Exodus 34:32

KJV

And afterward all the children of Israel came nigh: and he gave them in commandment all that the LORD had spoken with him in mount Sinai.

KJV (with Strong's)

And afterward {H310} all the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478} came nigh {H5066}: and he gave them in commandment {H6680} all that the LORD {H3068} had spoken {H1696} with him in mount {H2022} Sinai {H5514}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Afterwards, all the people of Isra'el came near; and he passed on to them all the orders that ADONAI had told him on Mount Sinai.

Berean Standard Bible

And after this all the Israelites came near, and Moses commanded them to do everything that the LORD had told him on Mount Sinai.

American Standard Version

And afterward all the children of Israel came nigh: and he gave them in commandment all that Jehovah had spoken with him in mount Sinai.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 34:32 marks the crucial moment when Moses, having descended from Mount Sinai with renewed covenant tablets and a face radiant with divine glory, formally presented to the assembled Israelites all the divine instructions and commandments that the LORD had spoken to him. This verse signifies the re-establishment of the covenant relationship after the golden calf apostasy, emphasizing God's enduring faithfulness and His chosen method of revealing His will through a mediator to His people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated immediately after the dramatic account of Moses' second forty-day encounter with the LORD on Mount Sinai, a period during which God graciously renewed His covenant with Israel, inscribed new tablets of the Law, and revealed His character (Exodus 34:1-28). Specifically, it follows the description of Moses' radiant face upon descending, which initially caused fear among the Israelites, necessitating a veil (Exodus 34:29-31). The act of the people "coming nigh" in verse 32 indicates a shift from their initial apprehension to a willingness to approach and receive the divine word, setting the stage for the formal communication of God's renewed covenant and laws, which continues to be detailed in the subsequent chapters of Exodus, dealing with the construction of the Tabernacle and its furnishings.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop is the wilderness journey of the Israelites, approximately one year after their exodus from Egypt, following the catastrophic incident of the golden calf (see [Exodus 32](/exodus/32 "Exodus 32 - The Golden Calf Incident")). This act of idolatry had severely broken the covenant established at Sinai, leading to divine judgment and Moses' intercession. The renewal of the covenant in [Exodus 34](/exodus/34 "Exodus 34 - Covenant Renewal and Moses' Radiant Face") demonstrates God's mercy and commitment to His chosen people, despite their rebellion. Culturally, Moses functioned as the sole mediator between God and Israel, a role that was both unique and weighty. The act of "giving in commandment" reflects the ancient Near Eastern practice of a suzerain (God) establishing terms with a vassal (Israel), with the mediator (Moses) conveying these authoritative stipulations. The entire scene underscores the foundational importance of divine law and covenant for Israel's identity and relationship with Yahweh.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Came nigh (Hebrew, _qarab'_):** This verb signifies a deliberate act of drawing near, approaching, or presenting oneself. In this context, it highlights the Israelites' intentional movement towards Moses, indicating a readiness or willingness to hear and receive the divine message after their initial fear of Moses' radiant face had subsided (cf. [Exodus 34:30](/exodus/34-30 "Exodus 34:30 - Moses' Radiant Face")). It implies a posture of receptivity and submission to the authority of the one delivering God's word.
* **Commandment (Hebrew, _mitsvah'_):** Derived from the verb "to command," _mitsvah_ refers to a divine precept, instruction, or ordinance. It denotes a specific, authoritative directive from God, carrying the weight of His will and requiring obedience. The plural form, "commandments," encompasses the broader body of laws and statutes given at Sinai, which formed the legal and moral framework for Israel's covenant relationship with God.
* **Spoken (Hebrew, _dabar'_):** This verb means "to speak," "to declare," or "to command." Its use here emphasizes the direct, verbal communication of God's will to Moses. It underscores the divine origin and authority of the message Moses conveyed, highlighting that he was not delivering his own thoughts but faithfully transmitting the very words of the LORD.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And afterward all the children of Israel came nigh":** Following the initial awe and fear caused by Moses' radiant face, the entire community of Israel, representing the full body of the covenant people, overcame their apprehension and deliberately approached their mediator. This collective action signifies their readiness to engage with the divine revelation and re-enter into the covenant relationship.
* **"and he gave them in commandment all that the LORD had spoken with him in mount Sinai.":** Moses, acting as God's chosen representative, faithfully transmitted the entirety of the divine instructions. This includes not only the Ten Commandments (which were re-inscribed) but also the broader body of laws, statutes, and ordinances that God had communicated to him during his second forty-day sojourn on Mount Sinai. This clause emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the revelation and Moses' fidelity in delivering it without omission or alteration.

#### Literary Devices
The verse primarily employs **Mediation**, highlighting Moses' indispensable role as the conduit between the holy God and His people. This is reinforced by the contrast between the people's initial fear of Moses' radiant glory (implied from previous verses) and their subsequent act of "coming nigh," indicating their acceptance of his mediatorial function. There is also a strong sense of **Divine Authority** conveyed, as the content of Moses' message is explicitly stated to be "all that the LORD had spoken," underscoring that these are not human laws but divinely ordained commands. Furthermore, the scene presents a form of **Thematic Repetition** or **Covenant Reaffirmation**, as the giving of the law echoes the initial covenant ceremony in [Exodus 19](/exodus/19 "Exodus 19 - Israel at Mount Sinai"), but now with the added layer of God's grace in renewing the covenant after Israel's profound failure.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 34:32 powerfully illustrates God's unwavering commitment to His covenant people, even in the face of their profound unfaithfulness. Despite the shattering of the first tablets and the idolatry of the golden calf, God mercifully re-establishes His relationship with Israel, reaffirming His desire for them to live according to His righteous standards. This moment underscores the critical role of divine revelation and mediation in God's plan for humanity, demonstrating that His will is not hidden but graciously communicated for the guidance and blessing of His people. It also highlights the necessity of human receptivity and obedience to God's authoritative word as the foundation for a flourishing covenant relationship.

* [Deuteronomy 4:1-2](/deuteronomy/4-1 "Deuteronomy 4:1-2 - Keep the Commandments")
* [Psalm 19:7-11](/psalm/19-7 "Psalm 19:7-11 - The Perfection of God's Law")
* [Hebrews 1:1-2](/hebrews/1-1 "Hebrews 1:1-2 - God's Revelation Through His Son")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Exodus 34:32 invites us to consider our own posture towards God's revealed will. Just as the Israelites "came nigh" to Moses to receive the divine word, we are called to actively draw near to God's Word, the Bible, with a spirit of humility and eagerness to learn. This isn't a passive act but an intentional pursuit of understanding and obedience. In a world filled with competing voices and philosophies, the clarity and authority of God's commandments provide an unwavering guide for life. This passage also reminds us of the importance of faithful spiritual leadership, those who, like Moses, are committed to accurately and comprehensively communicating "all that the LORD has spoken," rather than their own opinions or preferences. Our spiritual flourishing is directly tied to our willingness to embrace and apply the truths revealed by God, trusting that His commands are not burdensome but are given for our good and His glory.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways do I "come nigh" to God's Word in my daily life? Am I actively seeking to understand and apply it?**
* **How does the faithfulness of Moses in delivering "all that the LORD had spoken" challenge or encourage my own commitment to sharing God's truth?**
* **Considering God's mercy in renewing the covenant after Israel's failure, what does this passage teach me about God's character and His grace towards me?**

### FAQ
**Why was it necessary for Moses to "give them in commandment" again, if the Law was already given?**

Answer: While the Law was initially given in [Exodus 20](/exodus/20 "Exodus 20 - The Ten Commandments"), the covenant was severely broken by Israel's idolatry with the golden calf (see [Exodus 32](/exodus/32 "Exodus 32 - The Golden Calf Incident")). Moses had even shattered the original tablets in response to their sin. God, in His mercy, chose to renew the covenant, re-inscribing the Ten Commandments and reaffirming the other stipulations. Therefore, Moses' act in [Exodus 34:32](/exodus/34-32 "Exodus 34:32 - Moses Gives Commandments") was not a mere repetition but a formal re-establishment and re-delivery of the divine will, signifying God's gracious restoration of the relationship with His people despite their profound failure. It underscored the enduring validity and necessity of God's commands for their life as a covenant nation.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Exodus 34:32, with Moses as the mediator delivering God's commandments, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate and perfect mediation of Jesus Christ. While Moses delivered the Law, which revealed sin and demonstrated humanity's inability to perfectly keep God's standards, Christ came not only to perfectly fulfill the Law (as stated in [Matthew 5:17](/matthew/5-17 "Matthew 5:17 - Jesus Fulfills the Law")) but also to be the very Word of God incarnate (as declared in [John 1:1, 14](/john/1-1 "John 1:1, 14 - The Word Made Flesh")). Unlike Moses, who merely spoke what the LORD had spoken, Jesus *is* God's final and complete revelation, the one through whom God speaks directly to humanity (as seen in [Hebrews 1:1-2](/hebrews/1-1 "Hebrews 1:1-2 - God Speaks Through His Son")). Through His sacrificial death and resurrection, Christ established a new and better covenant, not based on human obedience to a written code, but on His perfect obedience and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit (as described in [Jeremiah 31:31-34](/jeremiah/31-31 "Jeremiah 31:31-34 - The New Covenant") and [Hebrews 8:6-13](/hebrews/8-6 "Hebrews 8:6-13 - Christ, Mediator of a Better Covenant")). Thus, the people "coming nigh" to Moses to receive the Law finds its ultimate fulfillment in believers drawing near to Christ, 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")), and through whom we receive not just commandments, but grace and truth ([John 1:17](/john/1-17 "John 1:17 - Grace and Truth Through 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.