For they said unto me, Make us gods, which shall go before us: for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him.
EXODUS 32:23KJVWhat does Exodus 32:23 mean?
Exodus 32:23 records Aaron explaining to Moses that the people demanded he make them gods to lead them, because they did not know what had happened to Moses after he went up Mount Sinai. Aaron is describing the people's fear and impatience, which led them to ask for new gods when Moses was delayed.
In this verse, Aaron is speaking to Moses after the incident of the golden calf. The people had seen Moses go up the mountain and disappear for a long time, so they pressured Aaron to make them visible gods (idols) to guide them. Aaron is trying to justify his actions by blaming the people's request and their uncertainty about Moses’ fate.
The Hebrew behind Exodus 32:23
- אֱלֹהִים (’elohim) — transliterated as "elohim," this word is often used for "God" but here is plural, meaning "gods" or "divine beings." The people were not asking for the one true God, but for physical representations or idols.
- יָצָא (yatsa’) — transliterated as "yatsa," here translated "go before us," means to move ahead or lead. The people wanted these new "gods" to take Moses’ place as their leader.
- יָדַע (yada‘) — transliterated as "yada," here "we wot not" (we do not know), shows the people's uncertainty and anxiety about Moses' absence. Their lack of knowledge about Moses' situation fueled their demand for new gods.
Why Exodus 32:23 matters
- This verse clarifies that Aaron did not act alone; he was responding to strong pressure from the people, who were anxious and impatient.
- The use of "gods" (elohim) in the plural highlights the people's desire for tangible idols, not just a replacement leader, showing a turn toward idolatry.
- This explanation connects directly to the wider story of the golden calf, showing how quickly the people turned away from their faith when faced with uncertainty and fear.