Exodus 32:30 - Printer Friendly

ESV: The next day Moses said to the people, "You have sinned a great sin. And now I will go up to the Lord; perhaps I can make atonement for your sin."

NIV: The next day Moses said to the people, "You have committed a great sin. But now I will go up to the Lord; perhaps I can make atonement for your sin."

NASB: And on the next day Moses said to the people, 'You yourselves have committed a great sin; and now I am going up to the Lord; perhaps I can make atonement for your sin.'

CSB: The following day Moses said to the people, "You have committed a grave sin. Now I will go up to the Lord; perhaps I will be able to atone for your sin."

NLT: The next day Moses said to the people, 'You have committed a terrible sin, but I will go back up to the Lord on the mountain. Perhaps I will be able to obtain forgiveness for your sin.'

KJV: And it came to pass on the morrow, that Moses said unto the people, Ye have sinned a great sin: and now I will go up unto the Lord; peradventure I shall make an atonement for your sin.

NKJV: Now it came to pass on the next day that Moses said to the people, “You have committed a great sin. So now I will go up to the Lord; perhaps I can make atonement for your sin.”

Israel fell quickly away from God's commands by creating an idol (Exodus 32:1–6). God was furious about this; He implied that He could annihilate the entire nation and start over with Moses (Exodus 32:7–10). Moses realized that God would not do this (Exodus 32:11–14) even though He could. But Israel experienced consequences (Exodus 32:19). The idol was disintegrated (Exodus 32:20) and three thousand people were executed by Levites (Exodus 32:26–29).

That was not the end of the matter. Moses explained that Israel's sin was dire. As their mediator with God (Exodus 14:31; 24:12), Moses planned to seek atonement. This means a resolution, or restitution, for some wrong action. He plans to return to Sinai (Exodus 19:1–3) to speak with the Lord. God will respond with both reassurance and a warning.

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.