Exodus 34:29
two tablets <03871 08147> [A.M. 2513. B.C. 1491. An. Ex. Is. 1. Elul. Two tables.]
know <03045> [wist.]
skin <05785> [the skin.]
face shone <07160 06440> [face shone.]
As the original word {karan,} signifies to shine out, or dart forth, as horns on the head of an animal, or rays of light reflected from a polished surface, we may suppose that the heavenly glory which filled the soul of this holy man, darted out from his face in coruscations, in the manner in which light is generally represented. The Vulgate renders it, {et ignorabat quod cornuta esset facies sua,} "and he did not know that his face was horned;" which version, misunderstood, has induced painters to represent Moses with two very large horns, one proceeding from each temple!
