Exodus 32:2-4

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Exodus 32:1-6

While Moses was in the mount, receiving the law from God, the people had time to meditate upon what had been delivered, and prepare themselves for what was further to be revealed, and forty days was little enough for that work; but, instead of that, there were those among them that were contriving how to break the laws they had already received, and to anticipate those which they were in expectation of. On the thirty-ninth day of the forty, the plot broke out of rebellion against the Lord.... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 32:2

And Aaron said unto them ,.... Perceiving that they were not to be dissuaded from their evil counsel, and diverted from their purpose, but were determined at all events to have an image made to represent God unto them in a visible manner: break off the golden earrings which are in the ears of your wives, of your sons, and of your daughters ; these were some of the jewels in gold they had borrowed of the Egyptians; and it seems that, in those times and countries, men, as well as women,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 32:3

And all the people brake off the golden earrings, which were in their ears ,.... The men took off their earrings, and persuaded their wives and children, or obliged them to part with theirs; though the Targum of Jonathan says the women refused to give their ornaments to their husbands, therefore all the people immediately broke off all the golden ornaments which were in their ears F24 So Pirke Eliezer, c. 45. , so intent were they upon idolatry. This is to be understood not of every... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 32:4

And he received them at their hand ,.... For the use they delivered them to him: and fashioned it with a graving tool, after he had made it a molten calf ; that is, after he had melted the gold, and cast it into a mould, which gave it the figure of a calf, and with his tool wrought it into a more agreeable form, he took off the roughness of it, and polished it; or if it was in imitation of the Egyptian Apis or Osiris, he might with his graving tool engrave such marks and figures as... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 32:2

Golden ear-rings - Both men and women wore these ornaments, and we may suppose that these were a part of the spoils which they brought out of Egypt. How strange, that the very things which were granted them by an especial influence and providence of God, should be now abused to the basest idolatrous purposes! But it is frequently the case that the gifts of God become desecrated by being employed in the service of sin; I will curse your blessings, saith the Lord, Malachi 2:2 . read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 32:3

And all the people brake off the golden ear-rings - The human being is naturally fond of dress, though this has been improperly attributed to the female sex alone, and those are most fond of it who have the shallowest capacities; but on this occasion the bent of the people to idolatry was greater than even their love of dress, so that they readily stripped themselves of their ornaments in order to get a molten god. They made some compensation for this afterwards; see Exodus 36:22 , and See... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 32:4

Fashioned it with a graving tool - There has been much controversy about the meaning of the word חרט cheret in the text: some make it a mould, others a garment, cloth, or apron; some a purse or bag, and others a graver. It is likely that some mould was made on this occasion, that the gold when fused was cast into it, and that afterwards it was brought into form and symmetry by the action of the chisel and graver. These be thy gods, O Israel - The whole of this is a most strange and... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 32:2

Verse 2 2.And Aaron said unto them, Break off the golden ear-rings. I doubt not but that Aaron, being overcome by the importunate clamor of the people, endeavored to escape by means of a subterfuge; still, this is no valid excuse for him, since he ought to have heartily opposed them in a direct reply, and sharply to have inveighed against their wicked renunciation of God. By commanding them to give him gold, he might have quieted their intemperate demands through dread of the expense; but it... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 32:4

Verse 4 4.And he received them at their hand. He briefly narrates this base and shameful deed; yet sufficiently shows, that whilst Aaron yielded to their madness, he still desired to cure it, though, at the same time, he was weak and frightened, so as to pretend to give his assent, because he feared the consequences of the tumult as regarded himself. For why does he not command the ear-rings to be thrown into some chest, lest he should pollute himself by the contagion of the sacrilege? Since,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Exodus 32:1-6

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 32:2

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 32:3

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 32:4

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 32:2

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 32:3

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 32:4

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 32:2

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 32:4

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 32:1-6

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