Exodus 32:26 - Printer Friendly

ESV: then Moses stood in the gate of the camp and said, "Who is on the Lord 's side? Come to me." And all the sons of Levi gathered around him.

NIV: So he stood at the entrance to the camp and said, "Whoever is for the Lord, come to me." And all the Levites rallied to him.

NASB: Moses then stood at the gate of the camp, and said, 'Whoever is for the Lord, come to me!' And all the sons of Levi gathered together to him.

CSB: And Moses stood at the camp’s entrance and said, "Whoever is for the Lord, come to me." And all the Levites gathered around him.

NLT: So he stood at the entrance to the camp and shouted, 'All of you who are on the Lord’s side, come here and join me.' And all the Levites gathered around him.

KJV: Then Moses stood in the gate of the camp, and said, Who is on the Lord'S side? let him come unto me. And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together unto him.

NKJV: then Moses stood in the entrance of the camp, and said, “Whoever is on the Lord’s side— come to me!” And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together to him.

Israel disobeyed God's instructions about idolatry (Exodus 20:3–6) not long after those laws were given (Exodus 32:1–6). Moses was furious to find the people engaged in such an obvious sin (Exodus 32:19–20). He has already scolded Aaron for giving in to the people's demands (Exodus 32:21–24). Now, Moses calls for people willing to act on behalf of God.

This is the beginning of an incident which leaves many unanswered questions. Crucial details are there, while others are left unresolved. Moses will assign those who respond to kill some of their own people (Exodus 32:27–28). Exactly how this was done, the Bible does not say. But the punishment is tied to Israel's choice to defy their God and His law.

Scripture does not explain why only the tribe of Levi responded to Moses. The term "all" is probably poetic, not meant to mean that every male of Levi attended. Nor does Scripture say, explicitly, that not a single person from any other tribe answered the call. But clearly, the response was overwhelmingly from Moses' own tribe (Exodus 2:1, 10; 6:16–20, 26). This tribe's namesake was connected to an incident of drastic, vengeful violence (Genesis 34:1–2, 24–26). This suggests a tribal tradition of deep passion for protecting God's holiness.

Exodus 32:25–35 describes Israel's initial punishment for idolatry (Exodus 32:1–6). Moses calls for loyal men; his own tribe of Levi responds. He assigns the men to put several thousand people to death. It seems likely that those executed are leaders who cooperated in making the idol. Moses continues to offer himself as a sacrifice in exchange for God's mercy on Israel. God refuses. Instead, the Lord commands the Israelites to break camp and head for their next destination.

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.