Deuteronomy 9:21
And I took your sin, the calf which ye had made, and burnt it with fire, and stamped it, and ground it very small, even until it was as small as dust: and I cast the dust thereof into the brook that descended out of the mount.
Original Language Analysis
וְֽאֶת
H853
וְֽאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
1 of 26
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
חַטַּאתְכֶ֞ם
your sin
H2403
חַטַּאתְכֶ֞ם
your sin
Strong's:
H2403
Word #:
2 of 26
an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or expiation; also (concretely) an offender
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
3 of 26
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
עֲשִׂיתֶ֣ם
which ye had made
H6213
עֲשִׂיתֶ֣ם
which ye had made
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
4 of 26
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
5 of 26
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הָעֵ֗גֶל
the calf
H5695
הָעֵ֗גֶל
the calf
Strong's:
H5695
Word #:
6 of 26
a (male) calf (as frisking round), especially one nearly grown (i.e., a steer)
לָקַחְתִּי֮
And I took
H3947
לָקַחְתִּי֮
And I took
Strong's:
H3947
Word #:
7 of 26
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
אֹת֣וֹ׀
H853
אֹת֣וֹ׀
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
9 of 26
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אֹת֤וֹ
H853
אֹת֤וֹ
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
12 of 26
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
טָחוֹן֙
it and ground
H2912
טָחוֹן֙
it and ground
Strong's:
H2912
Word #:
13 of 26
to grind meal; hence, to be a concubine (that being their employment)
הֵיטֵ֔ב
it very small
H3190
הֵיטֵ֔ב
it very small
Strong's:
H3190
Word #:
14 of 26
to be (causative) make well, literally (sound, beautiful) or figuratively (happy, successful, right)
עַ֥ד
H5704
עַ֥ד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
15 of 26
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
16 of 26
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
דַּ֖ק
even until it was as small
H1854
דַּ֖ק
even until it was as small
Strong's:
H1854
Word #:
17 of 26
to crush (or intransitively) crumble
עֲפָר֔וֹ
as dust
H6083
עֲפָר֔וֹ
as dust
Strong's:
H6083
Word #:
18 of 26
dust (as powdered or gray); hence, clay, earth, mud
וָֽאַשְׁלִךְ֙
and I cast
H7993
וָֽאַשְׁלִךְ֙
and I cast
Strong's:
H7993
Word #:
19 of 26
to throw out, down or away (literally or figuratively)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
20 of 26
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
עֲפָר֔וֹ
as dust
H6083
עֲפָר֔וֹ
as dust
Strong's:
H6083
Word #:
21 of 26
dust (as powdered or gray); hence, clay, earth, mud
הַנַּ֖חַל
thereof into the brook
H5158
הַנַּ֖חַל
thereof into the brook
Strong's:
H5158
Word #:
23 of 26
a stream, especially a winter torrent; (by implication) a (narrow) valley (in which a brook runs); also a shaft (of a mine)
הַיֹּרֵ֥ד
that descended out
H3381
הַיֹּרֵ֥ד
that descended out
Strong's:
H3381
Word #:
24 of 26
to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau
Cross References
Exodus 32:20And he took the calf which they had made, and burnt it in the fire, and ground it to powder, and strawed it upon the water, and made the children of Israel drink of it.Isaiah 31:7For in that day every man shall cast away his idols of silver, and his idols of gold, which your own hands have made unto you for a sin.
Historical Context
Moses' destruction of the golden calf resembles Josiah's later destruction of idolatrous objects during his reformation (2 Kings 23). Both demonstrate that true spiritual renewal requires radical removal of idolatry, not accommodation or gradual reform.
Exodus 32 records that Moses ground the calf to powder and made the Israelites drink it - forcing them to internalize and bear the consequences of their sin.
Questions for Reflection
- Why was complete destruction of the idol necessary rather than merely removing it from sight?
- How does this thoroughness apply to how believers should deal with sin in their lives?
- What idols in our lives require this kind of radical, complete removal?
- Why is partial reformation of sinful patterns insufficient for spiritual health?
- How does the progressive destruction (burn, stamp, grind, cast away) picture progressive sanctification?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And I took your sin, the calf which ye had made, and burnt it with fire, and stamped it, and ground it very small, even until it was as small as dust: and I cast the dust thereof into the brook that descended out of the mount. Moses' thorough destruction of the golden calf demonstrates the complete eradication required for idolatry - burning, crushing, grinding to dust, and dispersing in running water ensured no remnant remained.
This systematic annihilation pictures the total destruction of sin that God requires. Partial reformation is insufficient; idolatry must be completely removed. The Hebrew verbs emphasize progressive obliteration - each step more thoroughly destroys the idol until nothing identifiable remains.
Casting the dust into the flowing brook ensured permanent dispersal - the water would carry away even the microscopic particles. This prevented any future veneration of the idol's remains and symbolized that what is utterly destroyed cannot be recovered or restored.
Reformed theology applies this principle spiritually - believers must not merely moderate sinful behaviors but completely mortify (put to death) the deeds of the flesh. Halfway measures in dealing with sin prove inadequate; total destruction is required.