Exodus 32:31
And Moses returned unto the LORD, and said, Oh, this people have sinned a great sin, and have made them gods of gold.
Original Language Analysis
וַיָּ֧שָׁב
returned
H7725
וַיָּ֧שָׁב
returned
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
1 of 15
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
יְהוָ֖ה
unto the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֖ה
unto the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
4 of 15
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
חָטָ֞א
have sinned
H2398
חָטָ֞א
have sinned
Strong's:
H2398
Word #:
7 of 15
properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, (causatively) lead astray, condemn
הָעָ֤ם
this people
H5971
הָעָ֤ם
this people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
8 of 15
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
הַזֶּה֙
H2088
וַיַּֽעֲשׂ֥וּ
and have made
H6213
וַיַּֽעֲשׂ֥וּ
and have made
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
12 of 15
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
Cross References
Exodus 20:23Ye shall not make with me gods of silver, neither shall ye make unto you gods of gold.Exodus 32:30And 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.Daniel 9:8O Lord, to us belongeth confusion of face, to our kings, to our princes, and to our fathers, because we have sinned against thee.Daniel 9:11Yea, all Israel have transgressed thy law, even by departing, that they might not obey thy voice; therefore the curse is poured upon us, and the oath that is written in the law of Moses the servant of God, because we have sinned against him.
Historical Context
Moses' confession before God models proper intercession: acknowledge sin's full reality without excuse or minimization. Only honest confession precedes genuine forgiveness (1 John 1:9).
Questions for Reflection
- How does your confession before God honestly acknowledge sin's true nature?
- Why must intercession begin with truthful acknowledgment rather than excuse-making?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Moses returns (וַיָּשָׁב מֹשֶׁה אֶל־יְהוָה, vayyashov Moshe el-Adonai) to renew intercession. His cry אָנָּא (anna, Oh!) expresses deep anguish. The repeated phrase חָטָא הָעָם־הַזֶּה חֲטָאָה גְדֹלָה (chata ha'am-hazeh chata'ah gedolah, this people has sinned a great sin) emphasizes enormity. The specific sin—וַיַּעֲשׂוּ לָהֶם אֱלֹהֵי זָהָב (vaya'asu lahem elohei zahav, they have made for themselves gods of gold)—is stated plainly before God. Moses doesn't minimize or excuse but confesses fully, prerequisite for atonement. The plural 'gods' (אֱלֹהֵי, elohei) may reflect the people's plural declaration (v4) or emphasize the sin's multiplied wickedness.