Exodus 32:5

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

Translations

Modern
When Aaron saw this, he built an altar before the calf and proclaimed: “Tomorrow shall be a feast to the LORD.”
Traditional
And when Aaron saw it, he built an altar before it; and Aaron made proclamation, and said, To morrow is a feast to the Lord.
Literal
And Aaron saw, and he built an altar before its face. And Aaron proclaimed and said, “Tomorrow is a feast to YHWH.”
Latin
Quod cum vidisset Aaron, ædificavit altare coram eo, et præconis voce clamavit dicens: Cras solemnitas Domini est.

Original

Hebrew
English
When Aaron saw this, he built an altar before the calf and proclaimed: “Tomorrow shall be a feast to the LORD.”

Notes

  • Aaron tried to manage the process, but he gave up leadership by simply doing what he thought people wanted.

  • Although Aaron called the idol "your gods" (32:4), he also suggested it was a physical manifestation of the Lord.

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).

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

Aaron: Moses' brother, first high priest of Israel

Glossary

Aaron Book of Exodus Cattle Deuteronomy, Book of Gods and Goddesses History of Israel Idols, Idolatry Jeroboam Levi (Person) Leviticus, Book of Tabernacle

Topics

Calf of Gold was Made: To Represent God Calf of Gold: An Altar Built Before Falsehood: Aaron, in Attempting to Shift Responsibility for the Making of the Golden Calf Idolatry: Consists in Worshipping the True God by an Image Idolatry: The Jews: Often Mixed Up, with God's Worship Offense: Aaron