Êxodo 32
Bob Utley · You Can Understand the Bible
Êxodo 32
The Golden Calf The Gold Calf The Breaking of the Covenant The Gold Bull-Calf The Golden Calf 32:1-6 32:1-6 32:1-6 32:1 32:1-5 32:2-4 32:5-6 32:6 Moses Forewarned by Yahweh 32:7-10 32:7-10 32:7-10 32:7-10 32:7-10 Moses' Entreaty The Prayer of Moses 32:11-14 32:11-14 32:11-14 32:11-14 32:11-14 Moses Breaks the Tablets of the Law 32:15-18 (18) 32:15-18 (18) 32:15-20 (18) 32:15-16 32:15-16 32:17 32:17-18 (18) Moses' Anger 32:18 32:19-20 32:19-24 32:19-21 32:19-24 32:21-24 32:21-24 32:22-24 The Zeal of the Levites 32:25-29 32:25-29 32:25-29 32:25-29 32:25-29 Moses Prays Again 32:30-35 32:30-34 32:30-34 32:30-32 32:30-35 32:33-34 32:35 32:35 32:35 CONTEXTUAL INSIGHTS This chapter shows the fragile condition of Israel's early faith. They had been deeply influenced by Egyptian idolatry over hundreds of years (cf. Ezek. 20:6-8). If YHWH was faithful and forgiving to them, He surely will be to us! Exodus 32 also shows the tragedy of weak leadership (i.e., Aaron) and its consequences. Moses' great faith and powerful intercession are clearly demonstrated in Exod. 32:30-33. Also note that sin and rebellion have consequences (Exod. 32:34-35). SPECIAL TOPIC: INTERCESSORY PRAYER Exodus 32:33 is a reminder of individual responsibility, foreshadowing Deut. 24:6; Ezek. 18:1- 32; 33:10-20; and Jer. 31:29-30. We reap what we sow (cf. Job 34:11,25; Ps. 28:4; 62:12; Prov. 12:14; 24:12; Eccl. 12:14; Jer. 17:10; 32:19; Ezek. 33:20; Matt. 16:27; 25:31-46; Rom. 2:6; 14:12; 1 Cor. 3:8; 2 Cor. 5:10; Gal. 6:7-10; 2 Tim. 4:14; 1 Pet. 1:17; Rev. 2:23; 20:12; 22:12). Lifestyle choices reveal the heart!
Êxodo 32:1-6
32:1 "Moses delayed" "Delayed" is literally "saw" (BDB 906, KB 1157, Qal IMPERFECT with waw), used in the sense of "understand" or "recognized." In Exod. 24:18 (cf. Deut. 9:11) we learn that Moses had been on the mountain 40 days. This seems to be a round number to describe a long period of time, longer than one lunar cycle. SPECIAL TOPIC: SYMBOLIC NUMBERS IN SCRIPTURE, #7 ▣ "the mountain" This refers to Mt. Sinai/Horeb. SPECIAL TOPIC: THE LOCATION OF MT. SINAI SPECIAL TOPIC: HOREB ▣ "make us a god who will go before us" This word "god" is elohim. Whether this should be translated "gods" or "god" is debatable but the PLURAL VERB is also used, which denotes a pagan deity. Yet, Exod. 32:4-5 implies that the young bull was meant to represent YHWH. It violated Exod. 20:4, not 20:3. If the young bull was meant to represent Osiris/Apis or the Mneuis bull of Hierapolis, then it did violate Exod. 20:3. The people direct two commands to Aaron. arise ‒ BDB 877, KB 1086, Qal IMPERATIVE make ‒ BDB 793, KB 889, Qal IMPERATIVE SPECIAL TOPIC: NAMES FOR DEITY, C. ▣ "who will go before us" The angel of the Lord will do this (Exod. 32:34), not the golden calf! ▣ "this Moses" This is a Hebrew idiom of disrespect (cf. Exod. 32:9). How quickly sinful humans forget! ▣ "the man who brought us up from the land of Egypt" This shows a lack of understanding on the part of the people about who it was who delivered them (cf. Exod. 32:4; 14:11). It was YHWH (cf. Exod. 3:8), not Moses! 32:2 "gold rings which are in the ears" This refers to gifts which were taken from the Egyptians (cf. Exod. 3:22; 11:2; 12:36). The men wore jewelry (cf. Gen. 54:4; Exod. 11:2; 33:5-6). Nose rings were not common in Egypt. 32:4 "He took. . .and fashioned it" The VERB "fashioned" (צור, BDB 849 IV, KB 1015, Qal IMPERFECT with waw) is a rare VERB. 1 Kgs. 7:15 ‒ NASB, "cast" Ezek. 43:11 ‒ NASB, "form" suggested similar root in Jer. 1:5 (יצר, BDB 427, KB 428, Qal IMPERFECT) - translated "formed" In this context "cast" is best guess. The word "a graving tool" (BDB 354) is also rare. It is used only here and in Isa. 8:1, where it is translated "stylus." So, did Aaron make a wooden image with a wood carving tool of some kind and then overlay it with gold? NRSV, TEV, NJB, and JPSOA translate this word as "mold." Compare other texts about how idols were made (i.e., Isa. 30:22; 40:19; Hab. 2:18). The rabbis say that he did this personally so that the guilt would be on himself only. The rabbis try every way possible to excuse Aaron's actions. They often quote Exod. 32:24 as true instead of a lie by Aaron. ▣ "calf" This is better translated "young bull" (BDB 722), which was a symbol of strength and fertility in Egypt. It is possible that this was a stand or pedestal (i.e., Canaanite origin) on which YHWH would dwell instead of the ark. ▣ "your god, O Israel" Rabbinical Midrash says that these were the words of the Egyptian minority who were traveling with Israel (cf. Exod. 12:38; Num. 11:4). The term elohim could be translated "gods" (cf. Exod. 12:12; 23:24; Lev. 19:4), but here the single image of a young bull implies one deity. SPECIAL TOPIC: NAMES FOR DEITY, C. 32:5 "he built an altar. . .Tomorrow" Rabbinical Midrash says that Aaron did these things to give Moses more time to return from the mountain. They try to make Aaron look good. 32:6 "to play" "Play" (BDB 850) has sexual connotations in Gen. 26:8; 39:14, therefore, this seems to refer to a fertility orgy involving an Egyptian deity! Paul uses this verse in 1 Cor. 10:7. SPECIAL TOPIC: FERTILITY WORSHIP OF THE ANE
Êxodo 32:7-10
32:7 "your people" God speaks to Moses about his people; Moses turns this around in Exod. 32:11. ▣ NASB, NKJV, NJB, Peshitta "corrupted" "acted perversely" "rejected Me" "acted basely" "committed a monstrous act" "acted lawlessly" The VERB (BDB 1007, KB 1469, Piel PERFECT) in Piel stem is used for destroyed eye ‒ Exod. 21:26 destruction of a nation ‒ Hos. 11:9; 13:9 in Exod. 12:23 the root is used of "the destroyer angel" but here and in Deut. 9:12; 32:5 it has a moral sense. The Hiphil stem is also used in this sense (cf. Deut. 4:16; 31:29). Israel committed fertility worship in front of the golden bull. 32:8 "from the way" The "way" is an idiom for God's covenant (cf. Jdgs. 2:17; Mal. 3:7). They did not stay on the clearly marked way of Exodus 20-23. SPECIAL TOPIC: THE PATH. . .THE WAY 32:9 "an obstinate people" This is literally "stiff necked" (BDB 766 I CONSTRUCT BDB 904 and 791, cf. Exod. 33:3,5; 34:9; Deut. 9:6,13; 31:27; Ezek. 2:4; Acts 7:51) and is used of domestic animals that will not respond to a bridle or yoke. This description (by YHWH) of Israel is very important. YHWH did not choose them because of their morality, number, or character (cf. Deut. 9:6; 10:16; 31:27; Ezek. 2:4). As a matter of fact, His character is fully revealed in light of their character. If He was patient with them; He will be patient with us! SPECIAL TOPIC: STUBBORNNESS 32:10 "let Me alone" Rabbinical Midrash says that this was directed to Moses because YHWH knew his personal prayers would be effective. I think YHWH was testing Moses. ▣ "burn" See SPECIAL TOPIC: FIRE. ▣ "I will make of you a great nation" These were YHWH's very words to Abraham ‒ Gen. 12:2; 18:18 Jacob ‒ Gen. 46:3 Moses ‒ here and Num. 14:12 God was testing Moses with the same promise He made to Abraham in Gen. 12:2. SPECIAL TOPIC: GOD TESTS HIS PEOPLE (OT)
Êxodo 32:11-14
32:11 "with great power and with a mighty hand" This refers to the plagues (cf. Exod. 3:20; 6:1). It becomes a recurrent, idiomatic phrase of God's actions in the exodus (cf. Exod. 13:3,9; 32:11; Deut. 4:34; 5:15; 6:21; 7:8,19; 9:26; 26:8; Ps. 136:12; Jer. 32:21; Dan. 9:15). See SPECIAL TOPIC: HAND 32:12 Moses bases his plea for mercy, not on Israel's merits, but on God's name and reputation (and in Exod. 32:13, on His covenant promises, cf. Lev. 26:42; Ps. 105:8). There are three IMPERATIVES OF ENTREATY in this verse. "turn from" ‒ BDB 996, KB 1427, Qal, Exod. 32:12; this term is often associated with "repent"; see SPECIAL TOPIC: REPENTANCE (OT) "change your mind" ‒ BDB 636, KB 688, lit. "be sorry," Niphal, Exod. 32:12, cf. Gen. 6:6; 2 Sam. 24:16; Ps. 106:45; Jer. 18:7-10; Amos 7:1-6 "remember" ‒ BDB 269, KB 269, Qal, Exod. 32:13 Notice Moses calls Israel "Your people," which is covenant terminology. ▣ "land" This term has several connotations depending on the context. SPECIAL TOPIC: LAND, COUNTRY, EARTH (erets) 32:13 Moses refers to YHWH's ancient covenant promises to the Patriarchs (cf. Gen. 12:7; 13:15; 15:18; 26:3; Deut. 1:35-36; 9:27). SPECIAL TOPIC: COVENANT PROMISES TO THE PATRIARCHS ▣ "Your servants" See SPECIAL TOPIC: MY SERVANT. ▣ "I will multiply your descendants, as the stars of heaven" YHWH's promise of descendants started in Gen. 12:2. This promise uses specific imagery. as the stars of heaven ‒ Gen. 15:5; 22:17; 26:4; Exod. 32:13; Deut. 1:10; 10:22; 28:62 like the sand of the seashore ‒ Gen. 22:17; 32:12 like the dust of the earth ‒ Gen. 13:16; 28:14; Num. 23:10 See full note Gen. 13:16! ▣ "they shall inherit it forever" God's promises are surely from His side (i.e., Jos. 1:6), but conditional on Israel's side (i.e., Leviticus 26; Deuteronomy 27-30; Jos. 24:19-28). The two exiles of Abraham's descendants from Canaan demonstrate this. The word "forever" must be interpreted in context. SPECIAL TOPIC: COVENANT SPECIAL TOPIC: FOREVER) 32:14 "the Lord changed His mind" This seems to be a strange phrase when connected to the God who does not change (cf. Mal. 3:6; James 1:17). This is an anthropomorphic idiom (see SPECIAL TOPIC: GOD DESCRIBED AS HUMAN). There are several places in the OT where God changes His mind (cf. 1 Sam. 15:11; Ps. 106:45; Jer. 18:7-10; 26:3,13,19; Amos 7:3,6; Jonah 3:10). God's sovereignty can be affected by circumstances, repentance, and prayer (see SPECIAL TOPIC: INTERCESSORY PRAYER). God has an eternal redemptive plan for humanity made in His image (see SPECIAL TOPIC: YHWH'S ETERNAL REDEMPTIVE PLAN). He wants to change His mind when His people repent and seek Him!
Êxodo 32:15-18
32:15 "the testimony" See SPECIAL TOPIC: TERMS FOR GOD'S REVELATION. ▣ "written on both sides" This was highly unusual. It is idiomatic for a full and complete message. This is surely eyewitness detail. The rabbis say that the words were cut clear through the stone. 32:16 This emphatically states that the Law was not of human origin or ingenuity (cf. Exod. 31:18). ▣ "engraved" This VERB (BDB 362, KB 359, Qal PASSIVE PARTICIPLE) occurs only here. It describes how YHWH wrote (cf. Exod. 31:18) the Ten Words. 32:17 "Joshua" He was not a part of this sin. He had waited for Moses somewhere on or between the mount and the camp. Joshua thought it was the sound of battle! Moses knew better (cf. Exod. 32:18). 32:18 This verse is a poem or song. The Hebrew VERB "sing" (BDB 777, KB 854) occurs three times. The first two are Qal INFINITIVE CONSTRUCTS and the third the intensified Peil INFINITIVE CONSTRUCT (LXX implies "drunkenness"). This may imply that the last form refers to the fertility chant/dancing/music/sound.
Êxodo 32:19-20
32:19 "Moses' anger burned" This term (BDB 354, KB 351) is used four times in Exodus 32. Exod. 32:1 ‒ VERB, Qal JUSSIVE (of YHWH's anger, cf. Exod. 4:14; 22:24) Exod. 32:11 ‒ VERB, Qal IMPERFECT Exod. 32:19 ‒ VERB, Qal IMPERFECT with waw (of Moses' anger, cf. Num. 16:15) Exod. 32:22 ‒ same as #1 but here Aaron's plea to Moses ▣ "he threw the tablets" This was a symbol of the covenant being broken. Some see the PLURAL for tablet as a reference to the two aspects of the Ten Words; toward God and toward fellow Israelites. However, archaeology (i.e., Hittite Treaties) seems to imply two separate copies, one for the temple and one for the king. Both of these were in Israel's future. SPECIAL TOPIC: HITTITE (SUZERAIN) TREATIES 32:20 Notice the number of things Moses did to this idol (cf. Deut. 9:21). "burned it with fire" ‒ BDB 976, KB 1358, Qal IMPERFECT with waw "ground it" ‒ BDB 377, KB 374, Qal IMPERFECT with waw "to powder" ‒ this is another VERB ‒ BDB 200, KB 229, "to crush," Qal PERFECT with waw "scattered it over the surface of the water" ‒ BDB 279, KB 280, Qal IMPERFECT with waw "made the sons of Israel drink it" ‒ BDB 1052, KB 1639, Hiphil IMPERFECT with waw, see Num. 5:18-22 The use of the waw before the VERBS here denotes a series of actions. It occurs often in this chapter. SPECIAL TOPIC: HEBREW GRAMMAR, II. D.
Êxodo 32:21-24
32:21 "What did this people do to you" Rabbinical Midrash sees this as Moses' sympathy, not anger toward Aaron, but the context does not support this. Aaron sinned! ▣ "great sin" Roland deVaux, Ancient Israel, vol. 1, p. 37, says this was a phrase (cf. Exod. 32:21,30,31) used for "adultery"; in this context "spiritual adultery" (i.e., going after other gods, cf. 2 Kgs. 17:21). This is the imagery of YHWH as husband and Israel as wife. 32:22 "lord" This is the Hebrew word adon (BDB 10), which was a title of respect and leadership (NIDOTTE, vol. 1, p. 259). to Moses from Aaron ‒ Exod. 32:22; Num. 12:11 to Moses from Joshua ‒ Num. 11:28 to Moses by the sons of Gad and Reuben ‒ Num. 32:25,27 to Moses by the sons of Gilead, Machir, Manasseh, Joseph ‒ Num. 36:2 SPECIAL TOPIC: LORD (adon and kurios) ▣ "they are prone to evil" Aaron tries to pass the buck of responsibility. He is trying to shift blame just as Adam did (i.e., Gen. 3:12) and as Moses will do later (cf. Num. 20:12; Deut 1:37; 3:26,27). However, his charge against Israel was true (cf. Num. 14:22-23; Deut. 9:7,21). 32:23 This is a repeat of Exod. 32:1-4. 32:24 "I threw it into the fire and out came this calf" To us, this seems a ridiculous excuse but Rabbinical Midrash relates it to Ps. 106:19-20, and say that the calf came to life by means of the Egyptian magicians who were with Israel.
Êxodo 32:25-29
32:25 NASB, JPSOA, REB "out of control" "unrestrained" "running wild" "get out of control" "out of hand" "that it had scattered" "had sinned" The MT has the VERB, "let go" or "let alone" (BDB 828 III, KB 970). It appears twice in this verse. Qal PASSIVE PARTICIPLE Qal PERFECT The BDB says "remove restraint from them" (cf. 2 Chr. 28:19; same root in Pro. 29:18). The restraint was God's leader's presence. When he was gone, they showed their basic tendencies to idolatry. This context implies a fertility festival in YHWH's name! ▣ NASB, NRSV, NJB "a derision" "shame" "make fools of themselves" "a menace" "the secret malice" "an object of gloating" "a bad name" This FEMININE NOUN (BDB 1036, KB 1580) is found only here. Here are the suggestions. LXX ‒ gloating, mockery, ridicule Vulgate, Peshitta, Targums ‒ disgrace, dishonor, bad reputation 32:26 "all the sons of Levi gathered" This sets the stage for this tribe becoming priests. They had a priority zeal for the Lord, even over family (cf. Matt. 10:34-39). 32:27 Moses gives the tribe of Levi four commands. "put his sword upon his thigh" ‒ BDB 962, KB 1321, Qal IMPERATIVE "go back and forth" (i.e., idiom) BDB 716, KB 778, Qal IMPERATIVE BDB 996, KB 1427, Qal IMPERATIVE Same as 2. "kill" ‒ BDB 246, KB 255, Qal IMPERATIVE (Deut. 33:9 implies not all of the tribe of Levi responded to Moses' call; some were executed!) his brother (BDB 26) his friend (BDB 945) his neighbor (BDB 898) Later another priest, Phinehas, shows the same zeal (cf. Num. 25:7-13). Wow! What a difficult task (cf. Matt. 10:37; Luke 14:26)! Rebellion is serious and has fatal consequences. About 3,000 died (cf. Exod. 32:28). 32:28 One wonders how those who were killed were chosen. Possibly they were caught in the act of fertility worship, as in Numbers 25. This is only my speculation. ▣ "three thousand"The Vulgate has 23,000. Paul mentions this same number but probably refers to Numbers 25, not here. Numbers were very tricky to copy and translate. There are many variants, especially between Kings and Chronicles. See Edwin R. Thiele, The Mysterious Numbers of the Hebrew Kings. SPECIAL TOPIC: THOUSAND (eleph) 32:29 NASB, JPSOA "dedicate yourselves" "consecrate yourselves" NRSV, LXX, Vulgate, Targums "you have ordained yourselvest" TEV, NJB "you have consecrated yourselves" "be installed as priests" "strengthen yourselves" This is a Hebrew idiom, "fill your hands" (Qal IMPERATIVE and NOUN). Exodus 32:29 is Moses' affirmation of the tribe of Levi. The UBS Text Project (p. 145) suggests that the VERB be viewed, not as an IMPERATIVE denoting the men of the tribe of Levi, but a PERFECT stem describing God's actions of consecrating them NET Bible (p. 201) suggests it means the tribe of Levi had been faithful to God even though it turned them against family and friends The same idiom is used of the ordination of Aaron and his sons in Exod. 28:41; 29:9,29,33,35.
Êxodo 32:30-35
32:30 "You yourselves" This is an emphatic statement. ▣ "perhaps" This reflects Moses' hope and doubt that his intercession (i.e., asking as priest for the assembly) would be effective once again. ▣ NASB, NKJV, NRSV, LXX "make atonement" "obtain forgiveness" "secure expiation" "win forgiveness" "secure pardon" "may forgive your transgressions" The VERB (BDB 497, KB 493, Piel COHORTATIVE) means "to cover." It is the term used in "Day of Atonement" in Leviticus 16. Here, it refers to Moses' intercessory prayer (cf. Exod. 32:30-35). SPECIAL TOPIC: INTERCESSORY PRAYER 32:34 "lead the people where I told You" This refers back to YHWH's initial command to Moses in Exod. 3:17, which refers to Gen. 15:12-21. ▣ "My angel" In many passages this seems to refer to the pre-Incarnate Messiah (cf. Gen. 16:7-13; 22:11-15; 31:11,13; 48:15-16; Exod. 3:2-4; 13:21; 14:19; Jdgs. 2:1; 6:22-23; 13:3-22; Zech. 3:1-2). However, in other passages the angel seems to refer to a typical angelic servant (cf. Gen. 24:7,40; Exod. 23:20-23; Num. 22:22; Jdgs. 5:33; 2 Sam. 24:16; 1 Chr. 21:15ff; Zech. 1:12-13). SPECIAL TOPIC: THE ANGEL OF THE LORD. ▣ "nevertheless in the day when I punish, I will punish them for their sin" In the OT God's visit (i.e., personal presence) could be for blessing or judgment. Israel will be spared immediate judgment but the terrible consequences of their propensity toward idolatry remained and would reappear again and again in Israel's history, with severe consequences. 32:35 The people would bear their own sin and be judged for their acts. Moses could not act as a substitute for them. But One will come who can and did! (cf. Gen. 3:15; Isaiah 53; Mark 10:45; 2 Cor. 5:21). It is difficult to know if this verse refers to Exod. 32:20 (caused illness) Exod. 32:28 (caused death) some future judgment, such as this whole generation dying in the wilderness (cf. Num. 14:26-35; 26:64-65; Deut. 2:14; Jos. 5:4) The word "smote" (BDB 619, KB 669, Qal IMPERFECT with waw) is used in Exodus 12 of people hitting or striking another person. In Exod. 8:2 it is used of YHWH sending the plagues on Egypt (cf. Num. 11:33).