Exodus 32:30
And it came to pass on the morrow, that Moses said unto the people, Ye have sinned a great sin: and now I will go up unto the LORD; peradventure I shall make an atonement for your sin.
Original Language Analysis
וַֽיְהִי֙
H1961
וַֽיְהִי֙
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
1 of 18
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
מִֽמָּחֳרָ֔ת
And it came to pass on the morrow
H4283
מִֽמָּחֳרָ֔ת
And it came to pass on the morrow
Strong's:
H4283
Word #:
2 of 18
the morrow or (adverbially) tomorrow
הָעָ֔ם
unto the people
H5971
הָעָ֔ם
unto the people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
6 of 18
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
חֲטָאתֶ֖ם
Ye have sinned
H2398
חֲטָאתֶ֖ם
Ye have sinned
Strong's:
H2398
Word #:
8 of 18
properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, (causatively) lead astray, condemn
וְעַתָּה֙
H6258
אֶֽעֱלֶ֣ה
and now I will go up
H5927
אֶֽעֱלֶ֣ה
and now I will go up
Strong's:
H5927
Word #:
12 of 18
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
יְהוָ֔ה
unto the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֔ה
unto the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
14 of 18
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֲכַפְּרָ֖ה
I shall make an atonement
H3722
אֲכַפְּרָ֖ה
I shall make an atonement
Strong's:
H3722
Word #:
16 of 18
to cover (specifically with bitumen)
Cross References
1 Samuel 12:20And Samuel said unto the people, Fear not: ye have done all this wickedness: yet turn not aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart;Numbers 25:13And he shall have it, and his seed after him, even the covenant of an everlasting priesthood; because he was zealous for his God, and made an atonement for the children of Israel.Jonah 3:9Who can tell if God will turn and repent, and turn away from his fierce anger, that we perish not?Amos 5:15Hate the evil, and love the good, and establish judgment in the gate: it may be that the LORD God of hosts will be gracious unto the remnant of Joseph.2 Kings 17:21For he rent Israel from the house of David; and they made Jeroboam the son of Nebat king: and Jeroboam drave Israel from following the LORD, and made them sin a great sin.Numbers 16:47And Aaron took as Moses commanded, and ran into the midst of the congregation; and, behold, the plague was begun among the people: and he put on incense, and made an atonement for the people.1 Samuel 12:23Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way:2 Samuel 16:12It may be that the LORD will look on mine affliction, and that the LORD will requite me good for his cursing this day.
Historical Context
Moses' continued intercession after justice was executed demonstrates the mediator's dual role: executing God's wrath against sin while pleading for mercy. This tension finds resolution only in Christ, who satisfied both justice and mercy.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Moses' uncertainty about making atonement point to Christ's superior mediation?
- What motivates intercession after judgment has fallen?
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Analysis & Commentary
The temporal marker וַיְהִי מִמָּחֳרָת (vayehi mimochorat, and it came to pass on the next day) shows Moses' continued intercession after judgment. His words אַתֶּם חֲטָאתֶם חֲטָאָה גְדֹלָה (atem chathatem chata'ah gedolah, you have sinned a great sin) repeats the adjective גְדֹלָה (gedolah, great), emphasizing magnitude. His proposed action—אוּלַי אֲכַפְּרָה בְּעַד חַטַּאתְכֶם (ulay achapperah be'ad chattatchem, perhaps I shall make atonement for your sin)—uses אֲכַפְּרָה (achapperah, make atonement/covering), the root of כִּפֻּר (kippur). Moses' 'perhaps' shows uncertainty whether God would accept his mediation, foreshadowing Christ's certain atonement.