Exodus 32:8 - Printer Friendly

ESV: They have turned aside quickly out of the way that I commanded them. They have made for themselves a golden calf and have worshiped it and sacrificed to it and said, ‘These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!’"

NIV: They have been quick to turn away from what I commanded them and have made themselves an idol cast in the shape of a calf. They have bowed down to it and sacrificed to it and have said, ‘These are your gods, Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt.’

NASB: They have quickly turned aside from the way which I commanded them. They have made for themselves a cast metal calf, and have worshiped it and have sacrificed to it and said, ‘ This is your god, Israel, who brought you up from the land of Egypt!’?'

CSB: They have quickly turned from the way I commanded them; they have made for themselves an image of a calf. They have bowed down to it, sacrificed to it, and said, ‘Israel, these are your gods, who brought you up from the land of Egypt.’"

NLT: How quickly they have turned away from the way I commanded them to live! They have melted down gold and made a calf, and they have bowed down and sacrificed to it. They are saying, ‘These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you out of the land of Egypt.’'

KJV: They have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them: they have made them a molten calf, and have worshipped it, and have sacrificed thereunto, and said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which have brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.

NKJV: They have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them. They have made themselves a molded calf, and worshiped it and sacrificed to it, and said, ‘This is your god, O Israel, that brought you out of the land of Egypt!’ ”

God is angry at the people of Israel for idolatry. While Moses speaks with Him on Mount Sinai (Exodus 24:18), the people have constructed a golden image (Exodus 32:1–6). Among the first laws given to Israel was the command not to create or worship idols (Exodus 20:3–6). Not long after Moses left Aaron in charge (Exodus 24:14), Aaron cooperated as the people ignored something the Lord had just recently made clear.

In this case, the Israelites are probably not worshipping a false deity. They seem to think of the idol as a representation of the God who freed them from slavery (Exodus 12:40–41). The term translated as "gods" is elōhim, which is plural but also used in reference to the true God (Genesis 1:1; Exodus 3:14–15). But the Lord was clear that worshipping manmade objects is a sin. Just as the people "forgot" God's miracles and succumbed to fear (Exodus 14:10–12; 17:3), they now "forget" His rules and choose to sin.

Exodus 32:7–14 describes the Lord's anger at Israel for their idolatry (Exodus 32:1–6). While Moses is away (Exodus 24:18), the people have begun to worship a golden statue. God suggests He will eradicate Israel and only spare Moses. Moses pleads with God, who stops discussing this reaction. This resembles how God graciously talked through the issue of Sodom with Abraham, to make a statement about divine justice (Genesis 18:27–33).

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.