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The miraculous event where Jehovah’s angel communicated with Moses through a burning bush is generally believed to have involved a type of thornbush, denoted in Hebrew as ‘seneh.’ This incident is cited in Exodus 3:2-5 and Deuteronomy 33:16. When referring to this occurrence, the authors of the New Testament, writing in Greek, utilized the term ‘batos,’ signifying a bramble or any thorny bush. These references can be found in Mark 12:26, Luke 20:37, and Acts 7:30, 35.

In the Greek language, the term for blackberry is ‘baton’, a derivative of ‘batos’. Consequently, certain lexicographers establish a link between the thorny bush, ‘seneh’, and the blackberry bush, known scientifically as Rubus sanctus. This type of bush is widespread throughout Syria and much of Palestine. However, it’s important to note that in present times, this bush does not naturally occur in the Sinai Peninsula.

Due to this, some experts suggest that the burning bush could have been a form of acacia tree. These thorny trees, which often resemble bushes, are abundant throughout the Sinai region. Despite these theories, the precise identification of the burning bush remains uncertain.

Jehovah communicated with Moses multiple times, but not directly. During Moses’ encounter with the burning bush on Mount Horeb, it was Jehovah’s angel who spoke as God’s representative (Exodus 3:4-6). Even as Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt and received instructions about the upcoming plagues, it is reasonable to believe that communication continued via an angelic representative.

At Mount Sinai, God audibly presented the Ten Commandments to the entire nation, again likely through an angelic representative, which the people requested due to fear (Exodus 20:1-18, 22; Deuteronomy 9:10).

The evidence that the communication was through angels comes from statements made by Stephen before the Jewish Sanhedrin and writings of Apostle Paul (Acts 7:37, 38, 53; Hebrews 2:2; Galatians 3:19), suggesting that rather than personally communicating and giving the two tablets of the Testimony, Jehovah did this through his angelic representatives.

Later, when Moses asked Jehovah to see his glory (Exodus 33:18-23), the subsequent manifestation was probably associated with an angel. Although it was not the full force of Jehovah’s glory, it appeared as the afterglow, or God’s “back” (Exodus 34:4-8).

Finally, when Jehovah corrected Aaron and Miriam, who had spoken against Moses, He highlighted His unique communication with Moses, speaking “mouth to mouth” and not in riddles or dreams (Numbers 12:6-8). However, given the previous evidence, it’s more likely this figuratively emphasized the clear, direct, and frequent nature of their communication via the angelic mediator. Thus, although the phrase “whom Jehovah knew face to face” is used (Deuteronomy 34:10), it’s clear Moses didn’t see Jehovah’s face or person directly, but experienced a form of divine audience through angels.

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About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220+ books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).