Exodus 32:6

KJV

And they rose up early on the morrow, and offered burnt offerings, and brought peace offerings; and the people sat down to eat and to drink, and rose up to play.

KJV (with Strong's)

And they rose up early {H7925} on the morrow {H4283}, and offered {H5927} burnt offerings {H5930}, and brought {H5066} peace offerings {H8002}; and the people {H5971} sat {H3427} down to eat {H398} and to drink {H8354}, and rose up {H6965} to play {H6711}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Early the next morning they got up and offered burnt offerings and presented peace offerings. Afterwards, the people sat down to eat and drink; then they got up to indulge in revelry.

Berean Standard Bible

So the next day they arose, offered burnt offerings, and presented peace offerings. And the people sat down to eat and drink, and got up to indulge in revelry.

American Standard Version

And they rose up early on the morrow, and offered burnt-offerings, and brought peace-offerings; and the people sat down to eat and to drink, and rose up to play.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 32:6 vividly portrays the Israelites' rapid descent into idolatry and revelry at the foot of Mount Sinai, even as Moses was receiving God's Law. This pivotal verse describes how the people, having coerced Aaron into fashioning a golden calf, perverted sacred offerings and engaged in uninhibited feasting and immoral "play," thereby breaking the covenant they had so recently affirmed and incurring God's righteous wrath. It stands as a stark warning against spiritual compromise, impatience, and the seductive allure of tangible, self-made gods.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is the culmination of the Israelites' impatience and spiritual rebellion following Moses' prolonged absence on [Mount Sinai](/exodus/24-18 "Exodus 24:18 - Moses on Sinai"). Having just entered into a solemn covenant with Yahweh at Sinai, promising, "All that the LORD has spoken we will do, and we will be obedient" ([Exodus 24:7](/exodus/24-7 "Exodus 24:7 - Israel's Covenant Vow")), the people quickly grew restless. In [Exodus 32:1](/exodus/32-1 "Exodus 32:1 - Demand for Gods"), they demanded that Aaron "make us gods who will go before us." Aaron, succumbing to their pressure, fashioned a golden calf and declared a "feast to the LORD" ([Exodus 32:5](/exodus/32-5 "Exodus 32:5 - Aaron's Golden Calf and Feast")), attempting to blend Yahweh worship with pagan imagery. Verse 6 details the immediate, active participation of the people in this perverted worship, setting the stage for God's fierce anger and Moses' subsequent intercession and judgment in the remainder of [Exodus 32](/exodus/32 "Exodus 32 - The Golden Calf Incident").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Israelites, recently delivered from centuries of Egyptian bondage, were still deeply influenced by the polytheistic and idolatrous practices they had witnessed. Egyptian religion, with its animal deities (like the Apis bull), provided a familiar template for a tangible representation of divinity. The concept of a visible god "going before them" was common in the ancient Near East, contrasting sharply with Yahweh's invisible, transcendent nature. Furthermore, the pagan festivals often involved not only animal sacrifices but also communal feasting, drinking, and sexual promiscuity, understood as fertility rites or expressions of uninhibited devotion to their deities. The actions described in [Exodus 32:6](/exodus/32-6 "Exodus 32:6 - The Golden Calf Revelry") represent a syncretistic attempt to incorporate these familiar pagan elements into the worship of Yahweh, directly violating the first two commandments God had just given them: "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")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Burnt Offerings (Hebrew, _ʿōlōt'_):** These were sacrifices entirely consumed by fire on the altar, symbolizing complete devotion, atonement, and the worshiper's total surrender to God. In this context, offering them to the golden calf represents a profound perversion of their intended meaning, misdirecting worship and devotion from Yahweh to an idol.
* **Peace Offerings (Hebrew, _shĕlāmîm'_):** These offerings were typically shared between God (a portion burned on the altar), the priests, and the worshipers, symbolizing fellowship, communion, and reconciliation with God. Their misuse here indicates a false sense of peace and communion, as the people sought fellowship not with the true God but with a man-made substitute, turning a sacred meal into a profane feast.
* **Play (Hebrew, _tsachaq'_):** While this word can mean "to laugh" or "to jest," in this context, especially following feasting and in an idolatrous setting, it carries strong connotations of boisterous revelry, indecent behavior, and sexual promiscuity. It is used elsewhere to describe [Isaac "playing" with Rebekah](/genesis/26-8 "Genesis 26:8 - Isaac and Rebekah's Intimacy") or [Ishmael "mocking" Isaac](/genesis/21-9 "Genesis 21:9 - Ishmael's Mockery"). Here, it signifies a departure from reverent worship to unrestrained, immoral celebration characteristic of pagan fertility cults and orgiastic rituals.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And they rose up early on the morrow":** This phrase emphasizes the people's eagerness and premeditation in their idolatry. They were not coerced into this act on the spur of the moment but actively prepared for it, demonstrating a deliberate commitment to their chosen form of worship.
* **"and offered burnt offerings, and brought peace offerings;":** This clause highlights the syncretistic nature of their worship. They used legitimate, God-ordained sacrificial rites, but directed them towards an illegitimate object of worship—the golden calf. This was an attempt to appropriate the blessings and rituals of Yahweh worship for their own self-made deity, an abomination to God.
* **"and the people sat down to eat and to drink,":** This describes the communal feasting that followed the sacrifices. While shared meals were part of legitimate peace offerings, here it signifies self-indulgence and the pursuit of carnal pleasure, rather than spiritual communion with God. It sets the stage for the subsequent moral decay.
* **"and rose up to play.":** This final phrase reveals the depth of their moral depravity. As discussed in the key word analysis, "play" here denotes uninhibited, often sexually immoral, revelry. It signifies a complete abandonment of the holiness and reverence due to God, replacing it with pagan-style orgiastic celebration.

#### Literary Devices
Exodus 32:6 is rich with **Irony**. The people, having just pledged allegiance to Yahweh and received His holy commandments, immediately engage in practices that directly contradict those commands, using sacred rituals to honor a profane idol. There is also profound **Symbolism** in the golden calf itself, representing human attempts to confine and control the divine, creating a god in their own image rather than submitting to the true God. The "burnt offerings" and "peace offerings," meant to symbolize devotion and communion with Yahweh, become symbols of their spiritual rebellion and broken covenant. Furthermore, the verse employs **Antithesis** by juxtaposing the sacred (God's presence on Sinai, the divine commands, the legitimate offerings) with the profane (the golden calf, the licentious "play"), starkly highlighting the people's spiritual fall.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse powerfully illustrates the dangers of idolatry, syncretism, and spiritual impatience. The Israelites' actions reveal a fundamental misunderstanding of God's nature and a profound lack of faith, demonstrating how quickly a people can turn from the invisible, holy God to tangible, self-made representations that cater to their desires. Their perversion of sacred rituals for an idol underscores the abomination of mixing true worship with pagan practices, a theme consistently condemned throughout Scripture. This incident serves as a foundational example of covenant breaking and the severe consequences of spiritual rebellion against a holy and jealous God who demands exclusive worship.

* [Deuteronomy 32:15-18](/deuteronomy/32-15 "Deuteronomy 32:15-18 - Israel's Apostasy")
* [Psalm 106:19-20](/psalm/106-19 "Psalm 106:19-20 - The Golden Calf")
* [1 Corinthians 10:7-8](/1_corinthians/10-7 "1 Corinthians 10:7-8 - Warning Against Idolatry and Immorality")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Exodus 32:6 serves as a timeless cautionary tale, urging believers to examine the objects of their devotion and the nature of their worship. In our modern context, while we may not fashion physical golden calves, we are constantly tempted to create "idols" out of career success, material possessions, relationships, comfort, or even spiritual experiences that subtly displace God from His rightful, central place in our lives. This passage challenges us to cultivate patience and unwavering trust in God's timing and unseen faithfulness, especially when His presence seems distant or His answers delayed. It also reminds us that true worship is not merely about performing rituals, but about a heart fully devoted to God, free from the syncretistic blend of worldly values and unholy desires that can corrupt our spiritual walk. Our worship must be holy, reverent, and exclusive, reflecting God's character rather than our own carnal inclinations.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "golden calves" might I be tempted to create in my own life when God seems distant or His timing is not my own?**
* **How might I be unknowingly blending worldly values or practices with my faith, leading to a form of spiritual syncretism?**
* **In what areas of my life do I struggle with impatience, and how might that impatience lead me away from trusting God's sovereign plan?**
* **How does my daily life reflect a true, undivided devotion to God, rather than a pursuit of self-indulgence or carnal "play"?**

### FAQ
**Why did Aaron, Moses' brother and God's appointed high priest, participate in the creation of the golden calf?**

Answer: Aaron's actions in [Exodus 32](/exodus/32 "Exodus 32 - The Golden Calf Incident") are a complex mix of fear, expediency, and perhaps a misguided attempt to control the situation. Under immense pressure from the impatient and unruly people who demanded "gods, which shall go before us" ([Exodus 32:1](/exodus/32-1 "Exodus 32:1 - Demand for Gods")), Aaron likely feared for his life or position. He may have tried to appease them while simultaneously attempting to retain some semblance of Yahweh worship by declaring a "feast to the LORD" ([Exodus 32:5](/exodus/32-5 "Exodus 32:5 - Aaron's Feast to the LORD")). However, his compromise was a grave failure of leadership and a direct violation of God's commands, demonstrating the immense pressure leaders can face and the dangers of yielding to popular demand over divine truth.

**What does the phrase "rose up to play" truly mean in this context?**

Answer: The Hebrew word for "play," _tsachaq_ (צָחַק), can have a range of meanings, from innocent laughter to mockery or sexual intimacy. In the context of [Exodus 32:6](/exodus/32-6 "Exodus 32:6 - The Golden Calf Revelry"), following feasting and drinking in an idolatrous setting, it strongly implies uninhibited, immoral revelry, likely including sexual promiscuity and orgiastic behavior. This interpretation is supported by other biblical uses of the word, such as [Genesis 26:8](/genesis/26-8 "Genesis 26:8 - Isaac and Rebekah's Intimacy") (Isaac "playing" with Rebekah in a way that revealed their marital intimacy) and [Genesis 39:17](/genesis/39-17 "Genesis 39:17 - Potiphar's Wife's Accusation"), where Potiphar's wife accuses Joseph of coming "to play with me" (implying sexual assault). The New Testament also confirms this understanding, with [1 Corinthians 10:7-8](/1_corinthians/10-7 "1 Corinthians 10:7-8 - Warning Against Idolatry and Immorality") explicitly linking this event to idolatry and sexual immorality.

**How could the Israelites forget God's deliverance and commandments so quickly?**

Answer: The rapid forgetfulness of the Israelites, despite witnessing the miraculous plagues in Egypt, the parting of the Red Sea, and God's terrifying presence at Sinai, highlights the human propensity for spiritual amnesia and the allure of tangible gods. Their impatience with Moses' prolonged absence ([Exodus 32:1](/exodus/32-1 "Exodus 32:1 - Demand for Gods")) exposed a superficial faith that relied on visible leadership and immediate gratification rather than trust in an invisible God. Their desire for a god "who will go before us" reflects a deep-seated need for control and a tangible representation, a common human tendency to create God in our own image rather than submitting to His. This incident serves as a stark reminder that even after profound spiritual experiences, human hearts remain prone to wander without constant vigilance, humility, and reliance on God's grace.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The tragic events of Exodus 32:6, with the Israelites' swift descent into idolatry and revelry, powerfully underscore humanity's inherent sinfulness and desperate need for a perfect mediator and a new covenant. The golden calf incident reveals the utter failure of the Old Covenant to transform the human heart, demonstrating that even with the Law given by God, the people were incapable of sustained obedience. This sets the stage for the coming of Jesus Christ, who is the ultimate fulfillment of all that the Old Covenant foreshadowed but could not achieve. Unlike Moses, who interceded for a rebellious people but could not truly cleanse their hearts, Jesus is the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), offering a perfect and final sacrifice for sin ([Hebrews 9:26](/hebrews/9-26 "Hebrews 9:26 - Christ's Sacrifice")). He is the true and living bread, the one in whom we find ultimate satisfaction, unlike the fleeting pleasures of the golden calf feast ([John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life")). Through His atoning work, Christ establishes a [New Covenant](/jeremiah/31-31 "Jeremiah 31:31 - The New Covenant") where God's law is written not on stone tablets, but on the hearts of His people by the Holy Spirit ([Hebrews 8:10](/hebrews/8-10 "Hebrews 8:10 - The New Covenant Promised")). He is the true High Priest, offering Himself as the ultimate "burnt offering" of complete devotion and the "peace offering" that brings genuine reconciliation and communion with God ([Hebrews 7:27](/hebrews/7-27 "Hebrews 7:27 - Christ's Perfect Priesthood")). In Christ, we are called to worship God in spirit and truth, free from the idolatry and sensuality that plagued Israel, finding our ultimate "play" and joy in His presence forevermore ([Psalm 16:11](/psalm/16-11 "Psalm 16:11 - Fullness of Joy in God's Presence")).

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

1 Corinthians 10:7

Neither be ye idolaters, as [were] some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.

Numbers 25:2

And they called the people unto the sacrifices of their gods: and the people did eat, and bowed down to their gods.

Acts 7:41

And they made a calf in those days, and offered sacrifice unto the idol, and rejoiced in the works of their own hands.

Acts 7:42

¶ Then God turned, and gave them up to worship the host of heaven; as it is written in the book of the prophets, O ye house of Israel, have ye offered to me slain beasts and sacrifices [by the space of] forty years in the wilderness?

Revelation 11:10

And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth.

Judges 16:23

Then the lords of the Philistines gathered them together for to offer a great sacrifice unto Dagon their god, and to rejoice: for they said, Our god hath delivered Samson our enemy into our hand.

Judges 16:25

And it came to pass, when their hearts were merry, that they said, Call for Samson, that he may make us sport. And they called for Samson out of the prison house; and he made them sport: and they set him between the pillars.