Hebrew Text · Translation · Interlinear · Discourse Structure

The Book of Exodus, Chapter 32שמות 32

Each verse opens with the running Hebrew, an English translation, and a discourse note (its connective, relation, and role in the argument). Below follows the word-by-word breakdown in six tiers: gloss, case/state or parsing, syntax, semantic force, and a lexical note.

Case Nominative Genitive Dative Accusative Vocative Verb (no case) Indeclinable

Discourse notes head each verse: relation · connective · clause-flow. Indentation marks prominence — flush-left = main line of argument; indented = supporting / subordinate material.

Theme

While Moses lingers on the mountain, Aaron casts a golden calf and Israel plunges into idolatrous revelry; Moses shatters the divinely-written tablets, grinds the idol to powder, and the Levites execute covenant-breakers, yet twice intercedes for the stiff-necked people on the ground of God's own character and promise.

Translation & textual notes

The MT of Exodus 32 is well preserved, with the Samaritan Pentateuch and LXX largely agreeing in substance; the LXX shows minor pluses/smoothing (e.g., explicit subjects supplied) and a few sequencing variants but no major divergence. Notable textual/interpretive cruxes: (1) the ketiv-qere in v.19, where the consonantal text מידו (ketiv, 'his hand') is traditionally read as the qere מִיָּדָיו ('his hands', dual), reflected in the chapter JSON's paired ketiv/qere word entries; (2) the precise craft-process behind וַיָּצַר...בַּחֶרֶט וַֽיַּעֲשֵׂהוּ עֵגֶל מַסֵּכָה (v.4) — whether Aaron engraved a mold or finished a cast object with a graving tool — remains debated, though מַסֵּכָה ('molten/cast image') is unambiguous that the result was a cast metal idol; (3) the wordplay in v.18 between עֲנוֹת (Qal, 'crying out') and עַנּוֹת (Piel, 'singing') depends on the Masoretic vocalization and is a showcase instance of the Masoretes' interpretive precision; (4) the paronomasia in v.25 between פָרֻעַ ('let loose, unrestrained') and פְרָעֹה ('he had let loose') plays on the same root and possibly puns on 'Pharaoh', though the connection is debated. The chapter's calf-image draws on well-attested ancient Near Eastern bull iconography (Egyptian Apis/Mnevis, Canaanite bull-imagery associated with El and Baal) as a symbol of divine strength and fertility, making Aaron's calf a syncretistic visual claim to represent — not simply replace — the God who brought Israel out of Egypt. Aaron's own culpability is narratively undeniable (he commands, fashions, builds the altar, and proclaims the feast) even as his later self-defense (v.24) minimizes his agency; the chapter juxtaposes his failure with Moses' two intercessions (vv.11-13, 30-32), establishing intercessory prayer grounded in God's own character and covenant promises — rather than in the people's merit — as the theological center of the chapter.

1

וַיַּ֣רְא הָעָ֔ם כִּֽי בֹשֵׁ֥שׁ מֹשֶׁ֖ה לָרֶ֣דֶת מִן הָהָ֑ר וַיִּקָּהֵ֨ל הָעָ֜ם עַֽל אַהֲרֹ֗ן וַיֹּאמְר֤וּ אֵלָיו֙ ק֣וּם עֲשֵׂה לָ֣נוּ אֱלֹהִ֗ים אֲשֶׁ֤ר יֵֽלְכוּ֙ לְפָנֵ֔ינוּ כִּי זֶ֣ה מֹשֶׁ֣ה הָאִ֗ישׁ אֲשֶׁ֤ר הֶֽעֱלָ֨נוּ֙ מֵאֶ֣רֶץ מִצְרַ֔יִם לֹ֥א יָדַ֖עְנוּ מֶה הָ֥יָה לֽוֹ

Now when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down from the mountain, the people assembled against Aaron and said to him, "Arise, make us gods who shall go before us; for this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt — we do not know what has become of him."

Scene-setting temporal/causal clauseasyndeton
Opens the chapter's main narrative line with a causal כִּי-clause explaining the people's motive: Moses' prolonged absence on the mountain (cf. 24:18, forty days) triggers the crisis. The people's demand quotes their own words verbatim, characterizing them as the clause's true subject and instigators, with Aaron cast as passive recipient of pressure.
Word-by-word analysis· 34 words
וַיַּ֣רְאand...sawQal wayyiqtol 3msWayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceרָאָה (H7200) 'to see, perceive'; here of the people's dawning realization of Moses' absence.
הָעָ֔םthe peopleart + N m sg absSubject of וַיַּרְאעַם (H5971) 'people, nation'; Israel as a collective political-covenantal body, the chapter's protagonist-crowd.
כִּֽיthatconj כִּיSubordinating conjunction introducing content clauseכִּי (H3588) here introduces the content of what the people 'saw' — a fact clause, not a mere temporal one.
בֹשֵׁ֥שׁhe delayedPolel perf 3msPredicate verb of subordinate clause→ Perfective (Polel): a completed state of prolonged tarryingבשש (H954) Polel 'to delay, be long in coming'; distinct root from בּוֹשׁ 'be ashamed' though possibly related by folk-association.
מֹשֶׁ֖הMosesproper nounSubject of בֹשֵׁשׁמֹשֶׁה (H4872), the covenant mediator, whose absence precipitates the apostasy.
לָרֶ֣דֶתto come downprep לְ + Qal inf constrComplementary infinitive (epexegetical to בֹשֵׁשׁ)→ Infinitive: expresses the expected action that is delayedיָרַד (H3381) 'to go down, descend'; Moses' mountain-to-camp movement structures the whole chapter.
מִןfromprep מִןPrepositional phrase marking sourceמִן (H4480) 'from, out of'; spatial source.
הָהָ֑רthe mountainart + N m sg absObject of preposition מִןהַר (H2022) 'mountain'; Sinai, unnamed here but understood from context — the locus of revelation now left empty of Moses.
וַיִּקָּהֵ֨לand...assembledNiphal wayyiqtol 3msWayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol (Niphal, reflexive/reciprocal): foregrounded narrative advance — the people's self-organizing actionקהל (H6950) Niphal 'to gather/assemble oneself'; mob-formation, often with negative overtones of unauthorized assembly (cf. Num 16:3).
הָעָ֜םthe peopleart + N m sg absSubject of וַיִּקָּהֵל (repeated for emphasis)עַם (H5971); repetition of the subject underscores the corporate, unanimous nature of the action.
עַֽלagainstprep עַלPrepositional phrase marking hostile orientationעַל (H5921) 'upon, against'; here with hostile/pressuring nuance — the crowd converges on Aaron.
אַהֲרֹ֗ןAaronproper nounObject of preposition עַלאַהֲרֹן (H175), Moses' brother and the priest left in charge — now the target of the mob and its craven instrument.
וַיֹּאמְר֤וּand they saidQal wayyiqtol 3mpWayyiqtol of narrative sequence, introducing direct speech→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559); the standard verb introducing reported speech throughout the chapter.
אֵלָיו֙to himprep אֶל + 3ms suffixPrepositional phrase, indirect object (addressee)
ק֣וּםariseQal impv 2msImperative opening direct command→ Imperative: peremptory demandקוּם (H6965) 'to rise, arise'; here idiomatically urging immediate action, paired with עֲשֵׂה.
עֲשֵׂהmakeQal impv 2msImperative, second command in series→ Imperative: peremptory demandעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to make, do'; the chapter's key verb, ironically echoing divine 'making' in creation and tabernacle contexts, now demanded of Aaron for an idol.
לָ֣נוּfor usprep לְ + 1cp suffixPrepositional phrase, dative of interest (benefactive)
אֱלֹהִ֗יםgodsN m pl absDirect object of עֲשֵׂהאֱלֹהִים (H430); here demanded as a visible, tangible substitute deity/deities — the term's grammatical plural leaves ambiguous whether one image or many is envisioned, though a single calf follows.
אֲשֶׁ֤רwhorel particleRelative pronoun introducing relative clause modifying אֱלֹהִים
יֵֽלְכוּ֙shall goQal impf 3mpPredicate verb of relative clause (purpose/result nuance)→ Yiqtol: imperfective/modal — anticipated, ongoing future actionהָלַךְ (H3212, defective יָלַךְ) 'to go, walk'; the people want a god who visibly leads, unlike the now-absent Moses/YHWH.
לְפָנֵ֔ינוּbefore usprep לְ + N c pl constr + 1cp suffixPrepositional phrase of spatial precedenceפָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; idiomatic 'before/in front of', the imagined guiding-presence function demanded of the new 'gods'.
כִּיforconj כִּיCausal conjunction introducing motive clauseכִּי (H3588) here causal, grounding the demand in Moses' unexplained disappearance.
זֶ֣הthisdemonstrative pron xmsDemonstrative pronoun, resumptive subjectזֶה (H2088); dismissive/distancing demonstrative — 'this Moses (fellow)', tinged with disrespect.
מֹשֶׁ֣הMosesproper nounSubject in apposition to זֶה
הָאִ֗ישׁthe manart + N m sg absAppositive to מֹשֶׁהאִישׁ (H376) 'man'; here reducing Moses from covenant mediator to mere 'the man', diminishing his authority.
אֲשֶׁ֤רwhorel particleRelative pronoun introducing relative clause modifying הָאִישׁ
הֶֽעֱלָ֨נוּ֙brought us upHiphil perf 3ms + 1cp suffixPredicate verb of relative clause→ Perfective (Hiphil): a completed, decisive act attributed (misleadingly) to Moses aloneעָלָה (H5927) Hiphil 'to bring up'; the exodus-deliverance verb, here credited to Moses rather than YHWH — a telling theological slippage.
מֵאֶ֣רֶץfrom the land ofprep מִן + N c sg constrPrepositional phrase, sourceאֶרֶץ (H776) 'land'; construct with Egypt in the recurring exodus formula.
מִצְרַ֔יִםEgyptproper nounObject of construct chain מֵאֶרֶץ מִצְרַיִםמִצְרַיִם (H4714), the land of bondage from which Israel was delivered.
לֹ֥אnotneg particleNegative particle negating יָדַעְנוּלֹא (H3808), standard clausal negative.
יָדַ֖עְנוּwe knowQal perf 1cpPredicate verb, main clause of the people's complaint→ Perfective: a settled state of ignorance/loss, 'we do not know'יָדַע (H3045) 'to know'; here confessing disoriented ignorance of Moses' fate — the root anxiety behind the demand.
מֶהwhatinterr particleInterrogative pronoun, subject of embedded clauseמָה (H4100) 'what?'.
הָ֥יָהhas happenedQal perf 3msPredicate verb of embedded interrogative clause→ Perfective: a completed but unknown occurrenceהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become, happen'; existential verb of uncertain fate.
לֽוֹto himprep לְ + 3ms suffixPrepositional phrase, complement of הָיָה
2

וַיֹּ֤אמֶר אֲלֵהֶם֙ אַהֲרֹ֔ן פָּֽרְקוּ֙ נִזְמֵ֣י הַזָּהָ֔ב אֲשֶׁר֙ בְּאָזְנֵ֣י נְשֵׁיכֶ֔ם בְּנֵיכֶ֖ם וּבְנֹתֵיכֶ֑ם וְהָבִ֖יאוּ אֵלָֽי

So Aaron said to them, "Tear off the gold rings that are in the ears of your wives, your sons, and your daughters, and bring them to me."

Response to the people's demandasyndeton
Aaron capitulates immediately and without protest — no hesitation clause interrupts the narrative flow. His command redirects the people's jewelry (itself likely Egyptian spoil, cf. 12:35-36) toward the coming idol, implicating the whole household.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
וַיֹּ֤אמֶרand...saidQal wayyiqtol 3msWayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559).
אֲלֵהֶם֙to themprep אֶל + 3mp suffixPrepositional phrase, indirect object
אַהֲרֹ֔ןAaronproper nounSubject of וַיֹּאמֶראַהֲרֹן (H175); his instant compliance sets up his later culpability (v.21-24, 35).
פָּֽרְקוּ֙tear offPiel impv 2mpImperative, main command→ Imperative: peremptory instructionפרק (H6561) Piel 'to tear off, break off'; violent, deliberate removal — Aaron directs, does not merely permit.
נִזְמֵ֣יthe rings ofN m pl constrDirect object, construct chain (genitival)נֶזֶם (H5141) 'ring, earring'; luxury ornament, likely Egyptian-style, part of the plunder of Egypt.
הַזָּהָ֔בthe goldart + N m sg absGenitive complement of construct chainזָהָב (H2091) 'gold'; the raw material that will become the idol — its glitter already anticipates the calf.
אֲשֶׁר֙thatrel particleRelative pronoun introducing relative clause
בְּאָזְנֵ֣יare in the ears ofprep בְּ + N f du constrPrepositional phrase, locative (predicate of relative clause)אֹזֶן (H241) 'ear', dual construct — the rings' location on the body.
נְשֵׁיכֶ֔םyour wivesN f pl constr + 2mp suffixGenitive complement of construct chainאִשָּׁה (H802) 'woman, wife'; first of three family categories named.
בְּנֵיכֶ֖םyour sonsN m pl constr + 2mp suffixCoordinate genitive complementבֵּן (H1121) 'son'.
וּבְנֹתֵיכֶ֑םand your daughtersconj וְ + N f pl constr + 2mp suffixCoordinate genitive complement (conjoined)בַּת (H1323) 'daughter'; the threefold list (wives, sons, daughters) implicates the entire household in supplying the gold.
וְהָבִ֖יאוּand bringconj וְ + Hiphil impv 2mpImperative, second command (result of the tearing-off)→ Imperative (Hiphil): peremptory instruction — causative 'cause to come/bring'בּוֹא (H935) Hiphil 'to bring'; directs the flow of gold specifically to Aaron himself.
אֵלָֽיto meprep אֶל + 1cs suffixPrepositional phrase, goal/recipient
3

וַיִּתְפָּֽרְקוּ֙ כָּל הָעָ֔ם אֶת נִזְמֵ֥י הַזָּהָ֖ב אֲשֶׁ֣ר בְּאָזְנֵיהֶ֑ם וַיָּבִ֖יאוּ אֶֽל אַהֲרֹֽן

So all the people tore off the gold rings that were in their ears and brought them to Aaron.

Narrative execution of Aaron's commandasyndeton
The people's swift, total compliance (כָּל הָעָם, 'all the people') mirrors and outpaces Aaron's instruction — the whole community acts as one, foreshadowing the totality of the coming apostasy and its corporate guilt.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
וַיִּתְפָּֽרְקוּ֙and...tore offHitpael wayyiqtol 3mpWayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol (Hitpael, reflexive): foregrounded narrative advance — the people stripping the rings from themselvesפרק (H6561) Hitpael 'to strip oneself of, tear off (from oneself)'; reflexive nuance distinct from Aaron's Piel command — the people actively despoil themselves.
כָּלallN m sg constrConstruct head of the subject noun phraseכֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; totalizing — the entire community, no exceptions.
הָעָ֔םthe peopleart + N m sg absGenitive complement of כָּל (subject)עַם (H5971).
אֶת[obj]obj markerDirect-object marker (definite object)
נִזְמֵ֥יthe rings ofN m pl constrDirect object, construct chainנֶזֶם (H5141).
הַזָּהָ֖בthe goldart + N m sg absGenitive complementזָהָב (H2091).
אֲשֶׁ֣רthatrel particleRelative pronoun
בְּאָזְנֵיהֶ֑םwere in their earsprep בְּ + N f du constr + 3mp suffixPrepositional phrase, locative (predicate of relative clause)אֹזֶן (H241), with 3mp suffix — 'their ears'.
וַיָּבִ֖יאוּand broughtHiphil wayyiqtol 3mpWayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol (Hiphil): foregrounded narrative advanceבּוֹא (H935) Hiphil 'to bring'; completing the transfer of gold into Aaron's hands.
אֶֽלtoprep אֶלPrepositional phrase, goal
אַהֲרֹֽןAaronproper nounObject of preposition אֶלאַהֲרֹן (H175); now the sole recipient and agent of what follows.
4

וַיִּקַּ֣ח מִיָּדָ֗ם וַיָּ֤צַר אֹתוֹ֙ בַּחֶ֔רֶט וַֽיַּעֲשֵׂ֖הוּ עֵ֣גֶל מַסֵּכָ֑ה וַיֹּ֣אמְר֔וּ אֵ֤לֶּה אֱלֹהֶ֨יךָ֙ יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל אֲשֶׁ֥ר הֶעֱל֖וּךָ מֵאֶ֥רֶץ מִצְרָֽיִם

And he took the gold from their hand, and fashioned it with an engraving tool, and made it into a molten calf; and they said, "These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!"

Climactic narrative action: the idol's makingasyndeton
The verse's rapid chain of four wayyiqtols (took, fashioned, made, said) compresses the idol's manufacture into a breathless sequence, emphasizing Aaron's sole, deliberate agency. The people's acclamation formula echoes and perverts the Decalogue's self-identification of YHWH (20:2), transferring the exodus-credit to a manufactured bull-image — likely evoking Egyptian (Apis) or Canaanite (Baal) bull iconography of divine strength and fertility.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
וַיִּקַּ֣חand he tookQal wayyiqtol 3msWayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceלָקַח (H3947) 'to take'; Aaron personally receives and controls the gold.
מִיָּדָ֗םfrom their handprep מִן + N c sg constr + 3mp suffixPrepositional phrase, sourceיָד (H3027) 'hand'; the gold passes from the people's hands into Aaron's.
וַיָּ֤צַרand he fashionedQal wayyiqtol 3msWayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceיָצַר (H3335) 'to form, shape'; the potter's/craftsman's verb, used elsewhere of God forming Adam (Gen 2:7) — here ironically applied to idol-manufacture.
אֹתוֹ֙itobj marker + 3ms suffixDirect-object marker + 3ms suffix (the gold)
בַּחֶ֔רֶטwith an engraving toolprep בְּ + art + N m sg absPrepositional phrase, instrumentalחֶרֶט (H2747) 'stylus, engraving/graving tool'; a small implement, suggesting Aaron shaped or incised the metal (exact craft process debated — engraving a mold vs. finishing a cast object).
וַֽיַּעֲשֵׂ֖הוּand he made itQal wayyiqtol 3ms + 3ms suffixWayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main clause) + pronominal object→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to make'; completes the manufacture — the same verb the people demanded in v.1.
עֵ֣גֶלa calfN m sg absObject complement (predicate accusative) of וַיַּעֲשֵׂהוּעֵגֶל (H5695) 'calf, young bull'; the idol's identity — bovine strength-imagery drawn from the ambient Egyptian (Apis, Mnevis) and Canaanite (bull as symbol of El/Baal) cultic world, not a native Israelite form.
מַסֵּכָ֑הmoltenN f sg absAttributive noun in apposition (genitival) qualifying עֵגֶלמַסֵּכָה (H4541) 'cast/molten image'; technical cultic term for an image formed by pouring molten metal into a mold — explicitly the kind of image forbidden in 20:23; 34:17.
וַיֹּ֣אמְר֔וּand they saidQal wayyiqtol 3mpWayyiqtol of narrative sequence, introducing direct speech→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559).
אֵ֤לֶּהthesedemonstrative pron xcpDemonstrative pronoun, predicate nominative (identifying formula)אֵלֶּה (H428) 'these'; the acclamation formula deliberately echoes/parodies the Decalogue's 'I am YHWH your God who brought you up' (20:2).
אֱלֹהֶ֨יךָ֙are your godsN m pl constr + 2ms suffixPredicate noun (construct + suffix)אֱלֹהִים (H430); construct with 2ms suffix, 'your God/gods' — applied blasphemously to the calf.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔לO Israelproper nounVocativeיִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478); direct address to the whole covenant nation.
אֲשֶׁ֥רwhorel particleRelative pronoun introducing relative clause modifying the calf/gods
הֶעֱל֖וּךָbrought you upHiphil perf 3cp + 2ms suffixPredicate verb of relative clause→ Perfective (Hiphil): a completed, decisive act (falsely) attributed to the calfעָלָה (H5927) Hiphil 'to bring up'; the exodus-verb now scandalously credited to the idol itself.
מֵאֶ֥רֶץfrom the land ofprep מִן + N c sg constrPrepositional phrase, sourceאֶרֶץ (H776).
מִצְרָֽיִםEgyptproper nounObject of construct chainמִצְרַיִם (H4714).
5

וַיַּ֣רְא אַהֲרֹ֔ן וַיִּ֥בֶן מִזְבֵּ֖חַ לְפָנָ֑יו וַיִּקְרָ֤א אַֽהֲרֹן֙ וַיֹּאמַ֔ר חַ֥ג לַיהוָ֖ה מָחָֽר

When Aaron saw this, he built an altar before it; and Aaron made proclamation and said, "Tomorrow is a feast to the LORD."

Aaron's cultic escalationasyndeton
Aaron compounds the offense: seeing the calf's reception, he builds an altar and proclaims a festival, framing the idolatry in the vocabulary of legitimate Yahwistic worship (חַג לַיהוָה, 'a feast to YHWH') — a syncretistic attempt to worship the true God through a forbidden image.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
וַיַּ֣רְאand...sawQal wayyiqtol 3msWayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceרָאָה (H7200); Aaron's perception triggers his further cultic action.
אַהֲרֹ֔ןAaronproper nounSubject of וַיַּרְאאַהֲרֹן (H175).
וַיִּ֥בֶןand he builtQal wayyiqtol 3msWayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceבָּנָה (H1129) 'to build'; Aaron personally constructs the illegitimate altar.
מִזְבֵּ֖חַan altarN m sg absDirect object of וַיִּבֶןמִזְבֵּחַ (H4196) 'altar'; the installation that formalizes the calf-cult as a rival sanctuary.
לְפָנָ֑יוbefore itprep לְ + N c pl constr + 3ms suffixPrepositional phrase, spatial (locating the altar relative to the calf)פָּנִים (H6440) 'face', idiomatic 'before'; the altar faces the idol, structuring it as the cult's object.
וַיִּקְרָ֤אand...proclaimedQal wayyiqtol 3msWayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceקָרָא (H7121) 'to call, proclaim'; formal public announcement, mimicking legitimate festival-proclamations (cf. Lev 23).
אַֽהֲרֹן֙Aaronproper nounSubject of וַיִּקְרָא (repeated for emphasis)
וַיֹּאמַ֔רand he saidQal wayyiqtol 3msWayyiqtol of narrative sequence, introducing direct speech→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559).
חַ֥גa feastN m sg absPredicate noun (nominal clause)חַג (H2282) 'feast, festival'; the same term used of Israel's legitimate pilgrimage feasts — its use here is deliberately, disturbingly orthodox-sounding.
לַיהוָ֖הto the LORDprep לְ + proper nounPrepositional phrase, dative (dedicatee of the feast)יְהוָה (H3068); startlingly, Aaron dedicates the calf-feast to YHWH himself — syncretism, not outright polytheistic abandonment, though functionally idolatrous.
מָחָֽרtomorrowN m sg absTemporal adverb, subject of nominal clauseמָחָר (H4279) 'tomorrow'; Aaron defers the feast by a day, perhaps to allow preparation — the delay heightens the dramatic irony as Moses is already descending.
6

וַיַּשְׁכִּ֨ימוּ֙ מִֽמָּחֳרָ֔ת וַיַּעֲל֣וּ עֹלֹ֔ת וַיַּגִּ֖שׁוּ שְׁלָמִ֑ים וַיֵּ֤שֶׁב הָעָם֙ לֶֽאֱכֹ֣ל וְשָׁת֔וֹ וַיָּקֻ֖מוּ לְצַחֵֽק

So they rose early the next day and offered burnt offerings and brought peace offerings; and the people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.

Narrative execution of the proclaimed feastasyndeton
The verse traces a complete, formally correct sacrificial sequence (burnt offerings, then peace offerings, then the communal meal) before collapsing into קוּם...לְצַחֵק, 'rose up to play/sport' — language elsewhere associated with illicit sexual or idolatrous revelry (cf. Gen 26:8), signaling that the veneer of orthodoxy has given way to unrestrained cultic abandon. Paul cites this verse in 1 Cor 10:7 as the paradigm of idolatrous revelry.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
וַיַּשְׁכִּ֨ימוּ֙and they rose earlyHiphil wayyiqtol 3mpWayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol (Hiphil): foregrounded narrative advance — deliberate, eager promptnessשָׁכַם (H7925) Hiphil 'to rise early'; idiom for zealous, undelayed action — here applied to zeal for the idol-feast.
מִֽמָּחֳרָ֔תthe next dayprep מִן + N f sg absTemporal adverbial phraseמָחֳרָת (H4283) 'the morrow, next day'; fulfills Aaron's 'tomorrow' of v.5.
וַיַּעֲל֣וּand they offered upHiphil wayyiqtol 3mpWayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol (Hiphil): foregrounded narrative advanceעָלָה (H5927) Hiphil 'to offer up (a burnt offering)'; cultic technical usage.
עֹלֹ֔תburnt offeringsN f pl absDirect object of וַיַּעֲלוּעֹלָה (H5930) 'burnt offering'; the wholly-consumed sacrifice, first in the legitimate-looking cultic sequence.
וַיַּגִּ֖שׁוּand they brought nearHiphil wayyiqtol 3mpWayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol (Hiphil): foregrounded narrative advanceנָגַשׁ (H5066) Hiphil 'to bring near, present'; cultic presentation of an offering.
שְׁלָמִ֑יםpeace offeringsN m pl absDirect object of וַיַּגִּישׁוּשֶׁלֶם (H8002) 'peace/fellowship offering'; a shared-meal sacrifice, appropriate to festive communal eating.
וַיֵּ֤שֶׁבand...sat downQal wayyiqtol 3msWayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceיָשַׁב (H3427) 'to sit, dwell'; the posture of settling in for the sacrificial meal.
הָעָם֙the peopleart + N m sg absSubject of וַיֵּשֶׁבעַם (H5971).
לֶֽאֱכֹ֣לto eatprep לְ + Qal inf constrPurpose infinitive construct→ Infinitive: purpose/result of sitting downאָכַל (H398) 'to eat'; the covenant-meal action, here consuming what was offered to the idol.
וְשָׁת֔וֹand to drinkconj וְ + Qal inf absCoordinate purpose infinitive (infinitive absolute standing for construct)→ Infinitive: purpose/result, paired with eatingשָׁתָה (H8354) 'to drink'; completing the feast-pair 'eat and drink'.
וַיָּקֻ֖מוּand they rose upQal wayyiqtol 3mpWayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the pivot from feast to revelryקוּם (H6965) 'to rise'; here marking the shift from seated meal to active, unrestrained activity.
לְצַחֵֽקto playprep לְ + Piel inf constrPurpose infinitive construct→ Infinitive: purpose of rising upצָחַק (H6711) Piel 'to laugh, play, sport'; euphemistic for licentious or idolatrous revelry (cf. Gen 26:8; 39:17), the verse's climactic, damning verb — cited in 1 Cor 10:7.
7

וַיְדַבֵּ֥ר יְהוָ֖ה אֶל מֹשֶׁ֑ה לֶךְ רֵ֕ד כִּ֚י שִׁחֵ֣ת עַמְּךָ֔ אֲשֶׁ֥ר הֶעֱלֵ֖יתָ מֵאֶ֥רֶץ מִצְרָֽיִם

Then the LORD said to Moses, "Go, get down! For your people, whom you brought up out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves.

Divine response: scene shift to the mountainasyndeton
The narrative camera cuts from the camp to the summit, where YHWH's speech to Moses begins. Pointedly, God calls Israel 'your people... whom you brought up' — reassigning to Moses the very possessive language the people used of the calf in v.4 (and Moses will reflect it back in v.11), a rhetorical move testing Moses' intercessory resolve.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
וַיְדַבֵּ֥רand...spokePiel wayyiqtol 3msWayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol (Piel): foregrounded narrative advanceדָּבַר (H1696) Piel 'to speak'; formal, authoritative divine speech-introduction.
יְהוָ֖הthe LORDproper nounSubject of וַיְדַבֵּריְהוָה (H3068).
אֶלtoprep אֶלPrepositional phrase, addressee
מֹשֶׁ֑הMosesproper nounObject of preposition אֶלמֹשֶׁה (H4872).
לֶךְgoQal impv 2msImperative, first in pair of urgent commands→ Imperative: urgent divine commandהָלַךְ/יָלַךְ (H3212) 'to go'; paired imperative with רֵד heightens urgency.
רֵ֕דget downQal impv 2msImperative, second command→ Imperative: urgent divine commandיָרַד (H3381) 'to go down, descend'; Moses is sent back down from the summit to confront the crisis.
כִּ֚יforconj כִּיCausal conjunction introducing the reason for the commandכִּי (H3588), causal.
שִׁחֵ֣תhas corrupted itselfPiel perf 3msPredicate verb, main clause→ Perfective (Piel): a completed, decisive act of self-ruinשָׁחַת (H7843) Piel 'to ruin, corrupt'; reflexive-intensive sense 'has corrupted/destroyed itself' — echoing the flood generation's corruption (Gen 6:11-12).
עַמְּךָ֔your peopleN m sg constr + 2ms suffixSubject of שִׁחֵתעַם (H5971), construct with 2ms suffix — God pointedly calls Israel 'your (Moses') people', distancing himself rhetorically.
אֲשֶׁ֥רwhomrel particleRelative pronoun introducing relative clause modifying עַמְּךָ
הֶעֱלֵ֖יתָyou brought upHiphil perf 2msPredicate verb of relative clause→ Perfective (Hiphil): a completed, decisive act, here attributed to Moses (rhetorically)עָלָה (H5927) Hiphil; God echoes the people's own (mis)attribution from v.4 back onto Moses.
מֵאֶ֥רֶץfrom the land ofprep מִן + N c sg constrPrepositional phrase, sourceאֶרֶץ (H776).
מִצְרָֽיִםEgyptproper nounObject of construct chainמִצְרַיִם (H4714).
8

סָ֣רוּ מַהֵ֗ר מִן הַדֶּ֨רֶךְ֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר צִוִּיתִ֔ם עָשׂ֣וּ לָהֶ֔ם עֵ֖גֶל מַסֵּכָ֑ה וַיִּשְׁתַּֽחֲווּ לוֹ֙ וַיִּזְבְּחוּ ל֔וֹ וַיֹּ֣אמְר֔וּ אֵ֤לֶּה אֱלֹהֶ֨יךָ֙ יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל אֲשֶׁ֥ר הֶֽעֱל֖וּךָ מֵאֶ֥רֶץ מִצְרָֽיִם

They have turned aside quickly from the way that I commanded them; they have made themselves a molten calf, and have worshiped it and sacrificed to it, and said, 'These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!'"

Continuation of YHWH's indictmentasyndeton
God's speech itemizes the offense in a rapid string of perfects: turning aside, making, worshiping, sacrificing, saying — a legal-style bill of particulars culminating in verbatim quotation of the people's blasphemous acclamation (repeating v.4b nearly word for word), fixing their guilt beyond dispute.
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
סָ֣רוּthey have turned asideQal perf 3cpPredicate verb, main clause opening the indictment→ Perfective: a completed, decisive act of deviationסוּר (H5493) 'to turn aside, depart'; covenant-breach language, departure from the commanded path.
מַהֵ֗רquicklyPiel inf absAdverbial infinitive absolute modifying סָרוּ→ Infinitive absolute used adverbially: emphasizing speedמַהֵר (H4118) Piel infinitive absolute functioning as adverb 'quickly, hastily' — the swiftness of Israel's apostasy, barely weeks after the Sinai covenant.
מִןfromprep מִןPrepositional phrase, sourceמִן (H4480).
הַדֶּ֨רֶךְ֙the wayart + N c sg absObject of preposition מִןדֶּרֶךְ (H1870) 'way, road'; figuratively the commanded covenant path, now abandoned.
אֲשֶׁ֣רthatrel particleRelative pronoun introducing relative clause modifying הַדֶּרֶךְ
צִוִּיתִ֔םI commanded themPiel perf 1cs + 3mp suffixPredicate verb of relative clause→ Perfective: a completed, authoritative past actצָוָה (H6680) Piel 'to command'; God's own prior commandment (the Decalogue, just given) now flagrantly violated.
עָשׂ֣וּthey have madeQal perf 3cpPredicate verb, coordinate main clause→ Perfective: a completed, decisive actעָשָׂה (H6213).
לָהֶ֔םfor themselvesprep לְ + 3mp suffixPrepositional phrase, dative of interest (benefactive)
עֵ֖גֶלa calfN m sg absDirect object of עָשׂוּעֵגֶל (H5695).
מַסֵּכָ֑הmoltenN f sg absAttributive noun in appositionמַסֵּכָה (H4541).
וַיִּשְׁתַּֽחֲווּand they have worshipedHitpael wayyiqtol 3mpWayyiqtol continuing the indictment's action-chain→ Wayyiqtol (Hitpael): foregrounded narrative advance — formal obeisanceשחה/חוה (H7812) Hishtaphel 'to bow down, prostrate oneself'; the technical verb of formal worship, now directed at the idol.
לוֹ֙to itprep לְ + 3ms suffixPrepositional phrase, dative (object of worship)
וַיִּזְבְּחוּand they have sacrificedQal wayyiqtol 3mpWayyiqtol continuing the indictment's action-chain→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceזָבַח (H2076) 'to sacrifice'; formal cultic offering directed to the calf.
ל֔וֹto itprep לְ + 3ms suffixPrepositional phrase, dative (recipient of sacrifice)
וַיֹּ֣אמְר֔וּand they have saidQal wayyiqtol 3mpWayyiqtol introducing the quoted blasphemy→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559).
אֵ֤לֶּהthesedemonstrative pron xcpDemonstrative pronoun, predicate nominativeאֵלֶּה (H428); quoting v.4 verbatim to fix the charge.
אֱלֹהֶ֨יךָ֙are your godsN m pl constr + 2ms suffixPredicate noun (construct + suffix)אֱלֹהִים (H430).
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔לO Israelproper nounVocativeיִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478).
אֲשֶׁ֥רwhorel particleRelative pronoun
הֶֽעֱל֖וּךָbrought you upHiphil perf 3cp + 2ms suffixPredicate verb of relative clause→ Perfective (Hiphil): a completed, decisive act (falsely attributed)עָלָה (H5927) Hiphil.
מֵאֶ֥רֶץfrom the land ofprep מִן + N c sg constrPrepositional phrase, sourceאֶרֶץ (H776).
מִצְרָֽיִםEgyptproper nounObject of construct chainמִצְרַיִם (H4714).
9

וַיֹּ֥אמֶר יְהוָ֖ה אֶל מֹשֶׁ֑ה רָאִ֨יתִי֙ אֶת הָעָ֣ם הַזֶּ֔ה וְהִנֵּ֥ה עַם קְשֵׁה עֹ֖רֶף הֽוּא

And the LORD said to Moses, "I have seen this people, and behold, it is a stiff-necked people.

Divine assessment, transition to judgment proposalasyndeton
A short, weighty verdict-verse: YHWH's own eyewitness testimony ('I have seen') grounds the following judgment speech. The idiom 'stiff-necked' (קְשֵׁה עֹרֶף), drawn from the image of a beast that will not turn its neck to the yoke or the driver's pull, becomes a recurring label for Israel's characteristic rebelliousness (33:3, 5; 34:9; Deut 9:6, 13).
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
וַיֹּ֥אמֶרand...saidQal wayyiqtol 3msWayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559).
יְהוָ֖הthe LORDproper nounSubject of וַיֹּאמֶריְהוָה (H3068).
אֶלtoprep אֶלPrepositional phrase, addressee
מֹשֶׁ֑הMosesproper nounObject of preposition אֶלמֹשֶׁה (H4872).
רָאִ֨יתִי֙I have seenQal perf 1csPredicate verb, main clause→ Perfective: a completed, decisive act of firsthand perceptionרָאָה (H7200) 'to see'; God's direct, authoritative witness to the people's condition.
אֶת[obj]obj markerDirect-object marker (definite object)
הָעָ֣םthis peopleart + N m sg absDirect object of רָאִיתִיעַם (H5971), with the demonstrative הַזֶּה 'this' — a distancing designation.
הַזֶּ֔הthisart + demonstrative pron xmsArticle + demonstrative pronoun modifying הָעָם
וְהִנֵּ֥הand beholdconj וְ + demonstrative particlePresentative particle introducing vivid assertionהִנֵּה (H2009) 'behold'; heightens the immediacy and gravity of the verdict that follows.
עַםa peopleN m sg absPredicate noun (nominal clause)עַם (H5971) repeated — 'it is a people [that is]...'
קְשֵׁהstiff ofadj m sg constrAdjective construct qualifying עַםקָשֶׁה (H7186) 'hard, stiff, stubborn', construct — first half of the idiom 'stiff-necked'.
עֹ֖רֶףneckN m sg absGenitive complement of construct chainעֹרֶף (H6203) 'neck, nape'; idiom for obstinate refusal to be led or corrected — a recurring covenant-rebellion label for Israel.
הֽוּאit ispers pron 3msResumptive personal pronoun, copula of nominal clauseהוּא (H1931), 3ms independent pronoun functioning as copula.
10

וְעַתָּה֙ הַנִּ֣יחָה לִּ֔י וְיִֽחַר אַפִּ֥י בָהֶ֖ם וַאֲכַלֵּ֑ם וְאֶֽעֱשֶׂ֥ה אוֹתְךָ֖ לְג֥וֹי גָּדֽוֹל

Now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may burn hot against them and I may consume them; and I will make of you a great nation."

Divine proposal: judgment and replacementasyndeton
עַתָּה ('now'), a pivot-adverb, launches the proposal proper. The Hiphil imperative הַנִּיחָה, 'let me alone', is a striking divine rhetorical device — it implies that Moses' intercession could restrain God, and by voicing the request God effectively invites Moses to intercede rather than acquiesce, setting up the intercession of vv.11-13.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
וְעַתָּה֙nowconj וְ + adv עַתָּהConjunction + temporal adverb, pivot markerעַתָּה (H6258) 'now'; introduces the consequential turn from verdict to proposed action.
הַנִּ֣יחָהlet aloneHiphil impv 2ms + paragogic heImperative, main divine request→ Imperative (Hiphil): a permission-request that paradoxically invites resistanceיָנַח/נוח (H3240) Hiphil 'let alone, leave, allow'; God's rhetorical opening for Moses to intercede rather than acquiesce.
לִּ֔יmeprep לְ + 1cs suffixPrepositional phrase, object of הַנִּיחָה
וְיִֽחַרthat...may burn hotconj וְ + Qal jussive 3msPredicate verb, purpose/result clause (jussive)→ Jussive/volitional: an expressed wish, permission sought for wrath to be unleashedחָרָה (H2734) 'to burn (of anger)'; the idiom 'my anger burns' expresses the intensity of the proposed judgment.
אַפִּ֥יmy angerN m sg constr + 1cs suffixSubject of וְיִחַראַף (H639) 'nose, anger' (from flaring nostrils); construct with 1cs suffix.
בָהֶ֖םagainst themprep בְּ + 3mp suffixPrepositional phrase, object of wrath
וַאֲכַלֵּ֑םand I may consume themconj וְ + Piel cohortative 1cs + 3mp suffixPredicate verb (cohortative), coordinate purpose clause→ Cohortative: self-directed volitional — 'let me utterly destroy them'כָּלָה (H3615) Piel cohortative 'to finish, consume utterly, annihilate'; God's proposed total judgment on Israel.
וְאֶֽעֱשֶׂ֥הand I will makeconj וְ + Qal impf 1csPredicate verb, coordinate main clause (offer to Moses)→ Yiqtol: imperfective/modal — a promised future actעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to make'; God's offer to remake the covenant people from Moses alone, echoing the patriarchal promise-language of Gen 12:2.
אוֹתְךָ֖youobj marker + 2ms suffixDirect-object marker + 2ms suffix (Moses)
לְג֥וֹיinto a nationprep לְ + N m sg absPrepositional phrase, predicate complement (result)גּוֹי (H1471) 'nation, people'; God proposes to build a new people from Moses, replacing Israel.
גָּדֽוֹלgreatadj m sg absAdjective modifying גּוֹיגָּדוֹל (H1419) 'great, large'; echoes the patriarchal promise formula (cf. Gen 12:2, 'I will make you a great nation'), testing whether Moses will accept personal exaltation at Israel's expense.
11

וַיְחַ֣ל מֹשֶׁ֔ה אֶת פְּנֵ֖י יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהָ֑יו וַיֹּ֗אמֶר לָמָ֤ה יְהוָה֙ יֶחֱרֶ֤ה אַפְּךָ֙ בְּעַמֶּ֔ךָ אֲשֶׁ֤ר הוֹצֵ֨אתָ֙ מֵאֶ֣רֶץ מִצְרַ֔יִם בְּכֹ֥חַ גָּד֖וֹל וּבְיָ֥ד חֲזָקָֽה

But Moses implored the LORD his God, and said, "O LORD, why does your wrath burn hot against your people, whom you brought out of the land of Egypt with great power and a mighty hand?

Moses' first intercession beginsasyndeton
Moses immediately and pointedly reverses God's rhetoric: where God called Israel 'your people... whom you brought up' (v.7, assigning credit/blame to Moses), Moses now calls them 'your people... whom you brought out' (assigning the exodus back to God) — the theological tug-of-war over whose people Israel is becomes the intercession's opening gambit.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
וַיְחַ֣לbut...imploredPiel wayyiqtol 3msWayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol (Piel): foregrounded narrative advance — the onset of formal entreatyחָלָה (H2470) Piel 'to appease, entreat, mollify (the face of)'; from a root meaning 'to be weak/sick', denoting the humbling of oneself before a superior to soften their resolve.
מֹשֶׁ֔הMosesproper nounSubject of וַיְחַלמֹשֶׁה (H4872); the mediator turns advocate.
אֶת[obj]obj markerDirect-object marker (definite object)
פְּנֵ֖יthe face ofN c pl constrDirect object, construct chain (idiomatic 'the presence of')פָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; idiom 'entreat the face of' = to appeal directly and personally to.
יְהוָ֣הthe LORDproper nounGenitive complement of construct chainיְהוָה (H3068).
אֱלֹהָ֑יוhis GodN m pl constr + 3ms suffixAppositive to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430), construct with 3ms suffix — 'his God', underscoring the personal covenant bond Moses appeals to.
וַיֹּ֗אמֶרand saidQal wayyiqtol 3msWayyiqtol of narrative sequence, introducing direct speech→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559).
לָמָ֤הwhyprep לְ + interr particlePrepositional phrase + interrogative, adverbial 'why'לָמָה (H4100 with לְ) 'why, for what reason'; opens Moses' rhetorical challenge to God.
יְהוָה֙LORDproper nounVocativeיְהוָה (H3068); direct address, personal appeal.
יֶחֱרֶ֤הshould...burn hotQal impf 3msPredicate verb, rhetorical-question main clause→ Yiqtol: imperfective/modal — a rhetorical, protesting question about the propriety of the wrathחָרָה (H2734) 'to burn (of anger)'; Moses questions the proportionality of the proposed total destruction.
אַפְּךָ֙your angerN m sg constr + 2ms suffixSubject of יֶחֱרֶהאַף (H639), construct with 2ms suffix.
בְּעַמֶּ֔ךָagainst your peopleprep בְּ + N m sg constr + 2ms suffixPrepositional phrase, object of wrathעַם (H5971), construct with 2ms suffix — Moses deliberately restores 'your people' to God.
אֲשֶׁ֤רwhomrel particleRelative pronoun introducing relative clause modifying עַמְּךָ
הוֹצֵ֨אתָ֙you brought outHiphil perf 2msPredicate verb of relative clause→ Perfective (Hiphil): a completed, decisive act — correctly attributed to God, not Mosesיָצָא (H3318) Hiphil 'to bring out'; Moses restores the true subject of the exodus-deliverance to God.
מֵאֶ֣רֶץfrom the land ofprep מִן + N c sg constrPrepositional phrase, sourceאֶרֶץ (H776).
מִצְרַ֔יִםEgyptproper nounObject of construct chainמִצְרַיִם (H4714).
בְּכֹ֥חַwith great powerprep בְּ + N m sg absPrepositional phrase, instrumental/mannerכֹּחַ (H3581) 'strength, power'; part of the fixed exodus-deliverance formula.
גָּד֖וֹלgreatadj m sg absAdjective modifying כֹּחַגָּדוֹל (H1419).
וּבְיָ֥דand with a handconj וְ + prep בְּ + N c sg absCoordinate prepositional phrase, instrumentalיָד (H3027) 'hand'; paired with כֹּחַ in the standard exodus formula.
חֲזָקָֽהmightyadj f sg absAdjective modifying יָדחָזָק (H2389) 'strong, mighty'; completing the formula 'strong hand and outstretched arm' type language used of the exodus.
12

לָמָּה֩ יֹאמְר֨וּ מִצְרַ֜יִם לֵאמֹ֗ר בְּרָעָ֤ה הֽוֹצִיאָם֙ לַהֲרֹ֤ג אֹתָם֙ בֶּֽהָרִ֔ים וּ֨לְכַלֹּתָ֔ם מֵעַ֖ל פְּנֵ֣י הָֽאֲדָמָ֑ה שׁ֚וּב מֵחֲר֣וֹן אַפֶּ֔ךָ וְהִנָּחֵ֥ם עַל הָרָעָ֖ה לְעַמֶּֽךָ

Why should the Egyptians say, 'He brought them out for evil, to kill them in the mountains and to consume them from the face of the earth'? Turn from your fierce anger, and relent from this disaster against your people.

Moses' intercession, argument from reputationasyndeton
Moses' second argument appeals to YHWH's public reputation among the nations: total destruction would let the Egyptians reinterpret the exodus itself as malicious entrapment rather than deliverance, impugning God's own character before the watching world — an argument of theodicy as much as mercy.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
לָמָּה֩whyprep לְ + interr particlePrepositional phrase + interrogative, adverbial 'why'לָמָה (H4100 with לְ); rhetorical question opening the reputation-argument.
יֹאמְר֨וּshould...sayQal impf 3mpPredicate verb, rhetorical-question main clause→ Yiqtol: imperfective/modal — a hypothetical future speech-act to be avertedאָמַר (H559); the feared slander Moses anticipates from Egypt.
מִצְרַ֜יִםthe Egyptiansproper nounSubject of יֹאמְרוּמִצְרִי (H4713), gentilic plural — the nation who witnessed the exodus and would reinterpret it.
לֵאמֹ֗רsayingprep לְ + Qal inf constrPurpose/manner infinitive construct introducing quoted content→ Infinitive: introduces reported/quoted speechאָמַר (H559) infinitive construct, 'saying' — standard quotation-formula.
בְּרָעָ֤הwith evil intentprep בְּ + N f sg absPrepositional phrase, manner/purposeרָעָה (H7451) 'evil, harm'; the imagined Egyptian slander — that YHWH's deliverance was malicious deception.
הֽוֹצִיאָם֙he brought them outHiphil perf 3ms + 3mp suffixPredicate verb of quoted clause→ Perfective: a completed act reinterpreted with malicious intentיָצָא (H3318) Hiphil 'to bring out'; the same exodus-verb, now imagined as recast by hostile foreign eyes.
לַהֲרֹ֤גto killprep לְ + Qal inf constrPurpose infinitive construct→ Infinitive: purpose of the imagined malicious deliveranceהָרַג (H2026) 'to kill, slay'; the imagined true motive Egypt would ascribe to God.
אֹתָם֙themobj marker + 3mp suffixDirect-object marker + 3mp suffix (the people)
בֶּֽהָרִ֔יםin the mountainsprep בְּ + art + N m pl absPrepositional phrase, locativeהַר (H2022) 'mountain', plural — the wilderness terrain where the destruction was proposed.
וּ֨לְכַלֹּתָ֔םand to consume themconj וְ + prep לְ + Piel inf constr + 3mp suffixCoordinate purpose infinitive construct→ Infinitive: purpose, paired with 'to kill'כָּלָה (H3615) Piel 'to consume, finish off, destroy utterly'; echoes God's own threatened verb from v.10.
מֵעַ֖לfromprep מִן + prep עַלCompound preposition, source ('from off/away from')מֵעַל (H5921 with מִן) 'from upon, away from'.
פְּנֵ֣יthe face ofN c pl constrObject of preposition, construct chainפָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; idiom 'face of the earth' = the visible surface of the world.
הָֽאֲדָמָ֑הthe earthart + N f sg absGenitive complement of construct chainאֲדָמָה (H127) 'ground, earth, land'.
שׁ֚וּבturnQal impv 2msImperative, main petition→ Imperative: urgent plea for reversalשׁוּב (H7725) 'to turn back, return'; Moses' central petition-verb, asking God to reverse the announced course of wrath.
מֵחֲר֣וֹןfrom the burning ofprep מִן + N m sg constrPrepositional phrase, source, construct chainחָרוֹן (H2740) 'burning, heat'; synonym-pair with אַף, intensifying the image of kindled anger.
אַפֶּ֔ךָyour angerN m sg constr + 2ms suffixGenitive complement of construct chainאַף (H639), construct with 2ms suffix.
וְהִנָּחֵ֥םand relentconj וְ + Niphal impv 2msImperative, coordinate petition→ Imperative (Niphal): urgent plea for a change of resolveנָחַם (H5162) Niphal 'to be sorry, relent, change one's mind'; the theologically weighty verb of divine relenting, granted in v.14.
עַלconcerningprep עַלPrepositional phrase, respect/referenceעַל (H5921) 'concerning, over'.
הָרָעָ֖הthis disasterart + N f sg absObject of preposition עַלרָעָה (H7451) 'evil, disaster'; here the threatened judgment itself, echoing its earlier use of Egypt's imagined slander.
לְעַמֶּֽךָagainst your peopleprep לְ + N m sg constr + 2ms suffixPrepositional phrase, object/beneficiaryעַם (H5971), construct with 2ms suffix.
13

זְכֹ֡ר לְאַבְרָהָם֩ לְיִצְחָ֨ק וּלְיִשְׂרָאֵ֜ל עֲבָדֶ֗יךָ אֲשֶׁ֨ר נִשְׁבַּ֣עְתָּ לָהֶם֮ בָּךְ֒ וַתְּדַבֵּ֣ר אֲלֵהֶ֔ם אַרְבֶּה֙ אֶֽת זַרְעֲכֶ֔ם כְּכוֹכְבֵ֖י הַשָּׁמָ֑יִם וְכָל הָאָ֨רֶץ הַזֹּ֜את אֲשֶׁ֣ר אָמַ֗רְתִּי אֶתֵּן֙ לְזַרְעֲכֶ֔ם וְנָחֲל֖וּ לְעֹלָֽם

Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel your servants, to whom you swore by your own self, and said to them, 'I will multiply your descendants as the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have promised I will give to your descendants, and they shall inherit it forever.'"

Moses' intercession, argument from covenant oathasyndeton
Moses' climactic argument invokes the unconditional, self-sworn patriarchal covenant (Gen 15:5; 22:16-17) — an oath God swore 'by himself' (having no greater to swear by, Heb 6:13), making its fulfillment a matter of divine self-consistency rather than Israel's present merit. This argument, not reputation or pity, proves decisive in v.14.
Word-by-word analysis· 25 words
זְכֹ֡רrememberQal impv 2msImperative, opening the covenant-oath argument→ Imperative: urgent plea invoking covenant memory (not that God forgets, but that he act in accordance with)זָכַר (H2142) 'to remember'; covenantal remembering = to act upon, not mere mental recall (cf. Gen 8:1; Exod 2:24).
לְאַבְרָהָם֩Abrahamprep לְ + proper nounDirect object of זְכֹראַבְרָהָם (H85); first of the patriarchal triad.
לְיִצְחָ֨קIsaacprep לְ + proper nounCoordinate direct objectיִצְחָק (H3327); second patriarch.
וּלְיִשְׂרָאֵ֜לand Israelconj וְ + prep לְ + proper nounCoordinate direct object (conjoined)יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478); here the patriarch Jacob/Israel, third of the triad.
עֲבָדֶ֗יךָyour servantsN m pl constr + 2ms suffixAppositive to the three patriarchal namesעֶבֶד (H5650) 'servant'; covenantal title honoring the patriarchs' devoted relationship to God.
אֲשֶׁ֨רto whomrel particleRelative pronoun introducing relative clause
נִשְׁבַּ֣עְתָּyou sworeNiphal perf 2msPredicate verb of relative clause→ Perfective (Niphal): a completed, binding self-oathשָׁבַע (H7650) Niphal 'to swear (an oath)'; the divine self-oath of Gen 22:16, foundational and unconditional.
לָהֶם֮to themprep לְ + 3mp suffixPrepositional phrase, indirect object
בָּךְ֒by yourselfprep בְּ + 2fs suffixPrepositional phrase, instrumental (the oath's guarantor)the 2fs-form suffix here is a scribal/grammatical archaism on the preposition בְּ, 'by/in yourself' — God swore having no greater by whom to swear (cf. Heb 6:13).
וַתְּדַבֵּ֣רand saidPiel wayyiqtol 2msWayyiqtol continuing the quoted oath's introduction→ Wayyiqtol (Piel): foregrounded narrative advance within the quotationדָּבַר (H1696) Piel 'to speak'.
אֲלֵהֶ֔םto themprep אֶל + 3mp suffixPrepositional phrase, indirect object
אַרְבֶּה֙I will multiplyHiphil impf 1csPredicate verb, main clause of quoted oath→ Yiqtol (Hiphil): imperfective/modal — a solemn future promiseרָבָה (H7235) Hiphil 'to make many, multiply'; the patriarchal fecundity-promise.
אֶֽת[obj]obj markerDirect-object marker (definite object)
זַרְעֲכֶ֔םyour descendantsN m sg constr + 2mp suffixDirect object of אַרְבֶּהזֶרַע (H2233) 'seed, offspring'; the promised, currently-endangered posterity.
כְּכוֹכְבֵ֖יlike the stars ofprep כְּ + N m pl constrPrepositional phrase, comparison, construct chainכּוֹכָב (H3556) 'star'; simile for innumerability, echoing Gen 15:5; 22:17.
הַשָּׁמָ֑יִםthe heavensart + N m pl absGenitive complement of construct chainשָׁמַיִם (H8064) 'heaven(s), sky'.
וְכָלand allconj וְ + N m sg constrCoordinate construct head (conjoined)כֹּל (H3605) 'all'.
הָאָ֨רֶץthis landart + N c sg absGenitive complement, construct chainאֶרֶץ (H776) 'land, earth'; the promised territorial inheritance.
הַזֹּ֜אתthisart + demonstrative pron xfsDemonstrative pronoun modifying הָאָרֶץזֹאת (H2063) 'this' (fs).
אֲשֶׁ֣רthatrel particleRelative pronoun introducing relative clause
אָמַ֗רְתִּיI have promisedQal perf 1csPredicate verb of relative clause→ Perfective: a completed, prior divine speech-actאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; here of a prior formal promise/declaration.
אֶתֵּן֙I will giveQal impf 1csPredicate verb, main clause resuming the oath→ Yiqtol: imperfective/modal — a solemn future promiseנָתַן (H5414) 'to give'; the land-grant promise.
לְזַרְעֲכֶ֔םto your descendantsprep לְ + N m sg constr + 2mp suffixPrepositional phrase, indirect object/recipientזֶרַע (H2233), construct with 2mp suffix.
וְנָחֲל֖וּand they shall inherit itconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3cpPredicate verb (weqatal, continuing the promise sequence)→ Weqatal: sequential future consequence — the promised outcome following the giftנָחַל (H5157) 'to inherit, take possession of'; the promised land as perpetual inheritance.
לְעֹלָֽםforeverprep לְ + N m sg absPrepositional phrase, temporal (duration)עוֹלָם (H5769) 'forever, everlasting'; the promise's permanence, the crux of Moses' argument — God cannot annihilate the people through whom this everlasting promise must be fulfilled.
14

וַיִּנָּ֖חֶם יְהוָ֑ה עַל הָ֣רָעָ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר דִּבֶּ֖ר לַעֲשׂ֥וֹת לְעַמּֽוֹ

So the LORD relented from the disaster that he had said he would do to his people.

Narrative resolution of the first intercessionasyndeton
A terse narrative report closes the first intercession cycle: God 'relented' (נִחַם), the same verb Moses had petitioned for in v.12. The verse raises perennial theological questions about divine immutability and relational responsiveness, generally resolved by noting that the 'relenting' is itself covenantally anticipated — intercession is the God-ordained means by which the announced judgment is averted, not evidence of divine fickleness.
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
וַיִּנָּ֖חֶםand...relentedNiphal wayyiqtol 3msWayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol (Niphal): foregrounded narrative advance — the pivotal turn of the chapterנָחַם (H5162) Niphal 'to relent, be sorry, change one's mind'; here God's gracious response to intercession, not caprice but responsiveness.
יְהוָ֑הthe LORDproper nounSubject of וַיִּנָּחֶםיְהוָה (H3068).
עַלconcerningprep עַלPrepositional phrase, respect/referenceעַל (H5921).
הָ֣רָעָ֔הthe disasterart + N f sg absObject of preposition עַלרָעָה (H7451) 'evil, disaster'; the judgment threatened in vv.10, 12.
אֲשֶׁ֥רthatrel particleRelative pronoun introducing relative clause modifying הָרָעָה
דִּבֶּ֖רhe had saidPiel perf 3msPredicate verb of relative clause→ Perfective (Piel): a completed, prior declared intentionדָּבַר (H1696) Piel 'to speak'; the announced intent to destroy, now averted.
לַעֲשׂ֥וֹתto doprep לְ + Qal inf constrPurpose/complementary infinitive construct→ Infinitive: the content of what was declaredעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do, make'.
לְעַמּֽוֹto his peopleprep לְ + N m sg constr + 3ms suffixPrepositional phrase, object/beneficiaryעַם (H5971), construct with 3ms suffix — 'his people' restored, the possessive tug-of-war of vv.7, 11 resolved in God's favor of ownership.
15

וַיִּ֜פֶן וַיֵּ֤רֶד מֹשֶׁה֙ מִן הָהָ֔ר וּשְׁנֵ֛י לֻחֹ֥ת הָעֵדֻ֖ת בְּיָד֑וֹ לֻחֹ֗ת כְּתֻבִים֙ מִשְּׁנֵ֣י עֶבְרֵיהֶ֔ם מִזֶּ֥ה וּמִזֶּ֖ה הֵ֥ם כְּתֻבִֽים

Then Moses turned and went down from the mountain with the two tablets of the testimony in his hand, tablets written on both sides; on the one side and on the other they were written.

Scene transition: Moses' descent with the tabletsasyndeton
The narrative camera returns to Moses' physical movement (turning, descending), pausing to describe the tablets in loving, repetitive detail (לֻחֹת... כְּתֻבִים... מִשְּׁנֵי עֶבְרֵיהֶם... כְּתֻבִים, doubled almost verbatim) — the redundancy emphasizes the tablets' singular, divinely-authored nature just before they are about to be shattered.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
וַיִּ֜פֶןand...turnedQal wayyiqtol 3msWayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceפָּנָה (H6437) 'to turn (oneself)'; Moses turning away from the summit, from God's presence, toward the camp.
וַיֵּ֤רֶדand went downQal wayyiqtol 3msWayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceיָרַד (H3381) 'to go down, descend'; fulfilling the command of v.7.
מֹשֶׁה֙Mosesproper nounSubject of וַיִּפֶן and וַיֵּרֶדמֹשֶׁה (H4872).
מִןfromprep מִןPrepositional phrase, sourceמִן (H4480).
הָהָ֔רthe mountainart + N m sg absObject of preposition מִןהַר (H2022).
וּשְׁנֵ֛יwith the two ofconj וְ + card m du constrCoordinate subject/accompaniment, construct chain (cardinal number)שְׁנַיִם (H8147) 'two', construct dual — introducing the tablets.
לֻחֹ֥תtablets ofN m pl constrGenitive complement, construct chainלוּחַ (H3871) 'tablet, board'; the stone tablets inscribed by God (24:12; 31:18).
הָעֵדֻ֖תthe testimonyart + N f sg absGenitive complement of construct chainעֵדוּת (H5715) 'testimony'; the tablets as covenant-witness document, the Decalogue's stipulations.
בְּיָד֑וֹin his handprep בְּ + N c sg constr + 3ms suffixPrepositional phrase, locative (manner of carrying)יָד (H3027) 'hand'; Moses physically bears the covenant document down the mountain.
לֻחֹ֗תtabletsN m pl absResumptive appositive noun, subject of following participial clauseלוּחַ (H3871), repeated in apposition for emphatic description.
כְּתֻבִים֙writtenQal passive ptc mpl absPredicate participle (passive), describing the tablets→ Participle: a state resulting from a completed act — 'inscribed'כָּתַב (H3789) Qal passive participle 'written, inscribed'; describes the divine writing on the stone.
מִשְּׁנֵ֣יfrom the two ofprep מִן + card m du constrPrepositional phrase + construct cardinal number, sourceשְׁנַיִם (H8147) 'two', construct with prep מִן — 'from their two sides'.
עֶבְרֵיהֶ֔םtheir sidesN m pl constr + 3mp suffixGenitive complement, construct chainעֵבֶר (H5676) 'side, region across'; the tablets inscribed on both faces, front and back.
מִזֶּ֥הon this sideprep מִן + demonstrative pron xmsPrepositional phrase, demonstrative (distributive 'on one side')זֶה (H2088) 'this'; distributive pairing 'from this (side) and from that (side)'.
וּמִזֶּ֖הand on that sideconj וְ + prep מִן + demonstrative pron xmsCoordinate prepositional phrase, demonstrative (conjoined)זֶה (H2088), repeated distributively.
הֵ֥םtheypers pron 3mpResumptive personal pronoun, subjectהֵם (H1992), 3mp independent pronoun, resuming 'the tablets' as subject.
כְּתֻבִֽיםwere writtenQal passive ptc mpl absPredicate participle (passive), restating the description→ Participle: a resultant state — 'written', repeated for emphasisכָּתַב (H3789) Qal passive participle; the doubled description (cf. word 10 above) underscores the tablets' completeness and divine origin just before their destruction.
16

וְהַ֨לֻּחֹ֔ת מַעֲשֵׂ֥ה אֱלֹהִ֖ים הֵ֑מָּה וְהַמִּכְתָּ֗ב מִכְתַּ֤ב אֱלֹהִים֙ ה֔וּא חָר֖וּת עַל הַלֻּחֹֽת

The tablets were the work of God, and the writing was the writing of God, engraved on the tablets.

Parenthetical theological aside on the tablets' originasyndeton
A pause in narrative time for emphatic theological commentary: both the tablets' material craftsmanship ('the work of God') and their inscribed content ('the writing of God') are doubly attributed to divine authorship — heightening the tragedy of their imminent breaking in v.19 as an act against God's own handiwork, not merely Moses' loss of temper.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
וְהַ֨לֻּחֹ֔תand the tabletsconj וְ + art + N m pl absConjunction + subject of nominal clauseלוּחַ (H3871), with article — resuming the tablets as topic.
מַעֲשֵׂ֥הthe work ofN m sg constrPredicate noun, construct chainמַעֲשֶׂה (H4639) 'work, deed, product'; construct, 'the work/product of'.
אֱלֹהִ֖יםGodN m pl absGenitive complement of construct chainאֱלֹהִים (H430).
הֵ֑מָּהtheypers pron 3mpResumptive personal pronoun, copulaהֵם/הֵמָּה (H1992), resumptive copula in nominal clause.
וְהַמִּכְתָּ֗בand the writingconj וְ + art + N m sg absConjunction + subject of second nominal clauseמִכְתָּב (H4385) 'writing, inscription', with article.
מִכְתַּ֤בthe writing ofN m sg constrPredicate noun, construct chainמִכְתָּב (H4385), repeated in construct — 'the writing of'.
אֱלֹהִים֙GodN m pl absGenitive complement of construct chainאֱלֹהִים (H430); doubled attribution (work + writing) intensifies the tablets' sanctity.
ה֔וּאitpers pron 3msResumptive personal pronoun, copulaהוּא (H1931), resumptive copula.
חָר֖וּתengravedQal passive ptc msg absPredicate participle (passive), describing the writing→ Participle: a resultant state — 'incised, engraved'חָרוּת (H2801) Qal passive participle 'engraved, incised'; distinct root from כָּתַב, emphasizing the physical carving into stone rather than mere writing.
עַלonprep עַלPrepositional phrase, locativeעַל (H5921).
הַלֻּחֹֽתthe tabletsart + N m pl absObject of preposition עַללוּחַ (H3871).
17

וַיִּשְׁמַ֧ע יְהוֹשֻׁ֛עַ אֶת ק֥וֹל הָעָ֖ם בְּרֵעֹ֑ה וַיֹּ֨אמֶר֙ אֶל מֹשֶׁ֔ה ק֥וֹל מִלְחָמָ֖ה בַּֽמַּחֲנֶה

When Joshua heard the noise of the people as they shouted, he said to Moses, "There is a noise of war in the camp."

Joshua's mistaken interpretation, dramatic ironyasyndeton
Joshua, who had waited apart on the mountain (24:13), hears the camp's uproar and misreads it as battle — dramatic irony, since the reader (and Moses, informed by God in vv.7-8) already knows the true, worse cause. His misjudgment sets up Moses' more precise correction in v.18.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
וַיִּשְׁמַ֧עand...heardQal wayyiqtol 3msWayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceשָׁמַע (H8085) 'to hear'; Joshua's auditory perception, contrasted with Moses' coming visual perception in v.19.
יְהוֹשֻׁ֛עַJoshuaproper nounSubject of וַיִּשְׁמַעיְהוֹשֻׁעַ (H3091); Moses' attendant, previously stationed partway up the mountain.
אֶת[obj]obj markerDirect-object marker (definite object)
ק֥וֹלthe sound ofN m sg constrDirect object, construct chainקוֹל (H6963) 'voice, sound, noise'; the ambiguous camp-noise that both Joshua and Moses now interpret.
הָעָ֖םthe peopleart + N m sg absGenitive complement of construct chainעַם (H5971).
בְּרֵעֹ֑הin their shoutingprep בְּ + N m sg constr + 3ms suffixPrepositional phrase, manner/attendant circumstanceרֵעַ (H7452) 'noise, shouting, clamor' (a homograph of רֵעַ 'friend/companion'), with 3ms suffix — 'in its shouting'.
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר֙and he saidQal wayyiqtol 3msWayyiqtol of narrative sequence, introducing direct speech→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559).
אֶלtoprep אֶלPrepositional phrase, addressee
מֹשֶׁ֔הMosesproper nounObject of preposition אֶלמֹשֶׁה (H4872).
ק֥וֹלa sound ofN m sg constrPredicate noun (nominal clause), construct chainקוֹל (H6963), construct — Joshua's tentative identification.
מִלְחָמָ֖הwarN f sg absGenitive complement of construct chainמִלְחָמָה (H4421) 'war, battle'; Joshua's (mistaken) first guess at the source of the noise.
בַּֽמַּחֲנֶהin the campprep בְּ + art + N c sg absPrepositional phrase, locativeמַחֲנֶה (H4264) 'camp'; the Israelite encampment below.
18

וַיֹּ֗אמֶר אֵ֥ין קוֹל֙ עֲנ֣וֹת גְּבוּרָ֔ה וְאֵ֥ין ק֖וֹל עֲנ֣וֹת חֲלוּשָׁ֑ה ק֣וֹל עַנּ֔וֹת אָנֹכִ֖י שֹׁמֵֽעַ

But he said, "It is not the sound of the shout of victory, nor the sound of the cry of defeat, but the sound of singing that I hear."

Moses' corrective reply to Joshuaasyndeton
Moses corrects Joshua with a finely-tuned wordplay: he denies both עֲנוֹת גְּבוּרָה ('the cry of might/victory') and עֲנוֹת חֲלוּשָׁה ('the cry of weakness/defeat') — the two possible readings of battle-noise — and instead names it קוֹל עַנּוֹת ('the sound of singing', a different vocalization/stem of the same root ענה), showing Moses already discerns the noise's true, cultic-revelrous character before he even arrives to see the calf.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
וַיֹּ֗אמֶרand he saidQal wayyiqtol 3msWayyiqtol of narrative sequence, introducing direct speech (adversative)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559); Moses' correction of Joshua.
אֵ֥יןthere is notneg particleNegative existential particle, main clauseאַיִן (H369) 'there is not'; existential negation, distinct from verbal לֹא.
קוֹל֙a sound ofN m sg constrPredicate noun, construct chain (subject of negated existential)קוֹל (H6963), construct.
עֲנ֣וֹתthe crying ofQal inf constrGenitive complement, construct chain→ Infinitive construct: nominalized verbal action (construct-chain head)עָנָה (H6030) Qal infinitive construct 'answering, crying out/singing'; first term of the wordplay Moses denies.
גְּבוּרָ֔הmight/victoryN f sg absGenitive complement of construct chainגְּבוּרָה (H1369) 'strength, might, victory'; the triumphant-army interpretation Moses rules out.
וְאֵ֥יןand there is notconj וְ + neg particleCoordinate negative existential particleאַיִן (H369), repeated.
ק֖וֹלa sound ofN m sg constrPredicate noun, construct chainקוֹל (H6963).
עֲנ֣וֹתthe crying ofQal inf constrGenitive complement, construct chain→ Infinitive construct: nominalized verbal action (construct-chain head)עָנָה (H6030) Qal infinitive construct; second term of the wordplay.
חֲלוּשָׁ֑הweakness/defeatN f sg absGenitive complement of construct chainחֲלוּשָׁה (H2476) 'weakness, defeat'; the defeated-army interpretation Moses also rules out.
ק֣וֹלa sound ofN m sg constrPredicate noun, construct chain (the true identification)קוֹל (H6963); the affirmed alternative.
עַנּ֔וֹתsingingPiel inf constrGenitive complement of construct chain→ Infinitive construct: nominalized verbal action (construct-chain head)עָנָה (H6030) Piel infinitive construct עַנּוֹת 'singing' — distinct vocalization from the Qal עֲנוֹת above, the pivot of the verse's wordplay: what Moses hears is not battle but revelrous song.
אָנֹכִ֖יIpers pron 1csIndependent personal pronoun, emphatic subjectאָנֹכִי (H595) 'I'; emphatic, contrasting Moses' more discerning ear with Joshua's mistaken guess.
שֹׁמֵֽעַhearQal active ptc msg absPredicate participle, main clause→ Participle: ongoing present perceptionשָׁמַע (H8085) Qal active participle 'hearing'; Moses' immediate, present-tense perception.
19

וַֽיְהִ֗י כַּאֲשֶׁ֤ר קָרַב֙ אֶל הַֽמַּחֲנֶ֔ה וַיַּ֥רְא אֶת הָעֵ֖גֶל וּמְחֹלֹ֑ת וַיִּֽחַר אַ֣ף מֹשֶׁ֗ה וַיַּשְׁלֵ֤ךְ מידו מִיָּדָיו֙ אֶת הַלֻּחֹ֔ת וַיְשַׁבֵּ֥ר אֹתָ֖ם תַּ֥חַת הָהָֽר

And as soon as he came near the camp and saw the calf and the dancing, Moses' anger burned hot, and he threw the tablets from his hands and shattered them at the foot of the mountain.

Climactic turning point: Moses' eyewitness reactionasyndeton
Moses' own sight (וַיַּרְא, echoing v.1's people's seeing and v.9's God's seeing) confirms and exceeds what he had only heard about in vv.17-18; his anger (וַיִּחַר אַף) mirrors precisely the anger God proposed in v.10, showing Moses now shares God's own righteous reaction. The shattering of the tablets — God's own handiwork (v.16) — dramatizes that the covenant has effectively already been broken by the people's idolatry before Moses breaks its physical symbol.
Word-by-word analysis· 21 words
וַֽיְהִ֗יand it happenedQal wayyiqtol 3msWayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main clause, temporal frame)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance, introducing a temporal clauseהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, happen'; narrative formula 'and it came to pass, as soon as...'
כַּאֲשֶׁ֤רasprep כְּ + rel particlePrepositional phrase + relative particle, temporal conjunctionאֲשֶׁר (H834) with כְּ, 'as, when'; temporal clause marker.
קָרַב֙he drew nearQal perf 3msPredicate verb of temporal clause→ Perfective: a completed act marking the moment of arrivalקָרַב (H7126) 'to draw near, approach'; Moses' final approach to the camp.
אֶלtoprep אֶלPrepositional phrase, goal
הַֽמַּחֲנֶ֔הthe campart + N c sg absObject of preposition אֶלמַחֲנֶה (H4264) 'camp'; the Israelite encampment, now visible.
וַיַּ֥רְאand he sawQal wayyiqtol 3msWayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the decisive eyewitness momentרָאָה (H7200); Moses' own sight now confirms the report.
אֶת[obj]obj markerDirect-object marker (definite object)
הָעֵ֖גֶלthe calfart + N m sg absDirect object of וַיַּרְאעֵגֶל (H5695); the idol itself, now seen firsthand.
וּמְחֹלֹ֑תand the dancingconj וְ + N f pl absCoordinate direct object (conjoined)מְחֹלָה (H4246) 'dancing'; the frenzied choreography of the calf-cult, visual confirmation of the 'singing' Moses had heard (v.18).
וַיִּֽחַרand...burned hotQal wayyiqtol 3msWayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — Moses' anger ignites, mirroring God's own proposed wrath (v.10)חָרָה (H2734) 'to burn (of anger)'; the same verb and idiom God used of his own wrath, now Moses' own.
אַ֣ףthe anger ofadv particleSubject of וַיִּחַר, construct (adverbial use)אַף (H639) 'nose, anger'; here functioning adverbially as the grammatical subject of the burning.
מֹשֶׁ֗הMosesproper nounGenitive complement of construct chain (possessor of the anger)מֹשֶׁה (H4872).
וַיַּשְׁלֵ֤ךְand he threwHiphil wayyiqtol 3msWayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol (Hiphil): foregrounded narrative advance — a sudden, forceful actשָׁלַךְ (H7993) Hiphil 'to throw, cast, fling'; Moses' violent, spontaneous reaction to the sight.
מידוhis hand (ketiv)prep מִן + N c sg constr + 3ms suffixPrepositional phrase, source (ketiv reading, defective spelling)יָד (H3027) 'hand'; the consonantal ketiv מידו reads defectively singular.
מִיָּדָיו֙his hands (qere)prep מִן + N c du constr + 3ms suffixPrepositional phrase, source (qere reading, traditional vocalization)יָד (H3027) 'hand', dual in the qere מִיָּדָיו — the traditionally read form, 'from his (two) hands'; the ketiv-qere pair here is a classic Masoretic textual note (see chapter text_note).
אֶת[obj]obj markerDirect-object marker (definite object)
הַלֻּחֹ֔תthe tabletsart + N m pl absDirect object of וַיַּשְׁלֵךְלוּחַ (H3871); God's own inscribed tablets, about to be destroyed.
וַיְשַׁבֵּ֥רand he shatteredPiel wayyiqtol 3msWayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol (Piel): foregrounded narrative advance — decisive, symbolic destructionשָׁבַר (H7665) Piel 'to break, shatter'; the covenant-document's physical breaking dramatizes the covenant already broken by Israel's idolatry.
אֹתָ֖םthemobj marker + 3mp suffixDirect-object marker + 3mp suffix (the tablets)
תַּ֥חַתat the foot ofprep תַּחַתPrepositional phrase, locativeתַּחַת (H8478) 'under, beneath'; the tablets shatter at the very base of the mountain from which they came.
הָהָֽרthe mountainart + N m sg absObject of preposition תַּחַתהַר (H2022).
20

וַיִּקַּ֞ח אֶת הָעֵ֨גֶל אֲשֶׁ֤ר עָשׂוּ֙ וַיִּשְׂרֹ֣ף בָּאֵ֔שׁ וַיִּטְחַ֖ן עַ֣ד אֲשֶׁר דָּ֑ק וַיִּ֨זֶר֙ עַל פְּנֵ֣י הַמַּ֔יִם וַיַּ֖שְׁקְ אֶת בְּנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל

Then he took the calf that they had made, and burned it with fire, and ground it to powder, and scattered it on the water, and made the sons of Israel drink it.

Moses' ritual destruction of the idolasyndeton
A fourfold destructive sequence (burn, grind, scatter, make-drink) methodically annihilates the idol and forces the people to physically ingest its remains — a judicial ordeal reminiscent of the bitter-water test (Num 5:11-31), making the people literally consume the evidence and consequence of their sin.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
וַיִּקַּ֞חand he tookQal wayyiqtol 3msWayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceלָקַח (H3947) 'to take'; Moses seizing the idol for destruction.
אֶת[obj]obj markerDirect-object marker (definite object)
הָעֵ֨גֶלthe calfart + N m sg absDirect object of וַיִּקַּחעֵגֶל (H5695).
אֲשֶׁ֤רthatrel particleRelative pronoun introducing relative clause
עָשׂוּ֙they had madeQal perf 3cpPredicate verb of relative clause→ Perfective: a completed, prior actעָשָׂה (H6213); recalling the idol's manufacture (v.4, 8).
וַיִּשְׂרֹ֣ףand he burnedQal wayyiqtol 3msWayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceשָׂרַף (H8313) 'to burn'; the idol consumed by fire, first stage of its destruction.
בָּאֵ֔שׁwith fireprep בְּ + art + N c sg absPrepositional phrase, instrumentalאֵשׁ (H784) 'fire'.
וַיִּטְחַ֖ןand he groundQal wayyiqtol 3msWayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceטָחַן (H2912) 'to grind'; reducing the burned metal to powder.
עַ֣דuntilprep עַדPrepositional phrase, temporal/resultativeעַד (H5704) 'until, as far as'.
אֲשֶׁרthatrel particleRelative pronoun introducing result clause
דָּ֑קit was fineQal perf 3msPredicate verb (stative) of result clause→ Perfective (stative): a completed change of state — reduced to fine powderדַּק (H1854) stative 'to be fine, thin, pulverized'; the idol's total physical annihilation.
וַיִּ֨זֶר֙and he scatteredQal wayyiqtol 3msWayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceזָרָה (H2219) 'to scatter, strew'; the powdered gold cast upon the water.
עַלonprep עַלPrepositional phrase, locativeעַל (H5921).
פְּנֵ֣יthe face ofN c pl constrObject of preposition, construct chainפָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; idiom 'the surface of'.
הַמַּ֔יִםthe waterart + N m pl absGenitive complement of construct chainמַיִם (H4325) 'water'; the stream from which the people would then have to drink.
וַיַּ֖שְׁקְand he made drinkHiphil wayyiqtol 3msWayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol (Hiphil): foregrounded narrative advance — a forced, judicial actשָׁקָה (H8248) Hiphil 'to give to drink, make drink'; Moses forces the people to physically ingest the idol's dust, a judgment-ordeal (cf. Num 5:11-31).
אֶת[obj]obj markerDirect-object marker (definite object)
בְּנֵ֥יthe sons ofN m pl constrDirect object, construct chainבֵּן (H1121) 'son'; construct, 'sons of Israel' = the Israelites collectively.
יִשְׂרָאֵֽלIsraelproper nounGenitive complement of construct chainיִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478).
21

וַיֹּ֤אמֶר מֹשֶׁה֙ אֶֽל אַהֲרֹ֔ן מֶֽה עָשָׂ֥ה לְךָ֖ הָעָ֣ם הַזֶּ֑ה כִּֽי הֵבֵ֥אתָ עָלָ֖יו חֲטָאָ֥ה גְדֹלָֽה

And Moses said to Aaron, "What did this people do to you, that you have brought such a great sin upon them?"

Moses' interrogation of Aaron beginsasyndeton
Moses' question is pointedly double-edged: 'what did this people do to you' implies Aaron was merely a victim of pressure, yet 'that you have brought such a great sin upon them' immediately places responsibility for the outcome squarely on Aaron's own action — Moses will not let Aaron's excuse (v.22-24) go unchallenged.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
וַיֹּ֤אמֶרand...saidQal wayyiqtol 3msWayyiqtol of narrative sequence, introducing direct speech→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559).
מֹשֶׁה֙Mosesproper nounSubject of וַיֹּאמֶרמֹשֶׁה (H4872).
אֶֽלtoprep אֶלPrepositional phrase, addressee
אַהֲרֹ֔ןAaronproper nounObject of preposition אֶלאַהֲרֹן (H175); now directly confronted.
מֶֽהwhatinterr particleInterrogative pronoun, direct object (fronted)מָה (H4100) 'what?'; opens the pointed interrogation.
עָשָׂ֥הdid...doQal perf 3msPredicate verb, interrogative main clause→ Perfective: a completed past act under interrogationעָשָׂה (H6213); Moses demands an account of the people's role.
לְךָ֖to youprep לְ + 2ms suffixPrepositional phrase, indirect object (Aaron)
הָעָ֣םthis peopleart + N m sg absSubject of עָשָׂהעַם (H5971), with demonstrative — 'this people', slightly distancing.
הַזֶּ֑הthisart + demonstrative pron xmsArticle + demonstrative pronoun modifying הָעָם
כִּֽיthatconj כִּיCausal/result conjunction introducing the consequence clauseכִּי (H3588) here consecutive/result, 'that/so that'.
הֵבֵ֥אתָyou have broughtHiphil perf 2msPredicate verb, result clause (placing responsibility on Aaron)→ Perfective (Hiphil): a completed, decisive act — pointedly attributed to Aaron himselfבּוֹא (H935) Hiphil 'to bring'; Moses' verb choice makes Aaron, not merely the people, the agent who 'brought' the sin.
עָלָ֖יוupon itprep עַל + 3ms suffixPrepositional phrase, object (upon the people)
חֲטָאָ֥הa sinN f sg absDirect object of הֵבֵאתָחֲטָאָה (H2401) 'sin'; the chapter's gravest theological verdict now voiced directly to Aaron.
גְדֹלָֽהgreatadj f sg absAdjective modifying חֲטָאָהגָּדוֹל (H1419); intensifying the charge — no minor lapse.
22

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אַהֲרֹ֔ן אַל יִ֥חַר אַ֖ף אֲדֹנִ֑י אַתָּה֙ יָדַ֣עְתָּ אֶת הָעָ֔ם כִּ֥י בְרָ֖ע הֽוּא

And Aaron said, "Do not let the anger of my lord burn hot; you know the people, that they are set on evil.

Aaron's defense beginsasyndeton
Aaron's opening move is deferential and diversionary: he addresses Moses as 'my lord' and appeals to Moses' own knowledge of the people's disposition, subtly shifting blame onto the crowd's inherent bent toward evil before he narrates the (self-serving) sequence of events.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
וַיֹּ֣אמֶרand...saidQal wayyiqtol 3msWayyiqtol of narrative sequence, introducing direct speech→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559).
אַהֲרֹ֔ןAaronproper nounSubject of וַיֹּאמֶראַהֲרֹן (H175).
אַלdo notneg particleNegative particle with jussive, prohibitiveאַל (H408) 'do not'; softer prohibitive than לֹא, used with jussive/imperative.
יִ֥חַרlet...burn hotQal jussive 3msPredicate verb, jussive (negated petition)→ Jussive: a plea/wish that the anger not igniteחָרָה (H2734) 'to burn (of anger)'; Aaron's opening plea for mercy from Moses.
אַ֖ףthe anger ofadv particleSubject of יִחַר, constructאַף (H639) construct.
אֲדֹנִ֑יmy lordN m sg constr + 1cs suffixGenitive complement of construct chain; vocative-like deferenceאָדוֹן (H113) 'lord, master', with 1cs suffix — Aaron's deferential address to Moses, notably not addressing Moses by name.
אַתָּה֙youpers pron 2msIndependent personal pronoun, emphatic subjectאַתָּה (H859) 'you' (2ms); emphatic, appealing to Moses' own firsthand knowledge.
יָדַ֣עְתָּknowQal perf 2msPredicate verb, main clause→ Perfective: a settled, existing state of knowledgeיָדַע (H3045) 'to know'; Aaron appeals to Moses' shared experience of the people.
אֶת[obj]obj markerDirect-object marker (definite object)
הָעָ֔םthe peopleart + N m sg absDirect object of יָדַעְתָּעַם (H5971).
כִּ֥יthatconj כִּיConjunction introducing content clauseכִּי (H3588), content/epexegetical.
בְרָ֖עset on evilprep בְּ + adj m sg absPrepositional phrase + adjective, predicate of nominal clauseרַע (H7451) 'evil, bad', with prep בְּ — idiom 'in/toward evil', describing the people's inherent bent.
הֽוּאit/they arepers pron 3msResumptive personal pronoun, copulaהוּא (H1931), copula — 'it (the people) is (set) on evil'.
23

וַיֹּ֣אמְרוּ לִ֔י עֲשֵׂה לָ֣נוּ אֱלֹהִ֔ים אֲשֶׁ֥ר יֵלְכ֖וּ לְפָנֵ֑ינוּ כִּי זֶ֣ה מֹשֶׁ֣ה הָאִ֗ישׁ אֲשֶׁ֤ר הֶֽעֱלָ֨נוּ֙ מֵאֶ֣רֶץ מִצְרַ֔יִם לֹ֥א יָדַ֖עְנוּ מֶה הָ֥יָה לֽוֹ

For they said to me, 'Make us gods, who shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.'

Aaron's defense continues: quoting the people verbatimasyndeton
Aaron quotes the people's original demand from v.1 almost verbatim, deflecting responsibility onto their initiative — technically accurate as narration, but conspicuously omitting his own enthusiastic compliance (v.2-5) and his construction of the altar and proclamation of the feast.
Word-by-word analysis· 21 words
וַיֹּ֣אמְרוּand they saidQal wayyiqtol 3mpWayyiqtol of narrative sequence, introducing quoted speech→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559).
לִ֔יto meprep לְ + 1cs suffixPrepositional phrase, indirect object (Aaron)
עֲשֵׂהmakeQal impv 2msImperative, quoted command (repeating v.1)→ Imperative: peremptory demandעָשָׂה (H6213); quoting the people's original demand.
לָ֣נוּfor usprep לְ + 1cp suffixPrepositional phrase, dative of interest
אֱלֹהִ֔יםgodsN m pl absDirect object of עֲשֵׂהאֱלֹהִים (H430).
אֲשֶׁ֥רwhorel particleRelative pronoun introducing relative clause
יֵלְכ֖וּshall goQal impf 3mpPredicate verb of relative clause→ Yiqtol: imperfective/modal — anticipated future actionהָלַךְ/יָלַךְ (H3212) 'to go'.
לְפָנֵ֑ינוּbefore usprep לְ + N c pl constr + 1cp suffixPrepositional phrase, spatial precedenceפָּנִים (H6440) 'face', idiomatic 'before'.
כִּיforconj כִּיCausal conjunctionכִּי (H3588), causal.
זֶ֣הthisdemonstrative pron xmsDemonstrative pronoun, resumptive subjectזֶה (H2088).
מֹשֶׁ֣הMosesproper nounSubject in apposition to זֶה
הָאִ֗ישׁthe manart + N m sg absAppositive to מֹשֶׁהאִישׁ (H376).
אֲשֶׁ֤רwhorel particleRelative pronoun
הֶֽעֱלָ֨נוּ֙brought us upHiphil perf 3ms + 1cp suffixPredicate verb of relative clause→ Perfective (Hiphil): a completed, decisive act, attributed to Mosesעָלָה (H5927) Hiphil.
מֵאֶ֣רֶץfrom the land ofprep מִן + N c sg constrPrepositional phrase, sourceאֶרֶץ (H776).
מִצְרַ֔יִםEgyptproper nounObject of construct chainמִצְרַיִם (H4714).
לֹ֥אnotneg particleNegative particleלֹא (H3808).
יָדַ֖עְנוּwe knowQal perf 1cpPredicate verb, main clause→ Perfective: a settled state of ignoranceיָדַע (H3045).
מֶהwhatinterr particleInterrogative pronounמָה (H4100) 'what?'.
הָ֥יָהhas happenedQal perf 3msPredicate verb of embedded clause→ Perfective: a completed but unknown occurrenceהָיָה (H1961).
לֽוֹto himprep לְ + 3ms suffixPrepositional phrase, complement of הָיָה
24

וָאֹמַ֤ר לָהֶם֙ לְמִ֣י זָהָ֔ב הִתְפָּרָ֖קוּ וַיִּתְּנוּ לִ֑י וָאַשְׁלִכֵ֣הוּ בָאֵ֔שׁ וַיֵּצֵ֖א הָעֵ֥גֶל הַזֶּֽה

So I said to them, 'Whoever has any gold, let them tear it off.' So they gave it to me, and I cast it into the fire, and out came this calf.

Aaron's culminating, evasive excuseasyndeton
Aaron's account subtly changes his own imperative command (v.2, פָּרְקוּ 'tear off!') into a passive, near-magical formula ('I said... whoever has gold, let them tear it off... I cast it into the fire, and out came this calf') that omits his own deliberate shaping with the graving tool (v.4) — a classic self-exculpating narrative, letting the idol seem to have made itself.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
וָאֹמַ֤רand I saidQal wayyiqtol 1csWayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main clause, 1cs)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559); Aaron's first-person account resumes.
לָהֶם֙to themprep לְ + 3mp suffixPrepositional phrase, indirect object
לְמִ֣יwhoever has goldprep לְ + interr particlePrepositional phrase + interrogative, rhetorical 'whoever'מִי (H4310) 'who?', with לְ — idiom 'whoever has'.
זָהָ֔בgoldN m sg absPredicate noun of the rhetorical questionזָהָב (H2091).
הִתְפָּרָ֖קוּlet them tear it offHitpael impv 2mpImperative, quoted command (2mp, softened/generalized from v.2)→ Imperative (Hitpael): a generalized, reflexive command — 'let (whoever has gold) strip it off'פרק (H6561) Hitpael 'to strip oneself of'; Aaron reframes his original Piel command as if it were a mere passive suggestion.
וַיִּתְּנוּand they gaveQal wayyiqtol 3mpWayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceנָתַן (H5414) 'to give'; the people's compliance, as Aaron narrates it.
לִ֑יto meprep לְ + 1cs suffixPrepositional phrase, indirect object (Aaron)
וָאַשְׁלִכֵ֣הוּand I cast itHiphil wayyiqtol 1cs + 3mp suffixWayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main clause, 1cs + suffix)→ Wayyiqtol (Hiphil): foregrounded narrative advanceשָׁלַךְ (H7993) Hiphil 'to throw, cast'; Aaron admits only to casting the gold into fire, omitting the shaping with the graving tool (v.4).
בָאֵ֔שׁinto the fireprep בְּ + art + N c sg absPrepositional phrase, locative/goalאֵשׁ (H784) 'fire'.
וַיֵּצֵ֖אand out cameQal wayyiqtol 3msWayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the evasive climax of Aaron's accountיָצָא (H3318) 'to go out, come out'; Aaron's infamous, almost-magical claim that the calf emerged on its own, eliding his deliberate craftsmanship.
הָעֵ֥גֶלthis calfart + N m sg absSubject of וַיֵּצֵאעֵגֶל (H5695), with demonstrative — the idol Aaron speaks of almost as if a stranger to its making.
הַזֶּֽהthisart + demonstrative pron xmsArticle + demonstrative pronoun modifying הָעֵגֶל
25

וַיַּ֤רְא מֹשֶׁה֙ אֶת הָעָ֔ם כִּ֥י פָרֻ֖עַ ה֑וּא כִּֽי פְרָעֹ֣ה אַהֲרֹ֔ן לְשִׁמְצָ֖ה בְּקָמֵיהֶֽם

And Moses saw that the people were unrestrained — for Aaron had let them run wild, to their shame among their enemies —

Narrative aside: Moses' assessment and Aaron's culpability restatedasyndeton
A tight paronomasia (פָרֻעַ / פְרָעֹה, both from the root פרע) drives home Aaron's direct culpability just before the Levites are summoned: the people are 'let loose/unrestrained' precisely because Aaron 'let them loose' — the narrator explicitly assigns causal agency to Aaron, closing off any residual sympathy his excuse in v.22-24 might have earned.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
וַיַּ֤רְאand...sawQal wayyiqtol 3msWayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceרָאָה (H7200); Moses' assessment of the scene's aftermath.
מֹשֶׁה֙Mosesproper nounSubject of וַיַּרְאמֹשֶׁה (H4872).
אֶת[obj]obj markerDirect-object marker (definite object)
הָעָ֔םthe peopleart + N m sg absDirect object of וַיַּרְאעַם (H5971).
כִּ֥יthatconj כִּיConjunction introducing content clauseכִּי (H3588), epexegetical.
פָרֻ֖עַunrestrainedQal passive ptc msg absPredicate participle (passive), content clause→ Participle: a resultant state — 'let loose, running wild'פרע (H6544) Qal passive participle 'let loose, exposed, unrestrained'; first half of the chapter's key wordplay.
ה֑וּאit/they werepers pron 3msResumptive personal pronoun, copulaהוּא (H1931), copula.
כִּֽיforconj כִּיCausal conjunctionכִּי (H3588), causal — explicitly assigning cause.
פְרָעֹ֣הhad let looseQal perf 3ms + 3ms suffixPredicate verb, causal clause naming the true agent→ Perfective: a completed, decisive act of causationפרע (H6544) Qal perfect + 3ms suffix, 'he had let them loose/exposed them'; second half of the wordplay (פָרֻעַ/פְרָעֹה), directly naming Aaron as cause of the people's unrestrained state.
אַהֲרֹ֔ןAaronproper nounSubject of פְרָעֹהאַהֲרֹן (H175); the narrator's explicit verdict of Aaron's culpability.
לְשִׁמְצָ֖הto derisionprep לְ + N f sg absPrepositional phrase, result/purposeשִׁמְצָה (H8103) 'derision, disgrace, whispered reproach'; the reputational damage.
בְּקָמֵיהֶֽםamong those who rise against themprep בְּ + Qal active ptc mpl constr + 3mp suffixPrepositional phrase, locative (dative of exposure)→ Participle: substantized ongoing action - those (habitually/currently) rising up = adversariesקוּם (H6965) Qal active participle construct 'those rising up' = adversaries/enemies; the community's shame is now public before hostile onlookers.
26

וַיַּעֲמֹ֤ד מֹשֶׁה֙ בְּשַׁ֣עַר הַֽמַּחֲנֶ֔ה וַיֹּ֕אמֶר מִ֥י לַיהוָ֖ה אֵלָ֑י וַיֵּאָסְפ֥וּ אֵלָ֖יו כָּל בְּנֵ֥י לֵוִֽי

Then Moses stood in the gate of the camp, and said, "Whoever is on the LORD's side, come to me!" And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves to him.

Moses' summons and the Levites' responseasyndeton
Moses' terse rallying cry (מִי לַיהוָה אֵלָי, 'whoever is for YHWH, to me') functions as a loyalty test in the gate — the traditional site of public judicial and civic action — and the tribe of Levi answers as one, setting up their commissioning as agents of covenant enforcement.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
וַיַּעֲמֹ֤דand...stoodQal wayyiqtol 3msWayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceעָמַד (H5975) 'to stand'; Moses takes an authoritative, public stance.
מֹשֶׁה֙Mosesproper nounSubject of וַיַּעֲמֹדמֹשֶׁה (H4872).
בְּשַׁ֣עַרin the gate ofprep בְּ + N m sg constrPrepositional phrase, locative, construct chainשַׁעַר (H8179) 'gate'; the public, judicial site of the camp's entrance.
הַֽמַּחֲנֶ֔הthe campart + N c sg absGenitive complement of construct chainמַחֲנֶה (H4264).
וַיֹּ֕אמֶרand saidQal wayyiqtol 3msWayyiqtol of narrative sequence, introducing direct speech→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559).
מִ֥יwhoeverinterr particleInterrogative pronoun, rhetorical 'whoever' (indefinite)מִי (H4310) 'who?'; rhetorical summons-formula.
לַיהוָ֖הis for the LORDprep לְ + proper nounPrepositional phrase, predicate of rhetorical questionיְהוָה (H3068), with לְ — 'belongs to/sides with YHWH'.
אֵלָ֑יto meprep אֶל + 1cs suffixPrepositional phrase, goal (implied imperative 'come')
וַיֵּאָסְפ֥וּand...gathered themselvesNiphal wayyiqtol 3mpWayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol (Niphal, reflexive): foregrounded narrative advance — the Levites' collective, voluntary responseאָסַף (H622) Niphal 'to gather oneself'; the tribe's decisive, unified answer to the summons.
אֵלָ֖יוto himprep אֶל + 3ms suffixPrepositional phrase, goal
כָּלallN m sg constrConstruct head of subject noun phraseכֹּל (H3605) 'all'.
בְּנֵ֥יthe sons ofN m pl constrGenitive complement, construct chainבֵּן (H1121) 'son'; construct, tribal designation.
לֵוִֽיLeviproper nounGenitive complement of construct chainלֵוִי (H3878); the tribe that answers Moses' call and is later commended (v.29; cf. Deut 33:8-11).
27

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר לָהֶ֗ם כֹּֽה אָמַ֤ר יְהוָה֙ אֱלֹהֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל שִׂ֥ימוּ אִישׁ חַרְבּ֖וֹ עַל יְרֵכ֑וֹ עִבְר֨וּ וָשׁ֜וּבוּ מִשַּׁ֤עַר לָשַׁ֨עַר֙ בַּֽמַּחֲנֶ֔ה וְהִרְג֧וּ אִֽישׁ אֶת אָחִ֛יו וְאִ֥ישׁ אֶת רֵעֵ֖הוּ וְאִ֥ישׁ אֶת קְרֹבֽוֹ

And he said to them, "Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel: 'Put every man his sword on his side, and go to and fro from gate to gate throughout the camp, and each of you kill his brother, his companion, and his neighbor.'"

Moses' commission of the Levitesasyndeton
Moses invokes formal prophetic-messenger authority ('thus says the LORD') to commission a sweeping, indiscriminate purge — the threefold 'brother... companion... neighbor' formula deliberately overrides ordinary kinship loyalty, making covenant fidelity to YHWH supersede blood ties in this moment of crisis.
Word-by-word analysis· 27 words
וַיֹּ֣אמֶרand...saidQal wayyiqtol 3msWayyiqtol of narrative sequence, introducing direct speech→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559).
לָהֶ֗םto themprep לְ + 3mp suffixPrepositional phrase, indirect object
כֹּֽהthusadv כֹּהAdverb introducing formal prophetic-messenger speechכֹּה (H3541) 'thus, so'; the classic prophetic messenger-formula opener.
אָמַ֤רsaysQal perf 3msPredicate verb, messenger-formula main clause→ Perfective: the formal, authoritative messenger-formula ('has said/says')אָמַר (H559); formal citation-formula introducing divine speech.
יְהוָה֙the LORDproper nounSubject of אָמַריְהוָה (H3068).
אֱלֹהֵ֣יthe God ofN m pl constrAppositive, construct chainאֱלֹהִים (H430), construct.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔לIsraelproper nounGenitive complement of construct chainיִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478).
שִׂ֥ימוּputQal impv 2mpImperative, main command→ Imperative: authoritative divine-messenger commandשִׂים (H7760) 'to put, place, set'; the command to arm.
אִישׁeach manN m sg absDistributive subject (apposition)אִישׁ (H376) 'man'; distributive, 'each man'.
חַרְבּ֖וֹhis swordN f sg constr + 3ms suffixDirect object of שִׂימוּ, construct + suffixחֶרֶב (H2719) 'sword'; the weapon of consecrated violence about to be commissioned.
עַלonprep עַלPrepositional phrase, locativeעַל (H5921).
יְרֵכ֑וֹhis sideN f sg constr + 3ms suffixObject of preposition עַל, construct + suffixיָרֵךְ (H3409) 'thigh, loin'; where the sword is girded/worn.
עִבְר֨וּgo to and froQal impv 2mpImperative, coordinate command→ Imperative: authoritative divine-messenger commandעָבַר (H5674) 'to pass over/through'; the Levites' sweeping circuit of the camp.
וָשׁ֜וּבוּand returnconj וְ + Qal impv 2mpImperative, coordinate command (conjoined)→ Imperative: authoritative divine-messenger commandשׁוּב (H7725) 'to turn back, return'; paired with עִבְרוּ for a repeated, thorough sweep.
מִשַּׁ֤עַרfrom gateprep מִן + N m sg absPrepositional phrase, sourceשַׁעַר (H8179) 'gate'.
לָשַׁ֨עַר֙to gateprep לְ + N m sg absPrepositional phrase, goal (idiom 'from gate to gate')שַׁעַר (H8179), repeated — thoroughness of the sweep through the camp.
בַּֽמַּחֲנֶ֔הthroughout the campprep בְּ + art + N c sg absPrepositional phrase, locativeמַחֲנֶה (H4264).
וְהִרְג֧וּand killconj וְ + Qal impv 2mpImperative, culminating command→ Imperative: authoritative divine-messenger command — the commission's violent climaxהָרַג (H2026) 'to kill, slay'; the sanctioned execution of covenant-breakers.
אִֽישׁeach manN m sg absDistributive subject (apposition)אִישׁ (H376), distributive.
אֶת[obj]obj markerDirect-object marker (definite object)
אָחִ֛יוhis brotherN m sg constr + 3ms suffixDirect object, construct + suffixאָח (H251) 'brother'; kinship term, first of the threefold formula overriding ordinary loyalty.
וְאִ֥ישׁand each manconj וְ + N m sg absCoordinate distributive subject (conjoined)אִישׁ (H376), repeated distributively.
אֶת[obj]obj markerDirect-object marker (definite object)
רֵעֵ֖הוּhis companionN m sg constr + 3ms suffixDirect object, construct + suffixרֵעַ (H7453) 'companion, neighbor, friend'; second term of the formula.
וְאִ֥ישׁand each manconj וְ + N m sg absCoordinate distributive subject (conjoined)אִישׁ (H376), repeated distributively.
אֶת[obj]obj markerDirect-object marker (definite object)
קְרֹבֽוֹhis near oneadj m sg constr + 3ms suffixDirect object, construct + suffixקָרוֹב (H7138) 'near, close'; third term, 'his kinsman/close relative' — completing the formula that overrides all ordinary bonds.
28

וַיַּֽעֲשׂ֥וּ בְנֵֽי לֵוִ֖י כִּדְבַ֣ר מֹשֶׁ֑ה וַיִּפֹּ֤ל מִן הָעָם֙ בַּיּ֣וֹם הַה֔וּא כִּשְׁלֹ֥שֶׁת אַלְפֵ֖י אִֽישׁ

And the sons of Levi did according to the word of Moses; and that day about three thousand men of the people fell.

Narrative report of the Levites' execution of the commandasyndeton
A terse, almost clinical report of mass casualty follows the Levites' unhesitating obedience ('according to the word of Moses') — the narrative offers no further comment on the scene's horror, letting the number (three thousand) speak for the gravity of the covenant-breach it answers.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
וַיַּֽעֲשׂ֥וּand...didQal wayyiqtol 3mpWayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceעָשָׂה (H6213); the Levites' obedient execution of the command.
בְנֵֽיthe sons ofN m pl constrSubject, construct chainבֵּן (H1121) 'son', construct.
לֵוִ֖יLeviproper nounGenitive complement of construct chainלֵוִי (H3878).
כִּדְבַ֣רaccording to the word ofprep כְּ + N m sg constrPrepositional phrase, manner/standard, construct chainדָּבָר (H1697) 'word, matter'; construct, 'according to the word/command of' — the Levites' precise obedience.
מֹשֶׁ֑הMosesproper nounGenitive complement of construct chainמֹשֶׁה (H4872).
וַיִּפֹּ֤לand...fellQal wayyiqtol 3msWayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the grim casualty reportנָפַל (H5307) 'to fall'; euphemistic/standard term for battle-deaths.
מִןfromprep מִןPrepositional phrase, partitive (from among)מִן (H4480), partitive — 'from among the people'.
הָעָם֙the peopleart + N m sg absObject of preposition מִןעַם (H5971).
בַּיּ֣וֹםon that dayprep בְּ + art + N m sg absPrepositional phrase, temporalיוֹם (H3117) 'day'; temporal marker, 'that day'.
הַה֔וּאthatart + pers pron 3msArticle + personal pronoun (demonstrative use) modifying בַּיּוֹם
כִּשְׁלֹ֥שֶׁתabout three ofprep כְּ + card m sg constrPrepositional phrase + construct cardinal numberשָׁלֹשׁ (H7969) 'three', construct with כְּ 'about'.
אַלְפֵ֖יthousands ofcard c pl constrConstruct cardinal number, genitive complementאֶלֶף (H505) 'thousand', plural construct — 'three thousand'.
אִֽישׁmenN m sg absGenitive complement of construct chainאִישׁ (H376) 'man'; the death toll's grim total.
29

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר מֹשֶׁ֗ה מִלְא֨וּ יֶדְכֶ֤ם הַיּוֹם֙ לַֽיהוָ֔ה כִּ֛י אִ֥ישׁ בִּבְנ֖וֹ וּבְאָחִ֑יו וְלָתֵ֧ת עֲלֵיכֶ֛ם הַיּ֖וֹם בְּרָכָֽה

And Moses said, "Today you have ordained yourselves for the service of the LORD, each one at the cost of his son and of his brother, so that he might bestow on you a blessing this day."

Moses commends the Levites' zealasyndeton
Moses reframes the Levites' violent action as an act of priestly ordination ('fill your hand', the idiom for consecration to service) — their willingness to strike even sons and brothers for covenant loyalty is presented as the very zeal that earns them blessing, a startling but consistent biblical logic (cf. Deut 33:9) that costly loyalty to YHWH outweighs family bonds.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
וַיֹּ֣אמֶרand...saidQal wayyiqtol 3msWayyiqtol of narrative sequence, introducing direct speech→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559).
מֹשֶׁ֗הMosesproper nounSubject of וַיֹּאמֶרמֹשֶׁה (H4872).
מִלְא֨וּfillQal impv 2mpImperative, idiomatic consecration-formula→ Imperative: solemn commissioning commandמָלֵא (H4390) 'to fill'; idiom 'fill the hand' = to ordain, consecrate to priestly/cultic service (cf. Lev 8:33).
יֶדְכֶ֤םyour handN c sg constr + 2mp suffixDirect object of מִלְאוּ, idiomיָד (H3027) 'hand'; completing the ordination idiom.
הַיּוֹם֙todayart + N m sg absTemporal adverbial phrase (article + noun)יוֹם (H3117) 'day', with article — 'today'.
לַֽיהוָ֔הfor the LORDprep לְ + proper nounPrepositional phrase, dedicateeיְהוָה (H3068).
כִּ֛יforconj כִּיCausal conjunctionכִּי (H3588), causal — explaining the cost of the consecration.
אִ֥ישׁeach manN m sg absDistributive subjectאִישׁ (H376), distributive — 'each one', at the cost described.
בִּבְנ֖וֹagainst his sonprep בְּ + N m sg constr + 3ms suffixPrepositional phrase, adversative (cost/expense)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; the Levites acted even against close kin.
וּבְאָחִ֑יוand against his brotherconj וְ + prep בְּ + N m sg constr + 3ms suffixCoordinate prepositional phrase (conjoined)אָח (H251) 'brother'; completing the costly-loyalty formula.
וְלָתֵ֧תand to bestowconj וְ + prep לְ + Qal inf constrCoordinate purpose infinitive construct (conjoined)→ Infinitive: purpose/result — the blessing that follows the costly obedienceנָתַן (H5414) 'to give, bestow'; the reward following the Levites' zeal.
עֲלֵיכֶ֛םupon youprep עַל + 2mp suffixPrepositional phrase, recipient
הַיּ֖וֹםtodayart + N m sg absTemporal adverbial phrase (article + noun)יוֹם (H3117), repeated — 'this day', emphatic temporal bracket.
בְּרָכָֽהa blessingN f sg absDirect object of וְלָתֵתבְּרָכָה (H1293) 'blessing'; the Levites' reward for costly covenant-zeal, anticipating their later priestly commissioning (cf. Deut 33:8-11).
30

וַיְהִי֙ מִֽמָּחֳרָ֔ת וַיֹּ֤אמֶר מֹשֶׁה֙ אֶל הָעָ֔ם אַתֶּ֥ם חֲטָאתֶ֖ם חֲטָאָ֣ה גְדֹלָ֑ה וְעַתָּה֙ אֶֽעֱלֶ֣ה אֶל יְהוָ֔ה אוּלַ֥י אֲכַפְּרָ֖ה בְּעַ֥ד חַטַּאתְכֶֽם

The next day Moses said to the people, "You have sinned a great sin. And now I will go up to the LORD; perhaps I can make atonement for your sin."

Transition to Moses' second intercessionasyndeton
Moses addresses the people directly with blunt accusation ('you have sinned a great sin') before turning to ascend again — his tentative אוּלַי ('perhaps') signals that atonement is not presumed automatic or owed, but sought humbly, without guarantee of success.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
וַיְהִי֙and it happenedQal wayyiqtol 3msWayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main clause, temporal frame)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceהָיָה (H1961); narrative time-marker opening the new scene.
מִֽמָּחֳרָ֔תthe next dayprep מִן + N f sg absTemporal adverbial phraseמָחֳרָת (H4283) 'the morrow'; a new day after the purge.
וַיֹּ֤אמֶרand...saidQal wayyiqtol 3msWayyiqtol of narrative sequence, introducing direct speech→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559).
מֹשֶׁה֙Mosesproper nounSubject of וַיֹּאמֶרמֹשֶׁה (H4872).
אֶלtoprep אֶלPrepositional phrase, addressee
הָעָ֔םthe peopleart + N m sg absObject of preposition אֶלעַם (H5971).
אַתֶּ֥םyoupers pron 2mpIndependent personal pronoun, emphatic subjectאַתֶּם (H859) 'you' (2mp), emphatic — direct, unflinching accusation.
חֲטָאתֶ֖םhave sinnedQal perf 2mpPredicate verb, main clause→ Perfective: a completed, decisive act of guiltחָטָא (H2398) 'to sin, miss the mark'; the chapter's central verb of guilt, now stated flatly to the people's face.
חֲטָאָ֣הa sinN f sg absCognate direct object of חֲטָאתֶםחֲטָאָה (H2401) 'sin'; cognate accusative intensifying the verb.
גְדֹלָ֑הgreatadj f sg absAdjective modifying חֲטָאָהגָּדוֹל (H1419).
וְעַתָּה֙and nowconj וְ + adv עַתָּהConjunction + temporal adverb, pivot markerעַתָּה (H6258) 'now'; introduces Moses' next action.
אֶֽעֱלֶ֣הI will go upQal impf 1csPredicate verb, main clause (Moses' resolve)→ Yiqtol: imperfective/modal — an intended, decisive future actעָלָה (H5927) 'to go up'; Moses' second ascent to intercede.
אֶלtoprep אֶלPrepositional phrase, goal
יְהוָ֔הthe LORDproper nounObject of preposition אֶליְהוָה (H3068).
אוּלַ֥יperhapsadv אוּלַיAdverb of tentative hope, modal qualifierאוּלַי (H194) 'perhaps'; signals no presumption of guaranteed success — atonement is sought, not assumed.
אֲכַפְּרָ֖הI may atonePiel cohortative 1csPredicate verb (cohortative), main clause→ Cohortative: self-directed volitional — 'let me make atonement, if possible'כָּפַר (H3722) Piel cohortative 'to atone, cover, make expiation'; cultic term for ransom/covering of sin.
בְּעַ֥דforprep בְּעַדPrepositional phrase, benefactive/purposeבְּעַד (H1157) 'on behalf of, for'.
חַטַּאתְכֶֽםyour sinN f sg constr + 2mp suffixObject of preposition בְּעַדחַטָּאת (H2403) 'sin'; the offense Moses seeks to cover.
31

וַיָּ֧שָׁב מֹשֶׁ֛ה אֶל יְהוָ֖ה וַיֹּאמַ֑ר אָ֣נָּ֗א חָטָ֞א הָעָ֤ם הַזֶּה֙ חֲטָאָ֣ה גְדֹלָ֔ה וַיַּֽעֲשׂ֥וּ לָהֶ֖ם אֱלֹהֵ֥י זָהָֽב

So Moses returned to the LORD and said, "Alas, this people has sinned a great sin, and they have made for themselves gods of gold.

Moses' second intercession: confessionasyndeton
Moses' entreaty particle אָנָּא ('alas, I beseech you') is the chapter's most emotionally raw moment of address to God, opening a confession that names the sin plainly and specifically ('gods of gold') before Moses ventures his extraordinary self-offering in v.32.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
וַיָּ֧שָׁבand...returnedQal wayyiqtol 3msWayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceשׁוּב (H7725) 'to turn back, return'; Moses' second ascent, fulfilling his resolve in v.30.
מֹשֶׁ֛הMosesproper nounSubject of וַיָּשָׁבמֹשֶׁה (H4872).
אֶלtoprep אֶלPrepositional phrase, goal
יְהוָ֖הthe LORDproper nounObject of preposition אֶליְהוָה (H3068).
וַיֹּאמַ֑רand saidQal wayyiqtol 3msWayyiqtol of narrative sequence, introducing direct speech→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559).
אָ֣נָּ֗אalasentreaty particleEntreaty particle opening the confessionאָנָּא (H577) 'please, I beseech'; the chapter's most emotionally intense address to God, intensified form of נָא.
חָטָ֞אhas sinnedQal perf 3msPredicate verb, main clause of confession→ Perfective: a completed, decisive act of guilt, plainly confessedחָטָא (H2398); Moses' unflinching confession on the people's behalf.
הָעָ֤םthis peopleart + N m sg absSubject of חָטָאעַם (H5971), with demonstrative.
הַזֶּה֙thisart + demonstrative pron xmsArticle + demonstrative pronoun modifying הָעָם
חֲטָאָ֣הa sinN f sg absCognate direct object of חָטָאחֲטָאָה (H2401).
גְדֹלָ֔הgreatadj f sg absAdjective modifying חֲטָאָהגָּדוֹל (H1419).
וַיַּֽעֲשׂ֥וּand they have madeQal wayyiqtol 3mpWayyiqtol of narrative sequence, coordinate main clause→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceעָשָׂה (H6213); naming the specific sin.
לָהֶ֖םfor themselvesprep לְ + 3mp suffixPrepositional phrase, benefactive/reflexive
אֱלֹהֵ֥יgods ofN m pl constrDirect object, construct chainאֱלֹהִים (H430), construct.
זָהָֽבgoldN m sg absGenitive complement of construct chainזָהָב (H2091); Moses names the sin with stark, unadorned specificity — 'gods of gold'.
32

וְעַתָּ֖ה אִם תִּשָּׂ֣א חַטָּאתָ֑ם וְאִם אַ֕יִן מְחֵ֣נִי נָ֔א מִֽסִּפְרְךָ֖ אֲשֶׁ֥ר כָּתָֽבְתָּ

But now, please forgive their sin — but if not, please blot me out of your book that you have written.

Moses' second intercession: the self-offeringasyndeton
Moses' double conditional (אִם...וְאִם אַיִן, 'if... but if not') stakes his own place in God's 'book' against the people's forgiveness — an extraordinary, unparalleled offer of vicarious self-sacrifice that God will decline in v.33, insisting instead on individual moral accountability (each sinner blotted out for their own sin, not a substitute's).
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
וְעַתָּ֖הand nowconj וְ + adv עַתָּהConjunction + temporal adverb, pivot markerעַתָּה (H6258) 'now'; introduces the climactic petition.
אִםifconj אִםConditional conjunction, first half of the double conditionאִם (H518) 'if'; opens Moses' extraordinary conditional offer.
תִּשָּׂ֣אyou will forgiveQal impf 2msPredicate verb, protasis of conditional→ Yiqtol: imperfective/modal — the hoped-for conditionנָשָׂא (H5375) 'to lift, carry, bear'; idiom 'bear/forgive sin' = to carry guilt away so it no longer counts against the sinner.
חַטָּאתָ֑םtheir sinN f sg constr + 3mp suffixDirect object of תִּשָּׂאחַטָּאת (H2403), construct with 3mp suffix.
וְאִםbut ifconj וְ + conj אִםCoordinate conditional conjunction, second half of the double conditionאִם (H518), repeated — 'but if (not)', the ominous alternative.
אַ֕יִןnotneg particleNegative existential particle, apodosis-triggeringאַיִן (H369) 'there is not, not' — completing 'but if not'.
מְחֵ֣נִיblot me outQal impv 2ms + 1cs suffixImperative, Moses' extraordinary self-offering→ Imperative: an urgent, self-sacrificial pleaמָחָה (H4229) 'to wipe out, blot out, erase'; the ledger-image of removal from a register — Moses offers his own erasure from God's book in place of the people's destruction.
נָ֔אpleaseentreaty particleEntreaty particle softening the imperativeנָא (H4994) 'please, now, I pray'; softens and personalizes the extraordinary request.
מִֽסִּפְרְךָ֖from your bookprep מִן + N m sg constr + 2ms suffixPrepositional phrase, source, construct + suffixסֵפֶר (H5612) 'book, scroll, document'; the divine register of the living (cf. Ps 69:28; Rev 3:5) — being 'blotted out' means death/exclusion from among God's own.
אֲשֶׁ֥רthatrel particleRelative pronoun introducing relative clause
כָּתָֽבְתָּyou have writtenQal perf 2msPredicate verb of relative clause→ Perfective: a completed, prior actכָּתַב (H3789) 'to write'; the book's contents are God's own inscription.
33

וַיֹּ֥אמֶר יְהוָ֖ה אֶל מֹשֶׁ֑ה מִ֚י אֲשֶׁ֣ר חָֽטָא לִ֔י אֶמְחֶ֖נּוּ מִסִּפְרִֽי

But the LORD said to Moses, "Whoever has sinned against me, I will blot him out of my book.

God's response: individual accountability affirmedasyndeton
God firmly declines Moses' vicarious self-offering: the principle of individual responsibility — each person answers for their own sin — takes precedence over substitutionary self-sacrifice at this stage of revelation, a position later developed and transformed (not abandoned) in NT atonement theology.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
וַיֹּ֥אמֶרand...saidQal wayyiqtol 3msWayyiqtol of narrative sequence, introducing direct speech→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559).
יְהוָ֖הthe LORDproper nounSubject of וַיֹּאמֶריְהוָה (H3068).
אֶלtoprep אֶלPrepositional phrase, addressee
מֹשֶׁ֑הMosesproper nounObject of preposition אֶלמֹשֶׁה (H4872).
מִ֚יwhoeverinterr particleInterrogative pronoun, rhetorical 'whoever' (indefinite, resumed by relative)מִי (H4310) 'who?'; rhetorical, generalizing — 'whoever it is who...'
אֲשֶׁ֣רwhorel particleRelative pronoun resuming מִי
חָֽטָאhas sinnedQal perf 3msPredicate verb of relative clause→ Perfective: a completed, decisive act of guiltחָטָא (H2398); the principle of individual, not vicarious, culpability.
לִ֔יagainst meprep לְ + 1cs suffixPrepositional phrase, object (offended party)
אֶמְחֶ֖נּוּI will blot him outQal impf 1cs + 3ms suffixPredicate verb, main clause (God's ruling)→ Yiqtol: imperfective/modal — a declared future principle of judgmentמָחָה (H4229) 'to blot out, erase'; God takes up Moses' own verb but redirects it — each sinner, not a substitute, is blotted out.
מִסִּפְרִֽיfrom my bookprep מִן + N m sg constr + 1cs suffixPrepositional phrase, source, construct + suffixסֵפֶר (H5612) 'book'; God's register, now explicitly 'my book' — his to keep and his to judge by.
34

וְעַתָּ֞ה לֵ֣ךְ נְחֵ֣ה אֶת הָעָ֗ם אֶ֤ל אֲשֶׁר דִּבַּ֨רְתִּי֙ לָ֔ךְ הִנֵּ֥ה מַלְאָכִ֖י יֵלֵ֣ךְ לְפָנֶ֑יךָ וּבְי֣וֹם פָּקְדִ֔י וּפָקַדְתִּ֥י עֲלֵיהֶ֖ם חַטָּאתָֽם

But now go, lead the people to the place of which I have spoken to you; behold, my angel shall go before you. Nevertheless, in the day when I visit, I will visit their sin upon them."

God's commissioning of Moses and deferred judgmentasyndeton
God grants Moses a partial reprieve — an angelic guide will lead the people onward — but withholds full clemency: judgment is deferred, not canceled, 'in the day when I visit' (a formula fulfilled immediately in v.35's plague). The offered מַלְאָךְ ('messenger/angel') marks a diminished form of guidance compared to God's own direct presence, a demotion Moses will resist in ch.33.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
וְעַתָּ֞הand nowconj וְ + adv עַתָּהConjunction + temporal adverb, pivot markerעַתָּה (H6258) 'now'; transitions from verdict to commission.
לֵ֣ךְgoQal impv 2msImperative, opening command→ Imperative: authoritative divine commissioningהָלַךְ/יָלַךְ (H3212) 'to go'.
נְחֵ֣הleadQal impv 2msImperative, coordinate command→ Imperative: authoritative divine commissioningנָחָה (H5148) 'to lead, guide'; Moses is re-commissioned to shepherd the very people just judged.
אֶת[obj]obj markerDirect-object marker (definite object)
הָעָ֗םthe peopleart + N m sg absDirect object of נְחֵהעַם (H5971).
אֶ֤לtoprep אֶלPrepositional phrase, goal
אֲשֶׁרwhichrel particleRelative pronoun introducing relative clause
דִּבַּ֨רְתִּי֙I have spokenPiel perf 1csPredicate verb of relative clause→ Perfective: a completed, prior divine promiseדָּבַר (H1696) Piel 'to speak'; referring to the promised land already announced (cf. 3:8, 17).
לָ֔ךְto youprep לְ + 2fs suffixPrepositional phrase, addressee (Moses)
הִנֵּ֥הbeholddemonstrative particlePresentative particle introducing the commissioning promiseהִנֵּה (H2009) 'behold'; heightens the immediacy of the promise that follows.
מַלְאָכִ֖יmy messengerN m sg constr + 1cs suffixSubject of יֵלֵךְמַלְאָךְ (H4397) 'messenger, angel'; a mediated divine presence, a diminished substitute for God's own direct accompaniment (cf. ch.33's dispute over this very point).
יֵלֵ֣ךְshall goQal impf 3msPredicate verb, main clause of promise→ Yiqtol: imperfective/modal — a promised, ongoing future guidanceהָלַךְ/יָלַךְ (H3212); the angel's guiding function replacing what the people once demanded of the calf (v.1).
לְפָנֶ֑יךָbefore youprep לְ + N c pl constr + 2ms suffixPrepositional phrase, spatial precedenceפָּנִים (H6440) 'face', idiomatic 'before'.
וּבְי֣וֹםbut in the day ofconj וְ + prep בְּ + N m sg constrConjunction + prepositional phrase, construct chain (temporal)יוֹם (H3117) 'day', construct — introduces the deferred-judgment formula.
פָּקְדִ֔יmy visitingQal inf constr + 1cs suffixGenitive complement, infinitive construct + suffix→ Infinitive: a future, appointed act of reckoningפָּקַד (H6485) 'to visit, attend to, punish'; the technical formula for divine reckoning deferred to an appointed future time.
וּפָקַדְתִּ֥יthen I will visitconj וְ + Qal weqatal 1csPredicate verb (weqatal), main clause — the deferred judgment fulfilled→ Weqatal: sequential future consequence — judgment deferred but certainפָּקַד (H6485) 'to visit, punish'; resumed as finite verb — the sin is not forgotten, only deferred (fulfilled in v.35).
עֲלֵיהֶ֖םupon themprep עַל + 3mp suffixPrepositional phrase, object of judgment
חַטָּאתָֽםtheir sinN f sg constr + 3mp suffixDirect object of וּפָקַדְתִּיחַטָּאת (H2403), construct with 3mp suffix.
35

וַיִּגֹּ֥ף יְהוָ֖ה אֶת הָעָ֑ם עַ֚ל אֲשֶׁ֣ר עָשׂ֣וּ אֶת הָעֵ֔גֶל אֲשֶׁ֥ר עָשָׂ֖ה אַהֲרֹֽן

So the LORD plagued the people, because they made the calf that Aaron made.

Closing narrative: the deferred judgment fulfilledasyndeton
The chapter's terse final verse enacts the 'day of visiting' just announced in v.34: a plague strikes the people. The verse's final clause pointedly restates Aaron's specific agency ('the calf that Aaron made') as the chapter's closing word — bracketing the whole narrative between the people's demand (v.1) and this last, unambiguous assignment of blame to the object Aaron fashioned.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
וַיִּגֹּ֥ףand...plaguedQal wayyiqtol 3msWayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the chapter's closing judicial actנָגַף (H5062) 'to strike, plague, smite'; the deferred judgment of v.34 enacted.
יְהוָ֖הthe LORDproper nounSubject of וַיִּגֹּףיְהוָה (H3068).
אֶת[obj]obj markerDirect-object marker (definite object)
הָעָ֑םthe peopleart + N m sg absDirect object of וַיִּגֹּףעַם (H5971).
עַ֚לbecauseprep עַלPrepositional phrase + relative particle, causalעַל (H5921) with אֲשֶׁר, causal 'because'.
אֲשֶׁ֣רthatrel particleRelative pronoun (part of causal phrase)
עָשׂ֣וּthey madeQal perf 3cpPredicate verb of causal clause→ Perfective: a completed, decisive act, grounding the judgmentעָשָׂה (H6213); the people's own making of the calf, the ultimate cause of the plague.
אֶת[obj]obj markerDirect-object marker (definite object)
הָעֵ֔גֶלthe calfart + N m sg absDirect object of עָשׂוּעֵגֶל (H5695); the idol, named one final time as the chapter closes.
אֲשֶׁ֥רthatrel particleRelative pronoun introducing final relative clause
עָשָׂ֖הmadeQal perf 3msPredicate verb of final relative clause→ Perfective: a completed, decisive act — the chapter's closing assignment of agencyעָשָׂה (H6213); the verb's final occurrence pointedly names Aaron as maker, the chapter's last word of judgment.
אַהֲרֹֽןAaronproper nounSubject of עָשָׂה (closing the chapter)אַהֲרֹן (H175); the chapter's final word names him explicitly as the calf's maker — his culpability stands undiminished at the narrative's close.