And Aaron said unto them, Break off the golden earrings, which are in the ears of your wives, of your sons, and of your daughters, and bring them unto me.

EXODUS 32:2KJV
Know the Bible

Exodus 32:2 (KJV)

What does Exodus 32:2 mean?

Exodus 32:2 describes Aaron telling the people to take off the gold earrings from their wives, sons, and daughters and bring them to him. Aaron is responding to the Israelites’ demand for a visible god while Moses is away on Mount Sinai.

Aaron is speaking to the Israelites, who have grown impatient waiting for Moses to return. The people have just asked Aaron to make them a god to lead them. Aaron’s instruction to collect gold jewelry sets the stage for making the golden calf, a major turning point in the story. The verse highlights Aaron’s role in gathering the materials for this idol.

The Hebrew behind Exodus 32:2

  • "Break off" (פָּרַק, parak) is a strong word that means to tear away or remove forcefully, suggesting urgency or determination in Aaron’s command.
  • "Golden" (זָהָב, zahav) specifies that the earrings are made of gold, emphasizing the value of what the people are being asked to give up.
  • "Earrings" (נֶזֶם, nezem) refers to a type of jewelry worn in the ear, which in this context were likely personal or family treasures.

Why Exodus 32:2 matters

  • This verse shows Aaron’s active participation in the people’s request, not just passive agreement, by giving a direct command and specifying what to bring.
  • The mention of wives, sons, and daughters makes clear that the whole community is involved in providing the gold, not just a select group.
  • Understanding the forcefulness of "break off" helps explain the seriousness and haste with which the people responded, leading quickly to the creation of the golden calf.

Where else these words appear

“off” Hebrew H6561 · used in 10 verses

  • Genesis 27:40 And by thy sword shalt thou live, and shalt serve thy brother; and it shall come to pass when thou shalt have the dominion, that thou shalt break his yoke from off thy neck.
  • 1 Kings 19:11 And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD. And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake:
  • Lamentations 5:8 Servants have ruled over us: there is none that doth deliver us out of their hand.

“earrings” Hebrew H5141 · used in 16 verses

  • Genesis 24:22 And it came to pass, as the camels had done drinking, that the man took a golden earring of half a shekel weight, and two bracelets for her hands of ten shekels weight of gold;
  • Exodus 35:22 And they came, both men and women, as many as were willing hearted, and brought bracelets, and earrings, and rings, and tablets, all jewels of gold: and every man that offered offered an offering of gold unto the LORD.
  • Proverbs 11:22 As a jewel of gold in a swine's snout, so is a fair woman which is without discretion.