And Moses returned unto the LORD, and said, Oh, this people have sinned a great sin, and have made them gods of gold.

EXODUS 32:31KJV
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Exodus 32:31 (KJV)

What does Exodus 32:31 mean?

Exodus 32:31 describes Moses going back to speak with the LORD after the Israelites made a golden idol, admitting that the people have committed a very serious sin by creating gods out of gold. Moses openly confesses the gravity of their wrongdoing before God.

In this verse, Moses is addressing the LORD (the personal name for God used in the Hebrew Bible) after the incident with the golden calf. The people of Israel, feeling abandoned while Moses was on Mount Sinai, pressured Aaron into making an idol. Moses now returns to God, taking responsibility as their leader and honestly describing their act as a "great sin," highlighting both the seriousness of idolatry and Moses’ role as an intercessor.

The Hebrew behind Exodus 32:31

  • "sinned" — חָטָא (chata’): This word means to miss the mark or to do wrong, and here it underscores that the people’s action was not a small mistake but a significant moral failure.
  • "great" — גָּדוֹל (gadol): This word means large or important, emphasizing the seriousness of the sin, not just its size but its weight in the relationship between the people and God.
  • "gods" — אֱלֹהִים (elohim): Although this word can mean "God" or "gods," here it refers to false gods or idols, making it clear that the people created something to worship other than the LORD.
  • "gold" — זָהָב (zahav): The mention of gold points to the value and allure of the idol, showing that the people used something precious to make something forbidden.

Why Exodus 32:31 matters

  • This verse clears up that Moses is not making excuses for the people; he is fully honest about the depth of their wrongdoing, which sets the stage for his later plea for forgiveness.
  • The verse highlights the seriousness of idolatry in Israel’s relationship with God, showing that turning to other gods is described as a "great sin," not a minor lapse.
  • Exodus 32:31 connects to the larger story of Moses as a mediator between God and the people, showing his willingness to stand before God on their behalf even after such a grave mistake.