Exodus 32:35

35 Then the Lord sent a plague on the people, because they made the calf—the one that Aaron made.

Exodus 32:35 Meaning and Commentary

Exodus 32:35

And the Lord plagued the people
That is, continued so to do at certain times, with the pestilence, or other calamities; for this seems not to refer, as some think, to the slaughter of the 3000 men: the reason follows,

because they made the calf which Aaron made;
that is, they provided him with materials to make it; they urged and solicited him to do it, and would not be easy without it, so that the making of it is ascribed to them; or they served it, as Onkelos; or bowed unto it, as Jonathan; with which agree the Syriac, Arabic, and Samaritan versions, which render it, they served, or worshipped, or sacrificed to the calf which Aaron made.

Exodus 32:35 In-Context

33 But the Lord said to Moses, "Whoever has sinned against me I will blot out of my book.

34 But now go, lead the people to the place about which I have spoken to you; see, my angel shall go in front of you. Nevertheless, when the day comes for punishment, I will punish them for their sin."

35 Then the Lord sent a plague on the people, because they made the calf—the one that Aaron made.