Exodus 32:11
And 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?
Original Language Analysis
וַיְחַ֣ל
besought
H2470
וַיְחַ֣ל
besought
Strong's:
H2470
Word #:
1 of 20
properly, to be rubbed or worn; hence (figuratively) to stroke (in flattering), entreat
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
3 of 20
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
פְּנֵ֖י
H6440
פְּנֵ֖י
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
4 of 20
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
יְהוָה֙
LORD
H3068
יְהוָה֙
LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
5 of 20
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהָ֑יו
his God
H430
אֱלֹהָ֑יו
his God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
6 of 20
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
לָמָ֤ה
H4100
לָמָ֤ה
Strong's:
H4100
Word #:
8 of 20
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
יְהוָה֙
LORD
H3068
יְהוָה֙
LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
9 of 20
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
יֶֽחֱרֶ֤ה
wax hot
H2734
יֶֽחֱרֶ֤ה
wax hot
Strong's:
H2734
Word #:
10 of 20
to glow or grow warm; figuratively (usually) to blaze up, of anger, zeal, jealousy
אַפְּךָ֙
why doth thy wrath
H639
אַפְּךָ֙
why doth thy wrath
Strong's:
H639
Word #:
11 of 20
properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire
בְּעַמֶּ֔ךָ
against thy people
H5971
בְּעַמֶּ֔ךָ
against thy people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
12 of 20
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
אֲשֶׁ֤ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֤ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
13 of 20
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
הוֹצֵ֙אתָ֙
which thou hast brought forth
H3318
הוֹצֵ֙אתָ֙
which thou hast brought forth
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
14 of 20
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
מֵאֶ֣רֶץ
out of the land
H776
מֵאֶ֣רֶץ
out of the land
Strong's:
H776
Word #:
15 of 20
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
בְּכֹ֥חַ
power
H3581
בְּכֹ֥חַ
power
Strong's:
H3581
Word #:
17 of 20
vigor, literally (force, in a good or a bad sense) or figuratively (capacity, means, produce)
גָּד֖וֹל
with great
H1419
גָּד֖וֹל
with great
Strong's:
H1419
Word #:
18 of 20
great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent
Historical Context
Moses' intercession exemplifies the mediator role—standing between God's holiness and human sin. This foreshadows Christ's superior mediation, who not only prays but also satisfies divine justice.
Questions for Reflection
- What motivates your prayers—God's glory or your comfort?
- How does appealing to God's character and promises strengthen intercession?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Moses' intercession begins וַיְחַל מֹשֶׁה (vay'chal Moshe, Moses besought/entreated urgently), using a word meaning to appease or seek favor earnestly. Moses' argument appeals to three grounds:
Moses reverses God's 'your people' (v7) back to עַמְּךָ (amcha, Your people), insisting on God's ownership. The rhetorical question לָמָּה (lamah, why?) challenges God's proposed action based on His own character and purposes.