Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Why should the Egyptians say, ‘It was with evil intent that he brought them out, to kill them in the mountains and to wipe them off the face of the earth’? Turn from your fierce anger; relent and do not bring disaster on your people. New Living Translation Why let the Egyptians say, ‘Their God rescued them with the evil intention of slaughtering them in the mountains and wiping them from the face of the earth’? Turn away from your fierce anger. Change your mind about this terrible disaster you have threatened against your people! English Standard Version Why should the Egyptians say, ‘With evil intent did he bring them out, to kill them in the mountains and to consume them from the face of the earth’? Turn from your burning anger and relent from this disaster against your people. Berean Standard Bible Why should the Egyptians declare, ‘He brought them out with evil intent, to kill them in the mountains and wipe them from the face of the earth’? Turn from Your fierce anger and relent from doing harm to Your people. Berean Literal Bible Why should Egypt speak, saying, ‘In evil He brought them out to kill them in the mountains and to consume them from the face of the earth’? Turn from Your burning anger and relent over the evil against Your people. King James Bible Wherefore 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. New King James Version Why should the Egyptians speak, and say, ‘He brought them out to harm them, to kill them in the mountains, and to consume them from the face of the earth’? Turn from Your fierce wrath, and relent from this harm to Your people. New American Standard Bible Why should the Egyptians talk, saying, ‘With evil motives He brought them out, to kill them on the mountains and to destroy them from the face of the earth’? Turn from Your burning anger and relent of doing harm to Your people. NASB 1995 “Why should the Egyptians speak, saying, ‘With evil intent He brought them out to kill them in the mountains and to destroy them from the face of the earth ‘? Turn from Your burning anger and change Your mind about doing harm to Your people. NASB 1977 “Why should the Egyptians speak, saying, ‘With evil intent He brought them out to kill them in the mountains and to destroy them from the face of the earth’? Turn from Thy burning anger and change Thy mind about doing harm to Thy people. Legacy Standard Bible Why should the Egyptians speak, saying, ‘With evil intent He brought them out to kill them in the mountains and to consume them from the face of the earth’? Turn from Your burning anger and relent concerning doing harm to Your people. Amplified Bible Why should the Egyptians say, ‘With evil [intent] their God brought them out to kill them in the mountains and destroy them from the face of the earth’? Turn away from Your burning anger and change Your mind about harming Your people. Berean Annotated Bible Why should the Egyptians declare, (double straits) ‘He brought them out with evil intent, to kill them in the mountains and wipe them from the face of the earth’? Turn from Your fierce anger and relent from doing harm to Your people. Christian Standard Bible Why should the Egyptians say, ‘He brought them out with an evil intent to kill them in the mountains and eliminate them from the face of the earth’? Turn from your fierce anger and relent concerning this disaster planned for your people. Holman Christian Standard Bible Why should the Egyptians say, ‘He brought them out with an evil intent to kill them in the mountains and wipe them off the face of the earth? Turn from Your great anger and relent concerning this disaster planned for Your people. American Standard Version Wherefore 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. Contemporary English Version If you do, the Egyptians will say that you brought your people out here into the mountains just to get rid of them. Please don't be angry with your people. Don't destroy them! English Revised Version Wherefore 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. GOD'S WORD® Translation Don't let the Egyptians say, 'He was planning all along to kill them in the mountains and wipe them off the face of the earth. That's why he brought them out [of our land].' Don't be so angry. Reconsider your decision to bring this disaster on your people. Good News Translation Why should the Egyptians be able to say that you led your people out of Egypt, planning to kill them in the mountains and destroy them completely? Stop being angry; change your mind and do not bring this disaster on your people. International Standard Version Why should the Egyptians say, 'He brought them out with an evil intention to kill them in the mountains and to destroy them from the face of the earth'? Turn from your anger and change your mind about the calamity against your people. NET Bible Why should the Egyptians say, 'For evil he led them out to kill them in the mountains and to destroy them from the face of the earth'? Turn from your burning anger, and relent of this evil against your people. New Heart English Bible Why should the Egyptians speak, saying, 'He brought them forth for evil, to kill them in the mountains, and to consume them from the surface of the earth?' Turn from your fierce wrath, and repent of this evil against your people. Webster's Bible Translation Why should the Egyptians speak and say, For evil 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. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleWhy should the Egyptians declare, ‘He brought them out with evil intent, to kill them in the mountains and wipe them from the face of the earth’? Turn from Your fierce anger and relent from doing harm to Your people. World English Bible Why should the Egyptians talk, saying, ‘He brought them out for evil, to kill them in the mountains, and to consume them from the surface of the earth?’ Turn from your fierce wrath, and turn away from this evil against your people. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionWhy do the Egyptians speak, saying, He brought them out in calamity to slay them among mountains, and to consume them from off the face of the ground? Turn back from the heat of Your anger, and relent from this calamity against Your people. Berean Literal Bible Why should Egypt speak, saying, ‘In evil He brought them out to kill them in the mountains and to consume them from the face of the earth’? Turn from Your burning anger and relent over the evil against Your people. Young's Literal Translation why do the Egyptians speak, saying, For evil He brought them out to slay them among mountains, and to consume them from off the face of the ground? turn back from the heat of Thine anger, and repent of the evil against Thy people. Smith's Literal Translation Lest the Egyptians shall speak, saying, With evil he brought them forth to kill them in the mountains, and to finish them from the face of the earth. Turn back from the heat of thy wrath, and repent concerning evil towards thy people. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleLet not the Egyptians say, I beseech thee: He craftily brought them out, that he might kill them in the mountains, and destroy them from the earth: let thy anger cease, and be appeased upon the wickedness of thy people. Catholic Public Domain Version I beg you, let not the Egyptians say, ‘He cleverly led them away, so that he could put them to death in the mountains and destroy them from the earth.’ Let your anger be quieted and appeased concerning the wickedness of your people. New American Bible Why should the Egyptians say, ‘With evil intent he brought them out, that he might kill them in the mountains and wipe them off the face of the earth’? Turn from your burning wrath; change your mind about punishing your people. New Revised Standard Version Why should the Egyptians say, ‘It was with evil intent that he brought them out to kill them in the mountains, and to consume them from the face of the earth’? Turn from your fierce wrath; change your mind and do not bring disaster on your people. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleWhy should the Egyptians say, It was for their injury he did bring them out to slay them in the mountains and to consume them from the face of the earth? Rest from thy fierce anger and be reconciled concerning the evil deed of thy people. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And Moshe prayed before LORD JEHOVAH his God and said, “No LORD JEHOVAH! Your wrath will not prevail with your people whom you brought out from Egypt by your great power and by your high arm. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Wherefore 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. Brenton Septuagint Translation Take 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, Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Moses Informed of Israel's Sin…11But Moses sought the favor of the LORD his God, saying, “O LORD, why does Your anger burn against Your people, whom You brought out of the land of Egypt with great power and a mighty hand? 12Why should the Egyptians declare, ‘He brought them out with evil intent, to kill them in the mountains and wipe them from the face of the earth’? Turn from Your fierce anger and relent from doing harm to Your people. 13Remember Your servants Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, to whom You swore by Your very self when You declared, ‘I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky, and I will give your descendants all this land that I have promised, and it shall be their inheritance forever.’ ”… Cross References Why should the Egyptians declare, Numbers 14:13-16 But Moses said to the LORD, “The Egyptians will hear of it, for by Your strength You brought this people from among them. / And they will tell it to the inhabitants of this land. They have already heard that You, O LORD, are in the midst of this people, that You, O LORD, have been seen face to face, that Your cloud stands over them, and that You go before them in a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. / If You kill this people as one man, the nations who have heard of Your fame will say, … Deuteronomy 9:28-29 Otherwise, those in the land from which You brought us out will say, ‘Because the LORD was not able to bring them into the land He had promised them, and because He hated them, He has brought them out to kill them in the wilderness.’ / But they are Your people, Your inheritance, whom You brought out by Your great power and outstretched arm.” Ezekiel 36:20-23 And wherever they went among the nations, they profaned My holy name, because it was said of them, ‘These are the people of the LORD, yet they had to leave His land.’ / But I had concern for My holy name, which the house of Israel had profaned among the nations to which they had gone. / Therefore tell the house of Israel that this is what the Lord GOD says: It is not for your sake that I will act, O house of Israel, but for My holy name, which you profaned among the nations to which you went. … ‘He brought them out with evil intent, Deuteronomy 1:27 You grumbled in your tents and said, “Because the LORD hates us, He has brought us out of the land of Egypt to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites to be annihilated. Deuteronomy 4:37 Because He loved your fathers, He chose their descendants after them and brought you out of Egypt by His presence and great power, Deuteronomy 6:23 But He brought us out from there to lead us in and give us the land that He had sworn to our fathers. to kill them in the mountains and wipe them from the face of the earth’? Genesis 6:7 So the LORD said, “I will blot out man, whom I have created, from the face of the earth—every man and beast and crawling creature and bird of the air—for I am grieved that I have made them.” Deuteronomy 9:14 Leave Me alone, so that I may destroy them and blot out their name from under heaven. Then I will make you into a nation mightier and greater than they are.” Deuteronomy 7:24 He will hand their kings over to you, and you will wipe out their names from under heaven. No one will be able to stand against you; you will annihilate them. Turn from Your fierce anger Deuteronomy 13:17 Nothing devoted to destruction shall cling to your hands, so that the LORD will turn from His fierce anger, grant you mercy, show you compassion, and multiply you as He swore to your fathers, Deuteronomy 29:20 The LORD will never be willing to forgive him. Instead, His anger and jealousy will burn against that man, and every curse written in this book will fall upon him. The LORD will blot out his name from under heaven Psalm 78:38 And yet He was compassionate; He forgave their iniquity and did not destroy them. He often restrained His anger and did not unleash His full wrath. and relent from doing harm to Your people. Numbers 14:20 “I have pardoned them as you requested,” the LORD replied. Jonah 3:10 When God saw their actions—that they had turned from their evil ways—He relented from the disaster He had threatened to bring upon them. Joel 2:13-14 So rend your hearts and not your garments, and return to the LORD your God. For He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion. And He relents from sending disaster. / Who knows? He may turn and relent and leave a blessing behind Him—grain and drink offerings for the LORD your God. Deuteronomy 9:26-29 And I prayed to the LORD and said, “O Lord GOD, do not destroy Your people, Your inheritance, whom You redeemed through Your greatness and brought out of Egypt with a mighty hand. / Remember Your servants Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Overlook the stubbornness of this people and the wickedness of their sin. / Otherwise, those in the land from which You brought us out will say, ‘Because the LORD was not able to bring them into the land He had promised them, and because He hated them, He has brought them out to kill them in the wilderness.’ … Treasury of Scripture Why 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 your fierce wrath, and repent of this evil against your people. should Numbers 14:13-16 And Moses said unto the LORD, Then the Egyptians shall hear it, (for thou broughtest up this people in thy might from among them;) … Deuteronomy 9:28 Lest the land whence thou broughtest us out say, Because the LORD was not able to bring them into the land which he promised them, and because he hated them, he hath brought them out to slay them in the wilderness. Deuteronomy 32:26,27 I said, I would scatter them into corners, I would make the remembrance of them to cease from among men: … turn from Deuteronomy 13:17 And there shall cleave nought of the cursed thing to thine hand: that the LORD may turn from the fierceness of his anger, and shew thee mercy, and have compassion upon thee, and multiply thee, as he hath sworn unto thy fathers; Joshua 7:26 And they raised over him a great heap of stones unto this day. So the LORD turned from the fierceness of his anger. Wherefore the name of that place was called, The valley of Achor, unto this day. Ezra 10:14 Let now our rulers of all the congregation stand, and let all them which have taken strange wives in our cities come at appointed times, and with them the elders of every city, and the judges thereof, until the fierce wrath of our God for this matter be turned from us. repent Exodus 32:14 And the LORD repented of the evil which he thought to do unto his people. Genesis 6:6 And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. Deuteronomy 32:36 For the LORD shall judge his people, and repent himself for his servants, when he seeth that their power is gone, and there is none shut up, or left. Jump to Previous Anger Burning Change Consume Destroy Earth Egyptians Evil Fierce Forth Harm Intent Kill Mind Mischief Mountains Repent Slay Speak Surface Turn Wherefore WrathJump to Next Anger Burning Change Consume Destroy Earth Egyptians Evil Fierce Forth Harm Intent Kill Mind Mischief Mountains Repent Slay Speak Surface Turn Wherefore WrathExodus 32 1. The people in the absence of Moses, caused Aaron to make a calf7. 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 Why should the Egyptians declare, This phrase highlights the concern for God's reputation among the nations, particularly Egypt, from which the Israelites had recently been delivered. The Egyptians had witnessed the power of God through the plagues and the parting of the Red Sea. Moses appeals to God's concern for His own name and glory, which is a recurring theme throughout Scripture (e.g., Isaiah 48:9-11). The reputation of God among the nations is crucial, as it reflects His character and the truth of His promises. ‘He brought them out with evil intent, to kill them in the mountains and wipe them from the face of the earth’? Turn from Your fierce anger and relent from doing harm to Your people. Persons / Places / Events 1. MosesThe leader of the Israelites, chosen by God to lead His people out of Egypt. In Exodus 32, Moses is interceding for the Israelites after they have sinned by creating and worshiping a golden calf. 2. The Israelites The people of God who have been delivered from slavery in Egypt. They are camped at Mount Sinai and have fallen into idolatry by worshiping a golden calf. 3. Mount Sinai The mountain where Moses received the Ten Commandments from God. It is a place of divine revelation and covenant between God and His people. 4. God (Yahweh) The one true God who delivered the Israelites from Egypt. In this passage, He is angered by the Israelites' idolatry and is considering bringing judgment upon them. 5. The Egyptians The nation from which the Israelites were delivered. In Exodus 32:12, Moses refers to them in his plea to God, arguing that the Egyptians would misunderstand God's intentions if He destroyed the Israelites. Teaching Points The Power of IntercessionMoses' prayer demonstrates the importance and power of intercessory prayer. Believers are encouraged to stand in the gap for others, praying for God's mercy and intervention. God's Reputation Matters Moses appeals to God's reputation among the nations. As Christians, our actions should reflect God's character and uphold His name. Remembering God's Promises Moses reminds God of His promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Believers should hold onto God's promises, especially in times of crisis. The Danger of Idolatry The Israelites' sin serves as a warning against idolatry. Christians must guard their hearts against anything that takes the place of God. God's Mercy and Justice This passage highlights the balance between God's justice and mercy. While God is just and must address sin, He is also merciful and willing to forgive. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Exodus 32:12?2. How does Exodus 32:12 highlight the importance of God's reputation among nations? 3. What can we learn about intercessory prayer from Moses' plea in Exodus 32:12? 4. How does Exodus 32:12 connect to God's promises to Abraham in Genesis? 5. How can we apply the concept of God's reputation to our daily actions? 6. What does Exodus 32:12 teach about God's mercy and patience with His people? 7. Why would God consider destroying His own people in Exodus 32:12? 8. How does Moses' intercession in Exodus 32:12 reflect on God's character? 9. What does Exodus 32:12 reveal about divine repentance or change of mind? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Exodus 32? 11. Why did Aaron create the golden calf for worship? 12. What occurred when Moses was on Mount Sinai? 13. Exodus 12:35-36 - How plausible is it that the Egyptians would voluntarily give away their valuables to departing slaves without resistance? 14. Why did the Israelites worship the golden calf? What Does Exodus 32:12 Mean Why should the Egyptians declare• Moses begins his plea by focusing on God’s reputation among the nations (Psalm 79:9; Joshua 7:9). • If judgment falls, Egypt—recently humbled by the plagues—could twist the story, saying the exodus was a cruel trick, not a display of covenant love (Numbers 14:13-16). • God’s deliverance was meant to proclaim His power (Exodus 9:16); Moses appeals to that purpose so it will not be undermined. ‘He brought them out with evil intent, to kill them in the mountains and wipe them from the face of the earth’? • Moses quotes the hypothetical accusation word-for-word, showing how seriously he takes God’s glory (Deuteronomy 32:27). • The charge turns God’s redemptive act into supposed malice—reversing the truth of Exodus 15:13, where the people sang of God’s unfailing love. • By highlighting this slander, Moses argues that mercy now will reinforce the truth that God saves to bless, not to destroy (Isaiah 63:8-9). Turn from Your fierce anger • Moses acknowledges the real wrath of God against sin (Hebrews 12:29) while also recognizing His freedom to turn from judgment (Jonah 3:10). • The plea rests on covenant relationship—God’s anger is just, yet His promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Israel stand (Exodus 32:13). • This balance of holiness and mercy anticipates Christ’s intercession, where righteous wrath meets gracious mediation (1 Timothy 2:5). and relent from doing harm to Your people. • Calling Israel “Your people” reaffirms ownership despite their idolatry (Deuteronomy 9:26). • Moses trusts God’s character: slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness (Exodus 34:6). • His intercession models how believers appeal to God’s covenant faithfulness when seeking mercy (1 John 2:1-2). summary Moses’ four-part appeal in Exodus 32:12 centers on God’s glory, His saving purpose, His righteous yet flexible wrath, and His covenant love. By reminding God of how the nations might misinterpret judgment, Moses defends the honor of the One who redeems. He shows that even in moments of severe discipline, God desires to display mercy consistent with His promises—a truth fully realized in the redemptive work of Christ. Hebrew Whyלָמָּה֩ (lām·māh) Interrogative Strong's 4100: What?, what!, indefinitely what should the Egyptians declare, יֹאמְר֨וּ (yō·mə·rū) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 559: To utter, say ‘He brought them out הֽוֹצִיאָם֙ (hō·w·ṣî·’ām) Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine plural Strong's 3318: To go, bring, out, direct and proxim with evil intent, בְּרָעָ֤ה (bə·rā·‘āh) Preposition-b | Adjective - feminine singular Strong's 7451: Bad, evil to kill לַהֲרֹ֤ג (la·hă·rōḡ) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct Strong's 2026: To smite with deadly intent them in the mountains בֶּֽהָרִ֔ים (be·hā·rîm) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 2022: Mountain, hill, hill country and wipe וּ֨לְכַלֹּתָ֔ם (ū·lə·ḵal·lō·ṯām) Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct | third person masculine plural Strong's 3615: To be complete, at an end, finished, accomplished, or spent them from מֵעַ֖ל (mê·‘al) Preposition-m Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against the face פְּנֵ֣י (pə·nê) Noun - common plural construct Strong's 6440: The face of the earth’? הָֽאֲדָמָ֑ה (hā·’ă·ḏā·māh) Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 127: Ground, land Turn שׁ֚וּב (ūḇ) Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular Strong's 7725: To turn back, in, to retreat, again from Your fierce מֵחֲר֣וֹן (mê·ḥă·rō·wn) Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 2740: A burning of anger anger אַפֶּ֔ךָ (’ap·pe·ḵā) Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular Strong's 639: The nose, nostril, the face, a person, ire and relent וְהִנָּחֵ֥ם (wə·hin·nā·ḥêm) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Imperative - masculine singular Strong's 5162: To sigh, breathe strongly, to be sorry, to pity, console, rue, to avenge from {doing} עַל־ (‘al-) Preposition Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against harm הָרָעָ֖ה (hā·rā·‘āh) Article | Adjective - feminine singular Strong's 7451: Bad, evil to Your people. לְעַמֶּֽךָ׃ (lə·‘am·me·ḵā) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock Links Exodus 32:12 NIVExodus 32:12 NLT Exodus 32:12 ESV Exodus 32:12 NASB Exodus 32:12 KJV Exodus 32:12 BibleApps.com Exodus 32:12 Biblia Paralela Exodus 32:12 Chinese Bible Exodus 32:12 French Bible Exodus 32:12 Catholic Bible OT Law: Exodus 32:12 Why should the Egyptians speak saying 'He (Exo. 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