Exodus 32:26
Then Moses stood in the gate of the camp, and said, Who is on the LORD'S side? let him come unto me. And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together unto him.
Original Language Analysis
וַיַּֽעֲמֹ֤ד
stood
H5975
וַיַּֽעֲמֹ֤ד
stood
Strong's:
H5975
Word #:
1 of 13
to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)
הַֽמַּחֲנֶ֔ה
of the camp
H4264
הַֽמַּחֲנֶ֔ה
of the camp
Strong's:
H4264
Word #:
4 of 13
an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or figurative (of dancers, angels, cattle, locusts, stars; or e
מִ֥י
H4310
מִ֥י
Strong's:
H4310
Word #:
6 of 13
who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix
לַֽיהוָ֖ה
Who is on the LORD'S
H3068
לַֽיהוָ֖ה
Who is on the LORD'S
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
7 of 13
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וַיֵּאָֽסְפ֥וּ
gathered
H622
וַיֵּאָֽסְפ֥וּ
gathered
Strong's:
H622
Word #:
9 of 13
to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e., remove (destroy, leave behind, put up, restore, etc.)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
11 of 13
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
Cross References
2 Kings 9:32And he lifted up his face to the window, and said, Who is on my side? who? And there looked out to him two or three eunuchs.Matthew 12:30He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.Joshua 5:13And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold, there stood a man over against him with his sword drawn in his hand: and Joshua went unto him, and said unto him, Art thou for us, or for our adversaries?2 Samuel 20:11And one of Joab's men stood by him, and said, He that favoureth Joab, and he that is for David, let him go after Joab.
Historical Context
The Levites' loyalty here earned them the priesthood (Deut 33:8-11). Their willingness to execute judgment even on family members demonstrated covenant love exceeding natural affection—precisely what Jesus later required (Matt 10:37).
Questions for Reflection
- What 'gates' in your life demand you declare whose side you're on?
- How does true loyalty to God sometimes require separation from even close relationships?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Moses' stand at the שַׁעַר הַמַּחֲנֶה (sha'ar hamachaneh, gate of the camp) created a decision point. His cry מִי לַיהוָה אֵלַי (mi l'Adonai elay, Who is on the Lord's side? Let him come to me) forced binary choice—there's no neutrality regarding God. The response 'all the sons of Levi' (כָּל־בְּנֵי לֵוִי, kol-benei Levi) showed the Levites' collective loyalty. Their immediate gathering אֵלָיו (elav, to him) demonstrated decisive commitment. This separation prefigures God's consistent call to His people: be separate from the world's rebellion (2 Cor 6:14-18).