Exodus 32:20 - Printer Friendly

ESV: He took the calf that they had made and burned it with fire and ground it to powder and scattered it on the water and made the people of Israel drink it.

NIV: And he took the calf the people had made and burned it in the fire; then he ground it to powder, scattered it on the water and made the Israelites drink it.

NASB: Then he took the calf which they had made and completely burned it with fire, and ground it to powder, and scattered it over the surface of the water and made the sons of Israel drink it.

CSB: He took the calf they had made, burned it up, and ground it to powder. He scattered the powder over the surface of the water and forced the Israelites to drink the water.

NLT: He took the calf they had made and burned it. Then he ground it into powder, threw it into the water, and forced the people to drink it.

KJV: And he took the calf which they had made, and burnt it in the fire, and ground it to powder, and strawed it upon the water, and made the children of Israel drink of it.

NKJV: Then he took the calf which they had made, burned it in the fire, and ground it to powder; and he scattered it on the water and made the children of Israel drink it.

Shortly after Israel learned God's fundamental laws (Exodus 20:3–17), Moses went onto Mount Sinai (Exodus 24:12). Aaron was among those left in charge (Exodus 24:14). But Moses was gone longer than the people expected (Exodus 24:18). They convinced Aaron to make an idol (Exodus 32:1–6). The Lord was furious and told Moses to go back and see what was happening (Exodus 32:7–14). Moses brought two stone tablets with God's laws written on them. In anger at seeing Israel's idolatry, he smashed the tablets on the ground (Exodus 32:19).

Moses now demonstrates God's absolute hatred of idols (Deuteronomy 27:15). The "calf" which Israel made is completely disintegrated. It is burnt, which would take out any wood elements and melt the precious metals. Whatever is left is powdered. Moses throws the resulting dust into a nearby stream coming from Sinai (Deuteronomy 9:21). He makes the Israelites drink this, to symbolize their guilt. This disposes of every tiny speck of this idol.

Some interpreters suggest that drinking the idol-dusted water was a form of guilt testing. Moses will soon call loyal Israelites to execute thousands of their fellow men (Exodus 32:27–29). Perhaps those guilty of participating directly in the idol's creation reacted to the water (Numbers 5:11–28). Such would have been the ones killed. Scripture is not clear about this, however.

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.