The Meaning of Exodus 32:3 Explained

Exodus 32:3

KJV: And all the people brake off the golden earrings which were in their ears, and brought them unto Aaron.

YLT: and all the people themselves break off the rings of gold which are in their ears, and bring in unto Aaron,

Darby: Then all the people broke off the golden rings that were in their ears, and brought them to Aaron.

ASV: And all the people brake off the golden rings which were in their ears, and brought them unto Aaron.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

And all the people  brake off  the golden  earrings  which [were] in their ears,  and brought  [them] unto Aaron. 

What does Exodus 32:3 Mean?

Context Summary

Exodus 32:1-14 - Aaron's Golden Calf Offends The Lord
The people never thought of taking Aaron as a substitute for Moses, because they instinctively recognized his moral weakness. Though he was dressed in the garments of the high priest, he was essentially a weak man. This came into evidence:
(1) By his reply to the people. When they demanded the calf he ought to have met them with an indignant negative; but instead, and to prevent the unpopularity which such an attitude might have evoked, he contented himself with putting difficulties in the way of their project. "Surely," he thought, "they will never go on with their mad scheme, if they have to pay for it with their jewels." But the event did not justify his expectations.
(2) By his reply to Moses. "There came out this calf." It was the furnace, not I, that did it. "Blame my heredity, environment, companions," says the wrongdoer. The weak becomes the sinful one. Strong Son of God, help us! Make us strong! See Jeremiah 15:20. [source]

Chapter Summary: Exodus 32

1  The people in the absence of Moses, caused Aaron to make a calf
7  God informs Moses, who intercedes for Israel, and prevails
15  Moses comes down with the tablets
19  He breaks them
20  He destroys the calf
22  Aaron's excuse for himself
25  Moses causes the idolaters to be slain
30  He prays for the people

What do the individual words in Exodus 32:3 mean?

So broke off all the people - earrings the golden that [were] in their ears and brought [them] to Aaron
וַיִּתְפָּֽרְקוּ֙ כָּל־ הָעָ֔ם אֶת־ נִזְמֵ֥י הַזָּהָ֖ב אֲשֶׁ֣ר בְּאָזְנֵיהֶ֑ם וַיָּבִ֖יאוּ אֶֽל־ אַהֲרֹֽן

וַיִּתְפָּֽרְקוּ֙  So  broke  off 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Hitpael, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine plural
Root: פָּרַק  
Sense: to tear apart or away, tear off, break away.
הָעָ֔ם  the  people 
Parse: Article, Noun, masculine singular
Root: עַם 
Sense: nation, people.
אֶת־  - 
Parse: Direct object marker
Root: אֹות 
Sense: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative.
נִזְמֵ֥י  earrings 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural construct
Root: נֶזֶם  
Sense: ring, nose ring, earring.
הַזָּהָ֖ב  the  golden 
Parse: Article, Noun, masculine singular
Root: זָהָב  
Sense: gold.
אֲשֶׁ֣ר  that  [were] 
Parse: Pronoun, relative
Root: אֲשֶׁר 
Sense: (relative part.).
בְּאָזְנֵיהֶ֑ם  in  their  ears 
Parse: Preposition-b, Noun, fdc, third person masculine plural
Root: אֹזֶן  
Sense: ear, as part of the body.
וַיָּבִ֖יאוּ  and  brought  [them] 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Hifil, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine plural
Root: בֹּוא 
Sense: to go in, enter, come, go, come in.
אַהֲרֹֽן  Aaron 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: אַהֲרֹון  
Sense: brother of Moses, a Levite and the first high priest.

What are the major concepts related to Exodus 32:3?

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