New International VersionThen the LORD said to Moses, “Go down, because your people, whom you brought up out of Egypt, have become corrupt.
New Living TranslationThe LORD told Moses, “Quick! Go down the mountain! Your people whom you brought from the land of Egypt have corrupted themselves.
English Standard VersionAnd the LORD said to Moses, “Go down, for your people, whom you brought up out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves.
Berean Standard BibleThen the LORD said to Moses, “Go down at once, for your people, whom you brought up out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves.
King James BibleAnd the LORD said unto Moses, Go, get thee down; for thy people, which thou broughtest out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves:
New King James VersionAnd the LORD said to Moses, “Go, get down! For your people whom you brought out of the land of Egypt have corrupted themselves.
New American Standard BibleThen the LORD spoke to Moses, “Go down at once, for your people, whom you brought up from the land of Egypt, have behaved corruptly.
NASB 1995Then the LORD spoke to Moses, “Go down at once, for your people, whom you brought up from the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves.
NASB 1977Then the LORD spoke to Moses, “Go down at once, for your people, whom you brought up from the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves.
Legacy Standard BibleThen Yahweh spoke to Moses, “Go! Go down at once, for your people, whom you brought up from the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves.
Amplified BibleThen the LORD said to Moses, “Go down at once, for your people, whom you brought up from the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves.
Christian Standard BibleThe LORD spoke to Moses: “Go down at once! For your people you brought up from the land of Egypt have acted corruptly.
Holman Christian Standard BibleThe LORD spoke to Moses: “Go down at once! For your people you brought up from the land of Egypt have acted corruptly.
American Standard VersionAnd Jehovah spake unto Moses, Go, get thee down; for thy people, that thou broughtest up out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves:
Contemporary English VersionThe LORD said to Moses: Hurry back down! Those people you led out of Egypt are acting like fools.
English Revised VersionAnd the LORD spake unto Moses, Go, get thee down; for thy people, which thou broughtest up out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves:
GOD'S WORD® TranslationThe LORD said to Moses, "Go back down there. Your people whom you brought out of Egypt have ruined [everything].
Good News TranslationThe LORD said to Moses, "Hurry and go back down, because your people, whom you led out of Egypt, have sinned and rejected me.
International Standard VersionThe LORD told Moses, "Go down immediately, because your people whom you led out of Egypt have behaved corruptly.
NET BibleThe LORD spoke to Moses: "Go quickly, descend, because your people, whom you brought up from the land of Egypt, have acted corruptly.
New Heart English BibleAnd the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, "Go down at once, for your people whom you brought up out of the land of Egypt have corrupted themselves.
Webster's Bible TranslationAnd the LORD said to Moses, Go, go down; for thy people, which thou broughtest out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves: Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleThen the LORD said to Moses, “Go down at once, for your people, whom you brought up out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves.
World English BibleYahweh spoke to Moses, “Go, get down; for your people, whom you brought up out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves! Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd YHWH says to Moses, “Go, descend, for your people whom you have brought up out of the land of Egypt have done corruptly,
Young's Literal Translation And Jehovah saith unto Moses, 'Go, descend, for thy people whom thou hast brought up out of the land of Egypt hath done corruptly,
Smith's Literal TranslationAnd Jehovah will speak to Moses, Go, descend: for thy people were corrupted whom thou didst bring up out of the land of Egypt. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: Go, get thee down: thy people, which thou hast brought out of the land of Egypt, hath sinned.
Catholic Public Domain VersionThen the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: “Go, descend. Your people, whom you led away from the land of Egypt, have sinned.
New American BibleThen the LORD said to Moses: Go down at once because your people, whom you brought out of the land of Egypt, have acted corruptly.
New Revised Standard VersionThe LORD said to Moses, “Go down at once! Your people, whom you brought up out of the land of Egypt, have acted perversely; Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd the LORD said to Moses, Go down, get away from here; for your people whom you have brought out of the land of Egypt have corrupted themselves;
Peshitta Holy Bible TranslatedAnd they arose the day after it and they offered sacrifices and they sacrificed peace offerings and they brought offerings and the people sat to eat and to drink and they arose to be merry and to play. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And the LORD spoke unto Moses: 'Go, get thee down; for thy people, that thou broughtest up out of the land of Egypt, have dealt corruptly;
Brenton Septuagint TranslationAnd the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, Go quickly, descend hence, for thy people whom thou broughtest out of the land of Egypt have transgressed;
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context Moses Informed of Israel's Sin7Then the LORDsaidtoMoses,“Go down at once,foryour people,whomyou brought upout of the landof Egypt,have corrupted themselves.8How quickly they have turned aside from the way that I commanded them! They have made for themselves a molten calf and have bowed down to it. They have sacrificed to it and said, ‘These, O Israel, are your gods, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt.’ ”…
Cross References Deuteronomy 9:12And the LORD said to me, “Get up and go down from here at once, for your people, whom you brought out of Egypt, have corrupted themselves. How quickly they have turned aside from the way that I commanded them! They have made for themselves a molten image.”
Psalm 106:19-23At Horeb they made a calf and worshiped a molten image. / They exchanged their Glory for the image of a grass-eating ox. / They forgot God their Savior, who did great things in Egypt, ...
Acts 7:39-41But our fathers refused to obey him. Instead, they rejected him and in their hearts turned back to Egypt. / They said to Aaron, ‘Make us gods who will go before us! As for this Moses who led us out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has happened to him.’ / At that time they made a calf and offered a sacrifice to the idol, rejoicing in the works of their hands.
Nehemiah 9:18Even when they cast for themselves an image of a calf and said, ‘This is your God who brought you up out of Egypt,’ and when they committed terrible blasphemies,
1 Corinthians 10:7Do not be idolaters, as some of them were. As it is written: “The people sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in revelry.”
Deuteronomy 9:16And 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.
1 Kings 12:28-30After seeking advice, the king made two golden calves and said to the people, “Going up to Jerusalem is too much for you. Here, O Israel, are your gods, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt.” / One calf he set up in Bethel, and the other in Dan. / And this thing became a sin; the people walked as far as Dan to worship before one of the calves.
2 Kings 17:15-16They rejected His statutes and the covenant He had made with their fathers, as well as the decrees He had given them. They pursued worthless idols and became worthless themselves, going after the surrounding nations that the LORD had commanded them not to imitate. / They abandoned all the commandments of the LORD their God and made for themselves two cast idols of calves and an Asherah pole. They bowed down to all the host of heaven and served Baal.
Hosea 8:4-6They set up kings, but not by Me. They make princes, but without My approval. With their silver and gold they make themselves idols, to their own destruction. / He has rejected your calf, O Samaria. My anger burns against them. How long will they be incapable of innocence? / For this thing is from Israel—a craftsman made it, and it is not God. It will be broken to pieces, that calf of Samaria.
Romans 1:21-23For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts. / Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools, / and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images of mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.
Isaiah 44:9-20All makers of idols are nothing, and the things they treasure are worthless. Their witnesses fail to see or comprehend, so they are put to shame. / Who fashions a god or casts an idol which profits him nothing? / Behold, all his companions will be put to shame, for the craftsmen themselves are only human. Let them all assemble and take their stand; they will all be brought to terror and shame. ...
Jeremiah 2:11-13Has a nation ever changed its gods? (Yet they are not gods at all.) But My people have exchanged their Glory for useless idols. / Be stunned by this, O heavens; be shocked and utterly appalled,” declares the LORD. / “For My people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living water, and they have dug their own cisterns—broken cisterns that cannot hold water.
2 Chronicles 11:15And Jeroboam appointed his own priests for the high places and for the goat demons and calf idols he had made.
Ezekiel 20:8But they rebelled against Me and refused to listen. None of them cast away the abominations before their eyes, and they did not forsake the idols of Egypt. So I resolved to pour out My wrath upon them and vent My anger against them in the land of Egypt.
2 Peter 2:1Now there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves.
Treasury of Scripture And the LORD said to Moses, Go, get you down; for your people, which you brought out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves: go Exodus 19:24 And the LORD said unto him, Away, get thee down, and thou shalt come up, thou, and Aaron with thee: but let not the priests and the people break through to come up unto the LORD, lest he break forth upon them. Exodus 33:1 And the LORD said unto Moses, Depart,and go up hence, thou and the people which thou hast brought up out of the land of Egypt, unto the land which I sware unto Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, saying, Unto thy seed will I give it: Deuteronomy 9:12 And the LORD said unto me, Arise, get thee down quickly from hence; for thy people which thou hast brought forth out of Egypt have corruptedthemselves; they are quickly turned aside out of the way which I commanded them; they have made them a molten image. thy people Exodus 32:1,11 And when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down out of the mount, the people gathered themselves together unto Aaron, and said unto him, Up, make us gods, which shall go before us; foras for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him… corrupted Genesis 6:11,12 The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence… Deuteronomy 4:16 Lest ye corruptyourselves, and make you a graven image, the similitude of any figure, the likeness of male or female, Deuteronomy 32:5 They have corrupted themselves, their spotis notthe spot of his children:they are a perverse and crooked generation. Jump to Previous ActingBroughtestCorruptCorruptedCorruptlyDealtDescendEgyptEvilMosesOnceQuicklyThemselvesTurnedWaysJump to Next ActingBroughtestCorruptCorruptedCorruptlyDealtDescendEgyptEvilMosesOnceQuicklyThemselvesTurnedWaysExodus 32 1.The people in the absence of Moses, caused Aaron to make a calf7.God informs Moses, who intercedes for Israel, and prevails15.Moses comes down with the tablets19.He breaks them20.He destroys the calf22.Aaron's excuse for himself25.Moses causes the idolaters to be slain30.He prays for the peopleThen the LORD said to MosesThis phrase indicates direct communication between God and Moses, highlighting Moses' unique role as a mediator between God and the Israelites. It reflects the intimate relationship Moses had with God, often seen in Exodus where God speaks to Moses as a friend ( Exodus 33:11). This communication underscores the seriousness of the situation, as God directly intervenes to address the sin of the people. Go down at once
The urgency in God's command suggests the gravity of the Israelites' actions. The immediacy reflects the need for swift action to address the rebellion. This mirrors other instances in Scripture where immediate obedience is required in response to sin, such as in the story of Jonah or the call of the prophets. for your people
Here, God refers to the Israelites as "your people," which can be seen as a test of Moses' leadership and intercessory role. It also reflects a shift in responsibility, emphasizing Moses' role as the leader who brought them out of Egypt. This phrase can be compared to instances where God distances Himself from the people due to their disobedience, as seen in the prophets. whom you brought up out of the land of Egypt
This phrase recalls the Exodus event, a foundational moment in Israel's history, symbolizing deliverance and God's faithfulness. It serves as a reminder of the covenant relationship established at Sinai. The mention of Egypt also highlights the contrast between their deliverance and their current rebellion, as they have quickly forgotten God's mighty acts. have corrupted themselves
The term "corrupted" indicates moral and spiritual decay, often associated with idolatry and covenant unfaithfulness. This echoes the language used inGenesis 6:12 regarding the corruption of humanity before the flood. The Israelites' corruption is a direct violation of the first two commandments given at Sinai, showing their quick departure from the covenant path. This phrase foreshadows the need for atonement and points to the ultimate redemption through Christ, who restores what is corrupted by sin. Persons / Places / Events 1. The LORD (Yahweh)The covenant-keeping God of Israel, who speaks to Moses on Mount Sinai. 2. MosesThe leader of the Israelites, chosen by God to deliver His people from Egypt and to mediate the covenant at Sinai. 3. The IsraelitesThe people whom God delivered from slavery in Egypt, now camped at the base of Mount Sinai. 4. Mount SinaiThe mountain where Moses receives the Law from God and where the Israelites are camped. 5. The Golden Calf IncidentThe event where the Israelites, in Moses' absence, create and worship a golden calf, violating God's commandments. Teaching Points The Danger of IdolatryIdolatry is not just the worship of physical idols but can be anything that takes the place of God in our hearts. The Importance of ObedienceGod desires obedience to His commandments, which are given for our good and His glory. The Role of LeadershipMoses' role as an intercessor highlights the importance of godly leadership and prayerful intervention. The Consequences of SinSin leads to corruption and separation from God, necessitating repentance and restoration. God's Faithfulness and MercyDespite Israel's unfaithfulness, God remains faithful and merciful, offering opportunities for repentance. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1.What is the meaning of Exodus 32:7?
2.How does Exodus 32:7 illustrate the consequences of turning away from God?
3.What can we learn about God's expectations from His response in Exodus 32:7?
4.How does Exodus 32:7 connect with the First Commandment in Exodus 20:3?
5.How can we guard against "corrupted themselves" in our spiritual walk today?
6.What steps can we take to remain faithful when others stray from God?
7.Why did God tell Moses to go down to the people in Exodus 32:7?
8.How does Exodus 32:7 reflect on human disobedience and idolatry?
9.What does Exodus 32:7 reveal about God's relationship with Israel?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Exodus 32?
11.How does the portrayal of Aaron's role in Exodus 32 align with other biblical depictions of him, and does it reveal inconsistencies across different texts?
12.Who were the believers in the Old Testament?
13.What does the Bible say about worshiping pastors?
14.Deuteronomy 9:13–21 – How does Moses’s retelling of the golden calf incident here square with the details and timing found in Exodus 32?What Does Exodus 32:7 Mean Then the LORD said to MosesGod’s voice interrupts the drama unfolding on Sinai. While Moses is still on the mountain receiving the tablets of the covenant (Exodus 24:12), the Lord sees from heaven what Moses cannot yet see on earth. • The initiative is entirely God’s; nothing is hidden from Him (Psalm 33:13-15). • His speaking underscores relationship: the covenant is personal, and Moses is His chosen mediator (Numbers 12:6-8;Hebrews 3:5-6). • The contrast between the serene glory atop the mountain and the chaos below will soon be stark (Exodus 32:15-19).
Go down at onceThe urgency is unmistakable. God’s command tells Moses that immediate action is required. • Sin demands swift pastoral intervention; delay only deepens damage (Deuteronomy 9:12;1 Corinthians 5:1-5). • The wording warns of impending judgment—similar toGenesis 19:22 when Lot is urged to flee Sodom. • It also foreshadows Moses’ intercession; he must be present among the people to plead for them (Exodus 32:30-32).
for your peopleThe Lord momentarily speaks of Israel as Moses’ people, highlighting their broken fellowship with Him. • Sin fractures identity; God withholds the covenantal “My people” just as He later says, “You are not My people” through Hosea (Hosea 1:9). • The phrase tests Moses’ shepherd heart: will he disown them or intercede? (compareNumbers 11:11-15). • It underlines human responsibility—Moses has led them, and leaders bear unique accountability (James 3:1).
whom you brought up out of the land of EgyptGod reminds Moses of the exodus, both a privilege and a charge. • Deliverance creates obligation; redeemed people belong to the Redeemer (Exodus 20:2). • The Lord’s wording presses Moses to recall the cost of redemption—the plagues, Passover, Red Sea (Psalm 106:7-10). • It also exposes Israel’s ingratitude; they are turning to a calf after witnessing divine power (Psalm 78:11;1 Corinthians 10:1-7).
have corrupted themselvesThe diagnosis is moral and spiritual decay. • “Corrupted” speaks of ruin, the same term later used inDeuteronomy 32:5 for apostasy. • Idolatry is self-inflicted destruction; they “exchanged their Glory for the image of an ox” (Psalm 106:19-20;Romans 1:23). • Corruption spreads quickly through a community (1 Corinthians 5:6); God’s swift alert is an act of mercy as well as judgment.
summaryExodus 32:7 captures the moment God breaks His silence to alert Moses to catastrophic covenant breach. The Lord’s authoritative voice, urgent command, distancing language, reminder of redemption, and stark diagnosis all underline how serious sin is and how swiftly He moves to address it. Yet even in anger, God draws Moses into intercession, setting the stage for mercy to triumph over judgment (Exodus 32:11-14). GOD'S OFFER TO MOSES.(7)The Lord said unto Moses, Go, get thee down.--Moses was, of course, wholly ignorant of all that had occurred in the camp. The thick cloud which covered the top of Sinai had prevented his seeing what occurred in the plain below (Exodus 24:18). The phrase, "Go, get thee down," is emphatic, and implies urgency. Thy people.--"Thine," not any longer "mine," since they have broken the covenant that united us; yet still "thine," however much they sin. The tie of blood-relationship cannot be broken. Have corrupted themselves.--The form of the verb used (shikheth) is active. We must supply "their way," or some similar phrase, after it. (Comp.Genesis 6:12 : "All flesh had corruptedhis wayupon the earth.") Verses 7-14. - THE INTERCESSION OF MOSES. Moses, in Sinai, was so far removed from the camp, and the cloud so shut out his vision of it, that he had neither seen nor heard anything unusual, and was wholly ignorant of what had happened, until God declared it to him (ver. 7, 8). After declaring it, God announced his intention of destroying the people for their apostasy, and fulfilling his promise to Abraham by raising up a "great nation" out of the seed of Moses (ver. 10). No doubt this constituted a great trial of the prophet's character. He might, without sin, have acquiesced in the punishment of the people as deserved, and have accepted the promise made to himself as a fresh instance of God's goodness to him. There would have been nothing wrong in this; but it would have shown that he fell short of the heroic type, belonged to the ordinary run of mortals, was of the common "delf," not of "the precious porcelain of human clay." God's trial of him gave him an opportunity of rising above this; and he responded to it. From the time that he reached full manhood ( Exodus 2:11) he had cast in his lot with his nation; he had been appointed their leader ( Exodus 3:10); they had accepted him as such ( Exodus 4:31); he had led them out of Egypt and brought them to Sinai; if he had looked coldly on them now, and readily separated his fate from theirs, he would have been false to his past, and wanting in tenderness towards those who were at once his wards and his countrymen. His own glory naturally drew him one way, his affection for Israel the other. It is to his eternal honour that he chose the better part; declined to be put in Abraham's place, and generously interceded for his nation (vers. 11-13). He thereby placed himself among the heroes of humanity, and gave additional strength and dignity to his own character. Verse 7. - Go, descend - i.e., "make haste to descend - do not tarry - there is need of thy immediate presence." Thy people, which thou broughtest, etc. Words calculated to awaken the tenderness between which and self-love the coming struggle was to be.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew Then the LORDיְהוָ֖ה(Yah·weh)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068:LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israelsaidוַיְדַבֵּ֥ר(way·ḏab·bêr)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1696:To arrange, to speak, to subduetoאֶל־(’el-)Preposition
Strong's 413:Near, with, among, toMoses,מֹשֶׁ֑ה(mō·šeh)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 4872:Moses -- a great Israelite leader, prophet and lawgiver“Go down at once!לֶךְ־(leḵ-)Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 1980:To go, come, walkForכִּ֚י(kî)Conjunction
Strong's 3588:A relative conjunctionyour people,עַמְּךָ֔(‘am·mə·ḵā)Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 5971:A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flockwhomאֲשֶׁ֥ר(’ă·šer)Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834:Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order thatyou brought upהֶעֱלֵ֖יתָ(he·‘ĕ·lê·ṯā)Verb - Hifil - Perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 5927:To ascend, in, activelyout of the landמֵאֶ֥רֶץ(mê·’e·reṣ)Preposition-m | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 776:Earth, landof Egypt,מִצְרָֽיִם׃(miṣ·rā·yim)Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 4714:Egypt -- a son of Ham, also his descendants and their country in Northwest Africahave corrupted themselves.שִׁחֵ֣ת(ši·ḥêṯ)Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7843:Perhaps to go to ruin
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OT Law: Exodus 32:7 Yahweh spoke to Moses Go get down (Exo. Ex) |
