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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Exodus 32:21-29

Moses, having shown his just indignation against the sin of Israel by breaking the tables and burning the calf, now proceeds to reckon with the sinners and to call them to an account, herein acting as the representative of God, who is not only a holy God, and hates sin, but a just God, and is engaged in honour to punish it, Isa. 59:18. Now, I. He begins with Aaron, as God began with Adam, because he was the principal person, though not first in the transgression, but drawn into it. Observe... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 32:26

Then Moses stood in the gate of the camp ,.... In one of the gates of it; for it doubtless had more than one to go in and out of, as is clear from Exodus 32:27 it being probably entrenched all around; here Moses set himself, it being the usual place, as in cities, where the people were summoned together on important occasions, and justice and judgment were administered: and said, who is on the Lord's side? let him come unto me ; who is for the worship of the true God, and him only,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 32:26

Who is on the Lord's side? - That is, Who among you is free from this transgression? And all the sons of Levi, etc. - It seems they had no part in this idolatrous business. 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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 32:25-30

The zeal of Levi. Panic was in the camp. The idolaters stood as they had been taken in their guilty revels. Their sin had been of too heinous a nature to admit of its being passed over without severe punishment. Law must be vindicated. Vengeance must be taken for the injury offered to the majesty of Jehovah. Stern as the duty is, the mediator does not shrink from immediately addressing himself to the execution of judgment. I. THE SUMMONS . He stood in the gate of the camp and said,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 32:26

Moses stood in the gate of the camp . We must understand "the principal gate," since the camp had several ( Exodus 32:27 ) Who is on the Lord's side? Let him come to me . Literally, "Who for Jehovah? To me"—but expressed, as the Hebrew idiom allows, in three words, forming an excellent rallying cry. All the sons of Levi — i.e; all who heard the cry. It is evident that there were Levites among the idolaters ( Exodus 32:27 , Exodus 32:29 .) read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 32:26

Who is on the Lord's side? Let him come unto me. The following points suggest a practical treatment of the passage— I. IN THE WARFARE BETWEEN GOOD AND EVIL , THERE IS NEED FOR TAKING SIDES . Some side we must take. We cannot remain neutral. Not to be on the Lord's side, is to be on the side of his enemies. It is our duty to choose the Lord's side. II. THE EXAMPLE OF ONE GOOD MAN , IN DECLARING HIMSELF ON THE LORD 'S SIDE , ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 32:26-28

The punishment of idolatry. God did not long allow the sin against his majesty to remain unpunished. He declared his will to Moses ( Exodus 32:27 )—"Thus saith the Lord God of Israel"—and Moses, with his usual dutifulness, was prompt to execute his will. Having obtained the necessary force, he lost no time in inflicting the punishment. Of the punishment itself, we shall do well to note— I. ITS SEVERITY . Men talk and think very slightingly in these days of sins against God's... read more

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

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