Exodus 32:27
And he said unto them, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Put every man his sword by his side, and go in and out from gate to gate throughout the camp, and slay every man his brother, and every man his companion, and every man his neighbour.
Original Language Analysis
כֹּֽה
H3541
כֹּֽה
Strong's:
H3541
Word #:
3 of 27
properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
יְהוָה֙
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָה֙
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
5 of 27
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֵ֣י
God
H430
אֱלֹהֵ֣י
God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
6 of 27
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
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
7 of 27
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
שִׂ֥ימוּ
Put
H7760
שִׂ֥ימוּ
Put
Strong's:
H7760
Word #:
8 of 27
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
וְאִ֥ישׁ
and every man
H376
וְאִ֥ישׁ
and every man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
9 of 27
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)
חַרְבּ֖וֹ
his sword
H2719
חַרְבּ֖וֹ
his sword
Strong's:
H2719
Word #:
10 of 27
drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
11 of 27
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
יְרֵכ֑וֹ
by his side
H3409
יְרֵכ֑וֹ
by his side
Strong's:
H3409
Word #:
12 of 27
the thigh (from its fleshy softness); by euphemistically the generative parts; figuratively, a shank, flank, side
עִבְר֨וּ
and go
H5674
עִבְר֨וּ
and go
Strong's:
H5674
Word #:
13 of 27
to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in
וָשׁ֜וּבוּ
in and out
H7725
וָשׁ֜וּבוּ
in and out
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
14 of 27
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
בַּֽמַּחֲנֶ֔ה
throughout the camp
H4264
בַּֽמַּחֲנֶ֔ה
throughout the camp
Strong's:
H4264
Word #:
17 of 27
an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or figurative (of dancers, angels, cattle, locusts, stars; or e
וְאִ֥ישׁ
and every man
H376
וְאִ֥ישׁ
and every man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
19 of 27
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)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
20 of 27
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אָחִ֛יו
his brother
H251
אָחִ֛יו
his brother
Strong's:
H251
Word #:
21 of 27
a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])
וְאִ֥ישׁ
and every man
H376
וְאִ֥ישׁ
and every man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
22 of 27
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)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
23 of 27
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וְאִ֥ישׁ
and every man
H376
וְאִ֥ישׁ
and every man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
25 of 27
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)
Cross References
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern treaties included curse clauses for covenant violation. This execution was treaty enforcement, not genocide. The Levites' obedience demonstrated covenant loyalty exceeded tribal/family loyalty.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's holiness require severe consequences for covenant violation?
- When does mercy become complicity with evil, and judgment become necessary?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Moses delivers God's command beginning כֹּה־אָמַר יְהוָה (koh-amar Adonai, Thus says the Lord), the prophetic formula establishing divine authority. The threefold instruction (put on swords, go through the camp gate to gate, slay) is stark. The phrase אִישׁ אֶת־אָחִיו וְאִישׁ אֶת־רֵעֵהוּ וְאִישׁ אֶת־קְרֹבוֹ (ish et-achiv ve-ish et-re'ehu ve-ish et-qerovo, every man his brother, companion, and neighbor) emphasizes the judgment would cut across all natural relationships. This wasn't random violence but covenant enforcement—like Phinehas later (Num 25:7-8), those who break covenant in capital ways deserve capital punishment. God's holiness permits no compromise.