Exodus 32:27 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And he said to them, "Thus says the Lord God of Israel, ‘Put your sword on your side each of you, and go to and fro from gate to gate throughout the camp, and each of you kill his brother and his companion and his neighbor.’"

NIV: Then he said to them, "This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘Each man strap a sword to his side. Go back and forth through the camp from one end to the other, each killing his brother and friend and neighbor.’ "

NASB: And he said to them, 'This is what the Lord, the God of Israel says: ‘Every man of you put his sword on his thigh, and go back and forth from gate to gate in the camp, and kill every man his brother, and every man his friend, and every man his neighbor.’?'

CSB: He told them, "This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says, ‘Every man fasten his sword to his side; go back and forth through the camp from entrance to entrance, and each of you kill his brother, his friend, and his neighbor.’"

NLT: Moses told them, 'This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: Each of you, take your swords and go back and forth from one end of the camp to the other. Kill everyone — even your brothers, friends, and neighbors.'

KJV: And he said unto them, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, Put every man his sword by his side, and go in and out from gate to gate throughout the camp, and slay every man his brother, and every man his companion, and every man his neighbour.

NKJV: And he said to them, “Thus says the Lord God of Israel: ‘Let every man put his sword on his side, and go in and out from entrance to entrance throughout the camp, and let every man kill his brother, every man his companion, and every man his neighbor.’ ”

Since leaving Egypt, Israel has disobeyed and complained (Exodus 16:3, 26–28; 17:2–3). Now they have directly violated one of God's commandments (Exodus 20:3–6). They made an idol despite explicit instructions not to (Exodus 32:1–6). The consequences are dire. Moses has called for loyal men, and the tribe of Levi has responded (Exodus 32:26). His instructions are probably the first time that violations of the Ten Commandments will be punished with death. Only one other instance may have happened earlier (Leviticus 24:10–16). It is certainly the first large-scale consequence which Israel suffered.

Moses' command here does not mean targeting the literal family members of the assembled Levites. If "all" the Levites came to Moses, then "all" the brothers, companions, and such would be there. The language seems to be symbolic; it expresses that those killed are fellow Israelites.

Nor is this a call for random slaughter. The death count will be three thousand (Exodus 32:28), which would have been much greater if an entire tribe were to attack everyone they saw. Most interpreters believe the Levites targeted the main culprits in insisting that Aaron make an idol. The idol-dusted water consumed earlier (Exodus 32:20) might have been part of a test, and those killed were the ones who failed. Another possibility raised is that Moses is executing a certain proportion of the population, a practice made famous in the Roman concept of "decimation."

Few other details make themselves clear. Scripture only informs us that the Levites performed these executions under Moses' orders. While tragic, God's response could have been far more severe (Exodus 32:9–10).

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.