Exodus 32:27

27 And he said to them, Thus saith Jehovah, the God of Israel: Put every man his sword upon his hip; go and return from gate to gate through the camp, and slay every man his brother, and every man his friend, and every man his neighbour.

Exodus 32:27 Meaning and Commentary

Exodus 32:27

And he said unto them, thus saith the Lord God of Israel,
&c.] The following orders are given by Moses, not of himself the chief magistrate, and as the effect of heat and passion, but there were from the Lord, who was Israel's God and King; he had them expressly from him, or by an impulse on his spirit, or in such a way and manner that he knew it was of God, and this was his will:

put every man his sword by his side;
girt there, ready to be drawn upon order:

and go in and out from gate to gate throughout the camp;
not into the tents, where good men might be bemoaning the sin committed, but throughout the streets, where many were loitering, it being a holy day with the idolaters:

and slay every man his brother, and every man his companion, and
every man his neighbour;
who were idolaters; none were to be spared on account of relation, friendship, and acquaintance.

Exodus 32:27 In-Context

25 And Moses saw the people how they were stripped; for Aaron had stripped them to [their] shame before their adversaries.

26 And Moses stood in the gate of the camp, and said, He that is for Jehovah, [let him come] to me. And all the sons of Levi gathered to him.

27 And he said to them, Thus saith Jehovah, the God of Israel: Put every man his sword upon his hip; go and return from gate to gate through the camp, and slay every man his brother, and every man his friend, and every man his neighbour.

28 And the sons of Levi did according to the word of Moses; and there fell of the people that day about three thousand men.

29 And Moses said, Consecrate yourselves to-day to Jehovah, yea, every man with his son, and with his brother, and bring on yourselves a blessing to-day.