Exodus 32:2

Translations

Modern

So Aaron told them, “Take off the gold earrings that are on your wives and sons and daughters, and bring them to me.”

Traditional

And Aaron said unto them, Break off the golden earrings, which are in the ears of your wives, of your sons, and of your daughters, and bring them unto me.

Literal

And Aaron said to them, “Break off the golden rings that are in the ears of your wives, your sons, and your daughters, and bring them to me.”

Latin

Dixitque ad eos Aaron: Tollite inaures aureas de uxorum, filiorumque et filiarum vestrarum auribus, et afferte ad me.

Original

Hebrew

English

So Aaron told them, “Take off the gold earrings that are on your wives and sons and daughters, and bring them to me.”

Notes

Exodus 32:2–4

Aaron, who served as a priest (religious leader), asked the people to bring gold rings. After that, he did not allow them to take part in the work.

This was very different from what God commanded for building the tabernacle. In that case, the people were invited to bring many kinds of offerings as they were willing (25:1–9; 35:4–36:7).

They also shared in the work under the direction of a skilled worker whom God filled with his Spirit, not under a priest acting alone (31:1–6; 36:1–2).

Exodus 32:1–6

The people were not willing to wait and see what God had been saying to Moses on the mountain for the 40 days while he was there (see 24:18).

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).

Theme notes and profiles

Aaron Moses Anger Dealing with Conflict God’s Faithfulness to His People Pure Worship Temple Design as a Picture of God's Truth The Bronze Snake The Plagues

Events

Tabernacle Builtc. 1490 BC

Related verses

Judges 8:24–27
Then he added, “Let me make a request of you, that each of you give me an earring from his plunder.” (For the enemies had gold earrings because they were Ishmaelites.)
Exodus 12:35–36
Furthermore, the Israelites acted on Moses’ word and asked the Egyptians for articles of silver and gold, and for clothing.
Ezekiel 16:11–12
I adorned you with jewelry, and I put bracelets on your wrists and a chain around your neck.
Hosea 2:8
For she does not acknowledge that it was I who gave her grain, new wine, and oil, who lavished on her silver and gold—which they crafted for Baal.
Ezekiel 16:17
You also took the fine jewelry of gold and silver I had given you, and you made male idols with which to prostitute yourself.
Exodus 35:22
So all who had willing hearts, both men and women, came and brought brooches and earrings, rings and necklaces, and all kinds of gold jewelry. And they all presented their gold as a wave offering to the LORD.
Genesis 24:47
Then I asked her, ‘Whose daughter are you?’ She replied, ‘The daughter of Bethuel son of Nahor, whom Milcah bore to him.’ So I put the ring on her nose and the bracelets on her wrists.
Genesis 24:22
And after the camels had finished drinking, he took out a gold ring weighing a beka, and two gold bracelets for her wrists weighing ten shekels.

Parallels

Deuteronomy 9:7–29 Acts 7:39–43

People

Aaron: Moses' brother, first high priest of Israel

Glossary

Aaron Amulet Book of Exodus Cattle Deuteronomy, Book of Earring Gods and Goddesses Golden Calf History of Israel Idols, Idolatry Levi (Person) Leviticus, Book of Minerals and Metals Tabernacle

Topics

Calf of Gold was Made of the Ornaments of the Women Ear-Ring: Offering of for the Golden Calf Falsehood: Aaron, in Attempting to Shift Responsibility for the Making of the Golden Calf Feasts: Men and Women Attend Idolatry: The Jews: Often Mixed Up, with God's Worship Men Wearing Earrings Offense: Aaron Wearing Earrings

Exodus 32:2

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