Exodus 32:17 - Printer Friendly

ESV: When Joshua heard the noise of the people as they shouted, he said to Moses, "There is a noise of war in the camp."

NIV: When Joshua heard the noise of the people shouting, he said to Moses, "There is the sound of war in the camp."

NASB: Now when Joshua heard the sound of the people as they shouted, he said to Moses, 'There is a sound of war in the camp.'

CSB: When Joshua heard the sound of the people as they shouted, he said to Moses, "There is a sound of war in the camp."

NLT: When Joshua heard the boisterous noise of the people shouting below them, he exclaimed to Moses, 'It sounds like war in the camp!'

KJV: And when Joshua heard the noise of the people as they shouted, he said unto Moses, There is a noise of war in the camp.

NKJV: And when Joshua heard the noise of the people as they shouted, he said to Moses, “ There is a noise of war in the camp.”

God called Moses onto Mount Sinai (Exodus 24:12) to receive tablets containing the Ten Commandments (Exodus 31:18; Deuteronomy 4:12). Now, Moses is returning to the people after God told him about acts of idolatry the people were committing (Exodus 32:7–10).

Joshua hears the people of Israel participating in immoral worship (Exodus 32:4–6). When Moses went to meet God, he took Joshua as an assistant (Exodus 24:13). This was the same man who led Israel in battle against Amalekites (Exodus 17:8–10). It's not surprising that Joshua would hear noise from Israel and assume it was a military situation. He hasn't heard the news which God recently gave to Moses. Moses will quickly explain that the people are not under attack (Exodus 32:18).

Exodus 32:15–24 reports Moses' confrontation with Israel over their recent idolatry (Exodus 32:1–6). His assistant, Joshua, hears the noises in camp as they approach. When Moses sees the extent of the people's sin, he smashes the engraved stone tablets which God gave Him (Exodus 24:12). Moses has the golden idol disintegrated. Aaron tries to avoid blame, claiming that the people made him do it, and that the calf idol simply appeared.

During Moses' long absence (Exodus 24:18), the Israelites lose patience. They demand that Aaron (Exodus 24:14) make them a god they can see. Aaron makes a gold idol from donated jewelry and the people worship it as God. On the mountain, God is furious and sends Moses back. Moses arrives, breaks the stone tablets of God's law which he carried, and destroys the idol. Moses then calls on loyal men to execute those responsible. Aaron is spared, but Israel can anticipate more punishment.

Moses went onto Sinai to communicate with the Lord (Exodus 24:12) and has been gone a long time (Exodus 24:18). He is receiving instructions from God (Exodus 25—31). Meanwhile, Israel falls into idolatry. They break the first two commandments just given at Sinai (Exodus 20:3–6). After delivering initial consequences, God commands Israel to move along and discusses how He will renew His covenant (Exodus 33—34).

The book of Exodus establishes God's covenant relationship with the full-fledged nation of Israel. The descendants of Abraham prosper after settling in Egypt, only to be enslaved by a fearful, hateful Egyptian Pharaoh. God appoints Moses to lead the people out of this bondage. Moses serves as God's spokesman, as the Lord brings plagues and judgments on Egypt, leading to the release of Israel.

Accessed 8/7/2025 12:49:06 AM