Exodus 32:8

8 They have quickly turned from the way I commanded them; they have made for themselves an image of a calf. They have bowed down to it, sacrificed to it, and said, 'Israel, this is your God,^[a] who brought you up from 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 Early the next morning they arose, offered burnt offerings, and presented fellowship offerings. The people sat down to eat and drink, then got up to revel.

7 The Lord spoke to Moses: "Go down at once! For your people you brought up from the land of Egypt have acted corruptly.

8 They have quickly turned from the way I commanded them; they have made for themselves an image of a calf. They have bowed down to it, sacrificed to it, and said, 'Israel, this is your God, who brought you up from the land of Egypt.' "

9 The Lord also said to Moses: "I have seen this people, and they are indeed a stiff-necked people.

10 Now leave Me alone, so that My anger can burn against them and I can destroy them. Then I will make you into a great nation."

Footnotes

• [a]. Or Israel, this is your god, or Israel, these are your gods