Exodus 32:19

Exodus 32:19 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

As Moses approached the camp and saw the calf and the dancing, he burned with anger and threw the tablets out of his hands, shattering them at the base of the mountain.

King James Version KJV

¶ And it came to pass, as soon as he came nigh unto the camp, that he saw the calf, and the dancing: and Moses’ anger waxed hot, and he cast the tables out of his hands, and brake them beneath the mount.

American Standard Version ASV

And it came to pass, as soon as he came nigh unto the camp, that he saw the calf and the dancing: and Moses’ anger waxed hot, and he cast the tables out of his hands, and brake them beneath the mount.

Bible in Basic English BBE

And when he came near the tents he saw the image of the ox, and the people dancing; and in his wrath Moses let the stones go from his hands, and they were broken at the foot of the mountain.

Free Bible Version FBV

As he approached the camp he saw the bull calf idol and the dancing. He got so angry that he threw down the stone tablets and smashed them there at the foot of the mountain.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

Nowe, as soone as he came neere vnto the hoste, he sawe the calfe and the dancing: so Moses wrath waxed hote, and he cast the Tables out of his handes, and brake them in pieces beneath the mountaine.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

And it cometh to pass, when he hath drawn near unto the camp, that he seeth the calf, and the dancing, and the anger of Moses burneth, and he casteth out of his hands the tables, and breaketh them under the mount;

World English Bible WEB

As soon as he came near to the camp, he saw the calf and the dancing. Then Moses’ anger grew hot, and he threw the tablets out of his hands, and broke them beneath the mountain.

Noah Webster Bible WBS

And it came to pass as soon as he came nigh to the camp, that he saw the calf, and the dancing: and Moses's anger waxed hot, and he cast the tables from his hands, and broke them beneath the mount.

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

And when he came nigh to the camp, he saw the calf, and the dances: and being very angry, he threw the tables out of his hand, and broke them at the foot of the mount:

Translation for Translators T4T

As soon as Moses/I came close to the camp and saw the statue of the young bull and saw the people dancing, he/I became extremely angry. He/I threw the stone tablets that he/I was carrying down onto the ground, there at the base of the mountain.

Study Highlights

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Berean Amplified Bible — Exodus 32:19

BAB

Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Exodus 32:19 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

HEB וַֽ/יְהִ֗י כַּ/אֲשֶׁ֤ר קָרַב֙ אֶל הַֽ/מַּחֲנֶ֔ה וַ/יַּ֥רְא אֶת הָ/עֵ֖גֶל וּ/מְחֹלֹ֑ת וַ/יִּֽחַר אַ֣ף מֹשֶׁ֗ה וַ/יַּשְׁלֵ֤ךְ מ/יד/ו מִ/יָּדָי/ו֙ אֶת הַ/לֻּחֹ֔ת וַ/יְשַׁבֵּ֥ר אֹתָ֖/ם תַּ֥חַת הָ/הָֽר

וַֽ/יְהִ֗י hâyâh H1961 to be Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms

כַּ/אֲשֶׁ֤ר ʼăsher H834 which Prep | Rel

קָרַב֙ qârab H7126 to present V-Qal-Perf-3ms

אֶל ʼêl H413 to(wards) Prep

הַֽ/מַּחֲנֶ֔ה machăneh H4264 camp Art | N-cs

וַ/יַּ֥רְא râʼâh H7200 Provider Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms

אֶת ʼêth H853 Obj. DirObjM

הָ/עֵ֖גֶל ʻêgel H5695 calf Art | N-ms

וּ/מְחֹלֹ֑ת mᵉchôlâh H4246 dance Conj | N-fp

וַ/יִּֽחַר chârâh H2734 to be incensed Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms

אַ֣ף ʼaph H639 face DirObjM

מֹשֶׁ֗ה Môsheh H4872 Moses N-proper

וַ/יַּשְׁלֵ֤ךְ shâlak H7993 to throw Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-3ms

מ/יד/ו yâd H3027 hand Prep | N-cs | Suff

מִ/יָּדָי/ו֙ yâd H3027 hand Prep | N-cd | Suff

אֶת ʼêth H853 Obj. DirObjM

הַ/לֻּחֹ֔ת lûwach H3871 tablet Art | N-mp

וַ/יְשַׁבֵּ֥ר shâbar H7665 to break Conj | V-Piel-ConsecImperf-3ms

אֹתָ֖/ם ʼêth H853 Obj. DirObjM | Suff

תַּ֥חַת tachath H8478 underneath Prep

הָ/הָֽר har H2022 mountain Art | N-ms

Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Exodus 32:19

וַֽ/יְהִ֗י hâyâh H1961 "to be" Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms

The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.

Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone

Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.

כַּ/אֲשֶׁ֤ר ʼăsher H834 "which" Prep | Rel

This Hebrew word is a conjunction that connects ideas and events in the Bible, like in the book of Genesis, where it's used to describe the relationship between God and His creation.

Definition: A: 1) (relative part.) 1a) which, who 1b) that which 2) (conj) 2a) that (in obj clause) 2b) when 2c) since 2d) as 2e) conditional if B: Beth+ 1) in (that) which 2) (adv) 2a) where 3) (conj) 3a) in that, inasmuch as 3b) on account of C: Mem+ 1) from (or than) that which 2) from (the place) where 3) from (the fact) that, since D: Kaph+ 1) (conj.), according as, as, when 1a) according to that which, according as, as 1b) with a causal force: in so far as, since 1c) with a temporal force: when

Usage: Occurs in 4440 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] after, [idiom] alike, as (soon as), because, [idiom] every, for, [phrase] forasmuch, [phrase] from whence, [phrase] how(-soever), [idiom] if, (so) that ((thing) which, wherein), [idiom] though, [phrase] until, [phrase] whatsoever, when, where ([phrase] -as, -in, -of, -on, -soever, -with), which, whilst, [phrase] whither(-soever), who(-m, -soever, -se). As it is indeclinable, it is often accompanied by the personal pronoun expletively, used to show the connection. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 20:9; Genesis 31:16.

קָרַב֙ qârab H7126 "to present" V-Qal-Perf-3ms

To approach or come near someone or something, often with a sense of purpose or intention, like Moses approaching the burning bush in Exodus 3:5. This word can also mean to bring someone or something near, as in presenting an offering to God.

Definition: : come/approach 1) to come near, approach, enter into, draw near 1a) (Qal) to approach, draw near 1b) (Niphal) to be brought near 1c) (Piel) to cause to approach, bring near, cause to draw near 1d) (Hiphil) to bring near, bring, present

Usage: Occurs in 263 OT verses. KJV: (cause to) approach, (cause to) bring (forth, near), (cause to) come (near, nigh), (cause to) draw near (nigh), go (near), be at hand, join, be near, offer, present, produce, make ready, stand, take. See also: Genesis 12:11; Leviticus 22:22; 1 Samuel 10:21.

אֶל ʼêl H413 "to(wards)" Prep

This Hebrew word means 'to' or 'toward', showing direction or movement. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, to indicate where someone is going. The KJV translates it in various ways, like 'about', 'according to', or 'against'.

Definition: 1) to, toward, unto (of motion) 2) into (limit is actually entered) 2a) in among 3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion) 4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character) 5) in addition to, to 6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of 7) according to (rule or standard) 8) at, by, against (of one's presence) 9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to)

Usage: Occurs in 4205 OT verses. KJV: about, according to, after, against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and, by, concerning, for, from, [idiom] hath, in(-to), near, (out) of, over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether, with(-in). See also: Genesis 1:9; Genesis 21:14; Genesis 31:13.

הַֽ/מַּחֲנֶ֔ה machăneh H4264 "camp" Art | N-cs

This word refers to a camp or army, like the Israelites' encampments in the wilderness. It can also mean a group of people or animals. The KJV translates it as 'army, band, or camp'.

Definition: 1) encampment, camp 1a) camp, place of encampment 1b) camp of armed host, army camp 1c) those who encamp, company, body of people

Usage: Occurs in 190 OT verses. KJV: army, band, battle, camp, company, drove, host, tents. See also: Genesis 32:3; Joshua 6:18; Psalms 27:3.

וַ/יַּ֥רְא râʼâh H7200 "Provider" Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms

The Hebrew word for provider means to see or look after, and is used to describe God's care for his people. It appears in various forms throughout the Bible, including in Genesis and other books.

Definition: (Lord will) Provide, cause to be seen. This name means to see, look at, inspect, look after

Usage: Occurs in 1206 OT verses. KJV: advise self, appear, approve, behold, [idiom] certainly, consider, discern, (make to) enjoy, have experience, gaze, take heed, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] joyfully, lo, look (on, one another, one on another, one upon another, out, up, upon), mark, meet, [idiom] be near, perceive, present, provide, regard, (have) respect, (fore-, cause to, let) see(-r, -m, one another), shew (self), [idiom] sight of others, (e-) spy, stare, [idiom] surely, [idiom] think, view, visions. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 41:41; Exodus 33:13.

אֶת ʼêth H853 "Obj." DirObjM

In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.

Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)

Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.

הָ/עֵ֖גֶל ʻêgel H5695 "calf" Art | N-ms

In the Bible, this Hebrew word refers to a young male calf, nearly grown into a steer. It appears in the book of Exodus and Leviticus, describing animal sacrifices. The word is often translated as 'bullock' or 'calf'.

Definition: calf, bull-calf

Usage: Occurs in 35 OT verses. KJV: bullock, calf. See also: Exodus 32:4; 2 Chronicles 13:8; Psalms 29:6.

וּ/מְחֹלֹ֑ת mᵉchôlâh H4246 "dance" Conj | N-fp

This word refers to a dance, often a celebratory or joyful one. In the Bible, it describes dancing as an act of worship or celebration. The KJV translates it as company or dances.

Definition: dancing, dance

Usage: Occurs in 8 OT verses. KJV: company, dances(-cing). See also: Exodus 15:20; 1 Samuel 18:6; Song of Solomon 7:1.

וַ/יִּֽחַר chârâh H2734 "to be incensed" Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms

To be incensed means to be very angry or furious, like a fire burning. It describes strong emotions like anger, zeal, or jealousy, and is used to express intense feelings in the Bible.

Definition: 1) to be hot, furious, burn, becomeangry, be kindled 1a) (Qal) to burn, kindle (anger) 1b) (Niphal) to be angry with, be incensed 1c) (Hiphil) to burn, kindle 1d) (Hithpael) to heat oneself in vexation

Usage: Occurs in 87 OT verses. KJV: be angry, burn, be displeased, [idiom] earnestly, fret self, grieve, be (wax) hot, be incensed, kindle, [idiom] very, be wroth. See H8474 (תַּחָרָה). See also: Genesis 4:5; 1 Samuel 15:11; Psalms 18:8.

אַ֣ף ʼaph H639 "face" DirObjM

This Hebrew word can mean face, but also anger or nose. It is used to describe someone's countenance or emotions, like anger or patience. In the Bible, it appears in various contexts, including descriptions of God's emotions.

Definition: : face 1) nostril, nose, face 2) anger

Usage: Occurs in 269 OT verses. KJV: anger(-gry), [phrase] before, countenance, face, [phrase] forebearing, forehead, [phrase] (long-) suffering, nose, nostril, snout, [idiom] worthy, wrath. See also: Genesis 2:7; Nehemiah 8:6; Psalms 2:5.

מֹשֶׁ֗ה Môsheh H4872 "Moses" N-proper

Moses, the Israelite leader, was born to Amram and Jochebed and led the Exodus from Egypt. He received the law from God and is considered a key figure in the Bible. Moses means 'drawn' in Hebrew.

Definition: A man of the tribe of Levi living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness, first mentioned at Exo.2.10; son of: Amram (H6019) and Jochebed (H3115); brother of: Aaron (H0175) and Miriam (H4813); married to Zipporah (H6855); father of: Gershom (H1647) and Eliezer (H0461H); also called Manasseh at Jdg.18.30(?) § Moses = "drawn" the prophet and lawgiver, leader of the exodus

Usage: Occurs in 704 OT verses. KJV: Moses. See also: Exodus 2:10; Exodus 13:1; Exodus 32:21.

וַ/יַּשְׁלֵ֤ךְ shâlak H7993 "to throw" Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-3ms

To throw or cast away is the meaning of this Hebrew verb. It is used in various contexts, including throwing lots or casting out something unwanted. The word appears in stories like Jonah being thrown into the sea.

Definition: 1) to throw, cast, hurl, fling 1a) (Hiphil) 1a1) to throw, cast, throw away, cast off, shed, cast down 1a2) to cast (lots) (fig) 1b) (Hophal) 1b1) to be thrown, be cast 1b2) to be cast forth or out 1b3) to be cast down 1b4) to be cast (metaph)

Usage: Occurs in 121 OT verses. KJV: adventure, cast (away, down, forth, off, out), hurl, pluck, throw. See also: Genesis 21:15; Nehemiah 9:11; Psalms 2:3.

מ/יד/ו yâd H3027 "hand" Prep | N-cs | Suff

In the Bible, 'yad' refers to an open hand, symbolizing power or direction. It can also mean strength or a part of something, like a side or a share. The word is used in many contexts, including anatomy and everyday life.

Definition: : hand/arm[anatomy] 1) hand 1a) hand (of man) 1b) strength, power (fig.) 1c) side (of land), part, portion (metaph.) (fig.) 1d) (various special, technical senses) 1d1) sign, monument 1d2) part, fractional part, share 1d3) time, repetition 1d4) axle-trees, axle 1d5) stays, support (for laver) 1d6) tenons (in tabernacle) 1d7) a phallus, a hand (meaning unsure) 1d8) wrists

Usage: Occurs in 1446 OT verses. KJV: ([phrase] be) able, [idiom] about, [phrase] armholes, at, axletree, because of, beside, border, [idiom] bounty, [phrase] broad, (broken-) handed, [idiom] by, charge, coast, [phrase] consecrate, [phrase] creditor, custody, debt, dominion, [idiom] enough, [phrase] fellowship, force, [idiom] from, hand(-staves, -y work), [idiom] he, himself, [idiom] in, labour, [phrase] large, ledge, (left-) handed, means, [idiom] mine, ministry, near, [idiom] of, [idiom] order, ordinance, [idiom] our, parts, pain, power, [idiom] presumptuously, service, side, sore, state, stay, draw with strength, stroke, [phrase] swear, terror, [idiom] thee, [idiom] by them, [idiom] themselves, [idiom] thine own, [idiom] thou, through, [idiom] throwing, [phrase] thumb, times, [idiom] to, [idiom] under, [idiom] us, [idiom] wait on, (way-) side, where, [phrase] wide, [idiom] with (him, me, you), work, [phrase] yield, [idiom] yourselves. See also: Genesis 3:22; Exodus 7:19; Leviticus 14:22.

מִ/יָּדָי/ו֙ yâd H3027 "hand" Prep | N-cd | Suff

אֶת ʼêth H853 "Obj." DirObjM

Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)

Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.

הַ/לֻּחֹ֔ת lûwach H3871 "tablet" Art | N-mp

This word refers to a polished tablet, possibly made of stone, wood, or metal. In the Bible, it is used to describe the tablets of stone given to Moses, and is translated as board, plate, or table in the KJV.

Definition: 1) board, slab, tablet, plank 1a) tablets (of stone) 1b) boards (of wood) 1c) plate (of metal)

Usage: Occurs in 33 OT verses. KJV: board, plate, table. See also: Exodus 24:12; Deuteronomy 9:15; Proverbs 3:3.

וַ/יְשַׁבֵּ֥ר shâbar H7665 "to break" Conj | V-Piel-ConsecImperf-3ms

This word means to break or shatter something, either physically or emotionally. It can also mean to burst or rupture, and is often used to describe intense violence or destruction. In the Bible, it's translated as break or crush.

Definition: 1) to break, break in pieces 1a) (Qal) 1a1) break, break in or down, rend violently, wreck, crush, quench 1a2) to break, rupture (fig) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be broken, be maimed, be crippled, be wrecked 1b2) to be broken, be crushed (fig) 1c) (Piel) to shatter, break 1d) (Hiphil) to cause to break out, bring to the birth 1e) (Hophal) to be broken, be shattered Aramaic equivalent: te.var (תְּבַר "to break" H8406)

Usage: Occurs in 143 OT verses. KJV: break (down, off, in pieces, up), broken (-hearted), bring to the birth, crush, destroy, hurt, quench, [idiom] quite, tear, view (by mistake for H7663 (שָׂבַר)). See also: Genesis 19:9; Isaiah 27:11; Psalms 3:8.

אֹתָ֖/ם ʼêth H853 "Obj." DirObjM | Suff

Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)

Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.

תַּ֥חַת tachath H8478 "underneath" Prep

This Hebrew word means underneath or below, often used to describe physical locations or positions. It appears in various books, including Genesis, Exodus, and Psalms, to indicate something is under or beneath something else. The word has several related meanings.

Definition: : under/below 1) the under part, beneath, instead of, as, for, for the sake of, flat, unto, where, whereas n m 1a) the under part adv accus 1b) beneath prep 1c) under, beneath 1c1) at the foot of (idiom) 1c2) sweetness, subjection, woman, being burdened or oppressed (fig) 1c3) of subjection or conquest 1d) what is under one, the place in which one stands 1d1) in one's place, the place in which one stands (idiom with reflexive pronoun) 1d2) in place of, instead of (in transferred sense) 1d3) in place of, in exchange or return for (of things mutually interchanged) conj 1e) instead of, instead of that 1f) in return for that, because that in compounds 1g) in, under, into the place of (after verbs of motion) 1h) from under, from beneath, from under the hand of, from his place, under, beneath

Usage: Occurs in 450 OT verses. KJV: as, beneath, [idiom] flat, in(-stead), (same) place (where...is), room, for...sake, stead of, under, [idiom] unto, [idiom] when...was mine, whereas, (where-) fore, with. See also: Genesis 1:7; Deuteronomy 7:24; 1 Kings 20:42.

הָ/הָֽר har H2022 "mountain" Art | N-ms

A mountain or hill, sometimes used to describe a spiritual high point. In the Bible, it can refer to a real mountain or a figurative one. The word is often translated as hill or mount.

Definition: : mount/hill hill, mountain, hill country, mount

Usage: Occurs in 486 OT verses. KJV: hill (country), mount(-ain), [idiom] promotion. See also: Genesis 7:19; Deuteronomy 3:12; Judges 18:13.

Study Notes — Exodus 32:19

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
Exodus 32:19 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Exodus 32:19
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Exodus 32:19
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Exodus 32:19
Trapp's Commentary on Exodus 32:19
Ellicott's Commentary on Exodus 32:19
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Exodus 32:19
Cambridge Bible on Exodus 32:19
Whedon's Commentary on Exodus 32:19
Sermons on Exodus 32:19

Context — The Golden Calf

17When Joshua heard the sound of the people shouting, he said to Moses, “The sound of war is in the camp.” 18But Moses replied: “It is neither the cry of victory nor the cry of defeat; I hear the sound of singing!”

19As Moses approached the camp and saw the calf and the dancing, he burned with anger and threw the tablets out of his hands, shattering them at the base of the mountain.

20Then he took the calf they had made, burned it in the fire, ground it to powder, and scattered the powder over the face of the water. Then he forced the Israelites to drink it. 21“What did this people do to you,” Moses asked Aaron, “that you have led them into so great a sin?”

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Deuteronomy 9:16–17	And I saw how you had sinned against the LORD your God; you had made for yourselves a molten calf. You had turned aside quickly from the way that the LORD had commanded you. So I took the two tablets and threw them out of my hands, shattering them before your eyes.
2	Jeremiah 31:32	It will not be like the covenant I made with their fathers when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt— a covenant they broke, though I was a husband to them, ” declares the LORD.
3	Lamentations 5:15	Joy has left our hearts; our dancing has turned to mourning.
4	Ephesians 4:26	“Be angry, yet do not sin.” Do not let the sun set upon your anger,
5	Matthew 5:22	But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca,’ will be subject to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be subject to the fire of hell.
6	Exodus 15:20	Then Miriam the prophetess, Aaron’s sister, took a tambourine in her hand, and all the women followed her with tambourines and dancing.
7	Exodus 32:4–6	He took the gold from their hands, and with an engraving tool he fashioned it into a molten calf. And they said, “These, O Israel, are your gods, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!” When Aaron saw this, he built an altar before the calf and proclaimed: “Tomorrow shall be a feast to the LORD.” So the next day they arose, offered burnt offerings, and presented peace offerings. And the people sat down to eat and drink, and got up to indulge in revelry.
8	Mark 3:5	Jesus looked around at them with anger and sorrow at their hardness of heart. Then He said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” So he stretched it out, and it was restored.
9	Exodus 32:11	But Moses sought the favor of the LORD his God, saying, “O LORD, why does Your anger burn against Your people, whom You brought out of the land of Egypt with great power and a mighty hand?
10	Zechariah 11:14	Then I cut in two my second staff called Union, breaking the brotherhood between Judah and Israel.

Exodus 32:19 Summary

In Exodus 32:19, Moses got very angry when he saw the Israelites worshiping a false god, and he broke the tablets that God had given him. This shows how much God hates idolatry, as it says in Exodus 20:3-5, and how important it is to obey God's commands. Just like the Israelites, we can easily turn away from the true God and toward false idols, but God calls us to have no other gods before Him (as seen in Exodus 20:3-5 and Deuteronomy 6:13-15). By studying this verse, we can learn the importance of staying faithful to God and avoiding the temptation to worship false gods.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Moses get so angry in Exodus 32:19?

Moses got angry because the Israelites were worshiping a false god, which was a direct disobedience to the commands God gave them in Exodus 20:3-5, and it broke the covenant they had just agreed to in Exodus 24:7.

What were the tablets that Moses threw down?

The tablets were the stones on which God had written the Ten Commandments, as mentioned in Exodus 31:18, and they represented the covenant between God and the Israelites.

Was Moses' anger a sin?

The Bible doesn't explicitly say that Moses' anger was a sin in this case, but it does show that his anger led to an action that had consequences, as seen in Exodus 32:19 and Deuteronomy 9:16-20, where Moses also broke the tablets in his anger.

How does this event relate to the rest of the Bible?

This event is a significant example of how the Israelites failed to obey God's commands, which is a theme throughout the Old Testament, as seen in verses like Deuteronomy 9:7 and Judges 2:10, and it points forward to the need for a new covenant, as mentioned in Jeremiah 31:31-34 and Hebrews 8:8-12.

Reflection Questions

What are some ways that I, like the Israelites, may be turning away from the true God and toward false idols in my life?
How can I, like Moses, cultivate a deep love for God and a strong desire to obey Him, even when it's difficult?
In what ways can I apply the principle of Exodus 20:3-5, which says to have no other gods before the one true God, to my daily life?
What does this verse teach me about the importance of leadership and accountability, as seen in Moses' confrontation of Aaron in Exodus 32:21?

Gill's Exposition on Exodus 32:19

And it came to pass, as soon, as he came nigh unto the camp,.... To the bottom of the mountain, and pretty near where the people were encamped: that he saw the calf, and the dancing; the golden image

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Exodus 32:19

And it came to pass, as soon as he came nigh unto the camp, that he saw the calf, and the dancing: and Moses' anger waxed hot, and he cast the tables out of his hands, and brake them beneath the mount.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Exodus 32:19

Not through rash anger, but by Divine instinct, partly to punish their idolatry with so great a loss, and partly to show that the covenant made between God and them, so much to their advantage, which was contained in those tables, was by their sin broken, and now of none effect, and not to be renewed but by bitter repentance.

Trapp's Commentary on Exodus 32:19

Exodus 32:19 And it came to pass, as soon as he came nigh unto the camp, that he saw the calf, and the dancing: and Moses’ anger waxed hot, and he cast the tables out of his hands, and brake them beneath the mount. Ver. 19. And Moses’ s anger waxed hot.] Meekness in this case had been no better than mopishness. How blessedly blown up was Moses here! So, Cranmer the martyr, though in his own cause so meek and mild, that it was grown to a proverb, "Do my Lord of Canterbury a shrewd turn, and you shall be sure to have him your friend for ever after," yet in the truth’ s cause, opposed by any man, no general in battle ever showed greater courage and constancy than he, saith our Churchantiquary. He saw the calf, and the dancing.] One calf about another. It was a custom among Papists, that men should run to the image of St Virus, and there they should dance all day, usque ad animae deliquium, till they fainted and fell into a swoon. Antiq. Eccl. Brit., p. 341 Joh. Maulii, loc. com., 187.

Ellicott's Commentary on Exodus 32:19

(19) And the dancing.—Heb., and dances. What Moses saw was “the calf” which had already been mentioned, and “dances” which had not been mentioned, but which were now going on after the usual fashion of idolatrous festivity. Such dancing among Oriental nations was uniformly of a lascivious character. (Comp. Exodus 32:25.) He cast the tables out of his hands.—Comp. Deuteronomy 9:17. In righteous indignation, but perhaps with some revival of the hot temper which had led him astray in his younger days (Exodus 2:12).

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Exodus 32:19

Verse 19. He saw the calf, and the dancing] Dancing before the idol takes place in almost every Hindoo idolatrous feast.-Ward. He cast the tables out of his hands, and brake them] He might have done this through distress and anguish of spirit, on beholding their abominable idolatry and dissolute conduct; or he probably did it emblematically, intimating thereby that, as by this act of his the tables were broken in pieces, on which the law of God was written; so they, by their present conduct, had made a breach in the covenant, and broken the laws of their Maker. But we must not excuse this act; it was rash and irreverent; God's writing should not have been treated in this way.

Cambridge Bible on Exodus 32:19

19. the dancing] For dancing at a religious ceremony, see on Exodus 15:20.

Whedon's Commentary on Exodus 32:19

19. Moses’ anger waxed hot — He who had pleaded so powerfully in the mount (Exodus 32:11-13) now feels the kindlings of a wrath akin to that which moved Jehovah to retributive judgment.

Sermons on Exodus 32:19

	Sermon	Description
	Intimacy With God - Prayer Meeting (Cd Quality) by Leonard Ravenhill	In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of knowing the word of God to understand His glory and majesty. He refers to Acts chapter 4 verse 13, where it is mentioned th
	Prophetic Reality Versus Fantasy by Art Katz	In this sermon, the preacher discusses the prevalence of fantasy and escapism in our culture, particularly in the entertainment industry. He highlights the example of a space-theme
	(Exodus) Exodus 32:15-25 by J. Vernon McGee	In this sermon, the speaker discusses the story of Moses and the golden calf from the Bible. The people of Israel, feeling abandoned by Moses, turned to idol worship and created a
	Come Up Unto Me by Art Katz	In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of Moses spending 40 days and 40 nights on the mountaintop with God. The purpose of this extended period of time was not just
	Nature of Revival - Part 2 by Richard Owen Roberts	In this sermon transcript, the preacher reflects on a past revival in Wales in 1945 and compares it to the current state of decline in the world. He emphasizes the need for a radic
	(Romans) the Explanation of Israel by Willie Mullan	In this sermon, the preacher begins by discussing the importance of weeping for souls and challenges the audience's understanding of it. He then moves on to explain the connection
	The Eternal Purpose of God - Part 5 by Stephen Kaung	This sermon emphasizes that God meticulously plans every step until His purpose is fulfilled, using time as His workshop to manage and work out His grand design. From the creation