Exodus 32:1
And when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down out of the mount, the people gathered themselves together unto Aaron, and said unto him, Up, make us gods, which shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him.
Original Language Analysis
וַיַּ֣רְא
saw
H7200
וַיַּ֣רְא
saw
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
1 of 34
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
הָעָ֜ם
And when the people
H5971
הָעָ֜ם
And when the people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
2 of 34
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
3 of 34
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
בֹשֵׁ֥שׁ
delayed
H954
בֹשֵׁ֥שׁ
delayed
Strong's:
H954
Word #:
4 of 34
properly, to pale, i.e., by implication to be ashamed; also (by implication) to be disappointed or delayed
לָרֶ֣דֶת
to come down
H3381
לָרֶ֣דֶת
to come down
Strong's:
H3381
Word #:
6 of 34
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
מִן
H4480
מִן
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
7 of 34
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
הָהָ֑ר
out of the mount
H2022
הָהָ֑ר
out of the mount
Strong's:
H2022
Word #:
8 of 34
a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)
הָעָ֜ם
And when the people
H5971
הָעָ֜ם
And when the people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
10 of 34
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
עַֽל
H5921
עַֽל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
11 of 34
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
ק֣וּם׀
unto him Up
H6965
ק֣וּם׀
unto him Up
Strong's:
H6965
Word #:
15 of 34
to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
עֲשֵׂה
make
H6213
עֲשֵׂה
make
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
16 of 34
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
אֱלֹהִ֗ים
us gods
H430
אֱלֹהִ֗ים
us gods
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
18 of 34
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
אֲשֶׁ֤ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֤ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
19 of 34
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יֵֽלְכוּ֙
H1980
יֵֽלְכוּ֙
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
20 of 34
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
לְפָנֵ֔ינוּ
before
H6440
לְפָנֵ֔ינוּ
before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
21 of 34
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
כִּי
H3588
כִּי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
22 of 34
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
זֶ֣ה׀
H2088
הָאִ֗ישׁ
the man
H376
הָאִ֗ישׁ
the man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
25 of 34
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
אֲשֶׁ֤ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֤ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
26 of 34
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
הֶֽעֱלָ֙נוּ֙
that brought
H5927
הֶֽעֱלָ֙נוּ֙
that brought
Strong's:
H5927
Word #:
27 of 34
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
מֵאֶ֣רֶץ
us up out of the land
H776
מֵאֶ֣רֶץ
us up out of the land
Strong's:
H776
Word #:
28 of 34
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
לֹ֥א
H3808
לֹ֥א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
30 of 34
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יָדַ֖עְנוּ
we wot
H3045
יָדַ֖עְנוּ
we wot
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
31 of 34
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
מֶה
H4100
מֶה
Strong's:
H4100
Word #:
32 of 34
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
Cross References
Acts 7:40Saying unto Aaron, Make us gods to go before us: for as for this Moses, which brought us out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him.Deuteronomy 9:9When I was gone up into the mount to receive the tables of stone, even the tables of the covenant which the LORD made with you, then I abode in the mount forty days and forty nights, I neither did eat bread nor drink water:2 Peter 3:4And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.Exodus 24:18And Moses went into the midst of the cloud, and gat him up into the mount: and Moses was in the mount forty days and forty nights.Matthew 24:48But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming;Acts 17:29Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device.Acts 19:26Moreover ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they be no gods, which are made with hands:Exodus 14:11And they said unto Moses, Because there were no graves in Egypt, hast thou taken us away to die in the wilderness? wherefore hast thou dealt thus with us, to carry us forth out of Egypt?Exodus 13:21And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night:Exodus 32:11And Moses besought the LORD his God, and said, LORD, why doth thy wrath wax hot against thy people, which thou hast brought forth out of the land of Egypt with great power, and with a mighty hand?
Historical Context
This occurred on Mount Sinai around 1446 BC, approximately 40 days after Israel received the Ten Commandments. Moses was receiving the full law code on the mountain while the people grew restless below.
Questions for Reflection
- What 'delays' in God's timing tempt you to take matters into your own hands?
- How does impatience with God's appointed leaders lead to spiritual compromise?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The Hebrew בֹּשֵׁשׁ (boshesh, delayed) suggests Moses tarried beyond expectation. The people's demand לֵאלֹהִים (le'elohim, for gods) uses the plural form, revealing their desire for visible deity rather than the invisible God. Their dismissive reference to 'this Moses' shows how quickly they rejected God's appointed mediator. This apostasy occurred while God was giving the very law prohibiting idolatry, demonstrating human depravity's depth even among covenant people who had witnessed miraculous deliverance.