King James Version

What Does Exodus 32:20 Mean?

Exodus 32:20 in the King James Version says “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 wat...” — study this verse from Exodus chapter 32 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Exodus 32:20 · KJV

Context

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.

21

And Moses said unto Aaron, What did this people unto thee, that thou hast brought so great a sin upon them?

22

And Aaron said, Let not the anger of my lord wax hot: thou knowest the people, that they are set on mischief.

Read Exodus 32 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Moses' three-part response shows both symbolic and practical judgment: (1) he took (וַיִּקַּח, vayyikach) the calf, (2) burned it (וַיִּשְׂרֹף בָּאֵשׁ, vayyisrof ba'esh, burned with fire), (3) ground it (וַיִּטְחַן, vayyitchan, ground/crushed) עַד אֲשֶׁר־דָּק (ad asher-daq, until it was powder), (4) scattered it (וַיִּזֶר, vayyizer, strewed) on water, and (5) forced Israel to drink it. This humiliating punishment proved the calf's impotence—their 'god' became excrement. The procedure may mirror the trial of adultery (Num 5:11-31), appropriate since idolatry is spiritual adultery. Gold powder in water would be visible, forcing them to literally consume their sin's consequences.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This thorough destruction demonstrated the idol's absolute worthlessness—it couldn't defend itself. The forced drinking enacted covenant curse: they consumed their own sin's fruit (cf. Hosea 8:5-6).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God force you to 'drink' your sin's consequences to produce repentance?
  2. What does the calf's powerlessness teach about all idols' ultimate futility?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
וַיִּקַּ֞ח1 of 19

“And he took”

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

אֶת2 of 19
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הָעֵ֨גֶל3 of 19

“the calf”

H5695

a (male) calf (as frisking round), especially one nearly grown (i.e., a steer)

אֲשֶׁ֤ר4 of 19
H834

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

עָשׂוּ֙5 of 19

“which they had made”

H6213

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

וַיִּשְׂרֹ֣ף6 of 19

“and burnt”

H8313

to be (causatively, set) on fire

בָּאֵ֔שׁ7 of 19

“it in the fire”

H784

fire (literally or figuratively)

וַיִּטְחַ֖ן8 of 19

“and ground”

H2912

to grind meal; hence, to be a concubine (that being their employment)

עַ֣ד9 of 19
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

אֲשֶׁר10 of 19
H834

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

דָּ֑ק11 of 19

“it to powder”

H1854

to crush (or intransitively) crumble

וַיִּ֙זֶר֙12 of 19

“and strawed”

H2219

to toss about; by implication, to diffuse, winnow

עַל13 of 19
H5921

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

פְּנֵ֣י14 of 19

“it upon”

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

הַמַּ֔יִם15 of 19

“the water”

H4325

water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen

וַיַּ֖שְׁקְ16 of 19

“drink”

H8248

to quaff, i.e., (causatively) to irrigate or furnish a potion to

אֶת17 of 19
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

בְּנֵ֥י18 of 19

“and made the children”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃19 of 19

“of Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

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 32:20 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 32:20 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Deuteronomy 9:21Deuteronomy 7:252 Kings 23:6Proverbs 1:312 Kings 23:15Proverbs 14:14

Test Your Knowledge

Exodus 32 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterExodus Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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