King James Version

What Does Exodus 32:8 Mean?

Exodus 32:8 in the King James Version says “They have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them: they have made them a molten calf, and have worshi...” — study this verse from Exodus chapter 32 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Exodus 32:8 · KJV

Context

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.

9

And the LORD said unto Moses, I have seen this people, and, behold, it is a stiffnecked people:

10

Now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may wax hot against them, and that I may consume them: and I will make of thee a great nation.

Read Exodus 32 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The triple emphasis (סָרוּ, saru, turned aside; מַהֵר, maher, quickly; מִן־הַדֶּרֶךְ, min-haderek, from the way) stresses both the speed and completeness of their apostasy. God calls it 'the way אֲשֶׁר צִוִּיתִם (asher tzivvitim, which I commanded them),' emphasizing they knew better—this was willful rebellion. Their worship (וַיִּשְׁתַּחֲווּ, vayyishtachavu, bowed down) and sacrifice (וַיִּזְבְּחוּ, vayyizbechu, sacrificed) used proper worship vocabulary for idolatry. The repeated proclamation אֵלֶּה אֱלֹהֶיךָ (eleh elohekha, these are your gods) directly violated the first commandment while Moses held the tablets above.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The irony is acute: God was inscribing 'You shall have no other gods before me' while the people proclaimed the calf their deliverer. This demonstrates humanity's total inability to keep God's law apart from His enabling grace.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does knowing God's commands make disobedience more culpable?
  2. What does this teach about the inadequacy of law alone to produce righteousness?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 22 words
סָ֣רוּ1 of 22

“They have turned”

H5493

to turn off (literally or figuratively)

מַהֵ֗ר2 of 22

“aside quickly”

H4118

properly, hurrying; hence (adverbially) in a hurry

מִן3 of 22
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

הַדֶּ֙רֶךְ֙4 of 22

“out of the way”

H1870

a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb

אֲשֶׁ֣ר5 of 22
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

צִוִּיתִ֔ם6 of 22

“which I commanded”

H6680

(intensively) to constitute, enjoin

עָשׂ֣וּ7 of 22

“them they have made”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

לָהֶ֔ם8 of 22
H0
עֵ֖גֶל9 of 22

“calf”

H5695

a (male) calf (as frisking round), especially one nearly grown (i.e., a steer)

מַסֵּכָ֑ה10 of 22

“them a molten”

H4541

properly, a pouring over, i.e., fusion of metal (especially a cast image); by implication, a libation, i.e., league; concretely a coverlet (as if pour

וַיִּשְׁתַּֽחֲווּ11 of 22

“and have worshipped”

H7812

to depress, i.e., prostrate (especially reflexive, in homage to royalty or god)

לוֹ֙12 of 22
H0
וַיִּזְבְּחוּ13 of 22

“it and have sacrificed”

H2076

to slaughter an animal (usually in sacrifice)

ל֔וֹ14 of 22
H0
וַיֹּ֣אמְר֔וּ15 of 22

“thereunto and said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֵ֤לֶּה16 of 22
H428

these or those

אֱלֹהֶ֙יךָ֙17 of 22

“These be thy gods”

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

יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל18 of 22

“O Israel”

H3478

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

אֲשֶׁ֥ר19 of 22
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

הֶֽעֱל֖וּךָ20 of 22

“which have brought thee up”

H5927

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

מֵאֶ֥רֶץ21 of 22

“out of the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

מִצְרָֽיִם׃22 of 22

“of Egypt”

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

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 32:8 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 32:8 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Exodus 20:3-41 Kings 12:28Exodus 20:23Deuteronomy 9:16Exodus 22:20Judges 2:17

Places in This Verse

EgyptRegion · Modern: Ain Shams · 30.13°N, 31.31°E658 verses across 33 books
View all places in Exodus 32 →

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