Exodus 32:18-19

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Exodus 32:15-20

Here is, I. The favour of God to Moses, in trusting him with the two tables of the testimony, which, though of common stone, were far more valuable than all the precious stones that adorned the breast-plate of Aaron. The topaz of Ethiopia could not equal them, Exod. 32:15, 16. God himself, without the ministry either of man or angel (for aught that appears), wrote the ten commandments on these tables, on both their sides, some on one table and some on the other, so that they were folded... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 32:18

And he said ,.... Not Joshua, as Saadiah Gaon thinks, but Moses, in answer to what Joshua had said: it is not the voice of them that shout for mastery ; that have got the better of it, and have obtained the victory, and shout on that account; or, "not the voice of a cry of strength", or "of a strong cry" F8 קול ענות גבורה "vox eorum qui respondeant fortiter", Tigurine version; "vox clamoris fortis", Drusius. ; that is, of men who have got the victory, and are in high... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 32:19

And it came to pass, as soon, as he came nigh unto the camp ,.... To the bottom of the mountain, and pretty near where the people were encamped: that he saw the calf, and the dancing ; the golden image of the calf, and the people dancing about it, in honour of it, and as glad they had got a symbol and representation of God to go before them; and so the Egyptians did before the golden ox; as Philo says, before observed: and Moses's anger waxed hot : he fell into a passion of... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 32:18

And he said - That is, Moses returned this answer to the observations of Joshua. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 32:19

He saw the calf, and the dancing - Dancing before the idol takes place in almost every Hindoo idolatrous feast - Ward. He cast the tables out of his hands, and brake them - He might have done this through distress and anguish of spirit, on beholding their abominable idolatry and dissolute conduct; or he probably did it emblematically, intimating thereby that, as by this act of his the tables were broken in pieces, on which the law of God was written; so they, by their present conduct,... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 32:19

Verse 19 19.And it came to pass, as soon as he came nigh unto the camp He who had before humbly pleaded for the safety of the people, now, when he sees the calf, bursts forth into rage, and the hideousness of the crime awakens him to different feelings. Now, since anger is here mentioned with praise, the stoics must abandon their paradox, that all the passions (motus animi) are vicious. I allow, indeed, that whilst men are led by nature, they are never angry without vice; because they always... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 32:15-19

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 32:15-19

The act of Moses in breaking the tables. At first sight the act seems impious, and wholly inexcusable. Here was a marvel—the greatest marvel existing in all the world—transcending the finest statue, the most glorious picture—more wonderful than the pyramids themselves or the great temple of Karnak—here was a monument shaped by the hand of God, and inscribed with his finger in characters that would have possessed through all ages an undying interest for man. Here, moreover, was a precious... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 32:15-25

The return of Moses to the camp. It may well be believed that it was with deeply agitated heart that Moses, stunned by the tidings he had just received, rejoined his faithful attendant, and as speedily as possible descended the rocky sides of the mountain. Great was the contrast between the things heavenly on which for forty days and forty nights his eyes had been uninterruptedly feasting, and the scenes he was now to witness. Even the light of common day could hardly seem otherwise... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 32:15-35

Judgment and mercy. I. THE DESCENT or MOSES THE EMBLEM OF THE LAW 'S ENTRANCE INTO A WORLD OF SIN ( Exodus 32:15-29 ). 1 . He came with tables written by God's own finger. The Divine origin and claims of the law are still attested by its own nature and by man's conscience. 2 . He was met by the exhibition of gross and defiant sin. The law does not come to a people waiting to receive the knowledge of God's will, but busy with their idolatry and... read more

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