Keraia
Exodus 32

Exodus 32:8

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

Translations

Modern
How quickly they have turned aside from the way that I commanded them! They have made for themselves a molten calf and have bowed down to it. They have sacrificed to it and said, ‘These, O Israel, are your gods, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt.’”
Traditional
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.
Literal
They have turned aside quickly from the way that I commanded them! They have made for themselves a molten calf and they have bowed down to it, and they have sacrificed to it and they have said, ‘These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up from the land of Egypt!’”
Latin
Recesserunt cito de via, quam ostendisti eis: feceruntque sibi vitulum conflatilem, et adoraverunt, atque immolantes ei hostias, dixerunt: Isti sunt dii tui Israël, qui te eduxerunt de terra Ægypti.

Original

Hebrew
English
How quickly they have turned aside from the way that I commanded them! They have made for themselves a molten calf and have bowed down to it. They have sacrificed to it and said, ‘These, O Israel, are your gods, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt.’”

Notes

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

Places

Egypt: Ancient nation; Israelites enslaved there; plagues and Exodus

Glossary

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

Topics

Backsliding: Israel Calf of Gold: Making of a Turning Aside from the Divine Command Character: Instability: Israelites Falsehood: Aaron, in Attempting to Shift Responsibility for the Making of the Golden Calf Instability: General Scriptures Concerning Molding of Images Rebellion Against God: Exhibited in Departing from his Instituted Worship