Bible Commentaries
E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes
Exodus 32
delayed = put them to shame by his not coming down. Compare Psalms 44:7; Psalms 53:5; Psalms 119:3.
out of = from.
make us gods. The great sin of to-day (1 Corinthians 10:7, 1 Corinthians 10:11). Made now not of materials; but made by imagination; and worshipped by the senses.
man. Hebrew. "ish, App-14.
wot not = know not.
all = the greater part. Figure of speech Synecdoche (of Genus), App-6.
them. The Ellipsis (App-6) should be supplied by the word "it ": i.e. the gold (Exodus 32:3).
calf. The chief Egyptian god, with which they were familiar in Egypt.
These be thy gods. Expounded in Nehemiah 9:18 as meaning "This is thy god". Compare Psalms 106:19-2.
offered. Hebrew. "alah. See App-43.
burnt offerings. Hebrew, plural of "alah. See App-43. eat and to drink. Figure of speech Ellipsis (App-6), i.e. to eat [the sacrifices] and to drink [the libations].
to play = to make sport. Compare Exodus 32:19. So 1 Corinthians 10:7. to dance: i, e. lasciviously. This was part of idolatrous worship.
the LORD [Hebrew. Jehovah. said. See note on Exodus 3:7, and cep. note on Exodus 6:10.
thy . . . thou. As though disowning them. Compare Moses" grand faith, in his reply, Exodus 32:11.
the LORD. Hebrew "the face of Jehovah": i.e. before, or in the presence of Jehovah.
God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4.
Thy . . . Thou. This is the reply of Moses. He knows they were not "cast off" (Romans 11:2), but only "cast aside" (Romans 11:11) for a little moment. See notes on Romans 11:2, Romans 11:15.
Wherefore . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis (App-6).
mischief, or wrong-doing. Hebrew. r"a"a. App-44. repent. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia (App-6).
evil. Hebrew. r"a"a. App-44.
Israel. Not Jacob, because this is the language of highest faith.
swarest. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia (App-6). Compare Hebrews 6:13, Hebrews 6:17. Genesis 22:16-18.
as the stars. Figure of speech Paroemia (App-6).
went down. Moses" fourth descent. See note on Exodus 19:3 (the fifth ascent was in Exodus 24:9),
the two tables. See on Exodus 31:18.
the tables . . . the tables. Figure of speech Epanadiplosis (App-6), emphasising the importance of the statement.
the writing . . the writing. Figure of speech Epizeuxis. App-6. The two figures together greatly emphasising the verse as a whole; and, combined = another Figure of speech Anadiplosis (App-6), viz. "tables", "writings"-; -"writings", "tables "the solemn or important writing. See note on Exodus 17:14.
burnt. A secret known to the Egyptians.
water. Compare Deuteronomy 9:2. Deuteronomy 17:6.
children = sons.
Who . . . ? &c. Figure of speech Erotesis (App-6).
all. Figure of speech Synecdoche (of Genus), App-6, i.e. all who had not joined in the idolatry. Compare Deuteronomy 33:9.
children = sons.
three thousand men. These 3,000 were the "men" slain by "the sons of Levi. "The 23,000 of 1 Corinthians 10:8 includes those who died of the "plague" which followed. See verse Exodus 32:35, below.
sin = Figure of speech Aposiopesis (App-6), to emphasise the unspeakableness of the sin.
Thy book. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia (App-6). Compare Psalms 69:28. Isaiah 4:3.
behold. A special reading (Severna Codex, App-34) has "and behold". See App-34.
Mine angel. Probably an inferior angel, not that of Exodus 23:20, Exodus 23:21.
when I visit. Figure of speech Polyptoton (App-6). Literally "when I visit I will visit". See note on Genesis 26:28 with Genesis 60:24, Genesis 60:25. This is to emphasise the fact that there is such a thing as postponed judgment. Compare Exodus 34:7. Numbers 14:33. Ezekiel 18:1-3. Matthew 23:32-36.
plagued. See note on Exodus 32:28 above.
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