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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 32:15 Then Moses turned and went down the mountain with the two tablets of the Testimony in his hands. They were inscribed on both sides, front and back.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/exodus/32-15.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/7/02_Exo_32_15.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Exodus 32:15 - Moses Descends with the Tablets" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Then Moses turned and went down the mountain with the two tablets of the Testimony in his hands. 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They were inscribed on both sides, front and back.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/exodus/32.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Then Moses turned and went down the mountain. He held in his hands the two stone tablets inscribed with the terms of the covenant. They were inscribed on both sides, front and back.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/exodus/32.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Then Moses turned and went down from the mountain with the two tablets of the testimony in his hand, tablets that were written on both sides; on the front and on the back they were written.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/exodus/32.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then Moses turned and went down the mountain with the two tablets of the Testimony in his hands. They were inscribed on both sides, front and back.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/exodus/32.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And Moses turned, and went down from the mount, and the two tables of the testimony <i>were</i> in his hand: the tables <i>were</i> written on both their sides; on the one side and on the other <i>were</i> they written.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/exodus/32.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />And Moses turned and went down from the mountain, and the two tablets of the Testimony <i>were</i> in his hand. The tablets <i>were</i> written on both sides; on the one <i>side</i> and on the other they were written.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/exodus/32.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then Moses turned and went down from the mountain with the two tablets of the testimony in his hand, tablets which were written on both sides; they were written on one <i>side</i> and the other.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/exodus/32.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Then Moses turned and went down from the mountain with the two tablets of the testimony in his hand, tablets which were written on both sides; they were written on one side and the other.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/exodus/32.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Then Moses turned and went down from the mountain with the two tablets of the testimony in his hand, tablets which were written on both sides; they were written on one <i>side</i> and the other.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/exodus/32.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Then Moses turned and went down from the mountain. And the two tablets of the testimony were in his hand, tablets which were written on both sides; they were written on one <i>side</i> and the other.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/exodus/32.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Then Moses turned and went down from the mountain with the two tablets of the Testimony in his hand; tablets that were written on both sides—they were written on one side and on the other.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/exodus/32.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then Moses turned and went down the mountain with the two tablets of the testimony in his hands. They were inscribed on both sides—inscribed front and back.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/exodus/32.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then Moses turned and went down the mountain with the two tablets of the testimony in his hands. They were inscribed on both sides—inscribed front and back. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/exodus/32.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And Moses turned, and went down from the mount, with the two tables of the testimony in his hand; tables that were written on both their sides; on the one side and on the other were they written.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/exodus/32.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And Moses turned, and went down from the mount, with the two tables of the testimony in his hand; tables that were written on both their sides; on the one side and on the other were they written.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/exodus/32.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Moses turned and went down the mountain carrying the two tablets with God's words. They were written on both sides, front and back.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/exodus/32.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Moses went back down the mountain, carrying the two stone tablets with the commandments written on both sides. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/exodus/32.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Then Moses turned and went down the mountain with the two Tablets of the Testimony in his hand, tablets which were written on both sides. They were written on one side and the other. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/exodus/32.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Moses turned and went down from the mountain with the two tablets of the testimony in his hands. The tablets were written on both sides--they were written on the front and on the back.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/exodus/32.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Moses turned, and went down from the mountain, with the two tablets of the testimony in his hand; tablets that were written on both their sides; on the one side and on the other they were written.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/exodus/32.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And Moses turned, and went down from the mount, and the two tables of the testimony were in his hand: the tables were written on both their sides; on the one side and on the other were they written.<div class="vheading2"><b>Majority Text Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/exodus/32.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then Moses turned and went down the mountain with the two tablets of the Testimony in his hands. They were inscribed on both sides, front and back.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/exodus/32.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Moses turned, and went down from the mountain, with the two tablets of the covenant in his hand; tablets that were written on both their sides. They were written on one side and on the other. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/exodus/32.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And Moses turns, and goes down from the mountain, and the two tablets of the Testimony [are] in his hand, tablets written on both their sides; they [are] written on this [side] and on that [side];<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/exodus/32.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And Moses turneth, and goeth down from the mount, and the two tables of the testimony are in his hand, tables written on both their sides, on this and on that are they written;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/exodus/32.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And Moses will turn and will go down from the mount, and the two tables of testimony in his hand: the tables were written from the two opposite sides; from hence and from thence they were written.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/exodus/32.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And Moses returned from the mount, carrying the two tables of the testimony in his hand, written on both sides, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/exodus/32.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And Moses returned from the mountain, carrying the two tablets of the testimony in his hand, written on both sides,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/exodus/32.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Moses then turned and came down the mountain with the two tablets of the covenant in his hands, tablets that were written on both sides, front and back.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/exodus/32.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Then Moses turned and went down from the mountain, carrying the two tablets of the covenant in his hands, tablets that were written on both sides, written on the front and on the back.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/exodus/32.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And Moses turned and went down from the mountain, and the two stone tablets of the testimony were in his hand, the tablets that were written on both sides; on the one side and on the other were they written.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/exodus/32.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And LORD JEHOVAH came to an agreement concerning the evil that He said to do to his people.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/exodus/32.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And Moses turned, and went down from the mount, with the two tables of the testimony in his hand; tables that were written on both their sides; on the one side and on the other were they written.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/exodus/32.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And Moses turned and went down from the mountain, and the two tables of testimony were in his hands, tables of stone written on both their sides: they were written within and without.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/exodus/32-15.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=8362" 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 Descends with the Tablets</a></span><br> <span class="reftext">15</span><span class="highl"><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.">Then Moses</a> <a href="/hebrew/6437.htm" title="6437: way·yi·p̄en (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To turn. A primitive root; to turn; by implication, to face, i.e. Appear, look, etc.">turned</a> <a href="/hebrew/3381.htm" title="3381: way·yê·reḏ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To come or go down, descend. ">and went down</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."></a> <a href="/hebrew/2022.htm" title="2022: hā·hār (Art:: N-ms) -- Mountain, hill, hill country. A shortened form of harar; a mountain or range of hills.">the mountain</a> <a href="/hebrew/8147.htm" title="8147: ū·šə·nê (Conj-w:: Number-mdc) -- Two (a card. number). Dual of sheniy; feminine shttayim; two; also twofold.">with the two</a> <a href="/hebrew/3871.htm" title="3871: lu·ḥōṯ (N-mpc) -- A tablet, board or plank, a plate. Or luach; from a primitive root; probably meaning to glisten; a tablet, of stone, wood or metal.">tablets</a> <a href="/hebrew/5715.htm" title="5715: hā·‘ê·ḏuṯ (Art:: N-fs) -- Testimony. Feminine of ed; testimony.">of the Testimony</a> <a href="/hebrew/3027.htm" title="3027: bə·yā·ḏōw (Prep-b:: N-fsc:: 3ms) -- Hand (indicating power, means, direction, etc.)">in his hands.</a> <a href="/hebrew/3871.htm" title="3871: lu·ḥōṯ (N-mp) -- A tablet, board or plank, a plate. Or luach; from a primitive root; probably meaning to glisten; a tablet, of stone, wood or metal."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3789.htm" title="3789: kə·ṯu·ḇîm (V-Qal-QalPassPrtcpl-mp) -- To write. A primitive root; to grave, by implication, to write.">They were inscribed</a> <a href="/hebrew/8147.htm" title="8147: miš·šə·nê (Prep-m:: Number-mdc) -- Two (a card. number). Dual of sheniy; feminine shttayim; two; also twofold.">on both</a> <a href="/hebrew/5676.htm" title="5676: ‘eḇ·rê·hem (N-mpc:: 3mp) -- Region across or beyond, side. From abar; properly, a region across; but used only adverbially on the opposite side.">sides,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1992.htm" title="1992: hêm (Pro-3mp) -- They. Or hemmah; masculine plural from halak; they."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3789.htm" title="3789: kə·ṯu·ḇîm (V-Qal-QalPassPrtcpl-mp) -- To write. A primitive root; to grave, by implication, to write."></a> <a href="/hebrew/2088.htm" title="2088: miz·zeh (Prep-m:: Pro-ms) -- This, here. A primitive word; the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that.">front</a> <a href="/hebrew/2088.htm" title="2088: ū·miz·zeh (Conj-w, Prep-m:: Pro-ms) -- This, here. A primitive word; the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that.">and back.</a> </span><span class="reftext">16</span>The tablets were the work of God, and the writing was the writing of God, engraved on the tablets.…<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="/deuteronomy/9-15.htm">Deuteronomy 9:15-17</a></span><br />So I went back down the mountain while it was blazing with fire, with the two tablets of the covenant in my hands. / And I saw how you had sinned against the LORD your God; you had made for yourselves a molten calf. You had turned aside quickly from the way that the LORD had commanded you. / So I took the two tablets and threw them out of my hands, shattering them before your eyes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/24-12.htm">Exodus 24:12</a></span><br />Then the LORD said to Moses, “Come up to Me on the mountain and stay here, so that I may give you the tablets of stone, with the law and commandments I have written for their instruction.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/31-18.htm">Exodus 31:18</a></span><br />When the LORD had finished speaking with Moses on Mount Sinai, He gave him the two tablets of the Testimony, tablets of stone inscribed by the finger of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/10-1.htm">Deuteronomy 10:1-5</a></span><br />At that time the LORD said to me, “Chisel out two stone tablets like the originals, come up to Me on the mountain, and make an ark of wood. / And I will write on the tablets the words that were on the first tablets, which you broke; and you are to place them in the ark.” / So I made an ark of acacia wood, chiseled out two stone tablets like the originals, and went up the mountain with the two tablets in my hands. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/3-7.htm">2 Corinthians 3:7-8</a></span><br />Now if the ministry of death, which was engraved in letters on stone, came with such glory that the Israelites could not gaze at the face of Moses because of its fleeting glory, / will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/9-4.htm">Hebrews 9:4</a></span><br />containing the golden altar of incense and the gold-covered ark of the covenant. Inside the ark were the gold jar of manna, Aaron’s staff that had budded, and the stone tablets of the covenant.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/34-1.htm">Exodus 34:1</a></span><br />Then the LORD said to Moses, “Chisel out two stone tablets like the originals, and I will write on them the words that were on the first tablets, which you broke.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/34-29.htm">Exodus 34:29</a></span><br />And when Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the Testimony in his hands, he was unaware that his face had become radiant from speaking with the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/3-3.htm">2 Corinthians 3:3</a></span><br />It is clear that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/3-13.htm">2 Corinthians 3:13</a></span><br />We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to keep the Israelites from gazing at the end of what was fading away.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/5-17.htm">Matthew 5:17-18</a></span><br />Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them. / For I tell you truly, until heaven and earth pass away, not a single jot, not a stroke of a pen, will disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/7-12.htm">Romans 7:12</a></span><br />So then, the law is holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous, and good.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/3-19.htm">Galatians 3:19</a></span><br />Why then was the law given? It was added because of transgressions, until the arrival of the seed to whom the promise referred. It was administered through angels by a mediator.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/3-5.htm">Hebrews 3:5</a></span><br />Now Moses was faithful as a servant in all God’s house, testifying to what would be spoken later.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/nehemiah/9-13.htm">Nehemiah 9:13-14</a></span><br />You came down on Mount Sinai and spoke with them from heaven. You gave them just ordinances, true laws, and good statutes and commandments. / You revealed to them Your holy Sabbath and gave them commandments and statutes and laws through Your servant Moses.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And Moses turned, and went down from the mount, and the two tables of the testimony were in his hand: the tables were written on both their sides; on the one side and on the other were they written.</p><p class="hdg">turned</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/24-18.htm">Exodus 24:18</a></b></br> And Moses went into the midst of the cloud, and gat him up into the mount: and Moses was in the mount forty days and forty nights.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/9-15.htm">Deuteronomy 9:15</a></b></br> So I turned and came down from the mount, and the mount burned with fire: and the two tables of the covenant <i>were</i> in my two hands.</p><p class="hdg">the testimony</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/16-34.htm">Exodus 16:34</a></b></br> As the LORD commanded Moses, so Aaron laid it up before the Testimony, to be kept.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/40-20.htm">Exodus 40:20</a></b></br> And he took and put the testimony into the ark, and set the staves on the ark, and put the mercy seat above upon the ark:</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/5-22.htm">Deuteronomy 5:22</a></b></br> These words the LORD spake unto all your assembly in the mount out of the midst of the fire, of the cloud, and of the thick darkness, with a great voice: and he added no more. And he wrote them in two tables of stone, and delivered them unto me.</p><p class="hdg">written</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/revelation/5-1.htm">Revelation 5:1</a></b></br> And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/exodus/32-5.htm">Front</a> <a href="/exodus/32-11.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/exodus/30-21.htm">Hands</a> <a href="/exodus/31-18.htm">Inscribed</a> <a href="/exodus/31-18.htm">Law</a> <a href="/exodus/32-11.htm">Moses</a> <a href="/exodus/32-1.htm">Mount</a> <a href="/exodus/32-1.htm">Mountain</a> <a href="/exodus/30-4.htm">Side</a> <a href="/exodus/30-4.htm">Sides</a> <a href="/exodus/31-18.htm">Stones</a> <a href="/exodus/31-18.htm">Tables</a> <a href="/exodus/31-18.htm">Tablets</a> <a href="/exodus/31-18.htm">Testimony</a> <a href="/exodus/32-14.htm">Turned</a> <a href="/exodus/14-27.htm">Turneth</a> <a href="/exodus/31-18.htm">Writing</a> <a href="/exodus/31-18.htm">Written</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/exodus/33-19.htm">Front</a> <a href="/exodus/33-22.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/exodus/32-19.htm">Hands</a> <a href="/exodus/39-30.htm">Inscribed</a> <a href="/exodus/39-35.htm">Law</a> <a href="/exodus/32-17.htm">Moses</a> <a href="/exodus/32-19.htm">Mount</a> <a href="/exodus/32-19.htm">Mountain</a> <a href="/exodus/32-26.htm">Side</a> <a href="/exodus/36-27.htm">Sides</a> <a href="/exodus/32-16.htm">Stones</a> <a href="/exodus/32-16.htm">Tables</a> <a href="/exodus/32-16.htm">Tablets</a> <a href="/exodus/34-29.htm">Testimony</a> <a href="/exodus/33-11.htm">Turned</a> <a href="/exodus/32-31.htm">Turneth</a> <a href="/exodus/32-16.htm">Writing</a> <a href="/exodus/32-32.htm">Written</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>Then Moses turned and went down the mountain</b><br>Moses had been on Mount Sinai for forty days and nights, receiving the Law from God (<a href="/exodus/24-18.htm">Exodus 24:18</a>). This descent marks a pivotal moment as he returns to the Israelites, who have fallen into idolatry with the golden calf (<a href="/exodus/32.htm">Exodus 32:1-6</a>). The mountain, Sinai, is traditionally identified with Jebel Musa in the Sinai Peninsula, a place of divine encounter and revelation.<p><b>with the two tablets of the Testimony in his hands.</b><br>The tablets are described as the "Testimony," signifying their role as a witness to the covenant between God and Israel. These stone tablets, inscribed by the finger of God (<a href="/exodus/31-18.htm">Exodus 31:18</a>), contain the Ten Commandments, foundational laws for the Israelite community. The physical tablets symbolize God's direct communication and covenant with His people.<p><b>They were inscribed on both sides, front and back.</b><br>The detail of the tablets being inscribed on both sides emphasizes the completeness and sufficiency of God's Law. This unique feature suggests the thoroughness of God's commandments, leaving no aspect of life untouched. The dual-sided inscription may also symbolize the comprehensive nature of the covenant, covering all aspects of the relationship between God and His people.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/m/moses.htm">Moses</a></b><br>The leader of the Israelites, chosen by God to deliver His people from Egypt. At this point, Moses is returning from Mount Sinai after receiving the Ten Commandments.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/m/mount_sinai.htm">Mount Sinai</a></b><br>The mountain where Moses received the Law from God. It is a significant place of divine revelation and covenant between God and Israel.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_two_tablets_of_the_testimony.htm">The Two Tablets of the Testimony</a></b><br>These are the stone tablets inscribed by God with the Ten Commandments, representing God's covenant and law for His people.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_israelites.htm">The Israelites</a></b><br>The people of God who are waiting at the base of Mount Sinai. They have fallen into idolatry by worshiping the golden calf during Moses' absence.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_golden_calf_incident.htm">The Golden Calf Incident</a></b><br>While Moses was on Mount Sinai, the Israelites, led by Aaron, created and worshiped a golden calf, breaking the covenant with God.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_god's_law.htm">The Importance of God's Law</a></b><br>The tablets symbolize God's covenant and moral law. Believers are called to uphold God's commandments as a reflection of His holiness.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_idolatry.htm">The Consequences of Idolatry</a></b><br>The Israelites' sin of idolatry serves as a warning against turning away from God. We must guard our hearts against modern forms of idolatry.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/l/leadership_and_accountability.htm">Leadership and Accountability</a></b><br>Moses' role as a leader highlights the responsibility of spiritual leaders to guide and correct their communities according to God's word.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_need_for_repentance.htm">The Need for Repentance</a></b><br>The incident underscores the need for repentance and returning to God when we stray from His commandments.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_faithfulness_and_mercy.htm">God's Faithfulness and Mercy</a></b><br>Despite Israel's sin, God remains faithful to His covenant, offering forgiveness and restoration to those who repent.<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/what_are_israel's_other_names.htm">What are the different names for Israel?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_deut._27_8_imply_clearer_law_writing.htm">Does the command in Deuteronomy 27:8 to write the Law 'very clearly' imply a significant difference from earlier recordings of the Law?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><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><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_god_forbid_prayer_in_jeremiah_11_14.htm">Jeremiah 11:14: Why would God forbid prayer for the people when other passages emphasize intercession and mercy?</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>THE DESCENT OF MOSES FROM SINAI, AND THE SUPPRESSION OF THE IDOLATRY.</span><p>(15) <span class= "bld">And Moses turned</span>--<span class= "ital">i.e.</span>, "returned," or "set out on his return," apparently without making any communication to Joshua, who was waiting for him not far off (see <a href="/exodus/32-17.htm" title="And when Joshua heard the noise of the people as they shouted, he said to Moses, There is a noise of war in the camp.">Exodus 32:17</a>).<p><span class= "bld">The two tables . . . were in his hand.</span>--In <a href="/deuteronomy/9-15.htm" title="So I turned and came down from the mount, and the mount burned with fire: and the two tables of the covenant were in my two hands.">Deuteronomy 9:15</a> we read that the two tables were in his "two hands," which is more exact, and more as we should have expected.<p><span class= "bld">The tables were written on both their sides.</span>--Babylonian tablets and Assyrian monoliths have usually writing on both sides, Egyptian monoliths rarely. It has been calculated that the 172 words of the Decalogue could easily have been inscribed in letters of a fair size on the four surfaces indicated, if the tablets were 27 inches long by 18 inches broad, and that two tablets of this size could readily have been conveyed in a man's two hands (Keil).<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/exodus/32.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 15-19.</span> - MOSES BREAKS THE TWO TABLES. The entire conference between God and Moses being now ended, Moses hastened to descend from the mount, and interpose in the crisis that had arisen, he took carefully the two tables of stone, which he had received, in his two hands (<a href="/deuteronomy/9-15.htm">Deuteronomy 9:15</a>), and set out on his return to the camp. On the way, he fell in with Joshua, who must have been on the watch for his descent, and the two proceeded together. When a certain portion of the distance had been traversed, the sounds of the festivity which was going on in the camp reached their ears; and Joshua, mistaking the nature of the shouts, suggested that fighting was in progress (ver. 17). Moses, however, better instructed in the actual nature of the proceedings (vers. 7, 8), caught their character more correctly, and declared that what he heard was nothing but shouting (ver. 18). Soon afterwards, the camp came into sight - a disorderly crowd, half stripped of their garments (ver. 25), was singing choruses and dancing round the figure which Aaron had cast - the sights and sounds were those of a dissolute orgy - Moses was struck with horror and in the frenzy of his indignation, dashed the two tables to the ground and broke them into fragments (ver. 19). The people, he felt, were utterly unworthy of the holy laws which he had brought them - they had "altogether gone out of the way" - they had become "abominable" - at the moment he perhaps despaired of obtaining mercy for them, and expected their entire destruction. God had not as yet told him whether he would "turn from his fierce wrath," or not. <span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 15.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">The two tables... were in his hand</span>. In <a href="/deuteronomy/9-15.htm">Deuteronomy 9:15</a>, using greater particularity, Moses says that they were "in his two hands." One was in each hand probably. Written on both their sides. This is the case generally with Assyrian and Babylonian tablets, but not with Egyptian ones, which are moreover scarcely found at this early date. Here we seem to have again an indication that some of the Israelitic civilisation had come to them from "Ur of the Chaldees." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/exodus/32-15.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">Then Moses</span><br /><span class="heb">מֹשֶׁה֙</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">turned</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיִּ֜פֶן</span> <span class="translit">(way·yi·p̄en)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6437.htm">Strong's 6437: </a> </span><span class="str2">To turn, to face, appear, look</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and went down</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיֵּ֤רֶד</span> <span class="translit">(way·yê·reḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3381.htm">Strong's 3381: </a> </span><span class="str2">To come or go down, descend</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the mountain</span><br /><span class="heb">הָהָ֔ר</span> <span class="translit">(hā·hār)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2022.htm">Strong's 2022: </a> </span><span class="str2">Mountain, hill, hill country</span><br /><br /><span class="word">with the two</span><br /><span class="heb">וּשְׁנֵ֛י</span> <span class="translit">(ū·šə·nê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Number - mdc<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8147.htm">Strong's 8147: </a> </span><span class="str2">Two (a cardinal number)</span><br /><br /><span class="word">tablets</span><br /><span class="heb">לֻחֹ֥ת</span> <span class="translit">(lu·ḥōṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3871.htm">Strong's 3871: </a> </span><span class="str2">To glisten, a tablet, of stone, wood, metal</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the Testimony</span><br /><span class="heb">הָעֵדֻ֖ת</span> <span class="translit">(hā·‘ê·ḏuṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5715.htm">Strong's 5715: </a> </span><span class="str2">Testimony</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in his hands.</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּיָד֑וֹ</span> <span class="translit">(bə·yā·ḏōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3027.htm">Strong's 3027: </a> </span><span class="str2">A hand</span><br /><br /><span class="word">They</span><br /><span class="heb">הֵ֥ם</span> <span class="translit">(hêm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1992.htm">Strong's 1992: </a> </span><span class="str2">They</span><br /><br /><span class="word">were inscribed</span><br /><span class="heb">כְּתֻבִים֙</span> <span class="translit">(kə·ṯu·ḇîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3789.htm">Strong's 3789: </a> </span><span class="str2">To grave, to write</span><br /><br /><span class="word">on</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">both</span><br /><span class="heb">מִשְּׁנֵ֣י</span> <span class="translit">(miš·šə·nê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | Number - mdc<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8147.htm">Strong's 8147: </a> </span><span class="str2">Two (a cardinal number)</span><br /><br /><span class="word">sides,</span><br /><span class="heb">עֶבְרֵיהֶ֔ם</span> <span class="translit">(‘eḇ·rê·hem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5676.htm">Strong's 5676: </a> </span><span class="str2">A region across, on the opposite side</span><br /><br /><span class="word">front</span><br /><span class="heb">מִזֶּ֥ה</span> <span class="translit">(miz·zeh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | Pronoun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2088.htm">Strong's 2088: </a> </span><span class="str2">This, that</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and back.</span><br /><span class="heb">וּמִזֶּ֖ה</span> <span class="translit">(ū·miz·zeh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw, Preposition-m | Pronoun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2088.htm">Strong's 2088: </a> </span><span class="str2">This, that</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/exodus/32-15.htm">Exodus 32:15 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/exodus/32-15.htm">Exodus 32:15 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/exodus/32-15.htm">Exodus 32:15 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/exodus/32-15.htm">Exodus 32:15 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/exodus/32-15.htm">Exodus 32:15 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/exodus/32-15.htm">Exodus 32:15 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/exodus/32-15.htm">Exodus 32:15 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/exodus/32-15.htm">Exodus 32:15 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/exodus/32-15.htm">Exodus 32:15 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/exodus/32-15.htm">Exodus 32:15 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/exodus/32-15.htm">OT Law: Exodus 32:15 Moses turned and went down (Exo. Ex) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/exodus/32-14.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Exodus 32:14"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Exodus 32:14" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/exodus/32-16.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Exodus 32:16"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Exodus 32:16" /></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>