Exodus 32:20 net — He took the calf they had made and burned it in the fire, ground it to powder, poured it out on the water, and made the…

NET Bible

"He took the calf they had made and burned it in the fire, ground it to powder, poured it out on the water, and made the Israelites drink it."

— Exodus 32:20, NET Bible

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Exodus 32:20 in Other Translations

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Exodus 32 — Context

17

When Joshua heard the noise of the people as they shouted, he said to Moses,“It is the sound of war in the camp!”

18

Moses said,“It is not the sound of those who shout for victory, nor is it the sound of those who cry because they are overcome, but the sound of singing I hear.”

19

When he approached the camp and saw the calf and the dancing, Moses became extremely angry. He threw the tablets from his hands and broke them to pieces at the bottom of the mountain.

20

He took the calf they had made and burned it in the fire, ground it to powder, poured it out on the water, and made the Israelites drink it.

21

Moses said to Aaron,“What did this people do to you, that you have brought on them so great a sin?”

22

Aaron said,“Do not let your anger burn hot, my lord; you know these people, that they tend to evil.

23

They said to me,‘Make us gods that will go before us, for as for this fellow Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has happened to him.’

Exodus 32:20 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does Exodus 32:20 say?
Exodus 32:20 in the NET Bible reads: “He took the calf they had made and burned it in the fire, ground it to powder, poured it out on the water, and made the Israelites drink it.”
Where is Exodus 32:20 in the Bible?
Exodus 32:20 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of Exodus, chapter 32, verse 20.
Who wrote Exodus?
Exodus is traditionally attributed to Moses (traditional). It was written c. 1446–1406 BC.
What is the book of Exodus about?
Exodus tells of Israel's deliverance from slavery in Egypt and the giving of the Law at Mount Sinai. Through the plagues, the Passover, the crossing of the Red Sea, and the covenant at Sinai, God reveals himself as Redeemer and comes to dwell among his people in the tabernacle.
What are the major themes of Exodus?
Exodus explores themes including Deliverance, Covenant, Law, God's Presence, Worship, Redemption. These themes shape the meaning and context of Exodus 32:20.
What translation should I read Exodus 32:20 in?
Exodus 32:20 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize Exodus 32:20?
Exodus 32:20 reads (NET): “He took the calf they had made and burned it in the fire, ground it to powder, poured it out on the water, and made the Israelites drink it.” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
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