Exodus 32:32 - Printer Friendly

ESV: But now, if you will forgive their sin — but if not, please blot me out of your book that you have written."

NIV: But now, please forgive their sin—but if not, then blot me out of the book you have written."

NASB: But now, if You will forgive their sin, very well; but if not, please wipe me out from Your book which You have written!'

CSB: Now if you would only forgive their sin. But if not, please erase me from the book you have written."

NLT: But now, if you will only forgive their sin — but if not, erase my name from the record you have written!'

KJV: Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin--; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written.

NKJV: Yet now, if You will forgive their sin—but if not, I pray, blot me out of Your book which You have written.”

When God first told Moses about Israel's idolatry (Exodus 32:7–10), He suggested that He could destroy the entire nation and start over. That would have been justified. Israel blatantly defied God's commands (Exodus 20:3–6) by making an idol (Exodus 32:1–6). Moses knew the Lord would not do that, though He had every right to (Exodus 32:11–14). Moses returned and punished the people (Exodus 32:19–20, 28). Now he has returned and confessed their great sin to the Lord (Exodus 32:30–31).

During his plea, Moses mirrors God's comments about destroying Israel. Some suggest that Moses refers to the "book of life," implying that Moses demands eternal damnation unless God forgives the people. This is unreasonable. More likely is that Moses does not want to be forgiven if his fellow Hebrews are not. This echoes the self-sacrificial attitude seen in the apostle Paul (Romans 9:3–5). Though he knows what the Lord will do, Moses expresses his deep sorrow along with his love for the nation.

Another possible interpretation is that Moses does not want to be associated with a people whom God will not forgive. His request to be "blotted out," then, suggests that he be erased from written history (Exodus 17:14; Deuteronomy 29:20), possibly even from the upcoming census (Numbers 1:1–2). There may be elements of both in the request.

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.