King James Version

What Does Exodus 32:30 Mean?

Exodus 32:30 in the King James Version says “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 unt...” — study this verse from Exodus chapter 32 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Exodus 32:30 · KJV

Context

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.

32

Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin--; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written.

Read Exodus 32 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The temporal marker וַיְהִי מִמָּחֳרָת (vayehi mimochorat, and it came to pass on the next day) shows Moses' continued intercession after judgment. His words אַתֶּם חֲטָאתֶם חֲטָאָה גְדֹלָה (atem chathatem chata'ah gedolah, you have sinned a great sin) repeats the adjective גְדֹלָה (gedolah, great), emphasizing magnitude. His proposed action—אוּלַי אֲכַפְּרָה בְּעַד חַטַּאתְכֶם (ulay achapperah be'ad chattatchem, perhaps I shall make atonement for your sin)—uses אֲכַפְּרָה (achapperah, make atonement/covering), the root of כִּפֻּר (kippur). Moses' 'perhaps' shows uncertainty whether God would accept his mediation, foreshadowing Christ's certain atonement.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Moses' continued intercession after justice was executed demonstrates the mediator's dual role: executing God's wrath against sin while pleading for mercy. This tension finds resolution only in Christ, who satisfied both justice and mercy.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Moses' uncertainty about making atonement point to Christ's superior mediation?
  2. What motivates intercession after judgment has fallen?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
וַֽיְהִי֙1 of 18
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

מִֽמָּחֳרָ֔ת2 of 18

“And it came to pass on the morrow”

H4283

the morrow or (adverbially) tomorrow

וַיֹּ֤אמֶר3 of 18

“said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

מֹשֶׁה֙4 of 18

“that Moses”

H4872

mosheh, the israelite lawgiver

אֶל5 of 18
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הָעָ֔ם6 of 18

“unto the people”

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

אַתֶּ֥ם7 of 18
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

חֲטָאתֶ֖ם8 of 18

“Ye have sinned”

H2398

properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, (causatively) lead astray, condemn

חֲטָאָ֣ה9 of 18

“sin”

H2401

an offence, or a sacrifice for it

גְדֹלָ֑ה10 of 18

“a great”

H1419

great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent

וְעַתָּה֙11 of 18
H6258

at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive

אֶֽעֱלֶ֣ה12 of 18

“and now I will go up”

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

אֶל13 of 18
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

יְהוָ֔ה14 of 18

“unto the LORD”

H3068

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

אוּלַ֥י15 of 18

“peradventure”

H194

if not; hence perhaps

אֲכַפְּרָ֖ה16 of 18

“I shall make an atonement”

H3722

to cover (specifically with bitumen)

בְּעַ֥ד17 of 18

“for”

H1157

in up to or over against; generally at, beside, among, behind, for, etc

חַטַּאתְכֶֽם׃18 of 18

“your sin”

H2403

an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or expiation; also (concretely) an offender

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 32:30 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 32:30 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Samuel 12:20Numbers 25:132 Samuel 16:121 Samuel 12:23Numbers 16:47Exodus 32:31-32

Test Your Knowledge

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

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