Exodus 32:32

KJV

Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin--; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written.

KJV (with Strong's)

Yet now, if thou wilt forgive {H5375} their sin {H2403}--; and if not, blot {H4229} me, I pray thee, out of thy book {H5612} which thou hast written {H3789}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Now, if you will just forgive their sin! But if you won't, then, I beg you, blot me out of your book which you have written!"

Berean Standard Bible

Yet now, if You would only forgive their sin.... But if not, please blot me out of the book that You have written.”

American Standard Version

Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin—; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 32:32 captures a pivotal moment of selfless intercession where Moses, confronted with God's righteous wrath against the idolatrous Israelites, offers an astonishing plea. He petitions God to forgive their grievous sin, even proposing that if forgiveness is not granted, his own name be erased from God's divine record. This profound declaration underscores Moses' extraordinary love for his people, the severe consequences of their rebellion, and the immense burden of leadership he carried.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within the dramatic narrative of the Golden Calf incident. Moses has just descended from Mount Sinai, carrying the tablets of the Law, only to discover the Israelites engaged in blatant idolatry, worshipping a golden calf they had fashioned (`/exodus/32-4`). Overwhelmed with righteous anger, God declares His intention to consume the rebellious people and establish a new nation through Moses (`/exodus/32-10`). Moses had already engaged in a powerful initial intercession, appealing to God's covenant promises and His reputation among the nations (`/exodus/32-11`). However, upon witnessing the apostasy firsthand, Moses broke the tablets, destroyed the calf, and initiated a severe discipline among the people. Burdened by the immense weight of their sin and the threat of divine judgment, he then returned to the Lord, making this second, even more desperate and self-sacrificial plea for their forgiveness, immediately preceding God's response in `/exodus/32-33`.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Israelites had just entered into a solemn covenant with Yahweh at Mount Sinai, where they explicitly promised obedience to His commands, including the foundational prohibition against idolatry (`/exodus/20-3`). Their creation and worship of the Golden Calf represented a profound and immediate betrayal of this covenant, a direct affront to the God who had miraculously delivered them from Egypt. The concept of a "book" or "register" was familiar in the ancient Near East, where kings kept records of citizens, soldiers, or those in good standing. To have one's name written in such a book signified inclusion, favor, and life, while to be "blotted out" implied exclusion, disfavor, or even death. Moses' offer, therefore, would have been understood by the original audience as a willingness to forfeit his spiritual standing, his place in God's favor, and potentially his eternal destiny, for the sake of the nation.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **blot (Hebrew, _machah'_):** This verb means to wipe away, erase, obliterate, or blot out. It conveys a complete and irreversible removal, as if from a written record. In this context, it emphasizes the seriousness of Moses' request—a total cancellation of his own identity or relationship with God for the sake of the nation, illustrating the extreme nature of his selfless plea.
* **book (Hebrew, _sepher'_):** Refers to a written document, scroll, or register. Here, it denotes a divine record, often understood as the "Book of Life" or a heavenly roll of those in covenant relationship with God, whose names are recorded for life or divine favor.
* **written (Hebrew, _kathab'_):** To write, inscribe, or record. This reinforces the idea of a permanent, established record in God's possession, making the act of being "blotted out" all the more significant and dire.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin--":** Moses' primary and most urgent petition. Despite the severity of the Israelites' sin and God's righteous anger, Moses still holds out hope for divine mercy. The "if" clause expresses a desperate plea for God's willingness to overlook or pardon their transgression.
* **"and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written.":** This is the astonishing, self-sacrificial offer. Moses expresses his preference for his own eternal exclusion or spiritual death over the destruction of his people. "Thy book which thou hast written" refers to a divine register, often understood as the Book of Life or a record of those who belong to God and are destined for eternal fellowship with Him. To be "blotted out" implies spiritual separation, exclusion from God's eternal presence, or forfeiture of one's place in His covenant community.

#### Literary Devices
The verse powerfully employs several literary devices. **Hyperbole** or **Extreme Intercession** is evident in Moses' willingness to sacrifice his own spiritual standing, which underscores the immense gravity of the Israelites' sin and the profound depth of Moses' love and commitment to his people. This act of intercession also serves as a significant **foreshadowing** of the ultimate intercessor, Jesus Christ, who would truly bear the curse and be "blotted out" for humanity's sin. There is a stark **contrast** presented between the faithlessness and rebellion of the Israelites and Moses' unwavering faithfulness and selflessness. Furthermore, "thy book" functions as a potent **symbol** of divine record, eternal life, or covenant standing, making the threat of being "blotted out" a vivid representation of spiritual death and exclusion from God's presence.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Moses' intercession in Exodus 32:32 is a profound theological statement, highlighting several critical biblical themes. It underscores the concept of substitutionary intercession, where one stands in the gap for another, though Moses' offer was not ultimately accepted as a sufficient atonement. It reveals the tension between God's holy justice, which demands a response to sin, and His boundless mercy, which can be moved by sincere repentance and intercession. The "book" concept introduces the theme of divine record-keeping, which develops throughout Scripture into the "Book of Life," signifying those chosen or redeemed by God.

* [Psalm 69:28](/psalms/69-28 "Psalm 69:28 - Blotting out of the Book of Life")
* [Philippians 4:3](/philippians/4-3 "Philippians 4:3 - Names in the Book of Life")
* [Revelation 20:15](/revelation/20-15 "Revelation 20:15 - The Book of Life and Final Judgment")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Moses' selfless plea in Exodus 32:32 stands as a powerful challenge to believers today. It calls us to cultivate a love for others that transcends personal comfort and even spiritual security, mirroring Moses' willingness to put his own standing at risk for the sake of his people. This passage compels us to engage in fervent, selfless intercession for those who have strayed, understanding the gravity of sin and the desperate need for divine mercy. It reminds us that true spiritual leadership, whether in the church, family, or community, often involves bearing the burdens of others, standing in the gap, and advocating for their spiritual well-being even when it comes at a personal cost. It prompts us to consider the depth of our compassion and our readiness to sacrifice for the redemption of others.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Moses' willingness to sacrifice himself for others challenge my own level of selfless love and intercession for those around me?**
* **In what ways am I called to "stand in the gap" for others, especially those who are spiritually lost or struggling, even when it is costly or uncomfortable?**
* **What does this passage teach me about the profound gravity of sin and the absolute necessity of God's mercy and grace in my own life and the lives of others?**

### FAQ
**What is "thy book which thou hast written" that Moses refers to?**

Answer: "Thy book which thou hast written" refers to a divine register or record, often understood as the "Book of Life" or "Book of Remembrance." This concept appears throughout Scripture (e.g., [Psalm 69:28](/psalms/69-28 "Psalm 69:28 - Blotting out of the Book of Life"), [Daniel 12:1](/daniel/12-1 "Daniel 12:1 - Names in the Book"), [Philippians 4:3](/philippians/4-3 "Philippians 4:3 - Names in the Book of Life"), [Revelation 20:15](/revelation/20-15 "Revelation 20:15 - The Book of Life and Final Judgment")). It signifies those who are in covenant relationship with God, whose names are recorded for eternal life, divine favor, and inclusion in His kingdom. To be "blotted out" from this book means removal from this record, implying spiritual separation, exclusion from God's eternal fellowship, or forfeiture of one's place in His covenant community. It's not about God literally forgetting someone, but about a change in their standing before Him.

**Did God accept Moses' offer to be blotted out in exchange for the people's forgiveness?**

Answer: No, God did not accept Moses' offer as a substitutionary atonement for the people's sin in the way Moses intended. While God did relent from His initial intention to utterly destroy the nation, He made it clear that each individual would be held accountable for their own sin. [Exodus 32:33](/exodus/32-33 "Exodus 32:33 - God's Response to Moses' Intercession") states, "Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book." This emphasizes that human intercession, no matter how profound, cannot provide the ultimate atonement for sin; only a perfect, sinless sacrifice could achieve that, which Moses could not provide.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Moses' profound intercession in Exodus 32:32, while an extraordinary act of selfless love, ultimately fell short of providing full atonement for the nation's sin. God's response in [Exodus 32:33](/exodus/32-33 "Exodus 32:33 - God's Response to Moses") ("Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book") makes it clear that Moses could not truly be "blotted out" as a substitute for the nation's sin, as each individual would be held accountable. This highlights the unique and perfect fulfillment found in Jesus Christ. Unlike Moses, Jesus *did* become sin for us ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")), experiencing profound spiritual separation from the Father on the cross ([Matthew 27:46](/matthew/27-46 "Matthew 27:46 - Jesus' Cry of Dereliction")) so that our names might be eternally written in the [Lamb's Book of Life](/revelation/21-27 "Revelation 21:27 - Names in the Lamb's Book of Life"). He is the true [Good Shepherd who lays down His life for the sheep](/john/10-11 "John 10:11 - Jesus the Good Shepherd"), not merely offering to be blotted out, but actually bearing the curse and providing the perfect, once-for-all sacrifice ([Hebrews 9:26](/hebrews/9-26 "Hebrews 9:26 - Christ's Once-for-All Sacrifice")). Through His eternal intercession at the right hand of God ([Hebrews 7:25](/hebrews/7-25 "Hebrews 7:25 - Christ's Eternal Intercession")), believers are secured in God's book, not by their own merit or another human's plea, but by His finished work on the cross.

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.