Exodus 32:7-14

7 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Go down, because your people, whom you brought up out of Egypt, have become corrupt.

8 They have been quick to turn away from what I commanded them and have made themselves an idol cast in the shape of a calf. They have bowed down to it and sacrificed to it and have said, ‘These are your gods, Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt.’

9 “I have seen these people,” the LORD said to Moses, “and they are a stiff-necked people.

10 Now leave me alone so that my anger may burn against them and that I may destroy them. Then I will make you into a great nation.”

11 But Moses sought the favor of the LORD his God. “LORD,” he said, “why should your anger burn against your people, whom you brought out of Egypt with great power and a mighty hand?

12 Why should the Egyptians say, ‘It was with evil intent that he brought them out, to kill them in the mountains and to wipe them off the face of the earth’? Turn from your fierce anger; relent and do not bring disaster on your people.

13 Remember your servants Abraham, Isaac and Israel, to whom you swore by your own self: ‘I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and I will give your descendants all this land I promised them, and it will be their inheritance forever.’ ”

14 Then the LORD relented and did not bring on his people the disaster he had threatened.

Exodus 32:7-14 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.

Cross References

• 1. ver 4,11; Exodus 33:1
• 2. S Genesis 6:11-12; Ezekiel 20:8; Deuteronomy 9:12
• 3. Jeremiah 7:26; Jeremiah 16:12; Malachi 2:8; Malachi 3:7
• 4. S Exodus 20:4
• 5. S ver 4
• 6. Exodus 22:20
• 7. 1 Kings 12:28; Ezekiel 23:8
• 8. Exodus 33:3,5; Exodus 34:9; Deuteronomy 9:6,13; Deuteronomy 10:16; Deuteronomy 31:27; Judges 2:19; 2 Kings 17:14; 2 Chronicles 30:8; 2 Chronicles 36:13; Nehemiah 9:16; Psalms 78:8; Proverbs 29:1; Isaiah 46:12; Isaiah 48:4; Jeremiah 7:26; Ezekiel 2:4; Hosea 4:16; Acts 7:51
• 9. 1 Samuel 2:25; Jeremiah 7:16; Jeremiah 11:14; Jeremiah 14:11
• 10. Exodus 22:24; Exodus 33:3,5; Numbers 16:21,45; Deuteronomy 9:14,19; Psalms 106:23; Jeremiah 14:12; Ezekiel 20:13
• 11. Numbers 14:12; Deuteronomy 9:14
• 12. Deuteronomy 9:18; 2 Samuel 21:1; 2 Chronicles 15:2; Psalms 9:10; Psalms 34:4; Psalms 106:23; Isaiah 9:13; Jeremiah 15:1
• 13. ver 13; Deuteronomy 9:26; 1 Samuel 7:9; Nehemiah 1:10; Psalms 136:12
• 14. Numbers 14:13-16; Deuteronomy 9:28
• 15. ver 14; Exodus 33:13
• 16. S Exodus 2:24; Exodus 33:13
• 17. S Genesis 22:16; Hebrews 6:13
• 18. Genesis 15:5; Genesis 22:17; Genesis 26:4
• 19. S Genesis 12:7
• 20. Deuteronomy 9:19; 1 Samuel 15:11; 2 Samuel 24:16; 1 Kings 21:29; 1 Chronicles 21:15; Psalms 106:45; Jeremiah 18:8; Jeremiah 26:3,19; Amos 7:3,6; John 3:10