Exodus 32:31 - Printer Friendly

ESV: So Moses returned to the Lord and said, "Alas, this people has sinned a great sin. They have made for themselves gods of gold.

NIV: So Moses went back to the Lord and said, "Oh, what a great sin these people have committed! They have made themselves gods of gold.

NASB: Then Moses returned to the Lord and said, 'Oh, this people has committed a great sin, and they have made a god of gold for themselves!

CSB: So Moses returned to the Lord and said, "Oh, these people have committed a grave sin; they have made a god of gold for themselves.

NLT: So Moses returned to the Lord and said, 'Oh, what a terrible sin these people have committed. They have made gods of gold for themselves.

KJV: And Moses returned unto the Lord, and said, Oh, this people have sinned a great sin, and have made them gods of gold.

NKJV: Then Moses returned to the Lord and said, “Oh, these people have committed a great sin, and have made for themselves a god of gold!

Moses was meeting with God on Sinai (Exodus 24:18) when Israel committed acts of idolatry (Exodus 32:1–6). God would have been justified in wiping out the entire nation and starting over (Exodus 32:7–10). Instead, He sends Moses back. Moses angrily smashes the stone records of God's law (Exodus 32:19), disintegrates the idol (Exodus 32:20), and oversees a bloody punishment performed by the tribe of Levi (Exodus 32:26–29). He then returns to the mountain to plead for God to forgive Israel's sin (Exodus 32:30).

When speaking to God, Moses does not make excuses or downplay what has happened (Exodus 32:21–24). He states the sin exactly. Seeking forgiveness from God requires an honest, humble heart (Hebrews 4:15–16; 1 John 1:8–10). The people directly disobeyed a clear order from their Lord (Exodus 20:3–6). All Moses can do is to appeal to God's mercy.

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.

Accessed 8/28/2025 9:16:09 AM