Exodus 32:22-32

22 And Aaron said, "Let not the anger of my lord wax hot. Thou knowest the people, that they are set on mischief.

23 For they said unto me, `Make us gods which shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we know not what has become of him.'

24 And I said unto them, `Whosoever hath any gold, let them break it off.' So they gave it to me. Then I cast it into the fire, and there came out this calf."

25 And when Moses saw that the people were naked (for Aaron had made them naked unto their shame among their enemies),

26 then Moses stood in the gate of the camp and said, "Who is on the LORD'S side? Let him come unto me." And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together unto him.

27 And he said unto them, "Thus saith the LORD God of Israel: `Put every man his sword by his side, and go in and out from gate to gate throughout the camp, and slay every man his brother, and every man his companion, and every man his neighbor.'"

28 And the children of Levi did according to the word of Moses, and there fell of the people that day about three thousand men.

29 For Moses had said, "Consecrate yourselves today to the LORD, even every man upon his son and upon his brother, that He may bestow upon you a blessing this day."

30 And it came to pass on the morrow that Moses said unto the people, "Ye have sinned a great sin. And now I will go up unto the LORD. Perhaps I shall make an atonement for your sin."

31 And Moses returned unto the LORD and said, "Oh, this people have sinned a great sin, and have made themselves gods of gold.

32 Yet now, if Thou wilt forgive their sin -- and if not, blot me, I pray Thee, out of Thy book which Thou hast written!"

Exodus 32:22-32 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO EXODUS 32

This chapter gives an account of the idolatry of the Israelites making and worshipping a golden calf, Ex 32:1-6 the information of it God gave to Moses, bidding him at the same time not to make any suit in their favour, that he might consume them, and make a large nation out Moses's family, Ex 32:7-10 the intercession of Moses for them, in which he succeeded, Ex 32:11-14 his descent from the mount with the two tables in his hands, accompanied by Joshua, when he was an eyewitness of their idolatry, which raised his indignation, that he cast the two tables out of his hands and broke them, took the calf and burnt it, and ground it to powder, and made the children of Israel drink of it, Ex 32:15-20 the examination of Aaron about the fact, who excused himself, Ex 32:21-24 the orders given to the Levites, who joined themselves to Moses, to slay every man his brother, which they did to the number of 3000 men, Ex 32:25-29 another intercession for them by Moses, which gained a respite of them for a time, for they are threatened to be visited still for their sin, and they were plagued for it, Ex 32:30-35.