Keraia
Exodus 32

Exodus 32:20

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

Translations

Modern
Then he took the calf they had made, burned it in the fire, ground it to powder, and scattered the powder over the face of the water. Then he forced the Israelites to drink it.
Traditional
And he took the calf which they had made, and burnt it in the fire, and ground it to powder, and strawed it upon the water, and made the children of Israel drink of it.
Literal
And he took the calf that they had made, and he burned it in the fire, and he ground it until it was powder, and he scattered it over the face of the waters, and made the sons of Israel drink it.
Latin
…arripiensque vitulum quem fecerant, combussit, et contrivit usque ad pulverem, quem sparsit in aquam, et dedit ex eo potum filiis Israël.

Original

Hebrew
English
Then he took the calf they had made, burned it in the fire, ground it to powder, and scattered the powder over the face of the water. Then he forced the Israelites to drink it.

Notes

Exodus 32:20

Passing the gold powder of the image through the bodies of the people effectively rendered it unclean.

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

Israel: Patriarch, son of Isaac, father of twelve tribes

Glossary

Book of Exodus Cattle Cleanness and Uncleanness, Regulations Concerning Deuteronomy, Book of Gods and Goddesses Golden Calf History of Israel Levi (Person) Leviticus, Book of Tabernacle

Topics

Calf of Gold: Destroyed by Moses Falsehood: Aaron, in Attempting to Shift Responsibility for the Making of the Golden Calf Iconoclasm: Destroyed by Moses Idol: Manufacture of Idolatry: Folly of Israel: Moses' Indignation Religious Zeal in Punishing Evil People: Moses and Levites Religious Zeal: Moses Reproof: Faithfulness in Moses, of the Israelites Sin: Often Very Great