Exodus 32:1

Authorized King James Version

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.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וַיַּ֣רְא

H7200

saw

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

הָעָ֜ם

H5971

And when the people

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

כִּֽי

H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

בֹשֵׁ֥שׁ

H954

delayed

properly, to pale, i.e., by implication to be ashamed; also (by implication) to be disappointed or delayed

מֹשֶׁ֣ה

H4872

that Moses

mosheh, the israelite lawgiver

לָרֶ֣דֶת

H3381

to come down

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

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

הָהָ֑ר

H2022

out of the mount

a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)

וַיִּקָּהֵ֨ל

H6950

gathered themselves together

to convoke

#10

הָעָ֜ם

H5971

And when the people

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

#11

עַֽל

H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

#12

אַהֲרֹ֗ן

H175

unto Aaron

aharon, the brother of moses

#13

וַיֹּֽאמְר֤וּ

H559

and said

to say (used with great latitude)

#14

אֵלָיו֙

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

#15

ק֣וּם׀

H6965

unto him Up

to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)

#16

עֲשֵׂה

H6213

make

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

#17

לָ֣נוּ

#18

אֱלֹהִ֗ים

H430

us gods

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

#19

אֲשֶׁ֤ר

H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

#20

יֵֽלְכוּ֙

H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

#21

לְפָנֵ֔ינוּ

H6440

before

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

#22

כִּי

H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

#23

זֶ֣ה׀

H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

#24

מֹשֶׁ֣ה

H4872

that Moses

mosheh, the israelite lawgiver

#25

הָאִ֗ישׁ

H376

the man

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)

#26

אֲשֶׁ֤ר

H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

#27

הֶֽעֱלָ֙נוּ֙

H5927

that brought

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

#28

מֵאֶ֣רֶץ

H776

us up out of the land

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

#29

מִצְרַ֔יִם

H4714

of Egypt

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

#30

לֹ֥א

H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

#31

יָדַ֖עְנוּ

H3045

we wot

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

#32

מֶה

H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

#33

הָ֥יָה

H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

#34

לֽוֹ׃

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Exodus. The concept of divine sovereignty reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The divine name or title here functions within biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness to establish theological authority and covenantal relationship. The original language emphasizes careful word choice that would have carried specific theological weight for the original audience, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

How does the salvation theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?
In what ways does this verse's emphasis on divine sovereignty address religious pluralism and questions about the necessity of Christ, and how should the church respond?
How might the original audience's understanding of divine sovereignty differ from modern interpretations, and what bridges can be built between ancient meaning and contemporary application?

Related Resources

Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.

People

Moses