EXODUS CHAPTER 32 The people commit idolatry by worshipping the molten image which Aaron made, EXODUS 32:1. God makes it known to Moses, and threatens their destruction, EXO 32 7-10. Moses prays for them, EXO 32 11-13. God repents of the evil, EXO 32 14. Moses comes down from the mount with two tabl... [ Continue Reading ]
THE GOLDEN EARRINGS were of good value and common use among the eastern people, who seem to have used them superstitiously, GENESIS 35:4 JUDGES 8:24; and therefore Aaron demands these, partly that he might take away one vice, or occasion of vice, whilst the people were intent upon another; and partl... [ Continue Reading ]
Whereby they show both their madness upon their idols, and their base ingratitude to their God, who had transferred these jewels from the Egyptians to them, EXODUS 12:35,36, which therefore God upbraids them with, EZEKIEL 16:11, &c. IN THEIR EARS, i.e. the men's ears, for the affix is of the masculi... [ Continue Reading ]
A MOLTEN CALF: the meaning of this translation is, that Aaron, to wit, by artificers, did first melt the god into one mass, and then by the graving-tool form it into the shape of a calf, and polish it; or as others render the words, he FORMED IT IN A TYPE OR MOULD, made in the shape of a _calf_, int... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN AARON SAW, i.e. observed with what applause they received it, and with what fury and resolution they prosecuted their former desire, he was borne down with the stream, and, as it is probable, by the people's instigation, built an altar to it. TO THE LORD, Heb. _to Jehovah_; which title being pe... [ Continue Reading ]
BROUGHT PEACE-OFFERINGS, but no _sin-offerings_, which they most needed. THE PEOPLE SAT DOWN TO EAT AND TO DRINK; for the sacrifices were accompanied with feasting, both among the worshippers of the true God, and among idolaters. See EXODUS 18:12, EXODUS 24:11. ROSE UP TO PLAY, by shouting, and sing... [ Continue Reading ]
No longer _my people_, as God had called them hitherto, EXODUS 3:7, EXODUS 5:1, &c.; they have forsaken me, and I do hereby renounce them.... [ Continue Reading ]
No text from Poole on this verse.... [ Continue Reading ]
Untractable, wilful, and stubborn, incorrigible by my judgments, ungovernable by mine or by any laws. A metaphor from those beasts that will not bend their necks to receive the yoke or bridle.... [ Continue Reading ]
Do not hinder me by thy prayers, which I see thou art now about to make on their behalf. I WILL MAKE OF THEE; to come out of thy loins.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LORD HIS GOD; emphatically so called: q.d. Moses had not lost his interest in God, though Israel had. WHY DOTH THY WRATH WAX HOT, so hot as to consume them utterly? For though he saw reason enough why God should be angry with them, yet he humbly expostulates with God whether it would be for his... [ Continue Reading ]
IN THE MOUNTAINS, i.e. in or at Mount Sinai, the plural number for the singular; or, in this mountainous desert.... [ Continue Reading ]
No text from Poole on this verse.... [ Continue Reading ]
i.e. Changed his sentence. See on GENESIS 6:6.... [ Continue Reading ]
Not on the inside and outside, which is unusual and unnecessary, but on the inside only, some of the ten commands being written on the right hand, and others on the left, not for any mystery, but only for conveniency of writing.... [ Continue Reading ]
No text from Poole on this verse.... [ Continue Reading ]
JOSHUA had waited all this while upon the middle of the hill for Moses's return; and so neither knew what the people had done, nor heard what God had said to Moses.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE VOICE OF THEM THAT SHOUT FOR MASTERY, Heb. _of a cry of strength_, i.e. of strong men, or of the stronger and victorious party, who use to express themselves with triumphant shouts. THE VOICE OF THEM THAT CRY FOR BEING OVERCOME, Heb. of a cry of weakness, i.e. of weak, and wounded, and vanquishe... [ Continue Reading ]
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 renewe... [ Continue Reading ]
GROUND IT TO POWDER; melted it either into one great mass, or rather into divers little fragments, which afterwards by a the or other instruments he, by the help of many others, might soon grind to powder, or dust of gold. STRAWED IT UPON THE WATER; upon the brook which came out of the rock Horeb, E... [ Continue Reading ]
What injury or mischief had they done to thee, which thou didst so severely revenge? The sin of the people is charged upon Aaron, both because he did not resist and suppress their wicked suggestion, EXODUS 32:1, by his counsel, and by the authority which Moses had left in his hand, which he should h... [ Continue Reading ]
Heb. _are in evil_, i.e. are altogether wicked, addicted to, or bent upon wickedness, so that it was impossible for me to stop or divert their course.... [ Continue Reading ]
No text from Poole on this verse.... [ Continue Reading ]
Not that he meant or thought to persuade Moses that the melted gold came out of the fire in the form of a calf by accident, without any art or industry of his, which was a ridiculous conceit, and easily confuted; but only he conceals his own sin in the forming and graving of it, and lays the whole b... [ Continue Reading ]
i.e. That they were stripped both of their ornament, which was not so much the jewels of their ears, as the innocency of their minds and lives; and of their defence, to wit, of the favour and protection of God, by which alone they were secured from the Egyptians, and were to be defended against thos... [ Continue Reading ]
He chose THE GATE OF THE CAMP, 1. As the usual place of judicature. 2. That he might withdraw himself from the company of idolaters as far as he might. 3. As a fit place of concourse and resort for those that were on God's side. 4. To prevent the escape of the greatest delinquents, the rest of t... [ Continue Reading ]
The meaning is, slay every principal offender whom you meet with, without any indulgence or exception, though _brother_, or _companion_, or _neighbour_. There was no fear of killing the innocent in this case, because, 1. The people were generally guilty. 2. Moses had called to himself all that wer... [ Continue Reading ]
And no more, for it is probable they slew only those whom they knew to have been the ringleaders to others in this mischief.... [ Continue Reading ]
Offer up yourselves to the honour and service of the Lord in this work, which because it was joined with the hazard of their lives, he calls it a consecration or oblation of themselves, as Abraham for the like reason is said to have offered up Isaac. CONSECRATE YOURSELVES, Heb. _fill your hands, _ &... [ Continue Reading ]
He speaks doubtfully, partly because he was uncertain how far God would pardon them, and partly to quicken them to the more serious practice of repentance.... [ Continue Reading ]
No text from Poole on this verse.... [ Continue Reading ]
IF THOU WILT FORGIVE THEIR SIN; understand here, FORGIVE IT, or, or _it is well_, or, _I and others shall praise thy name_. His great passion for his people stops his words, and makes his speech imperfect. OUT OF THY BOOK, i.e. out of the book of life, as appears by comparing this with other places,... [ Continue Reading ]
WHOSOEVER HATH SINNED, or, _doth sin_, to wit, presumptuously, obstinately, and impenitently, him will I cut off out of the land of the living, and eternally deprive of my favour and glory, and not thee who art innocent and righteous.... [ Continue Reading ]
BEHOLD, MINE ANGEL; not Christ, the Angel of the covenant, who had hitherto gone before them; but a created angel, as appears by comparing this with EXODUS 33:2,3,12; though Moses obtained the revocation of this threatening, EXODUS 33:14,17. I will visit their sin upon them; when I shall punish them... [ Continue Reading ]
This relates either to the destruction of three thousand of them by the Levites, or rather to the future plagues, in which God also reckoned with them for this sin. BECAUSE THEY MADE THE CALF; they made it because they urged AARON to make it, as Judas is said to purchase the field, ACTS 1:18, which... [ Continue Reading ]