if we hear the voice of the LORD our God any longer. / For who of all flesh has heard the voice of the living God speaking out of the fire, as we have, and survived? / Go near and listen to all that the LORD our God says. Then you can tell us everything the LORD our God tells you; we will listen and obey.” Exodus 20:18-21 When all the people witnessed the thunder and lightning, the sounding of the ram’s horn, and the mountain enveloped in smoke, they trembled and stood at a distance. / “Speak to us yourself and we will listen,” they said to Moses. “But do not let God speak to us, or we will die.” / “Do not be afraid,” Moses replied. “For God has come to test you, so that the fear of Him may be before you, to keep you from sinning.” … Hebrews 12:18-21 For you have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom, and storm; / to a trumpet blast or to a voice that made its hearers beg that no further word be spoken. / For they could not bear what was commanded: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned.” … Acts 6:15 All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel. Revelation 1:16 He held in His right hand seven stars, and a sharp double-edged sword came from His mouth. His face was like the sun shining at its brightest. 1 John 3:2 Beloved, we are now children of God, and what we will be has not yet been revealed. We know that when Christ appears, we will be like Him, for we will see Him as He is. 1 Corinthians 13:12 Now we see but a dim reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. Hebrews 1:3 The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His nature, upholding all things by His powerful word. After He had provided purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high. John 1:14 The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 17:24 Father, I want those You have given Me to be with Me where I am, that they may see the glory You gave Me because You loved Me before the foundation of the world. Treasury of Scripture And when Aaron and all the children of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone; and they were afraid to come near him. afraid Numbers 12:8 With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches; and the similitude of the LORD shall he behold: wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses? Mark 9:3,15 And his raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them… Luke 5:8 When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord. Jump to Previous Aaron Afraid Beams Children Face Fear Forth Israel Israelites Moses Nigh Radiant Shining Shone SkinJump to Next Aaron Afraid Beams Children Face Fear Forth Israel Israelites Moses Nigh Radiant Shining Shone SkinExodus 34 1. The tablets are replaced5. The name of the Lord proclaimed 8. Moses entreats God to go with them 10. God makes a covenant with them, repeating certain duties 28. Moses after forty days on the mount, comes down with the tablets 29. His face is radiant, and he covers it with a veil Aaron and all the Israelites looked at Moses This phrase highlights the communal aspect of the Israelite experience in the wilderness. Aaron, as the high priest and Moses' brother, represents the leadership of Israel, while "all the Israelites" indicates the entire community. This collective observation underscores the importance of Moses' role as the mediator between God and His people. The Israelites had witnessed Moses' leadership through the Exodus and the giving of the Law, and now they see a physical manifestation of his encounter with God. This moment is pivotal as it reinforces Moses' authority and the divine origin of his leadership. and behold, his face was radiant And they were afraid to approach him Persons / Places / Events 1. MosesThe central figure in this passage, Moses is returning from Mount Sinai after speaking with God. His face is radiant, reflecting the glory of God. 2. Aaron Moses' brother and the high priest of Israel. He is among those who see Moses' radiant face and is initially afraid. 3. The Israelites The people of Israel, who are witnesses to Moses' transformed appearance. Their fear indicates their recognition of the divine encounter Moses has experienced. 4. Mount Sinai The mountain where Moses meets with God and receives the Ten Commandments. It is a place of divine revelation and covenant. 5. The Radiance The visible glory on Moses' face, symbolizing the presence and holiness of God. It serves as a testament to Moses' intimate encounter with the Divine. Teaching Points The Transformative Power of God's PresenceEncountering God can lead to a visible transformation in our lives. Just as Moses' face shone with God's glory, our lives should reflect His presence and holiness. The Fear of the Lord The Israelites' fear upon seeing Moses' radiant face reminds us of the awe and reverence due to God. We should approach Him with humility and respect. The Role of a Mediator Moses serves as a mediator between God and the Israelites, prefiguring Christ as our ultimate mediator. We can approach God with confidence through Jesus. The Glory of the New Covenant While Moses' radiance was temporary, the glory of the new covenant in Christ is eternal. We are called to live in the light of this greater glory. Reflecting God's Glory in Daily Life As believers, we are called to reflect God's glory in our actions and interactions. Our lives should be a testament to His transformative power. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Exodus 34:30?2. How does Moses' radiant face in Exodus 34:30 demonstrate God's transformative power? 3. What can we learn from Moses' encounter with God about seeking His presence? 4. How does Exodus 34:30 connect to the New Testament's call to reflect Christ? 5. How should Moses' experience in Exodus 34:30 inspire our daily walk with God? 6. In what ways can we cultivate a visible reflection of God's glory today? 7. Why did Moses' face shine after speaking with God in Exodus 34:30? 8. How does Exodus 34:30 demonstrate God's holiness and power? 9. What is the significance of Moses' radiant face in Exodus 34:30? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Exodus 34? 11. Why did Moses cover his face with a veil? 12. Why does Michelangelo's Moses have horns? 13. (Exodus 34:29-35) How can Moses's radiant face be explained scientifically, and why are there no other similar reports in the Torah? 14. Numbers 20:1 - Why is Miriam's death recorded so briefly, with no details about her mourning or burial, unlike other prominent figures? What Does Exodus 34:30 Mean Aaron and all the Israelites looked at Moses- Moses has just descended from Sinai with the newly rewritten tablets (Exodus 34:29). - The entire camp, beginning with Aaron, fixes its gaze on him. This unified focus underscores Moses’ God-given authority (Numbers 12:7-8) and the people’s recognition that something divine has happened. - Scripture often records moments when God’s chosen representative draws everyone’s attention because of a fresh encounter with the LORD (1 Samuel 12:18; Acts 7:55-56). Here, that attention prepares the people to receive God’s covenant terms anew. and behold, his face was radiant - The radiance is literal, a supernatural afterglow from speaking “face to face, as a man speaks with his friend” (Exodus 33:11). - Similar manifestations appear when Jesus is transfigured—“His face shone like the sun” (Matthew 17:2)—and when Stephen’s face appears “like the face of an angel” (Acts 6:15). - This brightness proclaims God’s glory, not Moses’ greatness (2 Corinthians 3:7-11). It visually links the covenant mediator with the God of light (Psalm 104:1-2; 1 John 1:5). - The glow also signals life: having pleaded for the people (Exodus 32:30-32), Moses returns not with wrath but with grace reflected on his skin. And they were afraid to approach him - Fallen humanity instinctively recoils when exposed to unveiled holiness (Exodus 20:18-19; Isaiah 6:5). - Their fear mirrors Peter’s response to Jesus: “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man” (Luke 5:8). - Moses will soon veil his face (Exodus 34:33-35), illustrating that a covering is needed until hearts are renewed—an image Paul connects to the veil lifted in Christ (2 Corinthians 3:12-18). - The episode reminds us that while God desires fellowship, His glory remains awesome; reverent fear is appropriate (Hebrews 12:21, 28-29). summary Exodus 34:30 records a real, visible radiance on Moses’ face, produced by intimate communion with the LORD. The people’s awestruck fear reveals both the majesty of God’s glory and humanity’s awareness of sin. Together these elements highlight Moses as mediator of the Sinai covenant and foreshadow the greater Mediator whose unveiled glory both humbles and transforms all who draw near. (30) They were afraid.--The supernatural appearance terrified them. Compare the feelings of Ezekiel (Ezekiel 1:18) and St. John (Revelation 1:17).Verse 30. - They were afraid. They shrank from Moses, as if he were more than man. (Compare Ezekiel 1:28; Revelation 1:17.) Perhaps they thought that what they saw was his spirit.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Aaronאַהֲרֹ֜ן (’a·hă·rōn) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 175: Aaron -- an elder brother of Moses and all וְכָל־ (wə·ḵāl) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every the Israelites בְּנֵ֤י (bə·nê) Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 1121: A son looked at וַיַּ֨רְא (way·yar) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 7200: To see Moses, מֹשֶׁ֔ה (mō·šeh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 4872: Moses -- a great Israelite leader, prophet and lawgiver and behold, וְהִנֵּ֥ה (wə·hin·nêh) Conjunctive waw | Interjection Strong's 2009: Lo! behold! his face פָּנָ֑יו (pā·nāw) Noun - common plural construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 6440: The face was radiant. קָרַ֖ן (qā·ran) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 7160: To shoot out horns, rays And they were afraid וַיִּֽירְא֖וּ (way·yî·rə·’ū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 3372: To fear, to revere, caus, to frighten to approach מִגֶּ֥שֶׁת (mig·ge·šeṯ) Preposition-m | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct Strong's 5066: To draw near, approach him. אֵלָֽיו׃ (’ê·lāw) Preposition | third person masculine singular Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to Links Exodus 34:30 NIVExodus 34:30 NLT Exodus 34:30 ESV Exodus 34:30 NASB Exodus 34:30 KJV Exodus 34:30 BibleApps.com Exodus 34:30 Biblia Paralela Exodus 34:30 Chinese Bible Exodus 34:30 French Bible Exodus 34:30 Catholic Bible OT Law: Exodus 34:30 When Aaron and all the children (Exo. 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