Exode 32:30-33:23 BDS

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

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Exodus 32:30-35

MOSES' RENEWED INTERCESSION"And it came to pass on the morrow, that Moses said unto the people, Ye have sinned a great sin, and now I will go up unto Jehovah; peradventure, I shall make atonement for your sin. And Moses returned unto Jehovah, and said, Oh, this people have sinned a great sin, and have made them gods of gold. Yet now, if thou wilt, forgive their sin; and, if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written. And Jehovah said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Exodus 32:30

30-33. Moses said unto the people, Ye have sinned a great sin—Moses labored to show the people the heinous nature of their sin, and to bring them to repentance. But not content with that, he hastened more earnestly to intercede for them. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Exodus 32:30-35

Moses’ second intercession 32:30-35To make atonement (Exodus 32:30) means to obtain a covering for sin.We see Moses’ great love for the Israelites as their mediator in his willingness to die for them (cf. Romans 9:3). Being blotted out of God’s book may refer to physical death. Alternatively the book could refer to the register of those loyal to Yahweh and thereby deserving His special blessing (cf. Psalms 69:28; Isaiah 4:3; Ezekiel 13:9; Daniel 12:1; Malachi 3:16). [Note: Durham, p. 432.] God... 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 32:30-35

MOSES’ INTERCESSION ON BEHALF OF THE PEOPLE.(30-35) When Moses had, on first hearing of God’s intention to destroy the people, interceded for them (Exodus 32:11-13), his prayers had received no direct answer—he had been left in doubt whether they were granted or no. Having now put an end to the offence, and to some extent punished it, he is bent on renewing his supplications, and obtaining a favourable reply. Once more he ascends into the mount to be quite alone, and so best able to wrestle... 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

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Exodus 32:1-35

CHAPTER XXXII.THE GOLDEN CALF.Exodus 32:1-35While God was thus providing for Israel, what had Israel done with God? They had grown weary of waiting: had despaired of and slighted their heroic leader, ("this Moses, the man that brought us up,") had demanded gods, or a god, at the hand of Aaron, and had so far carried him with them or coerced him that he thought it a stroke of policy to save them from breaking the first commandment by joining them in a breach of the second, and by infecting "a... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Exodus 32:1-35

4. Israel ‘s Sin and Rebellion CHAPTER 32 1. The people in rebellion (Exodus 32:1-6 ) 2. Jehovah threatens his wrath (Exodus 32:7-10 ) 3. Moses beseeches Jehovah (Exodus 32:11-14 ) 4. Moses descends and in the camp (Exodus 32:15-29 ) 5. Moses’ offer and failure (Exodus 32:30-35 ) This chapter records the breaking of the covenant by Israel ‘s sin, rebellion against Jehovah, and idolatry. Here we find man’s heart fully uncovered, that wicked heart of unbelief. What manifestations of... read more

L.M. Grant

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 32:1-35

THE GOLDEN CALF (vs.1-6) Moses forty days in the mount (the number of testing) was too much for the impatient children of Israel. They gathered to Aaron in united determination to have some substitute for the leading of the God of Israel. They say they don't know what has become of Moses, and ask for "gods" that they may follow. How sadly lacking was faith in the living God! It has always been men's downfall to prefer some visible, material idol that they are willing to call "god." This too... read more