Exodus 32:8

8 recesserunt cito de via quam ostendisti eis feceruntque sibi vitulum conflatilem et adoraverunt atque immolantes ei hostias dixerunt isti sunt dii tui Israhel qui te eduxerunt de terra Aegypti

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 surgentesque mane obtulerunt holocausta et hostias pacificas et sedit populus comedere ac bibere et surrexerunt ludere
7 locutus est autem Dominus ad Mosen vade descende peccavit populus tuus quem eduxisti de terra Aegypti
8 recesserunt cito de via quam ostendisti eis feceruntque sibi vitulum conflatilem et adoraverunt atque immolantes ei hostias dixerunt isti sunt dii tui Israhel qui te eduxerunt de terra Aegypti
9 rursumque ait Dominus ad Mosen cerno quod populus iste durae cervicis sit
10 dimitte me ut irascatur furor meus contra eos et deleam eos faciamque te in gentem magnam
The Latin Vulgate is in the public domain.