Exodus 32:1-3

The hankering after idols, and its consequences. There is a war ever going on in human nature between the flesh and the spirit ( Romans 7:23 ; Romans 8:1-13 ). The two are "contrary the one to the other." From the time of their leaving Egypt, the Israelites had been leading a spiritual life, depending upon an unseen God—following his mandates—reposing under the sense of his protection. But the strain was too much for them. So long as they had Moses with them, to encourage them by his... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 32:1-6

The Golden Calf. I. THE PEOPLE 'S REQUEST TO AARON . 1 . The cause of the request . There are really two causes to be considered here, first, a cause of which they were conscious, and then, secondly, a deeper cause of which they were not conscious. The delay of Moses to return was the reason they put forward. We must do them the justice of noticing that they seem to have waited till the forty days were well-nigh expired before preferring their request; and an absence of... 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 32:2

Break off . "Take off" would perhaps be a better translation. The ear-rings would not require any breaking. They were penannular , and could be removed by a smart pull. Your wives, your sons, and your daughters . See the comment on Exodus 3:22 . It is implied that the men did not wear earrings. At an earlier date the household of Jacob, chiefly men, had worn them ( Genesis 35:4 ). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 32:3

All the people broke off the golden ear-rings . Thus, as is supposed, disappointing Aaron, who had counted on the refusal of the women to part with their finery, and the reluctance of the men to compel them. Had ear-rings been still regarded as amulets ( Genesis 1:1-31 .s.c. ) it is not likely that they would have been so readily given up. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Exodus 32:1-6

In all probability these three chapters originally formed a distinct composition. The main incidents recorded in them follow in the order of time, and are therefore in their proper place as regards historical sequence.The golden calf - The people had, to a great extent, lost the patriarchal faith, and were but imperfectly instructed in the reality of a personal unseen God. Being disappointed at the long absence of Moses, they seem to have imagined that he had deluded them, and had probably been... read more

Joseph Benson

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

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Exodus 32:2

Exodus 32:2. Break off the golden ear-rings These were probably some of the jewels which they had of the Egyptians. From the ears of your sons Men wore these ornaments in the eastern countries as well as the women, Judges 8:24. Some suppose that when Aaron gave this direction he did it with a design to crush the proposal, believing, that if their covetousness did not hinder them from giving up their ear-rings, their pride, at least, would prevent their parting with them. He says,... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Exodus 32:3

Exodus 32:3. The people brake off their ear-rings Whereby they showed both their madness upon their idols, and their base ingratitude to God, who had transferred these jewels from the Egyptians to them. read more

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