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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 32:28 The Levites did as Moses commanded, and that day about three thousand of the people fell dead.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/exodus/32-28.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/1/02_Exo_32_28.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Exodus 32:28 - Moses Breaks the Tablets" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="The Levites did as Moses commanded, and that day about three thousand of the people fell dead." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/exodus/32-28.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/exodus/32-28.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/exodus/">Exodus</a> > <a href="/exodus/32.htm">Chapter 32</a> > Verse 28</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad8.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/exodus/32-27.htm" title="Exodus 32:27">◄</a> Exodus 32:28 <a href="/exodus/32-29.htm" title="Exodus 32:29">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/exodus/32.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/exodus/32.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />The Levites did as Moses commanded, and that day about three thousand of the people died.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/exodus/32.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />The Levites obeyed Moses’ command, and about 3,000 people died that day.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/exodus/32.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And the sons of Levi did according to the word of Moses. And that day about three thousand men of the people fell.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/exodus/32.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />The Levites did as Moses commanded, and that day about three thousand of the people fell dead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/exodus/32.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And the children of Levi did according to the word of Moses: and there fell of the people that day about three thousand men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/exodus/32.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />So the sons of Levi did according to the word of Moses. And about three thousand men of the people fell that day.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/exodus/32.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />So the sons of Levi did as Moses instructed, and about three thousand men of the people fell that day.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/exodus/32.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />So the sons of Levi did as Moses instructed, and about three thousand men of the people fell that day.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/exodus/32.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />So the sons of Levi did as Moses instructed, and about three thousand men of the people fell that day.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/exodus/32.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />So the sons of Levi did according to the word of Moses, and about three thousand men of the people fell that day.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/exodus/32.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />So the sons of Levi did as Moses instructed, and about three thousand men of the people [of Israel] were killed that day.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/exodus/32.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The Levites did as Moses commanded, and about three thousand men fell dead that day among the people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/exodus/32.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The Levites did as Moses commanded, and about 3,000 men fell dead that day among the people. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/exodus/32.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And the sons of Levi did according to the word of Moses: and there fell of the people that day about three thousand men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/exodus/32.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />The men of the Levi tribe followed his orders, and that day they killed about 3,000 men. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/exodus/32.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And the sons of Levi did according to the word of Moses: and there fell of the people that day about three thousand men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/exodus/32.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />The Levites did what Moses told them, and that day about 3,000 people died.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/exodus/32.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />The Levites obeyed, and killed about three thousand men that day. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/exodus/32.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />The descendants of Levi did just as Moses told them, and about 3,000 people died that day. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/exodus/32.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />The Levites did as Moses commanded, and that day about three thousand of the people fell dead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/exodus/32.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />The Levites did what Moses ordered, and that day about three thousand men of the people died.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/exodus/32.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />The sons of Levi did according to the word of Moses: and there fell of the people that day about three thousand men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/exodus/32.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And the children of Levi did according to the word of Moses: and there fell of the people that day about three thousand men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/exodus/32.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />The sons of Levi did according to the word of Moses. About three thousand men fell of the people that day. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/exodus/32.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And the sons of Levi do according to the word of Moses, and there falls of the people on that day about three thousand men,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/exodus/32.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And the sons of Levi do according to the word of Moses, and there fall of the people on that day about three thousand men,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/exodus/32.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And the sons of Levi will do according to the word of Moses: and there will fall from the people in that day about three thousand men.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/exodus/32.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And the sons of Levi did according to the words of Moses, and there were slain that day about three and twenty thousand men. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/exodus/32.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And the sons of Levi did according to the words of Moses, and there fell on that day about twenty-three thousand men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/exodus/32.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />The Levites did as Moses had commanded, and that day about three thousand of the people fell.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/exodus/32.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />The sons of Levi did as Moses commanded, and about three thousand of the people fell on that day.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/exodus/32.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And the Levites did according to the word of Moses; and there fell of the people that day about three thousand men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/exodus/32.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And Moshe said to them, “Thus says LORD JEHOVAH, God of Israel, ‘Throw a man his sword around his waist and pass through and turn from door to door in the camp, and kill each man his brother, and each man his neighbor, and each man his relative.”<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/exodus/32.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And the sons of Levi did according to the word of Moses; and there fell of the people that day about three thousand men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/exodus/32.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And the sons of Levi did as Moses spoke to them, and there fell of the people in that day to the <i>number of</i> three thousand men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/exodus/32-28.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kVae3PiKqhs?start=8485" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/exodus/32.htm">Moses Breaks the Tablets</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">27</span>He told them, “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘Each of you men is to fasten his sword to his side, go back and forth through the camp from gate to gate, and slay his brother, his friend, and his neighbor.’ ” <span class="reftext">28</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: ḇə·nê- (N-mpc) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">The Levites</a> <a href="/hebrew/3878.htm" title="3878: lê·wî (N-proper-ms) -- A son of Jacob, also the tribe descended from him. From lavah; attached; Levi, a son of Jacob."></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.">did</a> <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.">as Moses</a> <a href="/hebrew/1697.htm" title="1697: kiḏ·ḇar (Prep-k:: N-msc) -- Speech, word. From dabar; a word; by implication, a matter or thing; adverbially, a cause.">commanded,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1931.htm" title="1931: ha·hū (Art:: Pro-3ms) -- He, she, it. ">and that</a> <a href="/hebrew/3117.htm" title="3117: bay·yō·wm (Prep-b, Art:: N-ms) -- Day. From an unused root meaning to be hot; a day, whether literal, or figurative.">day</a> <a href="/hebrew/7969.htm" title="7969: kiš·lō·šeṯ (Prep-k:: Number-msc) -- A three, triad. Or shalosh; masculine shlowshah; or shloshah; a primitive number; three; occasionally third, or Thrice.">about three</a> <a href="/hebrew/505.htm" title="505: ’al·p̄ê (Number-mpc) -- A thousand. Prop, the same as 'eleph; hence a thousand.">thousand</a> <a href="/hebrew/376.htm" title="376: ’îš (N-ms) -- Man. Contracted for 'enowsh; a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term."></a> <a href="/hebrew/4480.htm" title="4480: min- (Prep) -- From. Or minniy; or minney; for men; properly, a part of; hence, from or out of in many senses.">of</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.">the people</a> <a href="/hebrew/5307.htm" title="5307: way·yip·pōl (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To fall, lie. A primitive root; to fall, in a great variety of applications.">fell dead.</a> </span><span class="reftext">29</span>Afterward, Moses said, “Today you have been ordained for service to the LORD, since each man went against his son and his brother; so the LORD has bestowed a blessing on you this day.”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/25-5.htm">Numbers 25:5-9</a></span><br />So Moses told the judges of Israel, “Each of you must kill all of his men who have joined in worshiping Baal of Peor.” / Just then an Israelite man brought to his family a Midianite woman in the sight of Moses and the whole congregation of Israel while they were weeping at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. / On seeing this, Phinehas son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, got up from the assembly, took a spear in his hand, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/13-6.htm">Deuteronomy 13:6-11</a></span><br />If your very own brother, or your son or daughter, or the wife you embrace, or your closest friend secretly entices you, saying, “Let us go and worship other gods” (which neither you nor your fathers have known, / the gods of the peoples around you, whether near or far, whether from one end of the earth or the other), / you must not yield to him or listen to him. Show him no pity, and do not spare him or shield him. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/18-40.htm">1 Kings 18:40</a></span><br />Then Elijah ordered them, “Seize the prophets of Baal! Do not let a single one escape.” So they seized them, and Elijah brought them down to the Kishon Valley and slaughtered them there.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/33-9.htm">Deuteronomy 33:9</a></span><br />He said of his father and mother, ‘I do not consider them.’ He disregarded his brothers and did not know his own sons, for he kept Your word and maintained Your covenant.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/16-32.htm">Numbers 16:32-35</a></span><br />and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them and their households—all Korah’s men and all their possessions. / They went down alive into Sheol with all they owned. The earth closed over them, and they vanished from the assembly. / At their cries, all the people of Israel who were around them fled, saying, “The earth may swallow us too!” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/15-3.htm">1 Samuel 15:3</a></span><br />Now go and attack the Amalekites and devote to destruction all that belongs to them. Do not spare them, but put to death men and women, children and infants, oxen and sheep, camels and donkeys.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joshua/7-24.htm">Joshua 7:24-25</a></span><br />Then Joshua, together with all Israel, took Achan son of Zerah, the silver, the cloak, the bar of gold, his sons and daughters, his oxen and donkeys and sheep, his tent, and everything else he owned, and brought them to the Valley of Achor. / “Why have you brought this trouble upon us?” said Joshua. “Today the LORD will bring trouble upon you!” And all Israel stoned him to death. Then they stoned the others and burned their bodies.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/15-13.htm">2 Chronicles 15:13</a></span><br />And whoever would not seek the LORD, the God of Israel, would be put to death, whether young or old, man or woman.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/judges/20-35.htm">Judges 20:35</a></span><br />The LORD defeated Benjamin in the presence of Israel, and on that day the Israelites slaughtered 25,100 Benjamites, all armed with swords.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/10-25.htm">2 Kings 10:25</a></span><br />When he had finished making the burnt offering, Jehu said to the guards and officers, “Go in and kill them. Do not let anyone out.” So the guards and officers put them to the sword, threw the bodies out, and went into the inner room of the temple of Baal.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/10-37.htm">Matthew 10:37</a></span><br />Anyone who loves his father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/14-26.htm">Luke 14:26</a></span><br />“If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be My disciple.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/5-29.htm">Acts 5:29</a></span><br />But Peter and the other apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/10-28.htm">Hebrews 10:28-29</a></span><br />Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. / How much more severely do you think one deserves to be punished who has trampled on the Son of God, profaned the blood of the covenant that sanctified him, and insulted the Spirit of grace?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/2-14.htm">Revelation 2:14-16</a></span><br />But I have a few things against you, because some of you hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to place a stumbling block before the Israelites so they would eat food sacrificed to idols and commit sexual immorality. / In the same way, some of you also hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. / Therefore repent! Otherwise I will come to you shortly and wage war against them with the sword of My mouth.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And the children of Levi did according to the word of Moses: and there fell of the people that day about three thousand men.</p><p class="hdg">children</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/33-9.htm">Deuteronomy 33:9</a></b></br> Who said unto his father and to his mother, I have not seen him; neither did he acknowledge his brethren, nor knew his own children: for they have observed thy word, and kept thy covenant.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/malachi/2-4.htm">Malachi 2:4-6</a></b></br> And ye shall know that I have sent this commandment unto you, that my covenant might be with Levi, saith the LORD of hosts… </p><p class="hdg">there fell</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/16-32.htm">Numbers 16:32-35,41</a></b></br> And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up, and their houses, and all the men that <i>appertained</i> unto Korah, and all <i>their</i> goods… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_corinthians/10-8.htm">1 Corinthians 10:8</a></b></br> Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/hebrews/2-2.htm">Hebrews 2:2,3</a></b></br> For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; … </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/exodus/32-20.htm">Children</a> <a href="/exodus/32-8.htm">Commanded</a> <a href="/exodus/31-15.htm">Death</a> <a href="/exodus/22-14.htm">Died</a> <a href="/exodus/21-33.htm">Fall</a> <a href="/exodus/9-24.htm">Fell</a> <a href="/exodus/12-35.htm">Instructed</a> <a href="/exodus/32-26.htm">Levi</a> <a href="/exodus/32-26.htm">Moses</a> <a href="/exodus/20-6.htm">Thousand</a> <a href="/exodus/27-15.htm">Three</a> <a href="/exodus/22-16.htm">Word</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/exodus/33-5.htm">Children</a> <a href="/exodus/34-4.htm">Commanded</a> <a href="/exodus/35-2.htm">Death</a> <a href="/leviticus/10-2.htm">Died</a> <a href="/leviticus/9-24.htm">Fall</a> <a href="/leviticus/9-24.htm">Fell</a> <a href="/leviticus/26-23.htm">Instructed</a> <a href="/numbers/1-47.htm">Levi</a> <a href="/exodus/32-29.htm">Moses</a> <a href="/exodus/38-25.htm">Thousand</a> <a href="/exodus/34-23.htm">Three</a> <a href="/exodus/32-34.htm">Word</a><div class="vheading2">Exodus 32</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/32-1.htm">The people in the absence of Moses, caused Aaron to make a calf</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/32-7.htm">God informs Moses, who intercedes for Israel, and prevails</a></span><br><span class="reftext">15. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/32-15.htm">Moses comes down with the tablets</a></span><br><span class="reftext">19. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/32-19.htm">He breaks them</a></span><br><span class="reftext">20. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/32-20.htm">He destroys the calf</a></span><br><span class="reftext">22. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/32-22.htm">Aaron's excuse for himself</a></span><br><span class="reftext">25. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/32-25.htm">Moses causes the idolaters to be slain</a></span><br><span class="reftext">30. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/32-30.htm">He prays for the people</a></span><br></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><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <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> <br /><br /> </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><b>The Levites did as Moses commanded</b><br>The Levites, a tribe set apart for priestly duties, demonstrated obedience to Moses, who acted as God's representative. This act of obedience highlights the Levites' role as defenders of God's holiness. Their actions here foreshadow their future role as the priestly tribe in Israel. This obedience is a stark contrast to the idolatry of the golden calf, showing a clear division between those who follow God's commands and those who do not. The Levites' loyalty here is rewarded later when they are chosen to serve in the tabernacle (<a href="/numbers/3-5.htm">Numbers 3:5-10</a>).<p><b>and that day about three thousand of the people fell dead</b><br>This phrase indicates the severe consequence of idolatry and rebellion against God. The number "three thousand" is significant, as it represents a substantial portion of the population, emphasizing the seriousness of the sin and the need for purification among the people. This event serves as a sobering reminder of the holiness of God and the seriousness of sin. It also prefigures the New Testament concept of spiritual death due to sin (<a href="/romans/6-23.htm">Romans 6:23</a>). The judgment here is immediate and physical, contrasting with the spiritual life offered through Christ, who provides a way to escape eternal death (<a href="/john/3-16.htm">John 3:16</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/m/moses.htm">Moses</a></b><br>The leader of the Israelites, who was on Mount Sinai receiving the Law from God when the events of <a href="/bsb/exodus/32.htm">Exodus 32</a> occurred.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_levites.htm">The Levites</a></b><br>The tribe chosen by God to carry out the priestly duties. In this passage, they are called to execute judgment on those who sinned against God.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_israelites.htm">The Israelites</a></b><br>The people of God who, in Moses' absence, created and worshiped a golden calf, committing idolatry.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/m/mount_sinai.htm">Mount Sinai</a></b><br>The mountain where Moses received the Ten Commandments and where the Israelites camped during this event.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_golden_calf.htm">The Golden Calf</a></b><br>An idol made by the Israelites, representing a significant act of rebellion against God.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_seriousness_of_idolatry.htm">The Seriousness of Idolatry</a></b><br>Idolatry is a grave sin that provokes God's wrath. Believers must guard their hearts against placing anything above God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_call_to_holiness.htm">The Call to Holiness</a></b><br>Like the Levites, Christians are called to be set apart and to uphold God's standards, even when it is difficult.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_cost_of_disobedience.htm">The Cost of Disobedience</a></b><br>Sin has serious consequences, as seen in the judgment executed by the Levites. This serves as a warning to live in obedience to God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_leadership.htm">The Role of Leadership</a></b><br>Moses' leadership and intercession for the people highlight the importance of godly leadership in guiding others back to righteousness.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_repentance.htm">The Importance of Repentance</a></b><br>The Israelites' sin and subsequent judgment underscore the need for genuine repentance and turning back to God.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_exodus_32.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Exodus 32</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/priests_vs._levites__role_differences.htm">How do priests and Levites differ in their roles?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_worship_the_golden_calf.htm">Why did the Israelites worship the golden calf?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_punish_many_for_few's_actions.htm">If God is just, why were thousands punished for the actions of a few in Numbers 16:49? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_exodus_32_25-28_record_3,000_deaths.htm">Why does Exodus 32:25-28 record the killing of about three thousand people, and is there any historical or archaeological support for such a large-scale event?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/exodus/32.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 28.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">About three thousand</span>. We cannot gather from this, as some have done, that the Levites who rallied to Moses were only 3,000 - for every Levite was not obliged to kill a man - but only that, when this number was slain, the idolaters desisted from their orgy <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/exodus/32-28.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">The Levites</span><br /><span class="heb">בְנֵֽי־</span> <span class="translit">(ḇə·nê-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> </span><span class="str2">A son</span><br /><br /><span class="word">did</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיַּֽעֲשׂ֥וּ</span> <span class="translit">(way·ya·‘ă·śū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6213.htm">Strong's 6213: </a> </span><span class="str2">To do, make</span><br /><br /><span class="word">as Moses</span><br /><span class="heb">מֹשֶׁ֑ה</span> <span class="translit">(mō·šeh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4872.htm">Strong's 4872: </a> </span><span class="str2">Moses -- a great Israelite leader, prophet and lawgiver</span><br /><br /><span class="word">commanded,</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּדְבַ֣ר</span> <span class="translit">(kiḏ·ḇar)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-k | Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1697.htm">Strong's 1697: </a> </span><span class="str2">A word, a matter, thing, a cause</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and that</span><br /><span class="heb">הַה֔וּא</span> <span class="translit">(ha·hū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Pronoun - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1931.htm">Strong's 1931: </a> </span><span class="str2">He, self, the same, this, that, as, are</span><br /><br /><span class="word">day</span><br /><span class="heb">בַּיּ֣וֹם</span> <span class="translit">(bay·yō·wm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3117.htm">Strong's 3117: </a> </span><span class="str2">A day</span><br /><br /><span class="word">about three</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּשְׁלֹ֥שֶׁת</span> <span class="translit">(kiš·lō·šeṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-k | Number - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7969.htm">Strong's 7969: </a> </span><span class="str2">Three, third, thrice</span><br /><br /><span class="word">thousand</span><br /><span class="heb">אַלְפֵ֖י</span> <span class="translit">(’al·p̄ê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Number - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_505.htm">Strong's 505: </a> </span><span class="str2">A thousand</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of</span><br /><span class="heb">מִן־</span> <span class="translit">(min-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4480.htm">Strong's 4480: </a> </span><span class="str2">A part of, from, out of</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the people</span><br /><span class="heb">הָעָם֙</span> <span class="translit">(hā·‘ām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5971.htm">Strong's 5971: </a> </span><span class="str2">A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock</span><br /><br /><span class="word">fell dead.</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיִּפֹּ֤ל</span> <span class="translit">(way·yip·pōl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5307.htm">Strong's 5307: </a> </span><span class="str2">To fall, lie</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/exodus/32-28.htm">Exodus 32:28 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/exodus/32-28.htm">Exodus 32:28 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/exodus/32-28.htm">Exodus 32:28 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/exodus/32-28.htm">Exodus 32:28 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/exodus/32-28.htm">Exodus 32:28 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/exodus/32-28.htm">Exodus 32:28 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/exodus/32-28.htm">Exodus 32:28 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/exodus/32-28.htm">Exodus 32:28 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/exodus/32-28.htm">Exodus 32:28 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/exodus/32-28.htm">Exodus 32:28 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/exodus/32-28.htm">OT Law: Exodus 32:28 The sons of Levi did according (Exo. Ex) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/exodus/32-27.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Exodus 32:27"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Exodus 32:27" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/exodus/32-29.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Exodus 32:29"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Exodus 32:29" /></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>