Exodus 32:27

27 He said to them, "Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, "Put your sword on your side, each of you! Go back and forth from gate to gate throughout the camp, and each of you kill your brother, your friend, and your neighbor.' "

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 When Moses saw that the people were running wild (for Aaron had let them run wild, to the derision of their enemies),

26 then Moses stood in the gate of the camp, and said, "Who is on the Lord's side? Come to me!" And all the sons of Levi gathered around him.

27 He said to them, "Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, "Put your sword on your side, each of you! Go back and forth from gate to gate throughout the camp, and each of you kill your brother, your friend, and your neighbor.' "

28 The sons of Levi did as Moses commanded, and about three thousand of the people fell on that day.

29 Moses said, "Today you have ordained yourselves for the service of the Lord, each one at the cost of a son or a brother, and so have brought a blessing on yourselves this day."