Exodus 34 - Printer Friendly

What does Exodus 34 mean?

Chapter Commentary:

Israel violated the covenant with God (Exodus 32:1–6). This created separation (Exodus 33:1–6). However, God promised to restore His presence and to renew the covenant (Exodus 33:17).

Moses brought two stone tablets down from Sinai the first time God issued His laws (Exodus 32:15–16). In righteous anger, Moses smashed the stones when he saw Israel's blatant sin (Exodus 32:19). This was a physical symbol of the fractured relationship between the people and God. Now, the Lord commands Moses to bring new tablets. These will record the Ten Commandments (Exodus 34:28) and remain in the ark (Exodus 25:16). No one else, including Joshua (Exodus 24:13; 32:17), is allowed to come with Moses this time (Exodus 34:1–4).

God fulfills the promise He gave in response to Moses' bold request (Exodus 33:18). The Lord explained that He would hide Moses in a rocky crevice, cover him, and allow him to see God's "back" as the glory passed by (Exodus 33:19–23). God passes by Moses and proclaims some of His important attributes. God uses the name Yahweh, or YHWH, usually translated as Lord, which is the same name spoken to Moses in his first encounter with the Lord (Exodus 3:15). The Lord is merciful but just, holding each person accountable for their own sins (Exodus 34:5–9).

Israel's relationship with God was meant to be a sign for all nations on earth (Exodus 33:16). Part of that sign was to be Israel's conquest of the Promised Land (Genesis 15:18–21). This was the home of various evil Canaanite nations (Exodus 33:2). God is sending Israel there to fulfill His promises and bring judgment on that corrupt culture (Deuteronomy 9:4–5). This means Israel is to have no dealings with the Canaanite nations (Exodus 34:10–12).

The Lord insists that the people of Israel avoid all Canaanite religious practices (Exodus 20:3–6). Instead, Israel is to demolish every aspect of Canaanite idolatry. This would include ceremonial poles associated with the false deities Asherah and Baal. Intermarriage with Canaanites is also forbidden, specifically to avoid spiritual corruption. In this passage, idolatry is described using bitterly sharp terms comparing it to sexual depravity. To pursue other gods is called "whoring" (Exodus 34:13–17).

Renewal of the covenant comes with a reminder about the Feast of Unleavened Bread (Exodus 12:14–15; 23:15). This holiday is associated with the first Passover (Exodus 12:29–32). Israel is also to consecrate their firstborn (Exodus 13:1–2, 11–12) to the Lord. Another key aspect of the covenant is honoring the Sabbath (Exodus 20:8–11). This is a one-day period of rest at the end of every seven-day week (Exodus 34:18–21).

It is also important for Israel to celebrate two other major holidays, known as the Feast of Harvest and the Feast of Ingathering (Exodus 23:16–17). These would later be known as the Feast of Weeks and the Feast of Booths (Deuteronomy 16:16). Obedience to these and other rules will keep God's power working against Israel's enemies (Exodus 34:22–26).

Moses spends a second session of forty days and nights (Exodus 24:18) on Sinai receiving the newly restored covenant. According to a literal view, he consumed no food or water of any kind during that time. Forty days approaches the maximum any human body can survive without food. Several days without water is typically fatal. Some commentators suggest that the statement means that Moses barely cared for his own survival during that time, not that he literally abstained from all food and water for more than nine hundred consecutive hours. During his time on Sinai, Moses re-carves the words of the Ten Commandments onto the new stone slabs (Exodus 34:27–28).

When Moses returns from meeting with God, the Israelites are afraid to look at him. Moses' face is "shining," but this is not merely a divine expression. Nor is it that Moses seems exceptionally holy. The text notes that the actual skin on his face was sending out something like light. This would have been a side effect of Moses' incredibly close encounter with God's glory (Exodus 33:18–23; 34:5–7). People might have worried that looking at this shining face would be dangerous (Genesis 32:30; Exodus 33:20). So Moses wears some sort of face covering when he speaks to Israelites (Exodus 34:29–35).

From this point forward, Exodus is self-repeating. The last chapters (Exodus 35—40) repeat God's instructions for the tabernacle and all its accessories (Exodus 25—31). Then the tabernacle is completed and God's glory rests on it.

Exodus 34:1–4 describes Moses' latest journey onto Mount Sinai. God will renew the covenant with Israel which was recently broken by their idolatry (Exodus 32:1–6, 19). Moses makes two new stone tablets to record the Ten Commandments (Exodus 34:28). Unlike the last time (Exodus 32:17), Joshua (Exodus 17:8–9; 24:13) does not accompany him.

Exodus 34:5–9 records God passing in front of Moses to fulfill an earlier promise (Exodus 33:18–23). The Lord comes down to Sinai in a cloud and proclaims Himself as "Yahweh" as His glory passes in front of Moses. The declaration also emphasizes God's mercy, justice, and consistency. Moses responds with humility, but close contact with Divinity creates a side effect seen by other Israelites when he returns (Exodus 34:29).

Exodus 34:10–28 is God's renewed declaration of covenant laws for Israel. The Lord includes more details on specific aspects of the Law this time. This added detail is a direct response to Israel's recent sin of idolatry (Exodus 32:1–6). God especially emphasizes idolatry, consecration of the firstborn, and observing the Sabbath. Moses stays on Mount Sinai for forty days and nights hearing from the Lord.

Exodus 34:29–35 says that after speaking with God on Sinai (Exodus 34:1–2), Moses' face was shining. This is more than an intimidating attitude or a happy expression. The text notes that Moses' actual skin was "shining." This was a result of his close encounter with God's glory (Exodus 33:18–23; 34:5–7). The people are afraid to look at him (Genesis 32:30), so Moses covers his face when speaking to them. Scripture does not indicate how long this condition lasted.

Chapter Summary:

Moses obeys God's command to bring new stone tablets (Exodus 32:19) onto Mount Sinai. There, God fulfills His earlier promise to reveal more of His glory to Moses (Exodus 33:18–23). The Lord renews the covenant with Israel and gives additional details on subjects such as idolatry, the Sabbath, and certain festivals. When Moses returns, the people are intimidated by his now-shining face.

Chapter Context:

Israel quickly broke God's laws (Exodus 20:3–6) by committing idolatry (Exodus 32:1–6). This caused a rift between them and God. One consequence was a removal of God's direct presence (Exodus 33:1–3). In this chapter, the covenant is renewed. The remaining chapters (Exodus 35—40) mirror the instructions for building the tabernacle (Exodus 25—31).

The book of Exodus establishes God's covenant relationship with the full-fledged nation of Israel. The descendants of Abraham prosper after settling in Egypt, only to be enslaved by a fearful, hateful Egyptian Pharaoh. God appoints Moses to lead the people out of this bondage. Moses serves as God's spokesman, as the Lord brings plagues and judgments on Egypt, leading to the release of Israel.

Accessed 11/22/2025 1:46:27 AM