King James Version

What Does Exodus 32:6 Mean?

Exodus 32:6 in the King James Version says “And they rose up early on the morrow, and offered burnt offerings, and brought peace offerings; and the people sat down ...” — study this verse from Exodus chapter 32 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And they rose up early on the morrow, and offered burnt offerings, and brought peace offerings; and the people sat down to eat and to drink, and rose up to play.”

Exodus 32:6 · KJV

Peace

Context

4

And he received them at their hand, and fashioned it with a graving tool, after he had made it a molten calf: and they said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.

5

And when Aaron saw it, he built an altar before it; and Aaron made proclamation, and said, To morrow is a feast to the LORD.

6

And they rose up early on the morrow, and offered burnt offerings, and brought peace offerings; and the people sat down to eat and to drink, and rose up to play.

7

And the LORD said unto Moses, Go, get thee down; for thy people, which thou broughtest out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves:

8

They have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them: they have made them a molten calf, and have worshipped it, and have sacrificed thereunto, and said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which have brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.

Read Exodus 32 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The people 'rose early' (וַיַּשְׁכִּימוּ, vayyashkimu) showing enthusiasm for false worship contrasted with sluggishness toward God. They offered עֹלֹת (olot, burnt offerings) and שְׁלָמִים (shelamim, peace offerings)—legitimate sacrificial terminology applied to illegitimate worship. The phrase 'sat down to eat and drink' followed by 'rose up to play' (לְצַחֵק, letzacheq) uses a word suggesting immoral revelry (same root as Isaac's name, but here meaning carousing or sensual play), indicating the worship degenerated into drunken, possibly sexual, pagan celebration like Egyptian festivals.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This scene mirrors Canaanite and Egyptian fertility festivals where worship included feasting, drunkenness, and sexual immorality. Paul references this event in 1 Corinthians 10:7 as a warning against idolatry.

Reflection Questions

  1. How quickly does your worship degenerate when not centered on God's holiness?
  2. What role does sensual indulgence play in spiritual compromise?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 12 words
וַיַּשְׁכִּ֙ימוּ֙1 of 12

“And they rose up early”

H7925

literally, to load up (on the back of man or beast), i.e., to start early in the morning

מִֽמָּחֳרָ֔ת2 of 12

“on the morrow”

H4283

the morrow or (adverbially) tomorrow

וַיַּֽעֲל֣וּ3 of 12

“and offered”

H5927

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

עֹלֹ֔ת4 of 12

“burnt offerings”

H5930

a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke)

וַיַּגִּ֖שׁוּ5 of 12

“and brought”

H5066

to be or come (causatively, bring) near (for any purpose); euphemistically, to lie with a woman; as an enemy, to attack; religious to worship; causati

שְׁלָמִ֑ים6 of 12

“peace offerings”

H8002

properly, requital, i.e., a (voluntary) sacrifice in thanks

וַיֵּ֤שֶׁב7 of 12

“sat”

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

הָעָם֙8 of 12

“and the people”

H5971

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

לֶֽאֱכֹ֣ל9 of 12

“down to eat”

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

וְשָׁת֔וֹ10 of 12

“and to drink”

H8354

to imbibe (literally or figuratively)

וַיָּקֻ֖מוּ11 of 12

“and rose up”

H6965

to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)

לְצַחֵֽק׃12 of 12

“to play”

H6711

to laugh outright (in merriment or scorn); by implication, to sport

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 32:6 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 32:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Corinthians 10:7Numbers 25:2Acts 7:41-42Exodus 32:17-19Amos 2:8Judges 16:23-25

Test Your Knowledge

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

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