Deuteronomy 9:21

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.

And I took {H3947} your sin {H2403}, the calf {H5695} which ye had made {H6213}, and burnt {H8313} it with fire {H784}, and stamped {H3807} it, and ground {H2912} it very small {H3190}, even until it was as small {H1854} as dust {H6083}: and I cast {H7993} the dust {H6083} thereof into the brook {H5158} that descended out {H3381} of the mount {H2022}.

I took your sin, the calf you had made, and burned it up in the fire, beat it to pieces, and ground it up still smaller, until it was as fine as dust; then I threw its dust into the stream coming down from the mountain.

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.

And I took your sin, the calf which ye had made, and burnt it with fire, and stamped it, grinding it very small, until it was as fine as dust: and I cast the dust thereof into the brook that descended out of the mount.

Commentary

Context

Deuteronomy 9:21 is part of Moses's powerful address to the Israelites, delivered just before they were to enter the Promised Land. In this chapter, Moses vividly recounts their history of rebellion and stubbornness, particularly focusing on the grievous sin of the Golden Calf incident at Mount Horeb (also known as Mount Sinai). While Moses was on the mountain receiving the Ten Commandments from God, the people grew impatient and pressured Aaron to make an idol for them to worship. This verse describes Moses's personal, immediate, and drastic response upon descending the mountain and witnessing their idolatry.

Key Themes

  • The Abhorrence of Idolatry: Moses's actions—burning, grinding to dust, and casting into the brook—demonstrate the utter contempt for idolatry. It was not merely a mistake but "your sin," a direct and severe violation of the first two commandments and the covenant with God. The thorough destruction of the idol underscores its worthlessness and the severity of the people's offense.
  • Consequences of Disobedience: The physical destruction of the Golden Calf symbolizes the inevitable consequences of turning away from God and breaking His commands. It serves as a stark reminder that sin, especially idolatry, must be completely eradicated and cannot stand in the presence of a holy God.
  • Moses's Righteous Indignation and Action: Moses's response reflects his profound shock, grief, and anger at the people's betrayal. His decisive actions underscore the seriousness of their spiritual infidelity and his zealous commitment to God's glory and the purity of the covenant. The act of grinding it to dust and scattering it in water also evokes a ritualistic cleansing or nullification, symbolizing the washing away of their grave sin.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "burnt it with fire, and stamped it, and ground it very small, even until it was as small as dust" emphasizes the extreme thoroughness of the idol's destruction. This was not just breaking it; it was a complete pulverization, reducing the symbol of their rebellion to its most insignificant and powerless form. The subsequent act of casting it into the brook further signified its complete nullification and removal from their midst, making it part of the very water they might drink, a symbolic act of humiliation and judgment.

Practical Application

Deuteronomy 9:21 offers a timeless lesson for believers today. While we may not worship physical idols, anything that takes God's rightful place in our hearts—whether it be wealth, power, reputation, comfort, or even relationships—can become an idol. This verse calls us to:

  • Identify and Eradicate Idols: Just as Moses ruthlessly destroyed the calf, we are challenged to identify and decisively remove anything that competes with our devotion to God. This requires honest self-examination and a willingness to let go of cherished things that hinder our spiritual growth.
  • Acknowledge the Gravity of Sin: The drastic measures taken against the Golden Calf highlight how seriously God views sin, especially rebellion against Him. It encourages a posture of humility and repentance, understanding that sin has real consequences and must be dealt with decisively.
  • Seek Cleansing and Purity: The act of scattering the dust into the brook can be seen as a symbolic act of purification. For us, this points to the need for spiritual cleansing from sin, which is made possible through God's grace and forgiveness when we confess our sins.
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Cross-References

  • Exodus 32:20

    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].

  • Isaiah 31:7

    For in that day every man shall cast away his idols of silver, and his idols of gold, which your own hands have made unto you [for] a sin.

  • Hosea 8:11

    Because Ephraim hath made many altars to sin, altars shall be unto him to sin.

  • Isaiah 30:22

    Ye shall defile also the covering of thy graven images of silver, and the ornament of thy molten images of gold: thou shalt cast them away as a menstruous cloth; thou shalt say unto it, Get thee hence.

  • Isaiah 2:18

    And the idols he shall utterly abolish.

  • Isaiah 2:21

    To go into the clefts of the rocks, and into the tops of the ragged rocks, for fear of the LORD, and for the glory of his majesty, when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth.