מַסְוֶה (mas.veh)
mas.veh
veil
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew word masveh refers to a physical covering or veil. It appears only three times in the Old Testament, all within the Priestly account of Moses’ interactions with the Israelites in Exodus 34. The term describes the cloth placed over Moses’ face after he spoke with God.
Its usage is highly specific to this narrative context. When Moses returned from Mount Sinai, his face shone with a reflection of divine glory. To prevent the people from being overwhelmed or distracted by this radiance, he wore the masveh. The text notes that he removed it only when entering the Tent of Meeting to speak with God, and put it back on when addressing the community (Exodus 34:33–35).
This garment served a practical function in mediating between the holy presence and the people. It highlights the tension between divine revelation and human limitation. The veil acted as a buffer, allowing Moses to convey God’s commands without exposing the full intensity of his transformed appearance to the crowd.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word masveh describes a physical covering worn by Moses after meeting with God. In Exodus 34, his face shone with divine glory, so he used this veil when speaking to the people. This act shows how we often need a gentle buffer between our deepest spiritual experiences and daily life. It reminds us that not every moment of encounter is meant for public display.
For your faith journey, this image offers comfort. You do not have to carry the full weight of God’s presence in every conversation or task. Like Moses, you can find peace in knowing that some things are held close to your heart before God. The veil was not a barrier to truth, but a sign of reverence and humility.
This simple cloth teaches us about pacing our spiritual life. We meet with God in secret, then step out into the world with grace. The masveh helps us navigate that transition without overwhelming ourselves or others. It is a quiet reminder that holiness can be lived gently.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- the/ veil2×
- a veil1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מַסְוֶֽה\׃1×
- הַ/מַּסְוֶה֙1×
- הַ/מַּסְוֶ֖ה1×
Key Verses
-
Exodus 34:33
When Moses was done speaking with them, he put a veil on his face.
This verse marks the moment Moses covers his face, showing how he mediated between God's glory and the people's capacity to receive it.
-
Exodus 34:34
But when Moses went in before Yahweh to speak with him, he took the veil off, until he came out; and he came out, and spoke to the children of Israel that which he was commanded.
Here the veil is removed only in God’s presence, highlighting that intimacy with the Divine requires vulnerability and openness.
-
Exodus 34:35
The children of Israel saw Moses’ face, that the skin of Moses’ face shone; so Moses put the veil on his face again, until he went in to speak with him.
The people see the shining face, yet Moses keeps the veil on, illustrating how divine transformation can be shared without demanding full exposure.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does masveh mean in the Bible?
Why did Moses wear a veil?
How is masveh different from other words for covering?
Where else does this word appear?
Every Occurrence (3 verses across 1 books)
Exodus 3 verses
When Moses was done speaking with them, he put a veil on his face.
Exodus 34:34But when Moses went in before Yahweh to speak with him, he took the veil off, until he came out; and he came out, and…
Exodus 34:35The children of Israel saw Moses’ face, that the skin of Moses’ face shone; so Moses put the veil on his face again,…