Bible Commentaries
Exodus 32

Verse 1

delayed = put them to shame by his not coming down. Compare Psalms 44:7 ; Psalms 53:5 ; Psalms 119:3 .

out of = from.

make us gods . The great sin of to-day (1 Corinthians 10:7 , 1 Corinthians 10:11 ). Made now not of materials; but made by imagination; and worshipped by the senses.

man . Hebrew. 'ish , App-14 .

wot not = know not.

all = the greater part. Figure of speech Synecdoche (of Genus), App-6 .

them . The Ellipsis ( App-6 ) should be supplied by the word "it ": i.e. the gold (Exodus 32:3 ).

Verse 4

calf . The chief Egyptian god, with which they were familiar in Egypt.

These be thy gods . Expounded in Nehemiah 9:18 as meaning "This is thy god". Compare Psalms 106:19 .

Verse 5

a feast to the LORD . All done under cover of "religion".

the LORD . Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 .

Verse 6

offered. Hebrew. 'alah. See App-43 .

burnt offerings . Hebrew, plural of 'alah. See App-43 . eat and to drink. Figure of speech Ellipsis ( App-6 ), i.e. to eat [the sacrifices] and to drink [the libations].

to play = to make sport. Compare Exodus 32:19 . So 1 Corinthians 10:7 . to dance: i, e. lasciviously. This was part of idolatrous worship.

Verse 7

the LORD [Hebrew. Jehovah. said . See note on Exodus 3:7 , and cep. note on Exodus 6:10 .

thy . . . thou . As though disowning them. Compare Moses' grand faith, in his reply, Exodus 32:11 .

Verse 8

sacrificed . Hebrew. zaback App-43 .

Verse 9

behold . Figure of speech Asterismos ( App-6 ).

Verse 11

the LORD . Hebrew "the face of Jehovah": i.e. before, or in the presence of Jehovah.

God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4 .

Thy . . . Thou . This is the reply of Moses. He knows they were not "cast off" (Romans 11:2 ), but only "cast aside" (Romans 11:11 ) for a little moment. See notes on Romans 11:2 , Romans 11:15 .

Verse 12

Wherefore . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis ( App-6 ).

mischief , or wrong-doing. Hebrew. r'a'a. App-44 . repent. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia ( App-6 ).

evil. Hebrew. r'a'a. App-44 .

Verse 13

Israel. Not Jacob, because this is the language of highest faith.

swarest . Figure of speech Anthropopatheia ( App-6 ). Compare Hebrews 6:13 , Hebrews 6:17 . Genesis 22:16-18 .

as the stars . Figure of speech Paroemia ( App-6 ).

Verse 14

thought to do . Hebrew which He spake of doing.

Verse 15

went down . Moses' fourth descent. See note on Exodus 19:3 (the fifth ascent was in Exodus 24:9 ),

the two tables . See on Exodus 31:18 .

Verse 16

the tables . . . the tables . Figure of speech Epanadiplosis ( App-6 ), emphasising the importance of the statement.

the writing . . the writing . Figure of speech Epizeuxis. App-6 . The two figures together greatly emphasising the verse as a whole; and, combined = another Figure of speech Anadiplosis ( App-6 ), viz. "tables", "writings"-; -"writings", "tables "the solemn or important writing. See note on Exodus 17:14 .

Verse 18

shout . . . cry . . . singular. The same word in Hebrew.

Verse 19

dancing . Compare Exodus 32:6 . As in the worship of Apis.

Verse 20

burnt. A secret known to the Egyptians.

water . Compare Deuteronomy 9:2 .Deuteronomy 17:6 .

children = sons.

Verse 21

sin. Hebrew. chat'a. App-44 .

Verse 22

are set : or, supply the Ellipsis "are ready for ""

Verse 23

man . Hebrew 'ish, App-14 .

wot = know.

Verse 26

Who . . . ? &c. Figure of speech Erotesis ( App-6 ).

all. Figure of speech Synecdoche (of Genus), App-6 , i.e. all who had not joined in the idolatry. Compare Deuteronomy 33:9 .

Verse 27

side = thigh.

Verse 28

children = sons.

three thousand men . These 3,000 were the "men" slain by "the sons of Levi. "The 23,000 of 1 Corinthians 10:8 includes those who died of the "plague" which followed. See verse Exodus 32:35 , below.

Verse 29

Consecrate . See note on Exodus 28:4 .

Verse 31

returned. Moses' fifth ascent. See note on Exodus 19:8 .

Verse 32

sin = Figure of speech Aposiopesis ( App-6 ), to emphasise the unspeakableness of the sin.

Thy book. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia ( App-6 ). Compare Psalms 69:28 . Isaiah 4:3 .

Verse 33

him . Under the Law, the sinner blotted out: under grace, sin blotted out.

Verse 34

behold . A special reading (Severna Codex, App-34 ) has "and behold". See App-34 .

Mine angel . Probably an inferior angel, not that of Exodus 23:20 , Exodus 23:21 .

when I visit. Figure of speech Polyptoton ( App-6 ). Literally "when I visit I will visit". See note on Genesis 26:28 with Gen 60:24 , Gen 60:25 . This is to emphasise the fact that there is such a thing as postponed judgment. Compare Exodus 34:7 . Numbers 14:33 .Ezekiel 18:1-3 .Matthew 23:32-36 .

Verse 35

plagued. See note on Exodus 32:28 above.