Exodus 32:3
ESV
So all the people took off the rings of gold that were in their ears and brought them to Aaron.
NIV
So all the people took off their earrings and brought them to Aaron.
NASB
So all the people tore off the gold rings which were in their ears and brought them to Aaron.
CSB
So all the people took off the gold rings that were on their ears and brought them to Aaron.
NLT
All the people took the gold rings from their ears and brought them to Aaron.
KJV
And all the people brake off the golden earrings which were in their ears, and brought them unto Aaron.
NKJV
So all the people broke off the golden earrings which were in their ears, and brought them to Aaron.
What does Exodus 32:3 mean?
While waiting for Moses to return from Sinai (Exodus 24:18), the Israelites make a terrible choice. They seem to assume that Moses won't be back, and that they need a visible representation of God. They collect gold earrings which Aaron (Exodus 24:14) uses to make a golden idol (Exodus 32:4). In this context, there is no attempt to worship a separate deity, or to choose another god. The people view this statue as an image of the same Lord who rescued them from Egypt (Exodus 32:4).Of course, this goes directly against at least one of the first two commandments (Exodus 20:3–6). The Israelites are already ignoring clear laws, just as they fell into fear and panic despite miraculous rescues (Exodus 14:10–12; 16:1–3). Worry about Moses' long absence might be justified, but the choice of disobedience and idolatry is not. When Moses returns, the idol will be destroyed and the people punished (Exodus 32:21, 28).
