Exodus 32:20
And 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.
Original Language Analysis
וַיִּקַּ֞ח
And he took
H3947
וַיִּקַּ֞ח
And he took
Strong's:
H3947
Word #:
1 of 19
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
2 of 19
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הָעֵ֨גֶל
the calf
H5695
הָעֵ֨גֶל
the calf
Strong's:
H5695
Word #:
3 of 19
a (male) calf (as frisking round), especially one nearly grown (i.e., a steer)
אֲשֶׁ֤ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֤ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
4 of 19
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
עָשׂוּ֙
which they had made
H6213
עָשׂוּ֙
which they had made
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
5 of 19
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
וַיִּטְחַ֖ן
and ground
H2912
וַיִּטְחַ֖ן
and ground
Strong's:
H2912
Word #:
8 of 19
to grind meal; hence, to be a concubine (that being their employment)
עַ֣ד
H5704
עַ֣ד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
9 of 19
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 #:
10 of 19
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
וַיִּ֙זֶר֙
and strawed
H2219
וַיִּ֙זֶר֙
and strawed
Strong's:
H2219
Word #:
12 of 19
to toss about; by implication, to diffuse, winnow
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
13 of 19
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
פְּנֵ֣י
it upon
H6440
פְּנֵ֣י
it upon
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
14 of 19
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
הַמַּ֔יִם
the water
H4325
הַמַּ֔יִם
the water
Strong's:
H4325
Word #:
15 of 19
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
וַיַּ֖שְׁקְ
drink
H8248
וַיַּ֖שְׁקְ
drink
Strong's:
H8248
Word #:
16 of 19
to quaff, i.e., (causatively) to irrigate or furnish a potion to
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
17 of 19
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
Historical Context
This thorough destruction demonstrated the idol's absolute worthlessness—it couldn't defend itself. The forced drinking enacted covenant curse: they consumed their own sin's fruit (cf. Hosea 8:5-6).
Questions for Reflection
- How does God force you to 'drink' your sin's consequences to produce repentance?
- What does the calf's powerlessness teach about all idols' ultimate futility?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Moses' three-part response shows both symbolic and practical judgment:
This humiliating punishment proved the calf's impotence—their 'god' became excrement. The procedure may mirror the trial of adultery (Num 5:11-31), appropriate since idolatry is spiritual adultery. Gold powder in water would be visible, forcing them to literally consume their sin's consequences.