Exodus 32:6
And they rose up early on the morrow, and offered burnt offerings, and brought peace offerings; and the people sat down to eat and to drink, and rose up to play.
Original Language Analysis
וַיַּשְׁכִּ֙ימוּ֙
And they rose up early
H7925
וַיַּשְׁכִּ֙ימוּ֙
And they rose up early
Strong's:
H7925
Word #:
1 of 12
literally, to load up (on the back of man or beast), i.e., to start early in the morning
וַיַּֽעֲל֣וּ
and offered
H5927
וַיַּֽעֲל֣וּ
and offered
Strong's:
H5927
Word #:
3 of 12
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
עֹלֹ֔ת
burnt offerings
H5930
עֹלֹ֔ת
burnt offerings
Strong's:
H5930
Word #:
4 of 12
a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke)
וַיַּגִּ֖שׁוּ
and brought
H5066
וַיַּגִּ֖שׁוּ
and brought
Strong's:
H5066
Word #:
5 of 12
to be or come (causatively, bring) near (for any purpose); euphemistically, to lie with a woman; as an enemy, to attack; religious to worship; causati
שְׁלָמִ֑ים
peace offerings
H8002
שְׁלָמִ֑ים
peace offerings
Strong's:
H8002
Word #:
6 of 12
properly, requital, i.e., a (voluntary) sacrifice in thanks
וַיֵּ֤שֶׁב
sat
H3427
וַיֵּ֤שֶׁב
sat
Strong's:
H3427
Word #:
7 of 12
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
הָעָם֙
and the people
H5971
הָעָם֙
and the people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
8 of 12
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
Historical Context
This scene mirrors Canaanite and Egyptian fertility festivals where worship included feasting, drunkenness, and sexual immorality. Paul references this event in 1 Corinthians 10:7 as a warning against idolatry.
Questions for Reflection
- How quickly does your worship degenerate when not centered on God's holiness?
- What role does sensual indulgence play in spiritual compromise?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The people 'rose early' (וַיַּשְׁכִּימוּ, vayyashkimu) showing enthusiasm for false worship contrasted with sluggishness toward God. They offered עֹלֹת (olot, burnt offerings) and שְׁלָמִים (shelamim, peace offerings)—legitimate sacrificial terminology applied to illegitimate worship. The phrase 'sat down to eat and drink' followed by 'rose up to play' (לְצַחֵק, letzacheq) uses a word suggesting immoral revelry (same root as Isaac's name, but here meaning carousing or sensual play), indicating the worship degenerated into drunken, possibly sexual, pagan celebration like Egyptian festivals.