Exodus 32:18 - Printer Friendly

ESV: But he said, "It is not the sound of shouting for victory, or the sound of the cry of defeat, but the sound of singing that I hear."

NIV: Moses replied: "It is not the sound of victory, it is not the sound of defeat; it is the sound of singing that I hear."

NASB: But he said, 'It is not the sound of the cry of victory, Nor is it the sound of the cry of defeat; But I hear the sound of singing.'

CSB: But Moses replied: It’s not the sound of a victory cry and not the sound of a cry of defeat; I hear the sound of singing!

NLT: But Moses replied, 'No, it’s not a shout of victory nor the wailing of defeat. I hear the sound of a celebration.'

KJV: And he said, It is not the voice of them that shout for mastery, neither is it the voice of them that cry for being overcome: but the noise of them that sing do I hear.

NKJV: But he said: “ It is not the noise of the shout of victory, Nor the noise of the cry of defeat, But the sound of singing I hear.”

Joshua went with Moses onto Sinai (Exodus 24:12–13). There, Moses received two stone tablets containing the Ten Commandments (Exodus 32:15; Deuteronomy 4:13). But Moses also heard, from God, that the Israelite people were committing idolatry (Exodus 32:7–10). As the two men descend, Joshua hears loud noise from the camp and thinks it is war. One would expect this assumption from a solider (Exodus 17:8–10). But what Joshua hears is much worse than the sounds of battle.

Moses explains that the people are celebrating. He may have gone on to tell Joshua exactly what the people were doing (Exodus 32:1–6). Despite God's very recent commands (Exodus 20:3–6), they are sacrificing and dancing in front of an idol. This will prompt an angry response from Moses (Exodus 32:19) along with harsh lessons (Exodus 32:20).

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 8/23/2025 2:14:35 AM