Exodus 32:30-35

30 The next day Moses said to the people, “You have committed a great sin. But now I will go up to the LORD; perhaps I can make atonement for your sin.”
31 So Moses went back to the LORD and said, “Oh, what a great sin these people have committed! They have made themselves gods of gold.
32 But now, please forgive their sin—but if not, then blot me out of the book you have written.”
33 The LORD replied to Moses, “Whoever has sinned against me I will blot out of my book.
34 Now go, lead the people to the place I spoke of, and my angel will go before you. However, when the time comes for me to punish, I will punish them for their sin.”
35 And the LORD struck the people with a plague because of what they did with the calf Aaron had made.

Exodus 32:30-35 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO EXODUS 32

This chapter gives an account of the idolatry of the Israelites making and worshipping a golden calf, Ex 32:1-6 the information of it God gave to Moses, bidding him at the same time not to make any suit in their favour, that he might consume them, and make a large nation out Moses's family, Ex 32:7-10 the intercession of Moses for them, in which he succeeded, Ex 32:11-14 his descent from the mount with the two tables in his hands, accompanied by Joshua, when he was an eyewitness of their idolatry, which raised his indignation, that he cast the two tables out of his hands and broke them, took the calf and burnt it, and ground it to powder, and made the children of Israel drink of it, Ex 32:15-20 the examination of Aaron about the fact, who excused himself, Ex 32:21-24 the orders given to the Levites, who joined themselves to Moses, to slay every man his brother, which they did to the number of 3000 men, Ex 32:25-29 another intercession for them by Moses, which gained a respite of them for a time, for they are threatened to be visited still for their sin, and they were plagued for it, Ex 32:30-35.

Cross References 13

  • 1. 1 Samuel 12:20; Psalms 25:11; Psalms 85:2
  • 2. Leviticus 1:4; Leviticus 4:20,26; Leviticus 5:6,10,13; Leviticus 6:7; Numbers 25:13
  • 3. Exodus 34:9; Deuteronomy 9:18
  • 4. S Exodus 20:23
  • 5. Numbers 14:19
  • 6. Romans 9:3
  • 7. Psalms 69:28; Ezekiel 13:9; Daniel 7:10; Daniel 12:1; Malachi 3:16; S Luke 10:20; Philippians 4:3; Revelation 3:5; Revelation 21:27
  • 8. S Exodus 17:14; S Job 21:20; Revelation 3:5; Deuteronomy 29:20; Psalms 9:5
  • 9. S Exodus 15:17
  • 10. Exodus 3:17
  • 11. S Exodus 14:19; Exodus 23:20
  • 12. S Genesis 50:19; Deuteronomy 32:35; Psalms 89:32; Psalms 94:23; Psalms 99:8; Psalms 109:20; Isaiah 27:1; Jeremiah 5:9; Jeremiah 11:22; Jeremiah 23:2; Jeremiah 44:13,29; Hosea 12:2; Romans 2:5-6
  • 13. S ver 4
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