Exodus 34:29

Wist not] knew not. Shone while he talked with him] RV 'shone by reason of his speaking with him.' His face was lit up with a radiance which was the reflection of the divine glory, and served to attest the message he delivered to the people. Compare what is said of our Lord at His Transfiguration (Matthew 17:2) and of Stephen at his martyrdom (Acts 6:15; Acts 7:55). The present instance is a fine illustration of the power of unconscious influence. The Heb. verb rendered 'shone' in this passage is derived from the word meaning 'horn,' which is used figuratively to denote rays or flashes of light proceeding from a luminous object (see e.g. Habakkuk 3:4 with mg.). The Vulgate (Latin version) accordingly says of Moses' face that it was cornuta, which has led to the curious representation of Moses with horns, as seen in early art.