Exodus 32:7-14

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 32:9

A stiff-necked people - Probably an allusion to the stiff-necked ox, the object of their worship. read more

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 32:10

Now therefore let me alone - Moses had already begun to plead with God in the behalf of this rebellious and ungrateful people; and so powerful was his intercession that even the Omnipotent represents himself as incapable of doing any thing in the way of judgment, unless his creature desisted from praying for mercy! See an instance of the prevalence of fervent intercession in the case of Abraham, Genesis 18:23-33 , from the model of which the intercession of Moses seems to have been formed. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 32:14

And the Lord repented of the evil - This is spoken merely after the manner of men who, having formed a purpose, permit themselves to be diverted from it by strong and forcible reasons, and so change their minds relative to their former intentions. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 32:7

Verse 7 7.And the Lord said unto Moses, Go, get thee down. This was a violent temptation to shake the faith of Moses. He thought that his own and the people’s happiness was absolutely complete, when God’s covenant was engraven on the tables to secure its perpetuity; whereas now he hears that this covenant was violated, and almost annihilated by the perfidy and rebellion of the people, whilst its abolition involved the loss of salvation and all other blessings. Moreover, that God might more... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 32:8

Verse 8 8.They have turned aside quickly out of the way. So speedy a transgression, as I have said, aggravates their crime. God then states the nature of their corruption, that they have worshipped a molten calf, that is to say, the work of their own hands. But it is to be observed, that what they had put forward as a colouring for their ungodliness is alleged last, as the climax of their sin; for, when they said that these were their gods which had brought them up, their object was to advance... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 32:9

Verse 9 9.I have seen this people, and behold. This was, indeed, the sharpest and sorest trial of the faith of Moses; when God seemed to contradict Himself and to depart from His covenant. If ever, after having been long oppressed by excessive calamities, we are not only wearied by the delay, but also agitated with various doubts, which at length tempt us to despair, as if God had disappointed us by deceptive promises, the contest is severe and terrible; but when God seems at first sight to... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 32:11

Verse 11 11.And Moses besought the Lord his God It is clear that this prayer sprang from faith, though in it he seems to fight against the very word of God; for God had said, Get thee down to thy people; but his answer is, Nay, it is thine. But, as I have lately stated, inasmuch as he firmly grasped the principle, that it was impossible for God’s covenant to be made ineffective, he breaks through or surmounts all obstacles with closed eyes as it were. He proves them to be God’s people by the... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 32:13

Verse 13 13.Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, thy servants He does not bring thern forward as patrons, by the assistance of whose voice he might obtain what He seeks; but because the promise was lodged with them, which they transmitted as an inheritance to their descendants. We must observe, then, the quality or character with which God had invested the Patriarchs. For which reason it is said in Psalms 132:1, “Lord, remember David, and all his afflictions.” And hence the ignorance and folly... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 32:1-7

The sin of the golden calf. Disastrous effects followed in the camp of Israel on the withdrawal of Moses' to the mount. Moved as by a common impulse, the people "gathered themselves together," and demanded of Aaron that he should make them "a god," i.e. an idol, that it might go—be carried in procession—before them (cf. Amos 5:26 ). It was a case of "hand joined in hand" to do iniquity ( Proverbs 11:21 ). Many, doubtless, looked on the movement with dismay and horror (cf. Exodus... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 32:7

Go, descend — i.e; "make haste to descend—do not tarry—there is need of thy immediate presence." Thy people, which thou broughtest, etc. Words calculated to awaken the tenderness between which and self-love the coming struggle was to be. read more

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