Keraia
Exodus 32

Exodus 32:19

The Golden Calf · Exodus 32:1–35
Read Exodus 32

Translations

Modern
As Moses approached the camp and saw the calf and the dancing, he burned with anger and threw the tablets out of his hands, shattering them at the base of the mountain.
Traditional
And it came to pass, as soon as he came nigh unto the camp, that he saw the calf, and the dancing: and Moses’ anger waxed hot, and he cast the tables out of his hands, and brake them beneath the mount.
Literal
And it came to pass as soon as he came near to the camp that he saw the calf and the dancing; and the anger of Moses burned, and he cast from his hands the tablets, and he shattered them at the base of the mountain.
Latin
Cumque appropinquasset ad castra, vidit vitulum, et choros: iratusque valde, projecit de manu tabulas, et confregit eas ad radicem montis:

Original

Hebrew
English
As Moses approached the camp and saw the calf and the dancing, he burned with anger and threw the tablets out of his hands, shattering them at the base of the mountain.

Notes

Exodus 32:19

Moses might have shattered the tablets out of anger. It could also have been his way of saying the people shattered the covenant with God. Later, God reminded Moses that he was the one who broke the tablets (see 34:1).

Exodus 32:15–29

When Moses saw what was happening, he became much less calm than he was on the mountain. He smashed the two tablets (32:15–19). He destroyed the calf (32:20). He confronted Aaron (32:21–25). He ordered the death of the rebellious leaders (32:26–29).

Exodus 32:1–35

Moses had been gone for many days. While waiting at the bottom of Mount Sinai, the people wanted protection, guidance, and a way to show their worship. God understood this and wanted to help them (see chapters 25–31). But the Israelites tried to meet their needs on their own. Fellowship with God requires relying on him (see John 15:5; 2 Corinthians 3:5).

Events

Parallels

Deuteronomy 9:7–29 Acts 7:39–43

People

Moses: Prophet who led Israel out of Egypt

Glossary

Anger Book of Exodus Cattle Deuteronomy, Book of Gods and Goddesses Golden Calf History of Israel Levi (Person) Leviticus, Book of Tabernacle

Topics

Amusements and Worldly Pleasures: Formed a Part of Idolatrous Worship Anger: Justifiable: Moses Calf of Gold: Making of Caused Moses to Break the Tables of the Testimony Calf of Gold: Worshipped with Profane Revelry Dancing: General Scriptures Concerning Dancing: Idolatrous Falsehood: Aaron, in Attempting to Shift Responsibility for the Making of the Golden Calf Iconoclasm: Destroyed by Moses Idolatry: Objects of, Worshipped with Singing and Dancing Idolatry: Other Customs of Singing and Dancing Israel: Moses' Indignation Journey of Israel Through The Desert: To Mount Sinai: Tables of Testimony Broken Moses: Character of Impatience of Religious Zeal: Moses Reproof: Faithfulness in Moses, of the Israelites Table: of Testimony were Broken Worldly Amusements and Pleasures: Formed a Part of Idolatrous Worship