King James Version

What Does Exodus 32:26 Mean?

Exodus 32:26 in the King James Version says “Then Moses stood in the gate of the camp, and said, Who is on the LORD'S side? let him come unto me. And all the sons of...” — study this verse from Exodus chapter 32 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Then Moses stood in the gate of the camp, and said, Who is on the LORD'S side? let him come unto me. And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together unto him.”

Exodus 32:26 · KJV

Context

24

And I said unto them, Whosoever hath any gold, let them break it off. So they gave it me: then I cast it into the fire, and there came out this calf.

25

And when Moses saw that the people were naked; (for Aaron had made them naked unto their shame among their enemies:) their enemies: Heb. those that rose up against them

26

Then Moses stood in the gate of the camp, and said, Who is on the LORD'S side? let him come unto me. And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together unto him.

27

And he said unto them, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Put every man his sword by his side, and go in and out from gate to gate throughout the camp, and slay every man his brother, and every man his companion, and every man his neighbour.

28

And the children of Levi did according to the word of Moses: and there fell of the people that day about three thousand men.

Read Exodus 32 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Moses' stand at the שַׁעַר הַמַּחֲנֶה (sha'ar hamachaneh, gate of the camp) created a decision point. His cry מִי לַיהוָה אֵלַי (mi l'Adonai elay, Who is on the Lord's side? Let him come to me) forced binary choice—there's no neutrality regarding God. The response 'all the sons of Levi' (כָּל־בְּנֵי לֵוִי, kol-benei Levi) showed the Levites' collective loyalty. Their immediate gathering אֵלָיו (elav, to him) demonstrated decisive commitment. This separation prefigures God's consistent call to His people: be separate from the world's rebellion (2 Cor 6:14-18).

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Historical & Cultural Context

The Levites' loyalty here earned them the priesthood (Deut 33:8-11). Their willingness to execute judgment even on family members demonstrated covenant love exceeding natural affection—precisely what Jesus later required (Matt 10:37).

Reflection Questions

  1. What 'gates' in your life demand you declare whose side you're on?
  2. How does true loyalty to God sometimes require separation from even close relationships?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 13 words
וַיַּֽעֲמֹ֤ד1 of 13

“stood”

H5975

to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)

מֹשֶׁה֙2 of 13

“Then Moses”

H4872

mosheh, the israelite lawgiver

בְּשַׁ֣עַר3 of 13

“in the gate”

H8179

an opening, i.e., door or gate

הַֽמַּחֲנֶ֔ה4 of 13

“of the camp”

H4264

an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or figurative (of dancers, angels, cattle, locusts, stars; or e

וַיֹּ֕אמֶר5 of 13

“and said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

מִ֥י6 of 13
H4310

who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix

לַֽיהוָ֖ה7 of 13

“Who is on the LORD'S”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֵלָ֑י8 of 13
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

וַיֵּאָֽסְפ֥וּ9 of 13

“gathered”

H622

to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e., remove (destroy, leave behind, put up, restore, etc.)

אֵלָ֖יו10 of 13
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

כָּל11 of 13
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

בְּנֵ֥י12 of 13

“side let him come unto me And all the sons”

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

לֵוִֽי׃13 of 13

“of Levi”

H3878

levi, a son of jacob

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 32:26 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 32:26 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Kings 9:32Matthew 12:302 Samuel 20:11Joshua 5:13

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