Exodus 32:31

KJV

And Moses returned unto the LORD, and said, Oh, this people have sinned a great sin, and have made them gods of gold.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Moses {H4872} returned {H7725} unto the LORD {H3068}, and said {H559}, Oh {H577}, this people {H5971} have sinned {H2398} a great {H1419} sin {H2401}, and have made {H6213} them gods {H430} of gold {H2091}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Moshe went back to ADONAI and said, "Please! These people have committed a terrible sin: they have made themselves a god out of gold.

Berean Standard Bible

So Moses returned to the LORD and said, “Oh, what a great sin these people have committed! They have made gods of gold for themselves.

American Standard Version

And Moses returned unto Jehovah, and said, Oh, this people have sinned a great sin, and have made them gods of gold.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 32:31 vividly portrays Moses' solemn return to the divine presence, where he courageously confronts the LORD with the profound sin of the Israelite people: their egregious act of crafting and worshipping a golden calf. This pivotal verse encapsulates the immense gravity of their idolatry, underscores Moses' unwavering commitment to intercede on their behalf, and highlights the deep chasm that human rebellion creates between a holy God and His chosen, yet wayward, covenant people. It serves as a crucial transition point, moving from the immediate consequences of the golden calf incident to the urgent need for divine reconciliation, thereby setting the stage for Moses' unparalleled mediation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Exodus 32:31 is strategically positioned immediately following the dramatic climax of the golden calf incident. Moses has just descended from Mount Sinai, witnessed the shocking idolatry, and in righteous fury, shattered the tablets of the Law, symbolizing the broken covenant ([Exodus 32:19](/exodus/32-19 "Exodus 32:19 - Moses Breaks the Tablets")). He then took decisive action, destroying the idol, confronting Aaron, and overseeing a swift judgment against the most defiant offenders ([Exodus 32:20-29](/exodus/32-20-29 "Exodus 32:20-29 - The Levites' Loyalty and Judgment")). This verse marks Moses' crucial second approach to God, not to receive further commandments, but specifically to address the profound spiritual crisis of the people's sin. It shifts the narrative focus from immediate punitive action to the deeper theological problem of Israel's covenant infidelity and the desperate need for divine forgiveness, directly setting up Moses' extraordinary offer to bear their sin in the subsequent verse ([Exodus 32:32](/exodus/32-32 "Exodus 32:32 - Moses Offers Himself as Atonement")).

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The golden calf apostasy occurred remarkably soon after Israel's miraculous liberation from Egyptian bondage and their solemn covenant ceremony at Mount Sinai, where they had unequivocally pledged obedience to all of God's commands ([Exodus 24:7](/exodus/24-7 "Exodus 24:7 - Israel's Covenant Vow")). While Moses was on the mountain receiving the very Law that included the foundational prohibition against idolatry ([Exodus 20:3-5](/exodus/20-3-5 "Exodus 20:3-5 - The First and Second Commandments")), the people, growing impatient with his prolonged absence, reverted to familiar pagan practices. Their demand for "gods who shall go before us" ([Exodus 32:1](/exodus/32-1 "Exodus 32:1 - The People Demand Gods")) betrays a deep-seated spiritual instability and a lingering influence of Egyptian polytheism, where zoomorphic deities like the Apis bull were common. This act was not merely a lapse in judgment but a profound, direct affront to the unique sovereignty and holiness of YHWH, who had just demonstrated His unparalleled power and presence among them, thereby establishing a dangerous precedent for future apostasy throughout Israel's history.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Exodus and the broader Pentateuch. It highlights the theme of **Covenant Fidelity and Infidelity**, showcasing Israel's immediate and grievous breach of their newly established covenant with YHWH, contrasting sharply with God's enduring faithfulness. It underscores the **Holiness of God** and the severe consequences of violating His commands, particularly those pertaining to His exclusive worship. The verse also introduces and develops the crucial theme of **Divine Intercession**, portraying Moses as a prototype of a mediator who stands in the gap between a righteous God and a sinful people, appealing for mercy and averting divine wrath. Furthermore, it speaks to the persistent **Human Propensity for Idolatry**, revealing the deep-seated human tendency to replace the invisible, living God with tangible, man-made objects of worship, even after experiencing miraculous deliverance.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **sinned (Hebrew, _châṭâʼ'_):** This primitive root fundamentally means "to miss the mark," "to go astray," or "to incur guilt." In this context, it denotes a profound deviation from God's revealed will and covenant obligations. It signifies not merely an error or mistake but a deliberate, willful act of rebellion, disloyalty, and a direct affront against the divine King who had just delivered them and entered into a sacred relationship with them. The magnitude of their transgression is intensely emphasized by the accompanying adjective "great."
* **great (Hebrew, _gâdôwl'_):** This adjective, derived from a root meaning "to grow" or "to be great," signifies something large, mighty, or significant in any sense. When applied to "sin" (as `chăṭâʼâh` in the KJV text's underlying Hebrew), it underscores the immense scale, severity, and profound impact of Israel's transgression. It suggests that their idolatry was not a minor offense but a monumental breach of covenant, an act of supreme ingratitude, and a direct challenge to God's unique authority and holiness, demanding a severe divine response.
* **gods (Hebrew, _ʼĕlôhîym'_):** While this plural noun often refers to the one true God (especially with the definite article), here it clearly denotes false deities, specifically the "gods of gold" that Israel fashioned. The plural form, even for a single calf, could reflect the polytheistic mindset the Israelites were reverting to, or it might be a plural of majesty applied to the idol they created. It starkly contrasts the living, invisible, and sovereign God of Israel with the lifeless, man-made images they had fashioned, highlighting the absurdity, spiritual bankruptcy, and profound blasphemy of their action.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Moses returned unto the LORD":** This phrase indicates Moses' deliberate and solemn re-engagement with the divine presence following the chaos and initial judgment of the golden calf incident. It signifies a purposeful, prayerful approach to God, not for further revelation or instruction, but specifically to intercede on behalf of a deeply offending people. This return underscores Moses' unique role as mediator and his profound burden for the spiritual state of Israel, demonstrating his unwavering commitment to their covenant relationship with YHWH.
* **"and said, Oh, this people have sinned a great sin":** Moses' opening exclamation, "Oh" (Hebrew `ʼânnâʼ`), conveys deep anguish, sorrow, and perhaps a sense of exasperation or desperate plea. He does not equivocate or minimize the offense but directly confronts the full gravity of their actions before God. The declaration "a great sin" is a profound theological statement, acknowledging the immense breach of covenant, the severe offense against God's holiness and sovereignty, and the perilous state of the people. It sets the stage for a desperate plea for mercy, grounded in a full and honest recognition of the people's guilt.
* **"and have made them gods of gold":** This clause precisely specifies the nature of their "great sin"—flagrant idolatry. The "gods of gold" directly violates the first two commandments given at Sinai ([Exodus 20:3-5](/exodus/20-3-5 "Exodus 20:3-5 - The Decalogue's First and Second Commandments")), which prohibit having other gods before the LORD and making graven images. The material "gold" underscores the significant human effort, sacrifice, and misplaced value invested in creating a lifeless deity, contrasting sharply with the true God who creates all things from nothing. It highlights the profound foolishness and spiritual blindness of worshipping something fashioned by human hands, especially from the very spoils of their miraculous deliverance from Egypt.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful literary devices to convey its profound message. **Confession** is central, as Moses articulates the people's sin with stark honesty and unvarnished truth, setting a precedent for genuine repentance. The phrase "a great sin" functions as **hyperbole**, emphasizing the extreme, almost immeasurable magnitude of the transgression in God's eyes, far beyond a simple mistake or error. There is also a strong element of **irony** in the "gods of gold." The very people who had witnessed God's unparalleled power in delivering them from Egypt, providing manna, and manifesting His glorious presence on Sinai, chose to create a lifeless image from their precious metals, absurdly attributing their deliverance to it. This highlights the human propensity for spiritual blindness and the deceptive allure of tangible, controllable deities. Moses' lament also employs **pathos**, appealing to God's emotions through a heartfelt acknowledgment of the people's profound spiritual failure and the dire consequences it portends, aiming to evoke divine compassion and mercy.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 32:31 profoundly underscores the heinous nature of idolatry as a direct affront to God's unique sovereignty, holiness, and covenant exclusivity. It starkly reveals the human heart's persistent propensity to replace the Creator with created things, even immediately after experiencing miraculous divine deliverance and covenant establishment. Moses' fervent intercession highlights the critical and indispensable role of mediation between a righteous, holy God and a sinful humanity, thereby foreshadowing the ultimate and perfect mediator. The verse also implicitly teaches about God's unwavering justice in condemning sin, yet simultaneously reveals His profound willingness to hear and respond to sincere intercession, thereby demonstrating His long-suffering patience and enduring covenant faithfulness.

* [Deuteronomy 9:18-19](/deuteronomy/9-18-19 "Deuteronomy 9:18-19 - Moses' Forty-Day Intercession for Israel")
* [Psalm 106:19-23](/psalms/106-19-23 "Psalm 106:19-23 - Israel's Rebellion and Moses' Mediation")
* [1 John 5:21](/1_john/5-21 "1 John 5:21 - Warning Against Idols")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Exodus 32:31 serves as a timeless and convicting mirror for humanity, reflecting our persistent struggle with idolatry in its myriad forms. While we may no longer fashion literal golden calves, anything that usurps God's rightful place in our affections, trust, ultimate allegiance, or pursuit becomes an idol. This can subtly manifest as an obsessive focus on wealth, career success, perfect relationships, social reputation, personal comfort, or even self-reliance and intellectual pride. Moses' courageous and honest example calls us to a profound and unflinching self-examination, urging us to identify and dismantle the "gods of gold" we might unknowingly harbor in our own hearts and lives. It also powerfully demonstrates the absolute necessity of humble, honest, and unreserved confession of sin before a holy God, acknowledging the full gravity of our transgressions without excuse or minimization. Furthermore, this passage profoundly inspires us to embrace the vital call to intercession for others, particularly for those who are spiritually lost, entangled in sin, or facing divine judgment, standing in the gap as Moses did, pleading for God's mercy, restorative grace, and transformative intervention in a world desperately in need of divine redemption.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what subtle or overt ways might I be creating "gods of gold" in my own life, allowing created things or personal desires to take the place of the Creator?**
* **How does Moses' raw honesty and profound anguish in confessing the people's "great sin" challenge my own approach to confessing personal sin before God?**
* **What specific individuals, communities, or societal issues is God calling me to intercede for, echoing Moses' selfless advocacy for a wayward people?**

### FAQ

**Why was the golden calf incident considered such a "great sin" by God?**

Answer: The golden calf incident was unequivocally considered a "great sin" for several critical and interconnected reasons. First, it constituted a direct and immediate violation of the first two commandments God had just given at Mount Sinai ([Exodus 20:3-5](/exodus/20-3-5 "Exodus 20:3-5 - The First and Second Commandments")), which explicitly forbade worshipping other gods or making and bowing down to graven images. Second, it represented a profound and immediate betrayal of the covenant Israel had just solemnly entered into with God ([Exodus 24:7](/exodus/24-7 "Exodus 24:7 - Israel's Covenant Vow")), essentially breaking their sacred oath of allegiance. Third, and perhaps most grievously, the people attributed their miraculous deliverance from Egyptian bondage to this man-made idol, denying the unique power, faithfulness, and providential care of the true God who had just performed mighty wonders on their behalf. This act demonstrated extreme spiritual ingratitude, blatant rebellion, and a dangerous reversion to the pagan practices they had just been delivered from, thereby threatening the very foundation of their sacred relationship with YHWH.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Exodus 32:31, with Moses' fervent and self-sacrificial intercession for a deeply rebellious people, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate and perfect mediation of Jesus Christ. Moses, standing heroically in the gap and honestly acknowledging the "great sin" of Israel, prefigures Christ, who not only identified with humanity's sin but, in an unparalleled act of divine love, became sin for us, though He knew no sin ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")). The Israelites' sin of idolatry, replacing the true God with a lifeless golden image, serves as a poignant illustration of humanity's universal propensity for sin, which inherently separates us from a holy God. Just as Moses, burdened by their guilt, offered himself as a potential substitute for the people's sin ([Exodus 32:32](/exodus/32-32 "Exodus 32:32 - Moses Offers Himself as Atonement")), Jesus, the perfect and spotless Lamb of God, truly bore the sin of the world, offering His own life as the definitive, once-for-all atonement on the cross ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God") and [Hebrews 9:26](/hebrews/9-26 "Hebrews 9:26 - Christ's Once-for-All Sacrifice")). Unlike Moses, whose intercession was limited and required ongoing sacrifices, Christ's intercession is eternal, perfectly efficacious, and perpetually active, as He ever lives to make intercession for those who draw near to God through Him ([Hebrews 7:25](/hebrews/7-25 "Hebrews 7:25 - Christ's Eternal Intercession")). Thus, Moses' desperate plea for mercy points directly to the greater mercy, boundless forgiveness, and complete reconciliation found only in the finished work and ongoing advocacy of our Lord Jesus Christ.

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

Exodus 20:23

Ye shall not make with me gods of silver, neither shall ye make unto you gods of gold.

Daniel 9:8

O Lord, to us [belongeth] confusion of face, to our kings, to our princes, and to our fathers, because we have sinned against thee.

Exodus 32:30

¶ And it came to pass on the morrow, that Moses said unto the people, Ye have sinned a great sin: and now I will go up unto the LORD; peradventure I shall make an atonement for your sin.

Daniel 9:11

Yea, all Israel have transgressed thy law, even by departing, that they might not obey thy voice; therefore the curse is poured upon us, and the oath that [is] written in the law of Moses the servant of God, because we have sinned against him.

Ezra 9:6

And said, O my God, I am ashamed and blush to lift up my face to thee, my God: for our iniquities are increased over [our] head, and our trespass is grown up unto the heavens.

Ezra 9:7

Since the days of our fathers [have] we [been] in a great trespass unto this day; and for our iniquities have we, our kings, [and] our priests, been delivered into the hand of the kings of the lands, to the sword, to captivity, and to a spoil, and to confusion of face, as [it is] this day.

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.