Exodus 32:8

8 "They have quickly turned aside from the way which I commanded them. ¹They have made for themselves a molten calf, and have worshiped it and ²have sacrificed to it and said, '³This is your god, O Israel, who brought you up from the land of Egypt!' "

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Exodus 32:8 Meaning and Commentary

Exodus 32:8

They have turned aside quickly out of the way which I
commanded them
The Targum of Jonathan adds, by way of explanation,

``on Sinai, saying, ye shall not make to yourselves an image, or figure, or any similitude.''

This was the command God had given to them; this the way he had directed them to walk in; from this they turned aside, by making the golden calf as an image or representation of God; and this they had done very quickly, since it was but about six weeks ago that this command was given; wherefore if Moses had delayed coming down from the mount, they had made haste to commit iniquity; and, perhaps, this observation is made of their quick defection, in opposition to their complaint of Moses's long absence:

they have made them a molten calf;
for though it was made by Aaron, or by his direction to the founder or goldsmith, yet it was at their request and earnest solicitation; they would not be easy without it:

and have worshipped it;
by bowing the knee to it, kissing it or their hands at the approach of it, see ( Hosea 13:2 ) .

and have sacrificed thereunto
burnt offerings and peace offerings:

and said, these be thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of
the land of Egypt;
the very words they used, ( Exodus 32:4 ) and which were taken particular notice of by the Lord with resentment.

Taken from John Gill's Exposition of the Bible

Exodus 32:8 In-Context

6 So the next day they rose early and offered burnt offerings, and brought peace offerings; and the people sat down to eat and to drink, and rose up to play.

7 Then the LORD spoke to Moses, "Go down at once, for your people, whom you brought up from the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves.

8 "They have quickly turned aside from the way which I commanded them. They have made for themselves a molten calf, and have worshiped it and have sacrificed to it and said, 'This is your god, O Israel, who brought you up from the land of Egypt!' "

9 The LORD said to Moses, "I have seen this people, and behold, they are an obstinate people.

10 "Now then let Me alone, that My anger may burn against them and that I may destroy them; and I will make of you a great nation."

Cross References 3

1. Ex 20:3, 4, 23
2. Exodus 22:20; Exodus 34:15; Deuteronomy 32:17
3. 1 Kings 12:28

Footnotes 1

[a]. Or "These are your gods"

Exodus 32:8

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Exodus 32:8 Meaning and Commentary

Exodus 32:8 In-Context

Cross References 3

Footnotes 1