Exodus 32:11

KJV

And Moses besought the LORD his God, and said, LORD, why doth thy wrath wax hot against thy people, which thou hast brought forth out of the land of Egypt with great power, and with a mighty hand?

KJV (with Strong's)

And Moses {H4872} besought {H2470}{H6440} the LORD {H3068} his God {H430}, and said {H559}, LORD {H3068}, why doth thy wrath {H639} wax hot {H2734} against thy people {H5971}, which thou hast brought forth {H3318} out of the land {H776} of Egypt {H4714} with great {H1419} power {H3581}, and with a mighty {H2389} hand {H3027}?

Complete Jewish Bible

Moshe pleaded with ADONAI his God. He said, "ADONAI, why must your anger blaze against your own people, whom you brought out of the land of Egypt with great power and a strong hand?

Berean Standard Bible

But Moses sought the favor of the LORD his God, saying, “O LORD, why does Your anger burn against Your people, whom You brought out of the land of Egypt with great power and a mighty hand?

American Standard Version

And Moses besought Jehovah his God, and said, Jehovah, why doth thy wrath wax hot against thy people, that thou hast brought forth out of the land of Egypt with great power and with a mighty hand?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 32:11 presents a profound moment of intercessory prayer, where Moses passionately pleads with the LORD on behalf of the Israelites following their egregious sin of worshiping the Golden Calf. This pivotal verse not only underscores Moses' unique role as a mediator between God and His people but also unveils critical aspects of God's character—His righteous anger, His covenant faithfulness, and His willingness to relent in the face of earnest supplication. It highlights the dynamic interplay between divine justice and mercy, foundational to understanding God's relationship with humanity.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows a dramatic confrontation between God and Moses on Mount Sinai. While Moses was receiving the Law, God revealed to him that the people below had "corrupted themselves" by making a molten calf and worshiping it, declaring, "These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up from the land of Egypt!" ([Exodus 32:7-8](/exodus/32-7 "Exodus 32:7-8 - Israel's Idolatry")). God's righteous indignation was so intense that He declared His intention to "consume them" and make a great nation from Moses ([Exodus 32:9-10](/exodus/32-9 "Exodus 32:9-10 - God's Anger and Plan")). Moses' intercession in verse 11 is his immediate and courageous response to this divine declaration, initiating a powerful dialogue that ultimately averts God's judgment, setting the stage for Moses' descent from the mountain and the subsequent confrontation with the idolatrous Israelites.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The incident of the Golden Calf occurred shortly after Israel's miraculous deliverance from Egypt and their solemn covenant with God at Mount Sinai. The people, impatient for Moses' return from the mountain, coerced Aaron into fashioning an idol, a direct and blatant violation of the first two commandments received directly from God: "You shall have no other gods before me" ([Exodus 20:3](/exodus/20-3 "Exodus 20:3 - The First Commandment")) and "You shall not make for yourself a carved image" ([Exodus 20:4](/exodus/20-4 "Exodus 20:4 - The Second Commandment")). This act of idolatry was not merely a lapse in faith but a profound betrayal of their covenant relationship, echoing the polytheistic practices they had witnessed in Egypt. Their declaration, "These are your gods... who brought you up from the land of Egypt," demonstrated a shocking spiritual amnesia, attributing God's mighty acts of deliverance to a lifeless idol, thereby provoking God's intense wrath.
* **Key Themes:** This pivotal verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes in Exodus and the broader Pentateuch. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **Divine Wrath and Justice** as a righteous response to sin, particularly idolatry, which is a direct affront to God's holiness and covenant. Secondly, it powerfully demonstrates the theme of **Divine Mercy and Relenting**, showcasing God's willingness to withhold deserved judgment in response to earnest prayer, revealing His compassionate nature even amidst His anger. Thirdly, the passage underscores the **Covenant Faithfulness of God**, as Moses appeals to God's promises made to the patriarchs and His prior acts of deliverance, reinforcing that God's commitment to His chosen people ensures their endurance despite their rebellion. Finally, the narrative emphasizes the vital role of **Intercession and Mediation**, with Moses serving as a prototype for one who stands in the gap, pleading on behalf of a sinful people, a role that finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ (as seen in [Hebrews 7:25](/hebrews/7-25 "Hebrews 7:25 - Christ's Eternal Intercession")). The incident also serves as a stark warning against **Idolatry** and spiritual amnesia, reminding Israel (and us) of the dangers of forgetting God's past deeds and turning to false gods, a theme echoed throughout the prophetic books and the New Testament.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Besought (Hebrew, _châlâh'_):** From H2470, this verb primarily means "to be weak," "sick," or "afflicted." However, in the Hithpael stem, as used here, it takes on the intensified meaning of "to make oneself sick," "to entreat earnestly," or "to plead for favor." This conveys the profound earnestness, intensity, and perhaps even the physical anguish of Moses' prayer. It's not a casual request but a desperate, heartfelt, and persistent supplication, as if Moses is "making himself sick" with concern for his people's fate.
* **Wrath wax hot (Hebrew, _chârâh' 'aph'_):** This phrase combines two distinct Hebrew words: _chârâh_ (H2734, "to glow or grow warm; figuratively to blaze up, of anger") and _'aph_ (H639, literally "nose" or "nostril," but often referring to "ire" or "wrath," as the nose flares in anger). The combination vividly depicts God's anger as a consuming fire, burning intensely. It portrays a righteous, justified indignation against Israel's blatant rebellion and idolatry, emphasizing the severity of their sin and the justness of God's initial response.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Moses besought the LORD his God":** This opening clause immediately establishes Moses' unique position and the nature of his interaction. He approaches "the LORD his God," indicating a personal, intimate relationship that grants him the boldness to intercede. The verb "besought" (as discussed above) underscores the fervent, earnest, and desperate nature of his plea, highlighting his role as a passionate advocate for Israel.
* **"and said, LORD, why doth thy wrath wax hot against thy people":** Moses directly challenges God's stated intention, not in defiance, but in a rhetorical appeal to God's character and covenant. The question "why doth thy wrath wax hot" acknowledges God's righteous anger while simultaneously inviting God to consider the implications of His judgment. He emphasizes "thy people," reminding God of the special relationship and covenant He established with them, implying that their destruction would reflect poorly on God's faithfulness and reputation among the nations.
* **"which thou hast brought forth out of the land of Egypt with great power, and with a mighty hand?":** This final clause serves as the foundation of Moses' argument. He appeals to God's past actions and demonstrated commitment. By reminding God that He Himself, "with great power, and with a mighty hand," delivered Israel from Egyptian bondage, Moses implicitly argues that to destroy them now would negate or diminish the glory of that initial, monumental act of salvation. It's an appeal to God's consistency, His reputation, and the immense investment He has already made in His chosen people.

#### Literary Devices
Exodus 32:11 is rich in literary devices that amplify its dramatic and theological impact. The most prominent is **Intercession**, where Moses acts as a mediator, standing in the gap between a holy God and a sinful people. His prayer employs **Rhetorical Question** ("why doth thy wrath wax hot?") not to seek information, but to prompt reconsideration and appeal to a higher principle (God's glory and covenant faithfulness). The phrase "wrath wax hot" uses vivid **Imagery** and **Anthropomorphism**, portraying God's righteous indignation in human terms as a burning fire, making His anger relatable and intense. Furthermore, Moses' appeal to God's "great power, and with a mighty hand" is a form of **Allusion** to the foundational narrative of the Exodus, reminding God (and the reader) of His past, definitive acts of salvation. The entire dialogue also functions as **Dramatic Irony**, as God, who is just, is presented with an argument based on His own character and prior actions, creating tension that resolves in His relenting.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 32:11 is a theological cornerstone, illuminating the profound dynamics of divine justice, mercy, and covenant faithfulness. It reveals that while God's wrath is a just response to sin, His character is also marked by a willingness to relent in the face of earnest intercession, especially when appealed to on the basis of His own glory and promises. Moses' prayer underscores the critical role of mediation and the power of prayer that appeals to God's revealed nature and His established covenant. It teaches us that God is deeply concerned with His reputation among the nations and that His commitment to His promises, made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, is unwavering, even when His people are unfaithful.

* [Numbers 14:15-16](/numbers/14-15 "Numbers 14:15-16 - Moses' Appeal to God's Reputation")
* [Deuteronomy 7:9](/deuteronomy/7-9 "Deuteronomy 7:9 - God's Faithfulness to His Covenant")
* [Hebrews 7:25](/hebrews/7-25 "Hebrews 7:25 - Christ's Eternal Intercession")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Moses' fervent intercession in Exodus 32:11 serves as a powerful model for believers today, reminding us of the profound privilege and responsibility of standing in the gap for others. It teaches us that prayer is not merely a list of requests but a dynamic engagement with God's character, where we can boldly appeal to His attributes—His justice, mercy, faithfulness, and concern for His own glory—as the basis for our petitions. Just as Moses reminded God of His "great power, and with a mighty hand" in delivering Israel, we are encouraged to recall God's past faithfulness and mighty acts in our own lives and in history, building our confidence that the God who has acted powerfully before is still active and sovereign. This verse calls us to cultivate a deep, intimate relationship with God that empowers such bold and effective prayer, trusting that our heavenly Father hears and responds to the earnest cries of His children.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Moses' willingness to "beseech" God model a posture of prayer for us, especially when praying for those who have sinned grievously?**
* **In what ways can we, like Moses, appeal to God's character and His past faithfulness when we pray, particularly in challenging circumstances?**
* **How does understanding God's concern for His own reputation and glory impact the way we live and pray?**

### FAQ
**Did Moses' prayer actually change God's mind, or was it part of God's plan all along?**

Answer: This is a profound theological question that touches on divine sovereignty and human free will. The biblical text presents God as genuinely expressing His intention to destroy Israel and Moses as genuinely interceding, leading God to "relent from the disaster that he had spoken of bringing on his people" ([Exodus 32:14](/exodus/32-14 "Exodus 32:14 - God Relents")). While God's ultimate purposes are never thwarted, this passage emphasizes the reality and efficacy of human prayer. It suggests that God, in His sovereignty, chooses to work through the prayers and actions of His people. Moses' intercession was not a manipulation of God but a Spirit-led appeal that aligned with God's deeper covenantal desires for His people, demonstrating that God is responsive to the earnest pleas of His faithful servants. It reveals a dynamic relationship where God invites and responds to the prayers of His people, even as His overarching plan remains steadfast.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Exodus 32:11 powerfully foreshadows the ultimate intercessory work of Jesus Christ. Moses, standing in the gap between God's burning wrath and a sinful people, serves as a type of mediator. Yet, his intercession was imperfect and temporary, averting judgment for a time but not ultimately atoning for sin. Jesus, however, is the perfect and eternal mediator, the "one mediator between God and mankind" ([1 Timothy 2:5](/1_timothy/2-5 "1 Timothy 2:5 - Christ, the One Mediator")). While Moses appealed to God's past acts of deliverance and His covenant promises, Christ *is* the fulfillment of those promises and the embodiment of God's "great power, and with a mighty hand" in salvation. He did not merely plead for mercy; He *became* the mercy, offering Himself as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). Through His sacrificial death on the cross, Christ fully satisfied God's righteous wrath against sin, demonstrating God's love ([Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - God Demonstrates His Love Through Christ's Death")) while upholding His justice. Now, as our great High Priest, Jesus continually intercedes for us in heaven ([Hebrews 7:25](/hebrews/7-25 "Hebrews 7:25 - Christ's Eternal Intercession")), ensuring that those who are in Him are forever reconciled to God, no longer subject to condemnation, but recipients of eternal life.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Deuteronomy 9:18

And I fell down before the LORD, as at the first, forty days and forty nights: I did neither eat bread, nor drink water, because of all your sins which ye sinned, in doing wickedly in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger.

Deuteronomy 9:20

And the LORD was very angry with Aaron to have destroyed him: and I prayed for Aaron also the same time.

Deuteronomy 9:26

I prayed therefore unto the LORD, and said, O Lord GOD, destroy not thy people and thine inheritance, which thou hast redeemed through thy greatness, which thou hast brought forth out of Egypt with a mighty hand.

Deuteronomy 9:29

Yet they [are] thy people and thine inheritance, which thou broughtest out by thy mighty power and by thy stretched out arm.

Psalms 106:23

Therefore he said that he would destroy them, had not Moses his chosen stood before him in the breach, to turn away his wrath, lest he should destroy [them].

Psalms 74:1

¶ Maschil of Asaph. O God, why hast thou cast [us] off for ever? [why] doth thine anger smoke against the sheep of thy pasture?

Psalms 74:2

Remember thy congregation, [which] thou hast purchased of old; the rod of thine inheritance, [which] thou hast redeemed; this mount Zion, wherein thou hast dwelt.