King James Version

What Does Exodus 32:27 Mean?

Exodus 32:27 in the King James Version says “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 ga... — study this verse from Exodus chapter 32 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

Exodus 32:27 · KJV


Context

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.

29

For Moses had said, Consecrate yourselves to day to the LORD, even every man upon his son, and upon his brother; that he may bestow upon you a blessing this day. For Moses: or, And Moses said, Consecrate yourselves to day to the LORD, because every man hath been against his brother, etc Consecrate: Heb. Fill your hands


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Moses delivers God's command beginning כֹּה־אָמַר יְהוָה (koh-amar Adonai, Thus says the Lord), the prophetic formula establishing divine authority. The threefold instruction (put on swords, go through the camp gate to gate, slay) is stark. The phrase אִישׁ אֶת־אָחִיו וְאִישׁ אֶת־רֵעֵהוּ וְאִישׁ אֶת־קְרֹבוֹ (ish et-achiv ve-ish et-re'ehu ve-ish et-qerovo, every man his brother, companion, and neighbor) emphasizes the judgment would cut across all natural relationships. This wasn't random violence but covenant enforcement—like Phinehas later (Num 25:7-8), those who break covenant in capital ways deserve capital punishment. God's holiness permits no compromise.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient Near Eastern treaties included curse clauses for covenant violation. This execution was treaty enforcement, not genocide. The Levites' obedience demonstrated covenant loyalty exceeded tribal/family loyalty.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's holiness require severe consequences for covenant violation?
  2. When does mercy become complicity with evil, and judgment become necessary?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 27 words
אָמַ֤ר1 of 27

And he said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

לָהֶ֗ם2 of 27
H0
כֹּֽה3 of 27
H3541

properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now

אָמַ֤ר4 of 27

And he said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָה֙5 of 27

the LORD

H3068

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

אֱלֹהֵ֣י6 of 27

God

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

יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל7 of 27

of Israel

H3478

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

שִׂ֥ימוּ8 of 27

Put

H7760

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

וְאִ֥ישׁ9 of 27

and every 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)

חַרְבּ֖וֹ10 of 27

his sword

H2719

drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement

עַל11 of 27
H5921

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

יְרֵכ֑וֹ12 of 27

by his side

H3409

the thigh (from its fleshy softness); by euphemistically the generative parts; figuratively, a shank, flank, side

עִבְר֨וּ13 of 27

and go

H5674

to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in

וָשׁ֜וּבוּ14 of 27

in and out

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

לָשַׁ֙עַר֙15 of 27

from gate

H8179

an opening, i.e., door or gate

לָשַׁ֙עַר֙16 of 27

from gate

H8179

an opening, i.e., door or gate

בַּֽמַּחֲנֶ֔ה17 of 27

throughout 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

וְהִרְג֧וּ18 of 27

and slay

H2026

to smite with deadly intent

וְאִ֥ישׁ19 of 27

and every 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)

אֶת20 of 27
H853

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

אָחִ֛יו21 of 27

his brother

H251

a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])

וְאִ֥ישׁ22 of 27

and every 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)

אֶת23 of 27
H853

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

רֵעֵ֖הוּ24 of 27

his companion

H7453

an associate (more or less close)

וְאִ֥ישׁ25 of 27

and every 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)

אֶת26 of 27
H853

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

קְרֹבֽוֹ׃27 of 27

his neighbour

H7138

near (in place, kindred or time)


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 32:27 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 32:27 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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