Exodus 32:4
And he received them at their hand, and fashioned it with a graving tool, after he had made it a molten calf: and they said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.
Original Language Analysis
וַיִּקַּ֣ח
And he received
H3947
וַיִּקַּ֣ח
And he received
Strong's:
H3947
Word #:
1 of 16
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
מִיָּדָ֗ם
them at their hand
H3027
מִיָּדָ֗ם
them at their hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
2 of 16
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
וַיָּ֤צַר
H3335
וַיָּ֤צַר
Strong's:
H3335
Word #:
3 of 16
to mould into a form; especially as a potter; figuratively, to determine (i.e., form a resolution)
אֹתוֹ֙
H853
אֹתוֹ֙
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
4 of 16
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בַּחֶ֔רֶט
it with a graving tool
H2747
בַּחֶ֔רֶט
it with a graving tool
Strong's:
H2747
Word #:
5 of 16
a chisel or graver; also a style for writing
וַֽיַּעֲשֵׂ֖הוּ
after he had made
H6213
וַֽיַּעֲשֵׂ֖הוּ
after he had made
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
6 of 16
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
עֵ֣גֶל
calf
H5695
עֵ֣גֶל
calf
Strong's:
H5695
Word #:
7 of 16
a (male) calf (as frisking round), especially one nearly grown (i.e., a steer)
מַסֵּכָ֑ה
it a molten
H4541
מַסֵּכָ֑ה
it a molten
Strong's:
H4541
Word #:
8 of 16
properly, a pouring over, i.e., fusion of metal (especially a cast image); by implication, a libation, i.e., league; concretely a coverlet (as if pour
אֱלֹהֶ֙יךָ֙
These be thy gods
H430
אֱלֹהֶ֙יךָ֙
These be thy gods
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
11 of 16
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
O Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
O Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
12 of 16
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
13 of 16
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
הֶֽעֱל֖וּךָ
which brought
H5927
הֶֽעֱל֖וּךָ
which brought
Strong's:
H5927
Word #:
14 of 16
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
Cross References
Nehemiah 9:18Yea, when they had made them a molten calf, and said, This is thy God that brought thee up out of Egypt, and had wrought great provocations;Deuteronomy 9:16And I looked, and, behold, ye had sinned against the LORD your God, and had made you a molten calf: ye had turned aside quickly out of the way which the LORD had commanded you.Acts 7:41And they made a calf in those days, and offered sacrifice unto the idol, and rejoiced in the works of their own hands.Exodus 32:8They have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them: they have made them a molten calf, and have worshipped it, and have sacrificed thereunto, and said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which have brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.1 Kings 12:28Whereupon the king took counsel, and made two calves of gold, and said unto them, It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem: behold thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.Hosea 13:2And now they sin more and more, and have made them molten images of their silver, and idols according to their own understanding, all of it the work of the craftsmen: they say of them, Let the men that sacrifice kiss the calves.Isaiah 46:6They lavish gold out of the bag, and weigh silver in the balance, and hire a goldsmith; and he maketh it a god: they fall down, yea, they worship.Acts 17:29Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device.Exodus 20:23Ye shall not make with me gods of silver, neither shall ye make unto you gods of gold.Hosea 10:5The inhabitants of Samaria shall fear because of the calves of Beth-aven: for the people thereof shall mourn over it, and the priests thereof that rejoiced on it, for the glory thereof, because it is departed from it.
Historical Context
Bull imagery was common in ancient Near Eastern religion, representing fertility and strength. Jeroboam later established similar calves at Dan and Bethel (1 Kings 12:28-29), using nearly identical words.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you rationalize active participation in sin while denying responsibility?
- What modern 'golden calves' claim credit for God's work in your life?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Aaron's active role is clear: he 'received' (לָקַח, laqach), 'fashioned' (יָצַר, yatsar—the same word for God creating man in Gen 2:7), and 'made' (עָשָׂה, asah) the calf with a graving tool (חֶרֶט, cheret). His later excuse (v24) contradicts this detailed account. The proclamation אֵלֶּה אֱלֹהֶיךָ (eleh elohekha, these are your gods) echoes Israel's covenant language perversely, crediting the calf with the Exodus. The עֵגֶל מַסֵּכָה (egel masekah, molten calf) likely represented Apis, the Egyptian bull-god, or Canaanite Baal.