Exodus 32:1 NIV

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Exodus 32:1

Exodus 32:1. The people That is, some of them, as it is explained 1 Corinthians 10:7. The defection, however, appears to have been very general, though we find several, particularly the sons of Levi, exempt from it, Exodus 32:26. Saw that Moses delayed He had now been absent from them near forty days. For this defection appears to have happened a day or two before he came down from the mount, Deuteronomy 9:11-12. Gathered themselves together unto Aaron Or, as the Hebrew is more properly... 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 32:1

delayed = put them to shame by his not coming down. Compare Psalms 44:7 ; Psalms 53:5 ; Psalms 119:3 . out of = from. make us gods . The great sin of to-day (1 Corinthians 10:7 , 1 Corinthians 10:11 ). Made now not of materials; but made by imagination; and worshipped by the senses. man . Hebrew. 'ish , App-14 . wot not = know not. all = the greater part. Figure of speech Synecdoche (of Genus), App-6 . them . The Ellipsis ( App-6 ) should be supplied by the word "it ": i.e. the gold... read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Exodus 32:1-6

"And when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down from the mount, the people gathered themselves together unto Aaron, and said unto him, Up, make us gods which shall go before us; as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we know not what has become of him. And Aaron said unto them, Break off the golden rings which are' in the ears of your wives, of your sons and of your daughters, and bring them unto me. And all the people brake off the golden rings which... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Exodus 32:1

Exodus 32:1. And when the people saw that Moses— The long delay of Moses in the mount led this ever-murmuring and incredulous generation to think that he had utterly forsaken them; that an attempt to go forward into Canaan would, therefore, be absurd; and that it would be better to follow their groveling inclination, and return into Egypt. That this was their intention, we collect from Act 7:39-40 where St. Stephen says, that in their hearts they turned back again into Egypt; saying unto Aaron,... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Exodus 32:1

1. when the people saw that Moses delayed—They supposed that he had lost his way in the darkness or perished in the fire. the people gathered themselves together unto Aaron—rather, "against" Aaron in a tumultuous manner, to compel him to do what they wished. The incidents related in this chapter disclose a state of popular sentiment and feeling among the Israelites that stands in singular contrast to the tone of profound and humble reverence they displayed at the giving of the law. Within a... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Exodus 32:1-6

Israel’s apostasy 32:1-6Apostasy means "to stand away from" something (Gr. apostasis). This word describes a departure. An apostate is someone who has departed from something. In the religious sense the word refers to extreme departure from God’s will. "Apostate" is not necessarily a synonym for unbeliever. The person who departs from God’s will may be a believer or an unbeliever. The term refers to obedience, not salvation. Most of the apostates in Israel were apparently believers since the... 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 32:1

XXXII.THE IDOLATRY OF THE GOLDEN CALF.(1) When the people saw that Moses delayed to come down.—After seven chapters of directions, which belong to the Mosaic or Levitical Law, the writer here resumes his historical narrative. Leaving Moses still in the mount, he returns to the plain at its base in order to relate the events which had there occurred during Moses’ absence. It has been suggested that Exodus 31:0 was originally followed by Exodus 35:0, and that Exodus 32-34 form a “distinct... 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