Exodus 32:6 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And they rose up early the next day and offered burnt offerings and brought peace offerings. And the people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play.

NIV: So the next day the people rose early and sacrificed burnt offerings and presented fellowship offerings. Afterward they sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in revelry.

NASB: So the next day they got up early and offered burnt offerings, and brought peace offerings; and the people sat down to eat and to drink, and got up to engage in lewd behavior.

CSB: Early the next morning they arose, offered burnt offerings, and presented fellowship offerings. The people sat down to eat and drink, and got up to party.

NLT: The people got up early the next morning to sacrifice burnt offerings and peace offerings. After this, they celebrated with feasting and drinking, and they indulged in pagan revelry.

KJV: And they rose up early on the morrow, and offered burnt offerings, and brought peace offerings; and the people sat down to eat and to drink, and rose up to play.

NKJV: Then they rose early on the next day, offered burnt offerings, and brought peace offerings; and the people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.

Since Moses has been gone for a long time on Sinai (Exodus 24:18), the Israelites fear he won't come back. They pressure Aaron to give them a tangible image of the Lord who rescued them from Egypt. This violates God's commands (Exodus 20:3–6) but Aaron gives in. He makes a golden image and prepares to offer sacrifices in front of it (Exodus 32:1–5).

The end of this verse is notoriously difficult to interpret. Israel's behavior is partly described by the Hebrew root word tsachaq. This is associated with ideas like revelry, playing, laughing, mocking, and joking (Genesis 19:14). But the word can also suggest physical intimacy (Genesis 26:8–9). When falsely accusing Joseph (Genesis 39:11–12), Potiphar's wife seems to use the word in both ways (Genesis 39:14, 17–18). Some commentators suggest Israel is engaging in an orgy: explicit sexual acts as part of a group or depraved party. That assumption is reflected in some English translations (Exodus 32:25 KJV). Other translators disagree and see this as a reference to childish or uncontrolled behavior (Exodus 32:25).

It makes no real difference what Israel was doing. It's clear from context that whatever they did was inappropriate. It was connected to the use of an idol. The Lord is offended (Exodus 32:9–10). Moses will respond with intense anger (Exodus 32:19–20, 28).

Exodus 32:1–6 records one of the most infamous incidents in Israel's history. Moses is on Mount Sinai communicating with God (Exodus 24:12). During the long absence (Exodus 24:18), people start to think Moses will not return. They pressure Aaron to make a physical image for worship. This violates commandments which the Lord has already given (Exodus 20:3–6). But Aaron gives in and makes a golden idol. The people worship it as if it were God.

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.