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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 32:20 Then 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. 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Then he ground it into powder, threw it into the water, and forced the people to drink it. <a href="/esv/exodus/32.htm">English Standard Version</a> He took the calf that they had made and burned it with fire and ground it to powder and scattered it on the water and made the people of Israel drink it. <a href="/bsb/exodus/32.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> Then 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. <a href="/kjv/exodus/32.htm">King James Bible</a> And he took the calf which they had made, and burnt it in the fire, and ground it to powder, and strawed it upon the water, and made the children of Israel drink of it. <a href="/nkjv/exodus/32.htm">New King James Version</a> Then he took the calf which they had made, burned it in the fire, and ground it to powder; and he scattered it on the water and made the children of Israel drink it. <a href="/nasb_/exodus/32.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Then he took the calf which they had made and completely burned it with fire, and ground it to powder, and scattered it over the surface of the water and made the sons of Israel drink it. <a href="/nasb/exodus/32.htm">NASB 1995</a> He took the calf which they had made and burned it with fire, and ground it to powder, and scattered it over the surface of the water and made the sons of Israel drink it. <a href="/nasb77/exodus/32.htm">NASB 1977 </a> And he took the calf which they had made and burned it with fire, and ground it to powder, and scattered it over the surface of the water, and made the sons of Israel drink it. <a href="/lsb/exodus/32.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Then he took the calf which they had made and burned it with fire and ground it to powder and scattered it over the surface of the water and made the sons of Israel drink it. <a href="/amp/exodus/32.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Then Moses took the calf they had made and burned it in the fire, and ground it to powder, and scattered it on the surface of the water and made the Israelites drink it. <a href="/csb/exodus/32.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> He took the calf they had made, burned it up, and ground it to powder. He scattered the powder over the surface of the water and forced the Israelites to drink the water. <a href="/hcsb/exodus/32.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Then he took the calf they had made, burned it up, and ground it to powder. He scattered the powder over the surface of the water and forced the Israelites to drink the water. <a href="/asv/exodus/32.htm">American Standard Version</a> And he took the calf which they had made, and burnt it with fire, and ground it to powder, and strewed it upon the water, and made the children of Israel drink of it. <a href="/cev/exodus/32.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> He melted the idol the people had made, and he ground it into powder. He scattered it in their water and made them drink it. <a href="/erv/exodus/32.htm">English Revised Version</a> And he took the calf which they had made, and burnt it with fire, and ground it to powder, and strewed it upon the water, and made the children of Israel drink of it. <a href="/gwt/exodus/32.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Then he took the calf they had made, burned it, ground it into powder, scattered it on the water, and made the Israelites drink it. <a href="/gnt/exodus/32.htm">Good News Translation</a> He took the bull-calf which they had made, melted it, ground it into fine powder, and mixed it with water. Then he made the people of Israel drink it. <a href="/isv/exodus/32.htm">International Standard Version</a> He took the calf that they had made, burned it with fire, and ground it into powder. He scattered it on the water and made the Israelis drink it. <a href="/msb/exodus/32.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Then 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. <a href="/net/exodus/32.htm">NET Bible</a> He took the calf they had made and burned it in the fire, ground it to powder, poured it out on the water, and made the Israelites drink it. <a href="/nheb/exodus/32.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> He took the calf which they had made, and burnt it with fire, ground it to powder, and scattered it on the water, and made the children of Israel drink of it. <a href="/wbt/exodus/32.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And he took the calf which they had made, and burnt it in the fire, and ground it to powder, and strewed it upon the water, and made the children of Israel drink of it. <a href="/web/exodus/32.htm">World English Bible</a> He took the calf which they had made, and burned it with fire, ground it to powder, and scattered it on the water, and made the children of Israel drink it. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/exodus/32.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> and he takes the calf which they have made, and burns [it] with fire, and grinds [it] until [it is] small, and scatters [it] on the face of the waters, and causes the sons of Israel to drink. <a href="/ylt/exodus/32.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> and he taketh the calf which they have made, and burneth it with fire, and grindeth until it is small, and scattereth on the face of the waters, and causeth the sons of Israel to drink. <a href="/slt/exodus/32.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And he will take the calf which they made, and will burn it in fire, and which he will crush even to small dust, and will scatter upon the face of the water, and will give the sons of Israel to drink.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/exodus/32.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And laying hold of the calf which they had made, he burnt it, and beat it to powder, which he strowed into water, and gave thereof to the children of Israel to drink. <a href="/cpdv/exodus/32.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And seizing the calf, which they had made, he burnt it and crushed it, even to dust, which he scattered into water. And he gave from it to the sons of Israel to drink. <a href="/nabre/exodus/32.htm">New American Bible</a> Taking the calf they had made, he burned it in the fire and then ground it down to powder, which he scattered on the water and made the Israelites drink. <a href="/nrsvce/exodus/32.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> He took the calf that they had made, burned it with fire, ground it to powder, scattered it on the water, and made the Israelites drink it.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/exodus/32.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And he took the calf which they had made, and burned it in the fire, and filed it with a file until it was ground into dust, and he scattered it upon the water, and made the children of Israel drink of it. <a href="/hpbt/exodus/32.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And when he came to the encampment he saw the calf and castanets and Moshe was angered, and he cast the tablets from his hand and he shattered them at the base of the mountain.<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/exodus/32.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> And he took the calf which they had made, and burnt it with fire, and ground it to powder, and strewed it upon the water, and made the children of Israel drink of it. <a href="/sep/exodus/32.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And having taken the calf which they made, he consumed it with fire, and ground it very small, and scattered it on the water, and made the children of Israel to drink it. <a href="/parallel/exodus/32-20.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=8405" 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 Breaks the Tablets</a> 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. 20<a href="/hebrew/3947.htm" title="3947: way·yiq·qaḥ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To take. A primitive root; to take.">Then he took</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/5695.htm" title="5695: hā·‘ê·ḡel (Art:: N-ms) -- A calf. From the same as agol; a calf, especially one nearly grown.">the calf</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc."></a> <a href="/hebrew/6213.htm" title="6213: ‘ā·śū (V-Qal-Perf-3cp) -- To do, make. A primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application.">they had made,</a> <a href="/hebrew/8313.htm" title="8313: way·yiś·rōp̄ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To burn. A primitive root; to be on fire.">burned it</a> <a href="/hebrew/784.htm" title="784: bā·’êš (Prep-b, Art:: N-cs) -- A fire. A primitive word; fire.">in the fire,</a> <a href="/hebrew/2912.htm" title="2912: way·yiṭ·ḥan (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To grind. A primitive root; to grind meal; hence, to be a concubine.">ground it</a> <a href="/hebrew/5704.htm" title="5704: ‘aḏ (Prep) -- As far as, even to, up to, until, while. Properly, the same as ad; as far as, whether of space or time or degree.">to</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer- (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1854.htm" title="1854: dāq (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To crush, pulverize, thresh. A primitive root; to crush crumble.">powder,</a> <a href="/hebrew/2219.htm" title="2219: way·yi·zer (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To scatter, fan, winnow. A primitive root; to toss about; by implication, to diffuse, winnow.">and scattered the powder</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘al- (Prep) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">over</a> <a href="/hebrew/6440.htm" title="6440: pə·nê (N-cpc) -- Face, faces. Plural of an unused noun; the face; used in a great variety of applications; also as a preposition.">the face</a> <a href="/hebrew/4325.htm" title="4325: ham·ma·yim (Art:: N-mp) -- Waters, water. Dual of a primitive noun; water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen.">of the water.</a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: bə·nê (N-mpc) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">Then he forced</a> <a href="/hebrew/3478.htm" title="3478: yiś·rā·’êl (N-proper-ms) -- From sarah and 'el; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also of his posterity.">the Israelites</a> <a href="/hebrew/8248.htm" title="8248: way·yašq (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- Cause to drink water, give to drink. A primitive root; to quaff, i.e. to irrigate or furnish a potion to.">to drink</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self.">it.</a> 21“What did this people do to you,” Moses asked Aaron, “that you have led them into so great a sin?”…<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/9-21.htm">Deuteronomy 9:21</a> And I took that sinful thing, the calf you had made, and burned it in the fire. Then I crushed it and ground it to powder as fine as dust, and I cast it into the stream that came down from the mountain. <a href="/1_kings/15-13.htm">1 Kings 15:13</a> He also removed his grandmother Maacah from her position as queen mother because she had made a detestable Asherah pole. Asa chopped down the pole and burned it in the Kidron Valley. <a href="/2_kings/23-6.htm">2 Kings 23:6</a> He brought the Asherah pole from the house of the LORD to the Kidron Valley outside Jerusalem, and there he burned it, ground it to powder, and threw its dust on the graves of the common people. <a href="/2_chronicles/15-16.htm">2 Chronicles 15:16</a> King Asa also removed his grandmother Maacah from her position as queen mother because she had made a detestable Asherah pole. Asa chopped down the pole, crushed it, and burned it in the Kidron Valley. <a href="/isaiah/2-20.htm">Isaiah 2:20</a> In that day men will cast away to the moles and bats their idols of silver and gold—the idols they made to worship. <a href="/isaiah/30-22.htm">Isaiah 30:22</a> So you will desecrate your silver-plated idols and your gold-plated images. You will throw them away like menstrual cloths, saying to them, “Be gone!” <a href="/jeremiah/44-15.htm">Jeremiah 44:15-19</a> Then all the men who knew that their wives were burning incense to other gods, and all the women standing by—a great assembly—along with all the people living in the land of Egypt and in Pathros, said to Jeremiah, / “As for the word you have spoken to us in the name of the LORD, we will not listen to you! / Instead, we will do everything we vowed to do: We will burn incense to the Queen of Heaven and offer drink offerings to her, just as we, our fathers, our kings, and our officials did in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem. At that time we had plenty of food and good things, and we saw no disaster. ... <a href="/hosea/8-6.htm">Hosea 8:6</a> 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. <a href="/hosea/13-2.htm">Hosea 13:2</a> Now they sin more and more and make for themselves cast images, idols skillfully made from their silver, all of them the work of craftsmen. People say of them, “They offer human sacrifice and kiss the calves!” <a href="/acts/7-41.htm">Acts 7:41</a> At that time they made a calf and offered a sacrifice to the idol, rejoicing in the works of their hands. <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="/galatians/4-8.htm">Galatians 4:8</a> Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods. <a href="/revelation/9-20.htm">Revelation 9:20</a> Now the rest of mankind who were not killed by these plagues still did not repent of the works of their hands. They did not stop worshiping demons and idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone, and wood, which cannot see or hear or walk. <a href="/psalms/106-19.htm">Psalm 106:19-20</a> At Horeb they made a calf and worshiped a molten image. / They exchanged their Glory for the image of a grass-eating ox. <a href="/nehemiah/9-18.htm">Nehemiah 9:18</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,</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And he took the calf which they had made, and burnt it in the fire, and ground it to powder, and strewed it on the water, and made the children of Israel drink of it.took the calf.<a href="/exodus/9-21.htm">Exodus 9:21</a> And he that regarded not the word of the LORD left his servants and his cattle in the field.<a href="/deuteronomy/7-5.htm">Deuteronomy 7:5,25</a> But thus shall ye deal with them; ye shall destroy their altars, and break down their images, and cut down their groves, and burn their graven images with fire… <a href="/deuteronomy/9-21.htm">Deuteronomy 9:21</a> And I took your sin, the calf which ye had made, and burnt it with fire, and stamped it, and ground it very small, even until it was as small as dust: and I cast the dust thereof into the brook that descended out of the mount.made the<a href="/proverbs/1-31.htm">Proverbs 1:31</a> Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.<a href="/proverbs/14-14.htm">Proverbs 14:14</a> The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: and a good man shall be satisfied from himself.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/exodus/32-19.htm">Burned</a> <a href="/genesis/39-19.htm">Burneth</a> <a href="/exodus/32-12.htm">Burning</a> <a href="/exodus/32-6.htm">Burnt</a> <a href="/exodus/32-19.htm">Calf</a> <a href="/exodus/31-17.htm">Children</a> <a href="/exodus/11-5.htm">Crushing</a> <a href="/exodus/32-6.htm">Drink</a> <a href="/exodus/30-36.htm">Face</a> <a href="/exodus/30-20.htm">Fire</a> <a href="/exodus/23-19.htm">Ground</a> <a href="/exodus/32-13.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/exodus/31-17.htm">Israelites</a> <a href="/exodus/32-8.htm">Ox</a> <a href="/exodus/30-36.htm">Powder</a> <a href="/exodus/5-12.htm">Scattered</a> <a href="/john/10-12.htm">Scattereth</a> <a href="/exodus/30-36.htm">Small</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/10-5.htm">Strewed</a> <a href="/exodus/32-12.htm">Surface</a> <a href="/exodus/30-20.htm">Water</a> <a href="/exodus/20-4.htm">Waters</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/exodus/35-16.htm">Burned</a> <a href="/leviticus/16-28.htm">Burneth</a> <a href="/exodus/35-8.htm">Burning</a> <a href="/exodus/35-16.htm">Burnt</a> <a href="/exodus/32-24.htm">Calf</a> <a href="/exodus/32-28.htm">Children</a> <a href="/leviticus/26-5.htm">Crushing</a> <a href="/exodus/34-28.htm">Drink</a> <a href="/exodus/33-11.htm">Face</a> <a href="/exodus/32-24.htm">Fire</a> <a href="/exodus/33-16.htm">Ground</a> <a href="/exodus/32-27.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/exodus/33-5.htm">Israelites</a> <a href="/exodus/32-24.htm">Ox</a> <a href="/numbers/11-8.htm">Powder</a> <a href="/leviticus/25-5.htm">Scattered</a> <a href="/2_samuel/22-15.htm">Scattereth</a> <a href="/leviticus/3-6.htm">Small</a> <a href="/2_samuel/17-19.htm">Strewed</a> <a href="/exodus/33-16.htm">Surface</a> <a href="/exodus/34-28.htm">Water</a> <a href="/leviticus/11-9.htm">Waters</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>Then he took the calf they had made Moses' action of taking the calf signifies his authority and leadership over the Israelites. The golden calf was an idol created by Aaron and the people while Moses was on Mount Sinai receiving the Ten Commandments. This act of idolatry was a direct violation of the first two commandments, highlighting the Israelites' quick turn to sin despite witnessing God's power and deliverance from Egypt.burned it in the fire Burning the calf symbolizes the destruction of the idol and the rejection of false worship. Fire often represents purification and judgment in the Bible. This act demonstrates Moses' zeal for God's holiness and his desire to eradicate idolatry from the community.ground it to powder Grinding the calf to powder signifies the complete obliteration of the idol, ensuring that it could not be reconstructed or worshipped again. This thorough destruction reflects the seriousness of idolatry and the need for total repentance and removal of sin.and scattered the powder over the face of the water By scattering the powder over the water, Moses ensures that the remains of the idol are irretrievably lost. This act may also symbolize the spreading of the consequences of sin throughout the community, as the water would have been a shared resource.Then he forced the Israelites to drink it Forcing the Israelites to drink the water mixed with the powdered idol serves as a physical and symbolic act of internalizing the consequences of their sin. It reflects the bitter results of idolatry and rebellion against God. This act can be seen as a form of judgment and a call to repentance, reminding the Israelites of their covenant with God and the need for purity and faithfulness.<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 decisively against idolatry. 2. <a href="/topical/t/the_golden_calf.htm">The Golden Calf</a> An idol made by the Israelites while Moses was on Mount Sinai receiving the Ten Commandments. It represents a significant act of rebellion against God. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_israelites.htm">The Israelites</a> The people of God who, in Moses' absence, turned to idolatry, demonstrating their lack of faith and patience. 4. <a href="/topical/m/mount_sinai.htm">Mount Sinai</a> The mountain where Moses received the Law from God. It is a place of divine revelation and covenant. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_act_of_drinking.htm">The Act of Drinking</a> Moses made the Israelites drink the water mixed with the ground powder of the calf, symbolizing the consequences of their sin.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_dangers_of_idolatry.htm">The Dangers of Idolatry</a> Idolatry is a serious sin that leads to separation from God. It can take many forms, not just physical idols, but anything that takes precedence over God in our lives. <a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_leadership.htm">The Role of Leadership</a> Moses' actions demonstrate the importance of strong, decisive leadership in guiding people back to God. Leaders must confront sin and lead with integrity. <a href="/topical/c/consequences_of_sin.htm">Consequences of Sin</a> The act of making the Israelites drink the powdered calf symbolizes the bitter consequences of sin. Sin has real, tangible effects on our lives. <a href="/topical/r/repentance_and_restoration.htm">Repentance and Restoration</a> While the Israelites faced consequences, Moses' actions also paved the way for repentance and restoration. God is always ready to forgive when we turn back to Him. <a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_faithfulness.htm">The Importance of Faithfulness</a> The Israelites' impatience led them to idolatry. We must remain faithful and patient, trusting in God's timing and promises.<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/why_did_aaron_make_the_golden_calf.htm">Why did Aaron create the golden calf for worship?</a> <a href="/q/why_worship_the_golden_calf.htm">Why did the Israelites worship the golden calf?</a> <a href="/q/how_does_deut._9_13-21_align_with_ex._32.htm">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? </a> <a href="/q/how_reconcile_exodus_34_14_with_polytheism.htm">(Exodus 34:14) How do we reconcile the commandment against worshiping other gods with archaeological finds suggesting Israel's early polytheistic practices?</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>(20) He took the calf.--To suppress the idolatry, the first step was to destroy the idol. Moses, who must have rallied to his side at once a certain number of the people, laid hold of the calf, and ordered its immediate destruction. He had it submitted to the action of fire, whereby its form was destroyed, and the material, as it would seem, calcined. This calcined material he reduced to a fine powder by rubbing or pounding, and then had the powder sprinkled on the surface of the stream which supplied the camp with water, that so the people might seem, at any rate, to swallow their own sin. Compare the action of Josiah (<a href="/2_kings/23-6.htm" title="And he brought out the grove from the house of the LORD, without Jerusalem, to the brook Kidron, and burned it at the brook Kidron, and stamped it small to powder, and cast the powder thereof on the graves of the children of the people.">2Kings 23:6</a>; <a href="/2_kings/23-12.htm" title="And the altars that were on the top of the upper chamber of Ahaz, which the kings of Judah had made, and the altars which Manasseh had made in the two courts of the house of the LORD, did the king beat down, and broke them down from there, and cast the dust of them into the brook Kidron.">2Kings 23:12</a>). No doubt, the process of destruction took some time. It is not meant that it was completed, but only that it was commenced, before Moses turned to other matters.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/exodus/32.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 20. MOSES DESTROYS THE GOLDEN CALF. The first vengeance which Moses took was upon the idol. It was probably hollow, and possibly of no great size. He might easily break it to pieces and subject the pieces to the action of fire, whereby they would be calcined, and might then be easily reduced to powder. This powder he caused to be mixed with the stream of the brook that flowed from Sinai, so that the Israelites were obliged to swallow with their drink particles of their own idol. Compare the action of Josiah with respect to the "grove" set up in the temple precincts by Manasseh (<a href="/2_kings/23-6.htm">2 Kings 23:6</a>), which was not identical, but still was similar. It has been suggested that this portion of the narrative is out of proper chronological order; and this may be so far true that the calcining and mixing with the water were at this point commanded rather than executed; but the destruction of the idol would naturally be the first thing which Moses would take in hand, and provide for, before proceeding to anything else. Only when the "abomination" was removed and. its destruction commenced, would he turn his attention to other points. Verse 20. - Burnt it and ground it to powder. Silver and gold subjected for a short time to a white heat, which may be easily produced by bellows, readily calcine, and are then easily crushed to a fine powder. Silver becomes detonating. I am not aware whether the case is the same with gold also. Strawed it - i.e., "sprinkled it." We need not suppose Moses to have done the whole - or even any part - himself. It was enough that he directed it to be done. The water. The article shows some particular water to be meant. We learn from Deuteronomy that it was the water of "the brook that descended out of the mount." Made the children of Israel drink of it. The brook being the only water readily accessible, the Israelites, if they drank at all, were compelled to risk swallowing particles of their "god." CHAPTER 32:21-24 <a href="/commentaries/exodus/32-20.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>Then he took וַיִּקַּ֞ח (way·yiq·qaḥ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3947.htm">Strong's 3947: </a> To take the calf הָעֵ֨גֶל (hā·‘ê·ḡel) Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5695.htm">Strong's 5695: </a> A, calf, one nearly grown they had made, עָשׂוּ֙ (‘ā·śū) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6213.htm">Strong's 6213: </a> To do, make burned it וַיִּשְׂרֹ֣ף (way·yiś·rōp̄) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8313.htm">Strong's 8313: </a> To be, on fire in the fire, בָּאֵ֔שׁ (bā·’êš) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_784.htm">Strong's 784: </a> A fire ground [it] וַיִּטְחַ֖ן (way·yiṭ·ḥan) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2912.htm">Strong's 2912: </a> To grind meal, to be a, concubine to עַ֣ד (‘aḏ) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5704.htm">Strong's 5704: </a> As far as, even to, up to, until, while powder, דָּ֑ק (dāq) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1854.htm">Strong's 1854: </a> To crush, pulverize, thresh and scattered [the powder] וַיִּ֙זֶר֙ (way·yi·zer) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2219.htm">Strong's 2219: </a> To toss about, to diffuse, winnow over עַל־ (‘al-) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> Above, over, upon, against the face פְּנֵ֣י (pə·nê) Noun - common plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6440.htm">Strong's 6440: </a> The face of the water. הַמַּ֔יִם (ham·ma·yim) Article | Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4325.htm">Strong's 4325: </a> Water, juice, urine, semen Then he forced בְּנֵ֥י (bə·nê) Noun - masculine plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> A son the Israelites יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ (yiś·rā·’êl) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3478.htm">Strong's 3478: </a> Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc to drink וַיַּ֖שְׁקְ (way·yašq) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8248.htm">Strong's 8248: </a> To quaff, to irrigate, furnish a, potion to it. אֶת־ (’eṯ-) Direct object marker <a href="/hebrew/strongs_853.htm">Strong's 853: </a> Untranslatable mark of the accusative case <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/exodus/32-20.htm">Exodus 32:20 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/exodus/32-20.htm">Exodus 32:20 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/exodus/32-20.htm">Exodus 32:20 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/exodus/32-20.htm">Exodus 32:20 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/exodus/32-20.htm">Exodus 32:20 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/exodus/32-20.htm">Exodus 32:20 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/exodus/32-20.htm">Exodus 32:20 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/exodus/32-20.htm">Exodus 32:20 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/exodus/32-20.htm">Exodus 32:20 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/exodus/32-20.htm">Exodus 32:20 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/exodus/32-20.htm">OT Law: Exodus 32:20 He took the calf which they had (Exo. Ex) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/exodus/32-19.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Exodus 32:19"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Exodus 32:19" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/exodus/32-21.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Exodus 32:21"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Exodus 32:21" /></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>