The Golden Calf

Exodus 32

While Moses remains on the mountain, the people grow impatient and persuade Aaron to make them a golden calf, which they worship and sacrifice to as the god who brought them out of Egypt. Moses intercedes for the people before the Lord's anger, but on seeing the idolatry he breaks the tables of stone, destroys the calf, and the sons of Levi execute judgment on those responsible.

About these editions

The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.

Thomson 1808Septuagint

Brenton 1851Septuagint

Greek · BrentonSeptuagint

KJV 1769Masoretic

JPS 1917Masoretic

ThomsonNOW when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down from the mount, they rose up together against Aaron and said to him; Arise and make for us gods who shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man who brought us out from the land of Egypt, we know not what is become of him.

BrentonAnd when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down from the mountain, the people combined against Aaron, and said to him, Arise and make us gods who shall go before us; for this Moses, the man who brought us forth out of the land of Egypt—we do not know what is become of him.

GreekΚαὶ ἰδὼν ὁ λαὸς, ὅτι κεχρόνικε Μωυσῆς καταβῆναι ἐκ τοῦ ὄρους, συνέστη ὁ λαὸς ἐπὶ Ἀαρὼν, καὶ λέγουσιν αὐτῷ ἀνάστηθι, καὶ ποίησον ἡμῖν θεοὺς, οἳ προπορεύσονται ἡμῶν· ὁ γὰρ Μωυσῆς οὗτος ὁ ἄνθρωπος ὃς ἐξήγαγεν ἡμᾶς ἐκ γῆς Αἰγύπτου, οὐκ οἴδαμεν τί γέγονεν αὐτῷ.

KJVAnd when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down out of the mount, the people gathered themselves together unto Aaron, and said unto him, Up, 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.

JPSAnd when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down from the mount, the people gathered themselves together unto Aaron, and said unto him: ‘Up, make us a god who shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we know not what is become of him.’

ThomsonThereupon Aaron said to them, Take off the golden ear-rings which are in the ears of your wives and daughters and bring them to me.

BrentonAnd Aaron says to them, Take off the golden ear-rings which are in the ears of your wives and daughters, and bring them to me.

GreekΚαὶ λέγει αὐτοῖς Ἀαρὼν Περιέλεσθε τὰ ἐνώτια τὰ χρυσᾶ τὰ ἐν τοῖς ὠσὶ τῶν γυναικῶν ὑμῶν καὶ θυγατέρων, καὶ ἐνέγκατε πρός με.

KJVAnd 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.

JPSAnd Aaron said unto them: ‘Break off the golden rings, which are in the ears of your wives, of your sons, and of your daughters, and bring them unto me.’

ThomsonSo all the people took off the gold ear-rings which were in their ears and brought them to Aaron;

BrentonAnd all the people took off the golden ear-rings that were in their ears, and brought them to Aaron.

GreekΚαὶ περιείλαντο πᾶς ὁ λαὸς τὰ ἐνώτια τὰ χρυσᾶ τὰ ἐν τοῖς ὠσὶν αὐτῶν, καὶ ἤνεγκαν πρὸς Ἀαρών.

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

JPSAnd all the people broke off the golden rings which were in their ears, and brought them unto Aaron.

Thomsonand he received them at their hands and having made of them a molten bull he fashioned it with a graving tool and said: These are thy gods O Israel, who brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.

BrentonAnd he received them at their hands, and formed them with a graving tool; and he made them a molten calf, and said, These are thy gods, O Israel, which have brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.

GreekΚαὶ ἐδέξατο ἐκ τῶν χειρῶν αὐτῶν, καὶ ἔπλασεν αὐτὰ ἐν τῇ γραφίδι· καὶ ἐποίησεν αὐτὰ μόσχον χωνευτὸν καὶ εἶπεν, Οὗτοι οἱ θεοί σου Ἰσραὴλ, οἵτινες ἀνεβίβασάν σε ἐκ γῆς Αἰγύπτου.

KJVAnd he received them at their hand, and fashioned it with a graving tool, after he had made it a molten calf: and they said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.

JPSAnd he received it at their hand, and fashioned it with a graving tool, and made it a molten calf; and they said: ‘This is thy god, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.’

ThomsonAnd when Aaron saw it he built an altar before it. And Aaron made proclamation, saying, To-morrow is the festival of the Lord.

BrentonAnd Aaron having seen it built an altar before it, and Aaron made proclamation saying, To-morrow is a feast of the Lord.

GreekΚαὶ ἰδὼν Ἀαρὼν ᾠκοδόμησε θυσιαστήριον κατέναντι αὐτοῦ· καὶ ἐκήρυξεν Ἀαρὼν λέγων, ἑορτὴ τοῦ κυρίου αὔριον.

KJVAnd when Aaron saw it, he built an altar before it; and Aaron made proclamation, and said, To morrow is a feast to the LORD.

JPSAnd when Aaron saw this, he built an altar before it; and Aaron made proclamation, and said: ‘To-morrow shall be a feast to the LORD.’

ThomsonSo rising early in the morning he caused whole burnt offerings to be brought up, and offered a sacrifice of thanksgiving; and the people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play.

BrentonAnd having risen early on the morrow, he offered whole burnt-offerings, and offered a peace-offering; and the people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.

GreekΚαὶ ὀρθρίσας τῇ ἐπαύριον ἀνεβίβασεν ὁλοκαυτώματα, καὶ προσήνεγκε θυσίαν σωτηρίου· καὶ ἐκάθισεν ὁ λαὸς φαγεῖν καὶ πιεῖν, καὶ ἀνέστησαν παίζειν.

KJVAnd they rose up early on the morrow, and offered burnt offerings, and brought peace offerings; and the people sat down to eat and to drink, and rose up to play.

JPSAnd they rose up early on the morrow, and offered burnt-offerings, and brought peace-offerings; and the people sat down to eat and to drink, and rose up to make merry.

ThomsonThen the Lord spoke to Moses saying, Go quickly, go down from this place; for thy people whom thou hast brought out of the land of Egypt have transgressed.

BrentonAnd the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, Go quickly, descend hence, for thy people whom thou broughtest out of the land of Egypt have transgressed;

GreekΚαὶ ἐλάλησε Κύριος πρὸς Μωυσῆν, λέγων, βάδιζε τὸ τάχος, κατάβηθι ἐντεύθεν· ἠνόμησε γὰρ ὁ λαός σου ὃν ἐξήγαγες ἐκ γῆς Αἰγύπτου.

KJVAnd the LORD said unto Moses, Go, get thee down; for thy people, which thou broughtest out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves:

JPSAnd the LORD spoke unto Moses: ‘Go, get thee down; for thy people, that thou broughtest up out of the land of Egypt, have dealt corruptly;

ThomsonThey have quickly turned aside out of the way in which thou commandedst them to walk and have made for themselves a young bull and worshipped it; and have sacrificed to it and said, These are thy gods, O Israel, who brought thee out of the land of Egypt.

Brentonthey have quickly gone out of the way which thou commandedst; they have made for themselves a calf, and worshipped it, and sacrificed to it, and said, These are thy gods, O Israel, who brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.

GreekΠαρέβησαν ταχὺ ἐκ τῆς ὁδοῦ, ἧς ἐνετείλω αὐτοῖς· ἐποίησαν ἑαυτοῖς μόσχον, καὶ προσκεκυνήκασιν αὐτῷ, καὶ τεθύκασιν αὐτῷ, καὶ εἶπαν, Οὗτοι οἱ θεοί σου Ἰσραὴλ, οἵτινες ἀνεβίβασάν σε ἐκ γῆς Αἰγύπτου.

KJVThey have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them: they have made them a molten calf, and have worshipped it, and have sacrificed thereunto, and said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which have brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.

JPSthey have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them; they have made them a molten calf, and have worshipped it, and have sacrificed unto it, and said: This is thy god, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.’

ThomsonNow therefore let Me alone, that being provoked to wrath against them I may utterly destroy them, and I will make thee a great nation.

BrentonAnd now let me alone, and I will be very angry with them and consume them, and I will make thee a great nation.

Greekκαὶ νῦν ἔασόν με, καὶ θυμωθεὶς ὀργῇ εἰς αὐτοὺς, ἐκτρίψω αὐτούς· καὶ ποιήσω σὲ εἰς ἔθνος μέγα.

KJVNow therefore let me alone, that my wrath may wax hot against them, and that I may consume them: and I will make of thee a great nation.

JPSNow therefore let Me alone, that My wrath may wax hot against them, and that I may consume them; and I will make of thee a great nation.’

ThomsonUpon which Moses made supplication before the Lord God and said, Shouldst thou, O Lord, be provoked to wrath against Thy people, whom Thou hast brought out of the land of Egypt with great power and with Thine uplifted arm,

BrentonAnd Moses prayed before the Lord God, and said, Wherefore, O Lord, art thou very angry with thy people, whom thou broughtest out of the land of Egypt with great strength, and with thy high arm?

Greekκαὶ ἐδεήθη Μωυσῆς ἔναντι Κυρίου τοῦ Θεοῦ, καὶ εἶπεν, ἱνατί, Κύριε, θυμοῖ ὀργῇ εἰς τὸν λαόν σου, οὓς ἐξήγαγες ἐκ γῆς Αἰγύπτου ἐν ἰσχύϊ μεγάλῃ, καὶ ἐν τῷ βραχίονί σου τῷ ὑψηλῷ;

KJVAnd Moses besought the LORD his God, and said, LORD, why doth thy wrath wax hot against thy people, which thou hast brought forth out of the land of Egypt with great power, and with a mighty hand?

JPSAnd Moses besought the LORD his God, and said: ‘LORD, why doth Thy wrath wax hot against Thy people, that Thou hast brought forth out of the land of Egypt with great power and with a mighty hand?

Thomsonperhaps the Egyptians may speak, saying, With an ill intent He led them out to slay them on the mountains and utterly consume them from the earth. Stay Thy fierce indignation and be merciful at this wickedness of Thy people,

BrentonTake heed lest at any time the Egyptians speak, saying, With evil intent he brought them out to slay them in the mountains, and to consume them from off the earth; cease from thy wrathful anger, and be merciful to the sin of thy people,

GreekΜή ποτε εἴπωσιν οἱ Αἰγύπτιοι λέγοντες Μετὰ πονηρίας ἐξήγαγεν αὐτοὺς ἀποκτεῖναι ἐν τοῖς ὄρεσιν καὶ ἐξαναλῶσαι αὐτοὺς ἀπὸ τῆς γῆς. παῦσαι τῆς ὀργῆς τοῦ θυμοῦ σου, καὶ ἵλεως γενοῦ ἐπὶ τῇ κακίᾳ τοῦ λαοῦ σου,

KJVWherefore should the Egyptians speak, and say, For mischief did he bring them out, to slay them in the mountains, and to consume them from the face of the earth? Turn from thy fierce wrath, and repent of this evil against thy people.

JPSWherefore should the Egyptians speak, saying: For evil did He bring them forth, to slay them in the mountains, and to consume them from the face of the earth? Turn from Thy fierce wrath, and repent of this evil against Thy people.

Thomsonremembering Abraham and Isaak and Jacob Thy servants, to whom Thou didst swear by Thyself and didst speak saying, I will greatly multiply your seed like the stars of heaven for multitude; and didst say that thou wouldst give them all that land, that they should possess it forever.

Brentonremembering Abraam and Isaac and Jacob thy servants, to whom thou hast sworn by thyself, and hast spoken to them, saying, I will greatly multiply your seed as the stars of heaven for multitude, and all this land which thou spokest of to give to them, so that they shall possess it for ever.

Greekμνησθεὶς Ἀβραὰμ καὶ Ἰσαὰκ καὶ Ἰακὼβ τῶν σῶν οἰκετῶν, οἷς ὤμοσας κατὰ σεαυτοῦ, καὶ ἐλάλησας πρὸς αὐτοὺς, λέγων, πολυπληθυνῶ τὸ σπέρμα ὑμῶν ὡσεὶ τὰ ἄστρα τοῦ οὐρανοῦ τῷ πλήθει· καὶ πᾶσαν τὴν γῆν ταύτην ἣν εἶπας δοῦναι αὐτοῖς, καὶ καθέξουσιν αὐτὴν εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα.

KJVRemember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, thy servants, to whom thou swarest by thine own self, and saidst unto them, I will multiply your seed as the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have spoken of will I give unto your seed, and they shall inherit it for ever.

JPSRemember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, Thy servants, to whom Thou didst swear by Thine own self, and saidst unto them: I will multiply your seed as the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have spoken of will I give unto your seed, and they shall inherit it for ever.’

ThomsonAnd when the Lord was moved with compassion to save His people,

BrentonAnd the Lord was prevailed upon to preserve his people.

GreekΚαὶ ἱλάσθη Κύριος περιποιῆσαι τὸν λαὸν αὐτοῦ.

KJVAnd the LORD repented of the evil which he thought to do unto his people.

JPSAnd the LORD repented of the evil which He said He would do unto His people.

ThomsonMoses turned and went down from the mount with the two tables of the testimony in his hands.

BrentonAnd Moses turned and went down from the mountain, and the two tables of testimony were in his hands, tables of stone written on both their sides: they were written within and without.

GreekΚαὶ ἀποστρέψας Μωυσῆς, κατέβη ἀπὸ τοῦ ὄρους· καὶ αἱ δύο πλάκες τοῦ μαρτυρίου ἐν ταῖς χερσὶν αὐτοῦ, πλάκες λίθιναι καταγεγραμμέναι ἐξ ἀμφοτέρων τῶν μερῶν αὐτῶν, ἔνθεν καὶ ἔνθεν ἦσανς γεγραμμέναι·

KJVAnd Moses turned, and went down from the mount, and the two tables of the testimony were in his hand: the tables were written on both their sides; on the one side and on the other were they written.

JPSAnd Moses turned, and went down from the mount, with the two tables of the testimony in his hand; tables that were written on both their sides; on the one side and on the other were they written.

ThomsonNow the tables were of stone written on both sides. On the one side and on the other they were written, and the tables were the work of God. And the writing was the writing of God engraved on the tables.

BrentonAnd the tables were the work of God, and the writing the writing of God written on the tables.

Greekκαὶ αἱ πλάκες ἔργον Θεοῦ ἦσαν, καὶ ἡ γραφὴ γραφὴ Θεοῦ κεκολαμμένη ἐν ταῖς πλαξί.

KJVAnd the tables were the work of God, and the writing was the writing of God, graven upon the tables.

JPSAnd the tables were the work of God, and the writing was the writing of God, graven upon the tables.

ThomsonAnd Joshua hearing the sound of the people shouting said to Moses, There is a sound of war in the camp.

BrentonAnd Joshua having heard the voice of the people crying, says to Moses, There is a noise of war in the camp.

Greekκαὶ ἀκούσας Ἰησοῦς τῆς φωνῆς τοῦ λαοῦ κραζόντων, λέγει πρὸς Μωυσὴν, Φωνὴ πολέμου ἐν τῇ παρεμβολῇ.

KJVAnd when Joshua heard the noise of the people as they shouted, he said unto Moses, There is a noise of war in the camp.

JPSAnd when Joshua heard the noise of the people as they shouted, he said unto Moses: ‘There is a noise of war in the camp.’

Thomson—

BrentonAnd Moses says, It is not the voice of them that begin the battle, nor the voice of them that begin the cry of defeat, but the voice of them that begin the banquet of wine do I hear.

Greekκαὶ λέγει Οὐκ ἔστι φωνὴ ἐξαρχόντων κατʼ ἰσχὺν, οὐδὲ φωνὴ ἐξαρχόντων τροπῆς, ἀλλὰ φωνὴν ἐξαρχόντων οἴνου ἐγὼ ἀκούω.

KJV—

JPS—

ThomsonAnd when he approached the camp and saw the young bull and the choirs, Moses being inflamed with wrath threw the two tables from his hands and broke them at the foot of the mount.

BrentonAnd when he drew nigh to the camp, he sees the calf and the dances; and Moses being very angry cast the two tables out of his hands, and broke them to pieces under the mountain.

Greekκαὶ ἡνίκα ἤγγιζε τῇ παρεμβολῇ, ὁρᾷ τὸν μόσχον καὶ τοὺς χορούς· καὶ ὀργισθεὶς θυμῷ Μωυσῆς ἔῤῥιψεν ἀπὸ τῶν χειρῶν αὐτοῦ τὰς δύο πλάκας, καὶ συνέτριψεν αὐτὰς ὑπὸ τὸ ὄρος·

KJVAnd it came to pass, as soon as he came nigh unto the camp, that he saw the calf, and the dancing: and Moses’ anger waxed hot, and he cast the tables out of his hands, and brake them beneath the mount.

JPSAnd it came to pass, as soon as he came nigh unto the camp, that he saw the calf and the dancing; and Moses’anger waxed hot, and he cast the tables out of his hands, and broke them beneath the mount.

ThomsonAnd taking the bull which they had made he burned it with fire and grinded it fine and strewed it in the water and made the Israelites drink it.

BrentonAnd having taken the calf which they made, he consumed it with fire, and ground it very small, and scattered it on the water, and made the children of Israel to drink it.

Greekκαὶ λαβὼν τὸν μόσχον ὃν ἐποίησαν, κατέκαυσεν αὐτὸν ἐν πυρὶ, καὶ κατήλεσεν αὐτὸν λεπτὸν, καὶ ἔσπειρεν αὐτὸν ὑπὸ τὸ ὕδωρ, καὶ ἐπότισεν αὐτὸ τοὺς υἱοὺς Ἰσραήλ.

KJVAnd he took the calf which they had made, and burnt it in the fire, and ground it to powder, and strawed it upon the water, and made the children of Israel drink of it.

JPSAnd he took the calf which they had made, and burnt it with fire, and ground it to powder, and strewed it upon the water, and made the children of Israel drink of it.

ThomsonAnd Moses said to Aaron, What did this people do to thee, that thou hast brought upon them this great sin?

BrentonAnd Moses said to Aaron, What has this people done to thee, that thou hast brought upon them a great sin?

Greekκαὶ εἶπε Μωυσῆς τῷ Ἀαρὼν, Τί ἐποίησέ σοι ὁ λαὸς οὗτος, ὅτι ἐπήγαγες ἐπʼ αὐτοὺς ἁμαρτίαν μεγάλην;

KJVAnd Moses said unto Aaron, What did this people unto thee, that thou hast brought so great a sin upon them?

JPSAnd Moses said unto Aaron: ‘What did this people unto thee, that thou hast brought a great sin upon them?’

ThomsonUpon which Aaron said to Moses, Be not angry, my lord, for thou knowest the impetuousness of this people.

BrentonAnd Aaron said to Moses, Be not angry, my lord, for thou knowest the impetuosity of this people.

Greekκαὶ εἶπεν Ἀαρὼν πρὸς Μωυσῆν, μὴ ὀργίζου, κύριε· σὺ γὰρ οἶδας τὸ ὅρμημα τοῦ λαοῦ τούτου.

KJVAnd Aaron said, Let not the anger of my lord wax hot: thou knowest the people, that they are set on mischief.

JPSAnd Aaron said: ‘Let not the anger of my lord wax hot; thou knowest the people, that they are set on evil.

ThomsonFor they said to me, Make us gods which shall go before us, for as for this Moses, the man who brought us out of Egypt we know not what is become of him.

BrentonFor they say to me, Make us gods, which shall go before us; for as for this man Moses, who brought us out of Egypt, we do not know what is become of him.

GreekΛέγουσι γάρ μοι, ποιήσον ἡμῖν θεοὺς, οἳ προπορεύσονται ἡμῶν· ὁ γὰρ Μωυσῆς οὗτος ὁ ἄνθρωπος, ὃς ἐξήγαγεν ἡμᾶς ἐξ Αἰγύπτου, οὐκ οἴδαμεν τί γέγονεν αὐτῷ.

KJVFor 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.

JPSSo they said unto me: Make us a god, which shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we know not what is become of him.

ThomsonWhereupon I said to them, If any one hath golden ornaments take them off. So they gave me and I cast into the fire, and out came that bull.

BrentonAnd I said to them, If any one has golden ornaments, take them off; and they gave them me, and I cast them into the fire, and there came out this calf.

Greekκαὶ εἶπα αὐτοῖς, εἴ τινι ὑπάρχει χρυσία, περιέλεσθε· καὶ ἔδωκάν μοι· καὶ ἔῤῥιψα εἰς τὸ πῦρ· καὶ ἐξῆλθεν ὁ μόσχος οὗτος.

KJVAnd I said unto them, Whosoever hath any gold, let them break it off. So they gave it me: then I cast it into the fire, and there came out this calf.

JPSAnd I said unto them: Whosoever hath any gold, let them break it off; so they gave it me; and I cast it into the fire, and there came out this calf.’

ThomsonAnd when Moses saw that the people were scattered abroad; for Aaron had scattered and made them a derision to their enemies,

BrentonAnd when Moses saw that the people was scattered,—for Aaron had scattered them so as to be a rejoicing to their enemies,—

GreekΚαὶ ἰδὼν Μωυσῆς τὸν λαὸν ὅτι διεσκέδασται· (διεσκέδασε γὰρ αὐτοὺς Ἀαρών ἐπίχαρμα τοῖς ὑπεναντίοις αὐτῶν)

KJVAnd when Moses saw that the people were naked; (for Aaron had made them naked unto their shame among their enemies:)

JPSAnd when Moses saw that the people were broken loose—for Aaron had let them loose for a derision among their enemies—

ThomsonMoses stood at the gate of the camp and said, Who is for the Lord? Let him come to me. Upon which all the sons of Levi joined him.

Brentonthen stood Moses at the gate of the camp, and said, Who is on the Lord's side? let him come to me. Then all the sons of Levi came to him.

Greekἔστη δὲ Μωυσῆς ἑπὶ τῆς πύλης τῆς παρεμβολῆς, καὶ εἶπε, τίς πρὸς Κύριον; ἴτω πρός με. Συνῆλθον οὖν πρὸς αὐτὸν πάντες οἱ υἱοὶ Λευί.

KJVThen Moses stood in the gate of the camp, and said, Who is on the LORD’s side? let him come unto me. And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together unto him.

JPSthen Moses stood in the gate of the camp, and said: ‘Whoso is on the LORD’S side, let him come unto me.’ And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together unto him.

ThomsonThen Moses said to them, Thus saith the Lord the God of Israel, Gird ye every man his sword on his thigh and pass through and wheel about from gate to gate through the camp and slay every man his brother and every man his neighbour and everyone him who is nearest of kin to him.

BrentonAnd he says to them, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, Put every one his sword on his thigh, and go through and return from gate to gate through the camp, and slay every one his brother, and every one his neighbour, and every one him that is nearest to him.

GreekΚαὶ λέγει αὐτοῖς τάδε λέγει Κύριος ὁ Θεὸς Ἰσραήλ θέσθε ἕκαστος τὴν ἑαυτοῦ ῥομφαίανν ἐπὶ τὸν μηρὸν, καὶ διέλθατε καὶ ἀνακάμψατε ἀπὸ πύλης ἐπὶ πύλην διὰ τῆς παρεμβολῆς, καὶ ἀποκτείνατε ἕκαστος τὸν ἀδελφὸν αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἕκαστος τὸν πλησίον αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἓκαστος τὸν ἔγγιστα αὐτοῦ.

KJVAnd he said unto them, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Put every man his sword by his side, and go in and out from gate to gate throughout the camp, and slay every man his brother, and every man his companion, and every man his neighbour.

JPSAnd he said unto them: ‘Thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel: Put ye every man his sword upon his thigh, and go to and fro from gate to gate throughout the camp, and slay every man his brother, and every man his companion, and every man his neighbour.’

ThomsonAnd the children of Levi did as Moses spoke to them and there fell of the people that day about three thousand men.

BrentonAnd the sons of Levi did as Moses spoke to them, and there fell of the people in that day to the number of three thousand men.

GreekΚαὶ ἐποίησαν οἱ υἱοὶ Λευεὶ καθὰ ἐλάλησεν αὐτοῖς Μωυσῆς· καὶ ἔπεσαν ἐκ τοῦ λαοῦ ἐν ἐκείνῃ τῇ ἡμέρᾳ εἰς τρισχιλίους ἄνδρας.

KJVAnd the children of Levi did according to the word of Moses: and there fell of the people that day about three thousand men.

JPSAnd the sons of Levi did according to the word of Moses; and there fell of the people that day about three thousand men.

ThomsonFor Moses said to them, Fill your hands to-day for the Lord, every one with his son or with his brother that a blessing may be bestowed on you.

BrentonAnd Moses said to them, Ye have filled your hands this day to the Lord each one on his son or on his brother, so that blessing should be given to you.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς Μωυσῆς, ἐπληρώσατε τὰς χεῖρας ὑμῶν σήμερον Κυρίῳ ἕκαστος ἐν τῷ υἱῷ ἢ ἐν τῷ ἀδελφῷ αὐτοῦ, δοθῆναι ἐφʼ ὑμᾶς εὐλογίαν.

KJVFor Moses had said, Consecrate yourselves today to the LORD, even every man upon his son, and upon his brother; that he may bestow upon you a blessing this day.

JPSAnd Moses said: ‘Consecrate yourselves to-day to the LORD, for every man hath been against his son and against his brother; that He may also bestow upon you a blessing this day.’

ThomsonAnd on the following day Moses said to the people, You have committed a great sin, now therefore I will go up to God that I may appease Him for this sin of yours.

BrentonAnd it came to pass after the morrow had begun, that Moses said to the people, Ye have sinned a great sin; and now I will go up to God, that I may make atonement for your sin.

GreekΚαὶ ἐγένετο μετὰ τὴν αὔριον εἶπε Μωυσῆς πρὸς τὸν λαὸν, ὑμεῖς ἡμαρτήκατε ἁμαρτίαν μεγάλη· καὶ νῦν ἀναβήσομαι πρὸς τὸν Θεὸν, ἵνα ἐξιλάσωμαι περὶ τῆς ἁμαρτίας ὑμῶν.

KJVAnd it came to pass on the morrow, that Moses said unto the people, Ye have sinned a great sin: and now I will go up unto the LORD; peradventure I shall make an atonement for your sin.

JPSAnd it came to pass on the morrow, that Moses said unto the people: ‘Ye have sinned a great sin; and now I will go up unto the LORD, peradventure I shall make atonement for your sin.’

ThomsonSo Moses went back to the Lord and said, O Lord! this people have committed a great sin and have made for themselves gods of gold.

BrentonAnd Moses returned to the Lord and said, I pray, O Lord, this people has sinned a great sin, and they have made for themselves golden gods.

GreekὙπέστρεψε δὲ Μωυσῆς πρὸς Κύριον, καὶ εἶπε, δέομαι, κύριε· ἡμάρτηκεν ὁ λαὸς οὗτος ἁμαρτίαν μεγάλην, καὶ ἐποίησαν ἑαυτοῖς θεοὺς χρυσοῦς.

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

JPSAnd Moses returned unto the LORD, and said: ‘Oh, this people have sinned a great sin, and have made them a god of gold.

ThomsonNow therefore, if Thou indeed forgivest this their sin, forgive it: but if not: blot me out of Thy book which thou hast written.

BrentonAnd now if thou wilt forgive their sin, forgive it; and if not, blot me out of thy book, which thou hast written.

GreekΚαὶ νῦν εἰ μὲν ἀφεῖς αὐτοῖς τὴν ἁμαρτίαν αὐτῶν, ἄφες· εἰ δὲ μή, ἐξάλειψόν με ἐκ τῆς βίβλου σου, ἧς ἔγραψας.

KJVYet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin--; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written.

JPSYet now, if Thou wilt forgive their sin—; and if not, blot me, I pray Thee, out of Thy book which Thou hast written.’

ThomsonAnd the Lord said to Moses, Whoever have sinned before Me, them will I blot out of My book.

BrentonAnd the Lord said to Moses, If any one has sinned against me, I will blot them out of my book.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπε Κύριος πρὸς Μωυσῆν, εἴ τις ἡμάρτηκεν ἐνώπιόν μου, ἐξαλείψω αὐτοὺς ἐκ τῆς βίβλου μου.

KJVAnd the LORD said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book.

JPSAnd the LORD said unto Moses: ‘Whosoever hath sinned against Me, him will I blot out of My book.

ThomsonNow therefore go thy way; go down and lead this people to the place which I commanded thee. Behold My angel will go before thee but on the day when I visit I will bring upon them this sin of theirs.

BrentonAnd now go, descend, and lead this people into the place of which I spoke to thee: behold, my angel shall go before thy face; and in the day when I shall visit I will bring upon them their sin.

GreekΝυνὶ δὲ βάδιζε, κατάβηθι, καὶ ὁδήγησον τὸν λαὸν τοῦτον εἰς τὸν τόπον, ὃν εἶπά σοι· ἰδοὺ ὁ ἄγγελός μου προπορεύσεται πρὸ προσώπου σου· ᾖ δʼ ἂν ἡμέρᾳ ἐπισκέπτωμαι, ἐπάξω ἐπʼ αὐτοὺς τὴν ἁμαρτίαν αὐτῶν

KJVTherefore now go, lead the people unto the place of which I have spoken unto thee: behold, mine Angel shall go before thee: nevertheless in the day when I visit I will visit their sin upon them.

JPSAnd now go, lead the people unto the place of which I have spoken unto thee; behold, Mine angel shall go before thee; nevertheless in the day when I visit, I will visit their sin upon them.’

ThomsonNow when the Lord had smitten the people for making the bull which Aaron had made—

BrentonAnd the Lord smote the people for the making of the calf, which Aaron made.

GreekΚαὶ ἐπάταξε Κύριος τὸν λαὸν περὶ τῆς ποιήσεως τοῦ μόσχου, οὗ ἐποίησεν Ἀαρών.

KJVAnd the LORD plagued the people, because they made the calf, which Aaron made.

JPSAnd the LORD smote the people, because they made the calf, which Aaron made.