Exodus 32:30-35

30 The following day Moses said to the people, "You have committed a great sin. Now I will go up to the Lord; perhaps I will be able to pay^[a] for your sin."

31 So Moses returned to the Lord and said, "Oh, this people has committed a great sin; they have made for themselves a god of gold.

32 Now if You would only forgive their sin. But if not, please erase me from the book You have written."^[b]

33 The Lord replied to Moses: "Whoever has sinned against Me I will erase from My book.

34 Now go, lead the people to the place I told you about; see, My angel will go before you. But on the day I settle accounts, I will hold them accountable for their sin."

35 And the Lord inflicted a plague on the people for 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.

Footnotes

• [a]. Traditionally, make atonement
• [b]. Ps 69:28; Rv 3:5