King James Version

What Does Exodus 32:18 Mean?

Exodus 32:18 in the King James Version says “And he said, It is not the voice of them that shout for mastery, neither is it the voice of them that cry for being over...” — study this verse from Exodus chapter 32 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And he said, It is not the voice of them that shout for mastery, neither is it the voice of them that cry for being overcome: but the noise of them that sing do I hear. being: Heb. weakness”

Exodus 32:18 · KJV

Context

16

And the tables were the work of God, and the writing was the writing of God, graven upon the tables.

17

And when Joshua heard the noise of the people as they shouted, he said unto Moses, There is a noise of war in the camp.

18

And he said, It is not the voice of them that shout for mastery, neither is it the voice of them that cry for being overcome: but the noise of them that sing do I hear. being: Heb. weakness

19

And it came to pass, as soon as he came nigh unto the camp, that he saw the calf, and the dancing: and Moses' anger waxed hot, and he cast the tables out of his hands, and brake them beneath the mount.

20

And he took the calf which they had made, and burnt it in the fire, and ground it to powder, and strawed it upon the water, and made the children of Israel drink of it.

Read Exodus 32 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Moses' threefold correction uses different Hebrew terms: not קוֹל עֲנוֹת גְּבוּרָה (qol anot gevurah, sound of triumph) nor קוֹל עֲנוֹת חֲלוּשָׁה (qol anot chalushah, sound of defeat), but קוֹל עַנּוֹת (qol annot, sound of singing/responding). The word עַנּוֹת (annot) suggests responsive singing, likely the antiphonal worship of pagan festivals. Moses recognized immediately what Joshua missed—this was worship, but directed toward the wrong object. The parallel sounds (עֲנוֹת, anot) emphasize Moses' certainty that this was religious activity, not warfare.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Moses' immediate discernment came from his awareness of Egyptian religion (having lived in Pharaoh's court) and God's recent revelation. He recognized pagan worship patterns despite Joshua's military interpretation.

Reflection Questions

  1. How can religious activity mask spiritual adultery?
  2. What enables discernment between godly and fleshly worship?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 13 words
וַיֹּ֗אמֶר1 of 13

“And he said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֵ֥ין2 of 13
H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

ק֣וֹל3 of 13

“It is not the voice”

H6963

a voice or sound

עֲנ֣וֹת4 of 13

“of them that cry”

H6030

properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e., pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout,

גְּבוּרָ֔ה5 of 13

“for mastery”

H1369

force (literally or figuratively); by implication, valor, victory

וְאֵ֥ין6 of 13
H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

ק֣וֹל7 of 13

“It is not the voice”

H6963

a voice or sound

עֲנ֣וֹת8 of 13

“of them that cry”

H6030

properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e., pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout,

חֲלוּשָׁ֑ה9 of 13

“for being overcome”

H2476

defeat

ק֣וֹל10 of 13

“It is not the voice”

H6963

a voice or sound

עַנּ֔וֹת11 of 13

“of them that sing”

H6031

to depress literally or figuratively, transitive or intransitive (in various applications, as follows)

אָֽנֹכִ֖י12 of 13
H595

i

שֹׁמֵֽעַ׃13 of 13

“do I hear”

H8085

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

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 32:18 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 32:18 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Daniel 5:23Daniel 5:4Exodus 15:1-18

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