Exodus 32:8

8 They have gone away soon from the way that thou showedest them, and they have made to them a molten calf, and have worshipped it, and they have offered sacrifices to it, and said, Israel, these be thy gods, that led thee out of the land of Egypt. (So soon, or so quickly, they have gone away from the way that thou showedest them, and they have made for themselves a calf out of melted gold, and have worshipped it, and they have offered sacrifices to it, and have said, These be thy gods, Israel, that led thee out of the land of Egypt.)

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.

Exodus 32:8 In-Context

6 And they rose (up) early, and offered burnt sacrifices, and peaceable sacrifices (and peace offerings); and the people sat (down) to eat and to drink, and (then) they rose up to play, or to scorn, for idolatry is (the) scorning of God.

7 And the Lord spake to Moses, and said, Go thou, go down, thy people hath sinned, whom thou leddest out of the land of Egypt. (And the Lord spoke to Moses, and said, Go thou, and go down now, for thy people, whom thou leddest out of the land of Egypt, have sinned.)

8 They have gone away soon from the way that thou showedest them, and they have made to them a molten calf, and have worshipped it, and they have offered sacrifices to it, and said, Israel, these be thy gods, that led thee out of the land of Egypt. (So soon, or so quickly, they have gone away from the way that thou showedest them, and they have made for themselves a calf out of melted gold, and have worshipped it, and they have offered sacrifices to it, and have said, These be thy gods, Israel, that led thee out of the land of Egypt.)

9 And again the Lord said to Moses, I see [well], that this people is of hard noll; (And the Lord said to Moses, now I clearly see, that this is a hard-headed, or a stubborn, people;)

10 suffer thou me, that my strong vengeance be wroth against them, and that I do away them; and I shall make thee into a great folk. (allow me, that my strong anger come forth in vengeance against them, and that I do them away; and then I shall make a great nation to come forth from thee.)