Exodus 32:24
And I said unto them, Whosoever hath any gold, let them break it off. So they gave it me: then I cast it into the fire, and there came out this calf.
Original Language Analysis
לְמִ֣י
H4310
לְמִ֣י
Strong's:
H4310
Word #:
3 of 12
who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix
זָהָ֔ב
unto them Whosoever hath any gold
H2091
זָהָ֔ב
unto them Whosoever hath any gold
Strong's:
H2091
Word #:
4 of 12
gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e., yellow), as oil, a clear sky
הִתְפָּרָ֖קוּ
let them break
H6561
הִתְפָּרָ֖קוּ
let them break
Strong's:
H6561
Word #:
5 of 12
to break off or crunch; figuratively, to deliver
וַיִּתְּנוּ
it off So they gave
H5414
וַיִּתְּנוּ
it off So they gave
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
6 of 12
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
וָֽאַשְׁלִכֵ֣הוּ
it me then I cast
H7993
וָֽאַשְׁלִכֵ֣הוּ
it me then I cast
Strong's:
H7993
Word #:
8 of 12
to throw out, down or away (literally or figuratively)
וַיֵּצֵ֖א
and there came out
H3318
וַיֵּצֵ֖א
and there came out
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
10 of 12
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
Historical Context
Aaron fashioned the calf with a graving tool (v4), actively creating the idol. His denial parallels Adam's excuse-making (Gen 3:12) and prefigures all human attempts to avoid accountability through false narratives.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you construct false narratives to minimize your role in sin?
- What does Aaron's lie teach about sin's progression from deed to denial?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Aaron's claim וָאַשְׁלִכֵהוּ בָאֵשׁ וַיֵּצֵא הָעֵגֶל הַזֶּה (va'ashlikhehu va'esh vayyetze ha'egel hazeh, I cast it into the fire, and out came this calf) is a blatant lie contradicting verse 4's detailed account. The verb יָצָא (yatza, came out) suggests the calf emerged spontaneously, like a miracle—absurd given gold's properties. This represents excuse-making at its worst: claiming passivity when you were active, invoking 'mysterious' causation for deliberate choices, minimizing sin's seriousness through fabrication. Aaron's lie compounds his original sin with deception, showing how initial compromise leads to deeper corruption.