Exodus 32:1
ESV
When the people saw that Moses delayed to come down from the mountain, the people gathered themselves together to Aaron and said to him, "Up, make us gods who shall go before us. As for this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him."
NIV
When the people saw that Moses was so long in coming down from the mountain, they gathered around Aaron and said, "Come, make us gods who will go before us. As for this fellow Moses who brought us up out of Egypt, we don’t know what has happened to him."
NASB
Now when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down from the mountain, the people assembled around Aaron and said to him, 'Come, make us a god who will go before us; for this Moses, the man who brought us up from the land of Egypt—we do not know what happened to him.'
CSB
When the people saw that Moses delayed in coming down from the mountain, they gathered around Aaron and said to him, "Come, make gods for us who will go before us because this Moses, the man who brought us up from the land of Egypt—we don’t know what has happened to him!"
NLT
When the people saw how long it was taking Moses to come back down the mountain, they gathered around Aaron. 'Come on,' they said, 'make us some gods who can lead us. We don’t know what happened to this fellow Moses, who brought us here from the land of Egypt.'
KJV
And when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down out of the mount, the people gathered themselves together unto Aaron, and said unto him, Up, make us gods, which shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him.
NKJV
Now when the people saw that Moses delayed coming down from the mountain, the people gathered together to Aaron, and said to him, “Come, make us gods that shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.”
What does Exodus 32:1 mean?
Moses made multiple trips onto Mount Sinai (Exodus 19:1–3). In between, he clearly delivered the most fundamental laws of God's covenant: the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1–17). At the start of this passage, Moses has not yet returned from a forty-day visit with God (Exodus 24:18). The Israelites seem to think Moses is never coming back. This is understandable, since it's been more than a month since an 80-year old man (Exodus 7:7) walked into a scene of clouds and fire (Exodus 19:16). The Hebrews sense their need for someone or something to intercede on their behalf (Exodus 20:18–21). What's lacking is their chosen response: they pressure Aaron (Exodus 24:12) to make them a tangible god.This request violates at least one of the first two commandments (Exodus 20:3–6). God forbids the making of idols, even those meant to represent Him. Whether the people meant this idol to represent the same God who brought them out of Egypt, or were giving credit to some other deity, makes no difference. Their desire for a tangible symbol overcame obedience to God's instructions.
Despite knowing better, Aaron will give in and make an idol for the people (Exodus 32:2–4). Later, he will mention how insufferable the Israelites can be when things do not go their way (Exodus 14:11; 16:3). The passage does not suggest that a few Israelites made a single request. The implication, in context (Exodus 32:22), is that they put great pressure on Aaron (Exodus 14:11; 15:24; 16:2; 17:2–4; Numbers 20:2–3). This is no excuse, but it does make Aaron's sin subtly different from that of the other Israelites. The people actively sought idolatry; Aaron failed to lead them away from it.
Israel's choice here is one of the most infamous errors in their history (Psalm 106:19; Acts 7:41). The Lord has done amazing things to demonstrate His love and care (Exodus 3:20; 12:40–41; 14:21–31; 16:35). Yet the people continue to set Him aside out of fear, distrust, unbelief, or simple disobedience.
