And having done speaking, he put a veil upon his face.
וַיְכַ֣ל מֹשֶׁ֔ה מִדַּבֵּ֖ר אִתָּ֑ם וַיִּתֵּ֥ן עַל־פָּנָ֖יו מַסְוֶֽה׃
4 Church Fathers comment on this verse
As recorded, "For even shadows display truth without being truth itself." This is why the prophet Moses concealed his face, communicating to the Israelites that the splendor of his revelations should not be sought in outward visibility, but rather in the deeper truths concealed within (cf. Heb. 10:1).
What does it signify when it is said that a veil is placed over the face of the lawgiver? The Apostle sheds light on this matter. He states, “Even unto this day, when Moses is read, the covering of their heart lies unveiled, for they cease from Christ. But when they turn to the Lord, the veil is taken away” (2 Cor. 3:14-16). In that time, the countenance of the lawgiver radiated with divine glory, a brilliance so intense that those who approached him were unable to gaze directly upon it. This caused them to either avert their faces or look away. Consequently, Moses consistently wore a veil when addressing the people, yet when he communicated with God, he uncovered his face.
The Jews, fixated solely on the letter of the law, do not perceive the glory and instead see only the veil before their eyes. However, those who embrace the grace of the Holy Spirit are liberated from this veil and can behold the splendor that filled Moses. The Apostle Paul further articulates, “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, as by the Spirit of the Lord” (2 Corinthians 3:18). Just as a clear mirror reflects the likeness of those who look into it, pure hearts receive the glory of God. Thus, the Lord declared, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” (Matt. 5:8). Conversely, Judas, having succumbed to the devil’s influence, mirrored his own malice. In contrast, one who approaches Divine grace is illuminated by its brilliance. As one who dwells in darkness becomes encompassed by shadows, and one who basks in the sun radiates light, so too does the individual who clings to God take on the likeness of the Divine.
Moses, upon exiting the divine presence, veils his radiant countenance from the people, as he chooses not to reveal the profound truths imparted to him. Thus, the Heavenly voice through him decreed that one who uncovers a pit must be held accountable if a bull or a donkey were to fall into it (Ex. 21: 33-34). Similarly, a person who accesses profound depths of understanding but fails to safeguard these insights from the unrefined hearts of their audience risks facing consequences if a righteous or sinful soul succumbs to temptation due to their words. This principle is echoed in the account of the venerable Job, where it is questioned, Who has given the rooster its understanding? (Job 38:36 (Vul).
The Israelites are overwhelmed with fear upon seeing the radiant face of Moses. He calls them closer to convey the words of the Lord, and as he approaches the Lord, he removes his veil. In 2 Corinthians 3, Paul addresses this situation, indicating that a veil still remains over the hearts of the Israelites, which is only lifted when they turn to the Lord.
Passages read together with this verse.
THEOSIS