Exode 32:8

8 Ils se sont promptement écartés de la voie que je leur avais prescrite; ils se sont fait un veau en fonte, ils se sont prosternés devant lui, ils lui ont offert des sacrifices, et ils ont dit: Israël! voici ton dieu, qui t'a fait sortir du pays d'Egypte.

Exode 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.

Exode 32:8 In-Context

6 Le lendemain, ils se levèrent de bon matin, et ils offrirent des holocaustes et des sacrifices d'actions de grâces. Le peuple s'assit pour manger et pour boire; puis ils se levèrent pour se divertir.
7 L'Eternel dit à Moïse: Va, descends; car ton peuple, que tu as fait sortir du pays d'Egypte, s'est corrompu.
8 Ils se sont promptement écartés de la voie que je leur avais prescrite; ils se sont fait un veau en fonte, ils se sont prosternés devant lui, ils lui ont offert des sacrifices, et ils ont dit: Israël! voici ton dieu, qui t'a fait sortir du pays d'Egypte.
9 L'Eternel dit à Moïse: Je vois que ce peuple est un peuple au cou roide.
10 Maintenant laisse-moi; ma colère va s'enflammer contre eux, et je les consumerai; mais je ferai de toi une grande nation.
The Louis Segond 1910 is in the public domain.