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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Exodus 32:31 So Moses returned to the LORD and said, "Oh, what a great sin these people have committed! They have made gods of gold for themselves.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/exodus/32-31.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/5/02_Exo_32_31.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Exodus 32:31 - Moses Intercedes for Israel" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="So Moses returned to the LORD and said, Oh, what a great sin these people have committed! 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They have made themselves gods of gold. <a href="/nlt/exodus/32.htm">New Living Translation</a> So Moses returned to the LORD and said, “Oh, what a terrible sin these people have committed. They have made gods of gold for themselves. <a href="/esv/exodus/32.htm">English Standard Version</a> So Moses returned to the LORD and said, “Alas, this people has sinned a great sin. They have made for themselves gods of gold. <a href="/bsb/exodus/32.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> So Moses returned to the LORD and said, “Oh, what a great sin these people have committed! They have made gods of gold for themselves. <a href="/kjv/exodus/32.htm">King James Bible</a> And Moses returned unto the LORD, and said, Oh, this people have sinned a great sin, and have made them gods of gold. <a href="/nkjv/exodus/32.htm">New King James Version</a> Then Moses returned to the LORD and said, “Oh, these people have committed a great sin, and have made for themselves a god of gold! <a href="/nasb_/exodus/32.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Then Moses returned to the LORD and said, “Oh, this people has committed a great sin, and they have made a god of gold for themselves! <a href="/nasb/exodus/32.htm">NASB 1995</a> Then Moses returned to the LORD, and said, &#8220Alas, this people has committed a great sin, and they have made a god of gold for themselves. <a href="/nasb77/exodus/32.htm">NASB 1977 </a> Then Moses returned to the LORD, and said, “Alas, this people has committed a great sin, and they have made a god of gold for themselves. <a href="/lsb/exodus/32.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Then Moses returned to Yahweh and said, “Alas, this people has committed a great sin, and they have made gods of gold for themselves. <a href="/amp/exodus/32.htm">Amplified Bible</a> So Moses returned to the LORD, and said, “Oh, these people have committed a great sin [against You], and have made themselves a god of gold. <a href="/csb/exodus/32.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> So Moses returned to the LORD and said, “Oh, these people have committed a grave sin; they have made a god of gold for themselves. <a href="/hcsb/exodus/32.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> So Moses returned to the LORD and said, &#8220Oh, these people have committed a grave sin; they have made a god of gold for themselves. <a href="/asv/exodus/32.htm">American Standard Version</a> And Moses returned unto Jehovah, and said, Oh, this people have sinned a great sin, and have made them gods of gold. <a href="/cev/exodus/32.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Moses returned to the LORD and said, "The people have committed a terrible sin. They have made a gold idol to be their god. <a href="/erv/exodus/32.htm">English Revised Version</a> And Moses returned unto the LORD, and said, Oh, this people have sinned a great sin, and have made them gods of gold. <a href="/gwt/exodus/32.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> So Moses went back to the LORD and said, "These people have committed such a serious sin! They made gods out of gold for themselves. <a href="/gnt/exodus/32.htm">Good News Translation</a> Moses then returned to the LORD and said, "These people have committed a terrible sin. They have made a god out of gold and worshiped it. <a href="/isv/exodus/32.htm">International Standard Version</a> Moses returned to the LORD and said, "Please, LORD, this people committed a great sin by making a god of gold for themselves. <a href="/msb/exodus/32.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> So Moses returned to the LORD and said, ?Oh, what a great sin these people have committed! They have made gods of gold for themselves. <a href="/net/exodus/32.htm">NET Bible</a> So Moses returned to the LORD and said, "Alas, this people has committed a very serious sin, and they have made for themselves gods of gold. <a href="/nheb/exodus/32.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Moses returned to the LORD, and said, "Oh, this people have sinned a great sin, and have made themselves gods of gold. <a href="/wbt/exodus/32.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And Moses returned to the LORD, and said, Oh, this people have sinned a great sin, and have made them gods of gold. <a href="/web/exodus/32.htm">World English Bible</a> Moses returned to Yahweh, and said, “Oh, this people have sinned a great sin, and have made themselves gods of gold. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/exodus/32.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And Moses turns back to YHWH and says, “Ah, now this people has sinned a great sin, that they make a god of gold for themselves; <a href="/ylt/exodus/32.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And Moses turneth back unto Jehovah, and saith, 'Oh this people hath sinned a great sin, that they make to themselves a god of gold; <a href="/slt/exodus/32.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And Moses will turn back to Jehovah, and say, Ah, now, this people sinned a great sin, and they will make to them golden gods.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/exodus/32.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And returning to the Lord, he said: I beseech thee: this people hath sinned a heinous sin, and they have made to themselves gods of gold: either forgive them this trespass, <a href="/cpdv/exodus/32.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And returning to the Lord, he said: “I beg you, this people has sinned the greatest sin, and they have made for themselves gods of gold. Either release them from this offense, <a href="/nabre/exodus/32.htm">New American Bible</a> So Moses returned to the LORD and said, “Ah, this people has committed a grave sin in making a god of gold for themselves! <a href="/nrsvce/exodus/32.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> So Moses returned to the LORD and said, “Alas, this people has sinned a great sin; they have made for themselves gods of gold.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/exodus/32.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> So Moses returned to the LORD and said, I beseech thee, O LORD God, truly this people have sinned a great sin and have made for themselves gods of gold. <a href="/hpbt/exodus/32.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And it was the day after it and Moshe said to the people, “You have sinned this great sin; now I shall ascend to LORD JEHOVAH; perhaps He shall forgive your debts.”<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/exodus/32.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> And Moses returned unto the LORD, and said: 'Oh, this people have sinned a great sin, and have made them a god of gold. <a href="/sep/exodus/32.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And Moses returned to the Lord and said, I pray, O Lord, this people has sinned a great sin, and they have made for themselves golden gods. <a href="/parallel/exodus/32-31.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kVae3PiKqhs?start=8517" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/exodus/32.htm">Moses Intercedes for Israel</a> 30The next day Moses said to the people, “You have committed a great sin. Now I will go up to the LORD; perhaps I can make atonement for your sin.” 31<a href="/hebrew/4872.htm" title="4872: mō·šeh (N-proper-ms) -- A great Isr. leader, prophet and lawgiver. From mashah; drawing out, i.e. Rescued; Mosheh, the Israelite lawgiver.">So Moses</a> <a href="/hebrew/7725.htm" title="7725: way·yā·šāḇ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- A primitive root; to turn back transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively; generally to retreat; often adverbial, again.">returned</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">to</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">the LORD</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mar (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">and said,</a> <a href="/hebrew/577.htm" title="577: ’ān·nā (Interjection) -- Ah, now! I (we) beseech you! Or mannah; apparent contracted from 'ahabah and na'; oh now!">“Oh,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1419.htm" title="1419: ḡə·ḏō·lāh (Adj-fs) -- Great. Or gadol; from gadal; great; hence, older; also insolent.">what a great</a> <a href="/hebrew/2401.htm" title="2401: ḥă·ṭā·’āh (N-fs) -- Sin, sin offering. Feminine of chet'; an offence, or a sacrifice for it.">sin</a> <a href="/hebrew/2088.htm" title="2088: haz·zeh (Art:: Pro-ms) -- This, here. A primitive word; the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that.">these</a> <a href="/hebrew/5971.htm" title="5971: hā·‘ām (Art:: N-ms) -- From amam; a people; specifically, a tribe; hence troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock.">people</a> <a href="/hebrew/2398.htm" title="2398: ḥā·ṭā (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- A primitive root; properly, to miss; hence to sin; by inference, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, lead astray, condemn.">have committed!</a> <a href="/hebrew/6213.htm" title="6213: way·ya·‘ă·śū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To do, make. A primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application.">They have made</a> <a href="/hebrew/430.htm" title="430: ’ĕ·lō·hê (N-mpc) -- Plural of 'elowahh; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used of the supreme God">gods</a> <a href="/hebrew/2091.htm" title="2091: zā·hāḇ (N-ms) -- Gold. From an unused root meaning to shimmer; gold, figuratively, something gold-colored, as oil, a clear sky.">of gold</a> <a href="/hebrew/lā·hem (Prep:: 3mp) -- ">for themselves.</a> 32Yet now, if You would only forgive their sin.... But if not, please blot me out of the book that You have written.”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/deuteronomy/9-18.htm">Deuteronomy 9:18-20</a> Then I fell down before the LORD for forty days and forty nights, as I had done the first time. I did not eat bread or drink water because of all the sin you had committed in doing what was evil in the sight of the LORD and provoking Him to anger. / For I was afraid of the anger and wrath that the LORD had directed against you, enough to destroy you. But the LORD listened to me this time as well. / The LORD was angry enough with Aaron to destroy him, but at that time I also prayed for Aaron. <a href="/deuteronomy/9-25.htm">Deuteronomy 9:25-29</a> So I fell down before the LORD for forty days and forty nights, because the LORD had said He would destroy you. / And I prayed to the LORD and said, “O Lord GOD, do not destroy Your people, Your inheritance, whom You redeemed through Your greatness and brought out of Egypt with a mighty hand. / Remember Your servants Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Overlook the stubbornness of this people and the wickedness of their sin. ... <a href="/psalms/106-19.htm">Psalm 106:19-23</a> At 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, ... <a href="/numbers/14-11.htm">Numbers 14:11-20</a> And the LORD said to Moses, “How long will this people treat Me with contempt? How long will they refuse to believe in Me, despite all the signs I have performed among them? / I will strike them with a plague and destroy them—and I will make you into a nation greater and mightier than they are.” / But Moses said to the LORD, “The Egyptians will hear of it, for by Your strength You brought this people from among them. ... <a href="/nehemiah/9-18.htm">Nehemiah 9:18-19</a> Even 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, / You in Your great compassion did not forsake them in the wilderness. By day the pillar of cloud never turned away from guiding them on their path; and by the night the pillar of fire illuminated the way they should go. <a href="/1_kings/19-10.htm">1 Kings 19:10</a> “I have been very zealous for the LORD, the God of Hosts,” he replied, “but the Israelites have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I am the only one left, and they are seeking my life as well.” <a href="/isaiah/53-12.htm">Isaiah 53:12</a> Therefore I will allot Him a portion with the great, and He will divide the spoils with the strong, because He has poured out His life unto death, and He was numbered with the transgressors. Yet He bore the sin of many and made intercession for the transgressors. <a href="/jeremiah/18-20.htm">Jeremiah 18:20</a> Should good be repaid with evil? Yet they have dug a pit for me. Remember how I stood before You to speak good on their behalf, to turn Your wrath from them. <a href="/daniel/9-15.htm">Daniel 9:15-19</a> Now, O Lord our God, who brought Your people out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand, and who made for Yourself a name renowned to this day, we have sinned; we have acted wickedly. / O Lord, in keeping with all Your righteous acts, I pray that Your anger and wrath may turn away from Your city Jerusalem, Your holy mountain; for because of our sins and the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and Your people are a reproach to all around us. / So now, our God, hear the prayers and petitions of Your servant. For Your sake, O Lord, cause Your face to shine upon Your desolate sanctuary. ... <a href="/romans/9-3.htm">Romans 9:3</a> For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my own flesh and blood, <a href="/1_corinthians/10-7.htm">1 Corinthians 10:7</a> Do 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.” <a href="/acts/7-39.htm">Acts 7:39-41</a> But 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. <a href="/hebrews/3-16.htm">Hebrews 3:16-19</a> For who were the ones who heard and rebelled? Were they not all those Moses led out of Egypt? / And with whom was God angry for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness? / And to whom did He swear that they would never enter His rest? Was it not to those who disobeyed? ... <a href="/1_john/2-1.htm">1 John 2:1-2</a> My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate before the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. / He Himself is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world. <a href="/1_timothy/2-5.htm">1 Timothy 2:5</a> For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And Moses returned to the LORD, and said, Oh, this people have sinned a great sin, and have made them gods of gold.returned<a href="/exodus/34-28.htm">Exodus 34:28</a> And he was there with the LORD forty days and forty nights; he did neither eat bread, nor drink water. And he wrote upon the tables the words of the covenant, the ten commandments.<a href="/deuteronomy/9-18.htm">Deuteronomy 9:18,19</a> And I fell down before the LORD, as at the first, forty days and forty nights: I did neither eat bread, nor drink water, because of all your sins which ye sinned, in doing wickedly in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger… sinned<a href="/exodus/32-30.htm">Exodus 32:30</a> And it came to pass on the morrow, that Moses said unto the people, Ye have sinned a great sin: and now I will go up unto the LORD; peradventure I shall make an atonement for your sin.<a href="/ezra/9-6.htm">Ezra 9:6,7,15</a> And said, O my God, I am ashamed and blush to lift up my face to thee, my God: for our iniquities are increased over our head, and our trespass is grown up unto the heavens… <a href="/nehemiah/9-33.htm">Nehemiah 9:33</a> Howbeit thou art just in all that is brought upon us; for thou hast done right, but we have done wickedly:made<a href="/exodus/20-4.htm">Exodus 20:4,23</a> Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: … <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/revelation/18-19.htm">Alas</a> <a href="/exodus/32-30.htm">Committed</a> <a href="/exodus/32-23.htm">Gods</a> <a href="/exodus/32-24.htm">Gold</a> <a href="/exodus/32-30.htm">Great</a> <a href="/exodus/32-30.htm">Moses</a> <a href="/exodus/32-30.htm">Sin</a> <a href="/exodus/32-30.htm">Sinned</a> <a href="/exodus/32-26.htm">Themselves</a> <a href="/exodus/32-15.htm">Turneth</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/numbers/12-11.htm">Alas</a> <a href="/leviticus/4-3.htm">Committed</a> <a href="/exodus/34-15.htm">Gods</a> <a href="/exodus/35-5.htm">Gold</a> <a href="/exodus/34-6.htm">Great</a> <a href="/exodus/32-33.htm">Moses</a> <a href="/exodus/32-32.htm">Sin</a> <a href="/exodus/32-33.htm">Sinned</a> <a href="/exodus/33-6.htm">Themselves</a> <a href="/exodus/34-34.htm">Turneth</a><div class="vheading2">Exodus 32</div>1. <a href="/exodus/32-1.htm">The people in the absence of Moses, caused Aaron to make a calf</a> 7. <a href="/exodus/32-7.htm">God informs Moses, who intercedes for Israel, and prevails</a> 15. <a href="/exodus/32-15.htm">Moses comes down with the tablets</a> 19. <a href="/exodus/32-19.htm">He breaks them</a> 20. <a href="/exodus/32-20.htm">He destroys the calf</a> 22. <a href="/exodus/32-22.htm">Aaron's excuse for himself</a> 25. <a href="/exodus/32-25.htm">Moses causes the idolaters to be slain</a> 30. <a href="/exodus/32-30.htm">He prays for the people</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/exodus/32.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/exodus/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/exodus/32.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>So Moses returned to the LORD and said, Moses' return to the LORD signifies his role as an intercessor for the Israelites. This reflects the biblical theme of mediation, where a chosen leader stands between God and His people. Moses' actions here prefigure the ultimate mediation of Jesus Christ, who intercedes on behalf of humanity (<a href="/hebrews/7-25.htm">Hebrews 7:25</a>). The act of returning to the LORD also highlights the importance of seeking divine guidance and forgiveness after sin.“Oh, what a great sin these people have committed! The phrase acknowledges the gravity of the Israelites' actions. The "great sin" refers to the idolatry committed by the people when they made and worshiped the golden calf (<a href="/exodus/32-4.htm">Exodus 32:4</a>). This sin is significant because it violates the first two commandments given by God (<a href="/exodus/20-3.htm">Exodus 20:3-4</a>). The acknowledgment of sin is a crucial step in the process of repentance and restoration, a theme that runs throughout Scripture (1 <a href="/john/1-9.htm">John 1:9</a>).They have made gods of gold for themselves. This phrase highlights the specific nature of the Israelites' sin: idolatry. The making of "gods of gold" is a direct affront to the monotheistic worship of Yahweh, who had delivered them from Egypt. The use of gold, a valuable material, underscores the misplaced priorities of the people, valuing material wealth over spiritual fidelity. This act of idolatry is a recurring issue in Israel's history, leading to various judgments and calls for repentance (<a href="/1_kings/12-28.htm">1 Kings 12:28-30</a>). It also serves as a warning against the dangers of materialism and the worship of created things rather than the Creator (<a href="/romans/1-25.htm">Romans 1:25</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/m/moses.htm">Moses</a> The leader of the Israelites, chosen by God to deliver His people from Egypt. In this passage, Moses acts as an intercessor between God and the Israelites. 2. <a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The LORD (Yahweh)</a> The one true God, who delivered the Israelites from Egypt and gave them the Law. He is the recipient of Moses' intercession. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_israelites.htm">The Israelites</a> The people of God who have committed a grave sin by creating and worshiping a golden calf while Moses was on Mount Sinai. 4. <a href="/topical/m/mount_sinai.htm">Mount Sinai</a> The mountain where Moses received the Ten Commandments from God. It is a place of divine revelation and covenant. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_golden_calf.htm">The Golden Calf</a> An idol made by the Israelites in Moses' absence, representing a significant act of rebellion and idolatry against God.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_gravity_of_sin.htm">The Gravity of Sin</a> The Israelites' creation of the golden calf was a direct violation of God's commandments, illustrating the seriousness of idolatry and rebellion against God. <a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_intercession.htm">The Role of Intercession</a> Moses' intercession for the Israelites demonstrates the power and importance of standing in the gap for others in prayer, seeking God's mercy and forgiveness. <a href="/topical/g/god's_righteousness_and_mercy.htm">God's Righteousness and Mercy</a> While God is just and righteous, He is also merciful. Moses' plea for the people shows that God is willing to forgive when we repent and turn back to Him. <a href="/topical/t/the_danger_of_impatience.htm">The Danger of Impatience</a> The Israelites' impatience led them to sin. This teaches us the importance of waiting on God's timing and trusting in His plans. <a href="/topical/t/the_need_for_repentance.htm">The Need for Repentance</a> Recognizing and confessing our sins is crucial for restoration with God. Moses' acknowledgment of the people's sin is a model for true repentance.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_exodus_32.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Exodus 32</a> <a href="/q/what_lessons_do_moses_and_aaron_teach.htm">What lessons does the story of Moses and Aaron teach?</a> <a href="/q/does_god_change_his_mind.htm">Does God change His mind? (Numbers 23:19 vs. Exodus 32:14)</a> <a href="/q/why_do_exodus_34_and_20_differ.htm">(Exodus 34:1) Why does this second set of commandments differ from those in Exodus 20, and which version should be considered authoritative?</a> <a href="/q/why_does_god_change_his_mind_in_exodus_32_14.htm">Why does an all-knowing God, in Exodus 32:14, appear to change His mind after Moses intercedes?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/exodus/32.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(31) Moses returned unto the Lord--i.e., re-ascended Sinai, to the place where he had passed the forty days and nights.Gods of gold.--Rather, a god of gold. (Comp. Note 3 on <a href="/exodus/32-1.htm" title="And when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down out of the mount, the people gathered themselves together to Aaron, and said to him, Up, make us gods, which shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we know not what is become of him.">Exodus 32:1</a>.) The plural is one of dignity.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/exodus/32.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 31. - Gods of gold. Rather "a god of gold." <a href="/commentaries/exodus/32-31.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>So Moses מֹשֶׁ֛ה (mō·šeh) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4872.htm">Strong's 4872: </a> Moses -- a great Israelite leader, prophet and lawgiver returned וַיָּ֧שָׁב (way·yā·šāḇ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7725.htm">Strong's 7725: </a> To turn back, in, to retreat, again to אֶל־ (’el-) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> Near, with, among, to the LORD יְהוָ֖ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel and said, וַיֹּאמַ֑ר (way·yō·mar) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> To utter, say “Oh, אָ֣נָּ֗א (’ān·nā) Interjection <a href="/hebrew/strongs_577.htm">Strong's 577: </a> Ah, now! I (we) beseech you! what a great גְדֹלָ֔ה (ḡə·ḏō·lāh) Adjective - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1419.htm">Strong's 1419: </a> Great, older, insolent sin חֲטָאָ֣ה (ḥă·ṭā·’āh) Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2401.htm">Strong's 2401: </a> An offence, a sacrifice for, it these הַזֶּה֙ (haz·zeh) Article | Pronoun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2088.htm">Strong's 2088: </a> This, that people הָעָ֤ם (hā·‘ām) Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5971.htm">Strong's 5971: </a> A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock have committed; חָטָ֞א (ḥā·ṭā) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2398.htm">Strong's 2398: </a> To miss, to sin, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, lead astray, condemn they have made וַיַּֽעֲשׂ֥וּ (way·ya·‘ă·śū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6213.htm">Strong's 6213: </a> To do, make gods אֱלֹהֵ֥י (’ĕ·lō·hê) Noun - masculine plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_430.htm">Strong's 430: </a> gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative of gold זָהָֽב׃ (zā·hāḇ) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2091.htm">Strong's 2091: </a> Gold, something gold-colored, as oil, a clear sky for themselves. לָהֶ֖ם (lā·hem) Preposition | third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/exodus/32-31.htm">Exodus 32:31 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/exodus/32-31.htm">Exodus 32:31 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/exodus/32-31.htm">Exodus 32:31 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/exodus/32-31.htm">Exodus 32:31 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/exodus/32-31.htm">Exodus 32:31 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/exodus/32-31.htm">Exodus 32:31 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/exodus/32-31.htm">Exodus 32:31 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/exodus/32-31.htm">Exodus 32:31 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/exodus/32-31.htm">Exodus 32:31 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/exodus/32-31.htm">Exodus 32:31 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/exodus/32-31.htm">OT Law: Exodus 32:31 Moses returned to Yahweh and said Oh (Exo. Ex) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/exodus/32-30.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Exodus 32:30"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Exodus 32:30" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/exodus/32-32.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Exodus 32:32"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Exodus 32:32" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>