King James Version

What Does Exodus 32:29 Mean?

Exodus 32:29 in the King James Version says “For Moses had said, Consecrate yourselves to day to the LORD, even every man upon his son, and upon his brother; that he...” — study this verse from Exodus chapter 32 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Exodus 32:29 · KJV

Context

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

30

And it came to pass on the morrow, that Moses said unto the people, Ye have sinned a great sin: and now I will go up unto the LORD; peradventure I shall make an atonement for your sin.

31

And Moses returned unto the LORD, and said, Oh, this people have sinned a great sin, and have made them gods of gold.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Moses' declaration מִלְאוּ יֶדְכֶם הַיּוֹם לַיהוָה (mil'u yedchem hayyom l'Adonai, Consecrate yourselves today to the Lord) uses the idiom 'fill your hand,' the technical term for priestly ordination. The phrase כִּי אִישׁ בִּבְנוֹ וּבְאָחִיו (ki ish bivno uve-achiv, for every man has been against his son and against his brother) indicates their consecration came through choosing God over family. The result—וְלָתֵת עֲלֵיכֶם הַיּוֹם בְּרָכָה (ve-latet aleichem hayyom berachah, to bestow upon you a blessing this day)—shows that costly obedience yields divine blessing. This prefigures Jesus' teaching that following Him costs family relationships (Luke 14:26).

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Historical & Cultural Context

The Levites' action here secured their role as Israel's priestly tribe (Num 3:12, Deut 33:9-11). Their willingness to execute judgment on family members qualified them to mediate between God and people.

Reflection Questions

  1. What relationships must you subordinate to obedience to God?
  2. How does costly obedience today result in blessing and greater usefulness to God?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 14 words
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר1 of 14

“had said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

מֹשֶׁ֗ה2 of 14

“For Moses”

H4872

mosheh, the israelite lawgiver

מִלְא֨וּ3 of 14

“Consecrate yourselves”

H4390

to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively)

יֶדְכֶ֤ם4 of 14
H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

הַיּ֖וֹם5 of 14

“this day”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

לַֽיהוָ֔ה6 of 14

“to the LORD”

H3068

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

כִּ֛י7 of 14

“even”

H3588

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

אִ֥ישׁ8 of 14

“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)

בִּבְנ֖וֹ9 of 14

“upon his son”

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

וּבְאָחִ֑יו10 of 14

“and upon his brother”

H251

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

וְלָתֵ֧ת11 of 14

“that he may bestow”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

עֲלֵיכֶ֛ם12 of 14
H5921

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

הַיּ֖וֹם13 of 14

“this day”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

בְּרָכָֽה׃14 of 14

“upon you a blessing”

H1293

benediction; by implication prosperity

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 32:29 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 32:29 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Numbers 25:11-13Matthew 10:37Zechariah 13:3Proverbs 21:3Deuteronomy 13:6-111 Samuel 15:18-22

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