Exodus 33:4
And when the people heard these evil tidings, they mourned: and no man did put on him his ornaments.
Original Language Analysis
וַיִּשְׁמַ֣ע
heard
H8085
וַיִּשְׁמַ֣ע
heard
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
1 of 12
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
הָעָ֗ם
And when the people
H5971
הָעָ֗ם
And when the people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
2 of 12
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
3 of 12
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַדָּבָ֥ר
tidings
H1697
הַדָּבָ֥ר
tidings
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
4 of 12
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
הַזֶּ֖ה
H2088
וְלֹא
H3808
וְלֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
8 of 12
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
אִ֥ישׁ
and no man
H376
אִ֥ישׁ
and no man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
10 of 12
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
Numbers 14:39And Moses told these sayings unto all the children of Israel: and the people mourned greatly.Ezekiel 26:16Then all the princes of the sea shall come down from their thrones, and lay away their robes, and put off their broidered garments: they shall clothe themselves with trembling; they shall sit upon the ground, and shall tremble at every moment, and be astonished at thee.Ezekiel 24:23And your tires shall be upon your heads, and your shoes upon your feet: ye shall not mourn nor weep; but ye shall pine away for your iniquities, and mourn one toward another.Ezekiel 24:17Forbear to cry, make no mourning for the dead, bind the tire of thine head upon thee, and put on thy shoes upon thy feet, and cover not thy lips, and eat not the bread of men.Numbers 14:1And all the congregation lifted up their voice, and cried; and the people wept that night.
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern mourning practices included removing jewelry, tearing garments, and sitting in ashes. The ornaments likely included Egyptian jewelry taken during the exodus (Exodus 12:35-36), some of which had been melted down for the calf.
Questions for Reflection
- Does the thought of losing God's presence move you to genuine mourning, or are you primarily concerned with losing His blessings?
- What 'ornaments' or attachments might God be calling you to strip away that compete with wholehearted devotion?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And when the people heard these evil tidings, they mourned—The Hebrew רָעָה (ra'ah, 'evil/calamitous') captures the devastating nature of losing God's presence. True repentance manifests in mourning, not mere regret over consequences. Removing ornaments (likely the jewelry used to make the golden calf) signifies stripping away false securities and idolatrous attachments. This corporate grief demonstrates awakened conscience—they finally grasp that covenant without communion, promise without presence, is spiritual poverty.