Exodus 32:24
ESV
So I said to them, ‘Let any who have gold take it off.’ So they gave it to me, and I threw it into the fire, and out came this calf."
NIV
So I told them, ‘Whoever has any gold jewelry, take it off.’ Then they gave me the gold, and I threw it into the fire, and out came this calf!"
NASB
So I said to them, ‘Whoever has any gold, let them tear it off.’ Then they gave it to me, and I threw it into the fire, and out came this calf.'
CSB
So I said to them, ‘Whoever has gold, take it off,’ and they gave it to me. When I threw it into the fire, out came this calf!"
NLT
So I told them, ‘Whoever has gold jewelry, take it off.’ When they brought it to me, I simply threw it into the fire — and out came this calf!'
KJV
And I said unto them, Whosoever hath any gold, let them break it off. So they gave it me: then I cast it into the fire, and there came out this calf.
NKJV
And I said to them, ‘Whoever has any gold, let them break it off.’ So they gave it to me, and I cast it into the fire, and this calf came out.”
What does Exodus 32:24 mean?
Almost every parent has had to confront a young child over something spilled, broken, scratched, or defaced. The classic response is for the child to shrug and say, "it just happened." The child can't deny that there's a problem. But they won't admit to being wrong, so they act as if they were just a bystander. Or, at least, that there was nothing they could have done differently. This is almost exactly how Aaron responds when confronted by Moses (Exodus 32:21). This is one of the most absurd lies recorded in the Bible. It is so ridiculous that Moses seems not to dignify it with a response.Aaron cooperated with Israel's demand to make an idol (Exodus 32:1). He arranged to collect gold (Exodus 32:2–3). He made the shape of the idol (Exodus 32:4). He said nothing when the people proclaimed it the God who freed them from slavery. Aaron chose to make an altar for sacrifices in front of this idol (Exodus 32:5–6). Yet his version of the story is, "it just happened." He claims that he merely threw gold into the fire and out came a fully formed sculpture. Some commentators think Aaron was claiming that he tried to destroy the gold, but there was a miracle instead.
Aaron is lucky to escape this with his life (Deuteronomy 9:20). Before judging Aaron too harshly (1 John 1:8–10), we should remember that we often make the same excuse to God. When we sin, we downplay the choices we made that led us there. We act as if the temptation was invincible and the circumstances were totally out of our control. Aaron is not the first nor the last believer to try using the "it just happened" excuse with the Lord. But that defense will never work (1 Corinthians 10:13).
