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Exodus 32

KJ3 Literal Translation — Chapter 32 of 40

1 And the people saw that Moses delayed to come down from the mountain. And the people gathered to Aaron. And they said to him, Rise up, make for us gods who may go before our face. As for this Moses, the man who brought us up from the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.

2 And Aaron said to them, Break off the rings of gold which are in the ears of your wives, your sons and your daughters; and bring them to me.

3 And all the people broke off the rings of gold in their ears, and they brought to Aaron.

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Chapter Summary

1 The people asked Aaron to make a calf. 7 God is angered. 11 Moses prays to God. 15 Moses comes down with the tablets. 19 He breaks them. 20 He destroys the calf. 25 Moses causes the idolaters to be killed. 30 He prays for the people.

Key Hebrew Words

מִזְבֵּ֖חַ altar H4196 · TWOT 525b
רֵעֵ֖ friend H7453 · TWOT 2186a
חַ֥ג festival-gathering H2282 · TWOT 602a
מִצְרַ֔יִם Egypt H4714 · TWOT 1235
עֹ֖רֶף back of neck H6203 · TWOT 1700a

People & Context

The Golden Calf

People, seeing Moses delayed, demand gods. Aaron makes golden calf from their earrings. They worship it, eat, drink, and play.

God's Anger, Moses' Intercession

God tells Moses people are corrupted, threatens to consume them. Moses intercedes, reminding God of His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, Israel. God rele…

Moses Breaks Tablets

Moses descends with tablets, hears singing, sees calf and dances. His anger burns. He throws and breaks tablets at mountain's foot.

Timeline

The Golden Calf

People, seeing Moses delayed, demand gods. Aaron makes golden calf from their earrings. They worship it, eat, drink, and play.

Exodus 32:1-6
God's Anger, Moses' Intercession

God tells Moses people are corrupted, threatens to consume them. Moses intercedes, reminding God of His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, Israel. God relents.

Exodus 32:7-14
Moses Breaks Tablets

Moses descends with tablets, hears singing, sees calf and dances. His anger burns. He throws and breaks tablets at mountain's foot.

Exodus 32:15-19

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Word-for-word literal translation with Hebrew interlinear, Strong's numbers, and audio.

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