Exodus 32:22

22 And Aaron said, Let not the anger of my lord wax hot: thou knowest the people that they [are set] on mischief.

Exodus 32:22 Meaning and Commentary

Exodus 32:22

And Aaron said, let not the anger of my lord wax hot
He addresses him in a very respectful manner, though his younger brother, being in a superior office, the chief ruler of the people, king in Jeshurun; and he perceived a violent emotion rising in him, great indignation in his countenance, and an high resentment of what was done, and therefore he entreats his patience to hear him, in a few words, what he had to say, and he begins with the well known character of the people:

thou knowest the people, that they [are] set on mischief;
or are "in wickedness" ^F17; wholly in it, and under the power and influence of it, given up to it, and bent upon it; and there was no restraining them from it; and he appeals to the knowledge of Moses himself for the truth of this, of which their several murmurings against him, since they came out of Egypt, were a proof; see ( 1 John 5:19 ) .

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FOOTNOTES:

F17 (erb) "in malo", Montanus, Drusius, Junius & Tremellius, Piscator.

Exodus 32:22 In-Context

20 And he took the calf which they had made, and burnt [it] in the fire, and ground [it] to powder, and strewed [it] upon the water, and made the children of Israel drink [of it].

21 And Moses said to Aaron, What did this people to thee, that thou hast brought so great a sin upon them?

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 to me, Make us gods which shall go before us: for [as for] this Moses, the man that brought us out of the land of Egypt, we know not what is become of him.

24 And I said to them, Whoever 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.