King James Version

What Does Exodus 32:1 Mean?

Exodus 32:1 in the King James Version says “And when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down out of the mount, the people gathered themselves together unto A... — study this verse from Exodus chapter 32 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down out of the mount, the people gathered themselves together unto Aaron, and said unto him, Up, make us gods, which shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him.

Exodus 32:1 · KJV


Context

1

And when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down out of the mount, the people gathered themselves together unto Aaron, and said unto him, Up, make us gods, which shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him.

2

And Aaron said unto them, Break off the golden earrings, which are in the ears of your wives, of your sons, and of your daughters, and bring them unto me.

3

And all the people brake off the golden earrings which were in their ears, and brought them unto Aaron.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The Hebrew בֹּשֵׁשׁ (boshesh, delayed) suggests Moses tarried beyond expectation. The people's demand לֵאלֹהִים (le'elohim, for gods) uses the plural form, revealing their desire for visible deity rather than the invisible God. Their dismissive reference to 'this Moses' shows how quickly they rejected God's appointed mediator. This apostasy occurred while God was giving the very law prohibiting idolatry, demonstrating human depravity's depth even among covenant people who had witnessed miraculous deliverance.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This occurred on Mount Sinai around 1446 BC, approximately 40 days after Israel received the Ten Commandments. Moses was receiving the full law code on the mountain while the people grew restless below.

Reflection Questions

  1. What 'delays' in God's timing tempt you to take matters into your own hands?
  2. How does impatience with God's appointed leaders lead to spiritual compromise?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 34 words
וַיַּ֣רְא1 of 34

saw

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

הָעָ֜ם2 of 34

And when the people

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

כִּֽי3 of 34
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

בֹשֵׁ֥שׁ4 of 34

delayed

H954

properly, to pale, i.e., by implication to be ashamed; also (by implication) to be disappointed or delayed

מֹשֶׁ֣ה5 of 34

that Moses

H4872

mosheh, the israelite lawgiver

לָרֶ֣דֶת6 of 34

to come down

H3381

to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau

מִן7 of 34
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

הָהָ֑ר8 of 34

out of the mount

H2022

a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)

וַיִּקָּהֵ֨ל9 of 34

gathered themselves together

H6950

to convoke

הָעָ֜ם10 of 34

And when the people

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

עַֽל11 of 34
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

אַהֲרֹ֗ן12 of 34

unto Aaron

H175

aharon, the brother of moses

וַיֹּֽאמְר֤וּ13 of 34

and said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֵלָיו֙14 of 34
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

ק֣וּם׀15 of 34

unto him Up

H6965

to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)

עֲשֵׂה16 of 34

make

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

לָ֣נוּ17 of 34
H0
אֱלֹהִ֗ים18 of 34

us gods

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

אֲשֶׁ֤ר19 of 34
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

יֵֽלְכוּ֙20 of 34
H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

לְפָנֵ֔ינוּ21 of 34

before

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

כִּי22 of 34
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

זֶ֣ה׀23 of 34
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

מֹשֶׁ֣ה24 of 34

that Moses

H4872

mosheh, the israelite lawgiver

הָאִ֗ישׁ25 of 34

the man

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

אֲשֶׁ֤ר26 of 34
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

הֶֽעֱלָ֙נוּ֙27 of 34

that brought

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

מֵאֶ֣רֶץ28 of 34

us up out of the land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

מִצְרַ֔יִם29 of 34

of Egypt

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

לֹ֥א30 of 34
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יָדַ֖עְנוּ31 of 34

we wot

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

מֶה32 of 34
H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

הָ֥יָה33 of 34
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

לֽוֹ׃34 of 34
H0

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Exodus. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Exodus 32:1 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Exodus 32:1 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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