The transfiguration is tethered to Sinai in ways I hadn’t before appreciated.

In Exodus 24, following Israel’s commitment to be faithful to God’s covenant, Moses ascends Sinai and God’s glory cloud covers the mountain for “six days” (Ex 24:16). There Moses remains for forty days and forty nights. During that time, God has some important things to tell him, primarily concerned with the construction and furniture of an ornate tent and the outfits of its attendents. This tent is designed to be the meeting place between God and Israel. Meanwhile, Israel is busy breaking the covenant they’d just agreed to, making a golden-calf that resembles one of the gods of Egypt.

In Matthew, the transfiguration occurs “after six days” (Matt 17:1). Jesus appears to his inner circle shining like the sun. Moses and Elijah appear. Moses, one assumes, is reminded of his past mountain top experience of seeing Yahweh on Sinai. Perhaps Elijah remembers seeing fire from heaven while he had a face-off with Baal’s priests on Mount Carmel. Together, Moses and Elijah represent the Law and the Prophets, who now stand and talk with Jesus.

(Side theory, perhaps best kept to myself: It’s interesting that both Moses and Elijah appear to not have had a normal burials. Elijah ascends to heaven in a chariot of fire. Moses body… well, it’s not quite clear, but apparently it caused a dispute between the archangel Michael and the devil [Jude 9]. Since no burial place is given for Moses, perhaps his body was taken up after his death. Perhaps there is some motivation here for why these individuals appear with Jesus?)

Peter sees all of this—Jesus appearing in all his glory—and says that it is good for Jesus that he and the other disciples are there. He suggests making tents for Jesus, Elijah, and Moses—one a piece. Might the suggestion of tents (same word for tabernacle in Greek) be reminiscent of Exodus and the instructions on Sinai? God the Father interrupts Peter “while he was still speaking” in a glory cloud like that of Sinai and announces, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him” (Matt 17:5).

This response seems to correct Peter on three accounts. First, instead of suggesting what Peter can do for Jesus, he should listen up. Does the one shining like the sun need Peter’s help building a tent? This also recalls Israel’s failure to listen while Moses was atop Sinai. Second, a tent per person misses that Elijah and Moses are the supporting characters and Jesus is the star of the show. Peter, like Elijah and Moses, should listen to God’s beloved Son. Third, as God overshadowed the tabernacle in the Shekhinah glory cloud throughout the Pentateuch, now he overshadows Jesus. It is not that Jesus needs a tabernacle. He is God’s tabernacle (John 1:14). God is with humanity in the person of Jesus.