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Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Exodus 32:7-35

The faithfulness of Moses in the office that had been entrusted to him was now to be put to the test. It was to be made manifest whether he loved his own glory better than he loved the brethren who were under his charge; whether he would prefer that he should himself become the founder of a “great nation,” or that the Lord’s promise should be fulfilled in the whole people of Israel. This may have been especially needful for Moses, in consequence of his natural disposition. See Numbers 12:3; and... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Exodus 32:1-35

32:1-34:35 COVENANT BROKEN AND RENEWEDThe golden bull (32:1-35)Although they were God’s people and had been delivered by his mighty power from slavery in Egypt, the Israelites were still very much Egyptian in their feelings, thinking and habits. They made an animal idol as a visible symbol of their unseen God, then developed a ritual to go with it, complete with priest, altar, sacrifices and feasting. And, as often happened with the pagan religions, drunkenness and immoral sex-play accompanied... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Exodus 32:7

the LORD [Hebrew. Jehovah. said . See note on Exodus 3:7 , and cep. note on Exodus 6:10 . thy . . . thou . As though disowning them. Compare Moses' grand faith, in his reply, Exodus 32:11 . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Exodus 32:7-14

MOSES' INTERCESSION"And Jehovah spake unto Moses, Go, get thee down; for thy people, that thou broughtest up out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves; they have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them: they made them a molten calf, and have worshipped it, and have sacrificed unto it, and said, These are thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt. And Jehovah said unto Moses, I have seen this people, and behold, it is a stiff-necked people:... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Exodus 32:7

Exodus 32:7. Thy people, which thou broughtest— That is, as being my representative; as being a god unto them: see ch. Exo 4:16 Exo 7:1 Exodus 18:19. Moses is called, Acts 7:35 a deliverer. God, as it were, now disclaims this people, who had disclaimed him; he calls them thy people in this address to Moses. read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Exodus 32:7

7-14. the Lord said unto Moses, Go, get thee down—Intelligence of the idolatrous scene enacted at the foot of the mount was communicated to Moses in language borrowed from human passions and feelings, and the judgment of a justly offended God was pronounced in terms of just indignation against the gross violation of the so recently promulgated laws. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Exodus 32:7-14

Moses’ intercession 32:7-14God’s recounting the news of the golden calf to Moses gives the reader the divine perspective on Israel’s sin. Moses stressed three points in this pericope."These three points-idolatry of the golden calf, Israel’s stiff-necked refusal to obey, and God’s compassion-provide the basis of the subsequent narratives and God’s further dealings with this people. Though a great act of God’s judgment follows immediately (Exodus 32:27-35), the central themes of the subsequent... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 32:1-35

The Idolatry of the People1-6. The historical narrative is here resumed from Exodus 24:18. Becoming impatient at the prolonged absence of Moses on the mount (forty days, Exodus 24:18), and despairing of his return, the people prevail upon Aaron to make a god to go before them. From the earrings of the men and women he accordingly makes a golden bull, to which divine honours are paid.1. Unto Aaron] Aaron and Hur had been left in charge by Moses; see Exodus 24:14. Make us gods] RM ’a god.’ The... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Exodus 32:7

GOD’S OFFER TO MOSES.(7) The Lord said unto Moses, Go, get thee down.—Moses was, of course, wholly ignorant of all that had occurred in the camp. The thick cloud which covered the top of Sinai had prevented his seeing what occurred in the plain below (Exodus 24:18). The phrase, “Go, get thee down,” is emphatic, and implies urgency.Thy people.—“Thine,” not any longer “mine,” since they have broken the covenant that united us; yet still “thine,” however much they sin. The tie of... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Exodus 32:1-35

Exodus 32:2 Who would not have been ashamed to hear this answer from the brother of Moses, 'Pluck off your earrings'? He should have said, 'Pluck this idolatrous thought out of your hearts'. Bishop Hall. Exodus 32:3 Unless reason be employed in ascertaining what doctrines are revealed, humility cannot be exercised in acquiescing in them; and there is surely at least as much presumption in measuring everything by our own fancies, feelings, and prejudices, as by our own reasonings. Such voluntary... read more

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