Exodus 32:21
New International Version
He said to Aaron, “What did these people do to you, that you led them into such great sin?”

New Living Translation
Finally, he turned to Aaron and demanded, “What did these people do to you to make you bring such terrible sin upon them?”

English Standard Version
And Moses said to Aaron, “What did this people do to you that you have brought such a great sin upon them?”

Berean Standard Bible
“What did this people do to you,” Moses asked Aaron, “that you have led them into so great a sin?”

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

New King James Version
And Moses said to Aaron, “What did this people do to you that you have brought so great a sin upon them?”

New American Standard Bible
Then Moses said to Aaron, “What did this people do to you, that you have brought such a great sin upon them?”

NASB 1995
Then Moses said to Aaron, “What did this people do to you, that you have brought such great sin upon them?”

NASB 1977
Then Moses said to Aaron, “What did this people do to you, that you have brought such great sin upon them?”

Legacy Standard Bible
Then Moses said to Aaron, “What did this people do to you, that you have brought such great sin upon them?”

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

Christian Standard Bible
Then Moses asked Aaron, “What did these people do to you that you have led them into such a grave sin? ”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then Moses asked Aaron, “What did these people do to you that you have led them into such a grave sin?"”

American Standard Version
And Moses said unto Aaron, What did this people unto thee, that thou hast brought a great sin upon them?

Contemporary English Version
Moses asked Aaron, "What did these people do to harm you? Why did you make them sin in this terrible way?"

English Revised Version
And Moses said unto Aaron, What did this people unto thee, that thou hast brought a great sin upon them?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Moses asked Aaron, "What did these people do to you that you encouraged them to commit such a serious sin?"

Good News Translation
He said to Aaron, "What did these people do to you, that you have made them commit such a terrible sin?"

International Standard Version
Then Moses asked Aaron, "What did this people do to you that you brought such great sin upon them?"

Majority Standard Bible
“What did this people do to you,” Moses asked Aaron, “that you have led them into so great a sin?”

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

New Heart English Bible
Moses said to Aaron, "What did these people do to you, that you have brought a great sin on them?"

Webster's Bible Translation
And Moses said to Aaron, What did this people to thee, that thou hast brought so great a sin upon them?

World English Bible
Moses said to Aaron, “What did these people do to you, that you have brought a great sin on them?”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Moses says to Aaron, “What has this people done to you, that you have brought in a great sin on it?”

Young's Literal Translation
And Moses saith unto Aaron, 'What hath this people done to thee, that thou hast brought in upon it a great sin?'

Smith's Literal Translation
And Moses will say to Aaron, What did this people to thee that thou didst bring upon it a great sin?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And he said to Aaron: What has this people done to thee, that thou shouldst bring upon them a most heinous sin?

Catholic Public Domain Version
And he said to Aaron, “What has this people done to you, so that you would bring upon them the greatest sin?”

New American Bible
Moses asked Aaron, “What did this people do to you that you should lead them into a grave sin?”

New Revised Standard Version
Moses said to Aaron, “What did this people do to you that you have brought so great a sin upon them?”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And Moses said to Aaron, What has this people done to you that you have brought so great a sin upon them?

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And he took the calf that they had made and he burned it in fire and he filed it with a file until it was pulverized like dust and he scattered it; he ground it on the face of the waters and he gave it to those of the house of Israel to drink.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And Moses said unto Aaron: 'What did this people unto thee, that thou hast brought a great sin upon them?'

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

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Moses Breaks the Tablets
20Then he took the calf they had made, burned it in the fire, ground it to powder, and scattered the powder over the face of the water. Then he forced the Israelites to drink it. 21“What did this people do to you,” Moses asked Aaron, “that you have led them into so great a sin?” 22“Do not be enraged, my lord,” Aaron replied. “You yourself know that the people are intent on evil.…

Cross References
Deuteronomy 9:18-21
Then I fell down before the LORD for forty days and forty nights, as I had done the first time. I did not eat bread or drink water because of all the sin you had committed in doing what was evil in the sight of the LORD and provoking Him to anger. / For I was afraid of the anger and wrath that the LORD had directed against you, enough to destroy you. But the LORD listened to me this time as well. / The LORD was angry enough with Aaron to destroy him, but at that time I also prayed for Aaron. ...

Acts 7:39-41
But our fathers refused to obey him. Instead, they rejected him and in their hearts turned back to Egypt. / They said to Aaron, ‘Make us gods who will go before us! As for this Moses who led us out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has happened to him.’ / At that time they made a calf and offered a sacrifice to the idol, rejoicing in the works of their hands.

1 Corinthians 10:7
Do not be idolaters, as some of them were. As it is written: “The people sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in revelry.”

Nehemiah 9:18
Even when they cast for themselves an image of a calf and said, ‘This is your God who brought you up out of Egypt,’ and when they committed terrible blasphemies,

Psalm 106:19-23
At Horeb they made a calf and worshiped a molten image. / They exchanged their Glory for the image of a grass-eating ox. / They forgot God their Savior, who did great things in Egypt, ...

Deuteronomy 9:7-8
Remember this, and never forget how you provoked the LORD your God in the wilderness. From the day you left the land of Egypt until you reached this place, you have been rebelling against the LORD. / At Horeb you provoked the LORD, and He was angry enough to destroy you.

1 Kings 12:28-30
After seeking advice, the king made two golden calves and said to the people, “Going up to Jerusalem is too much for you. Here, O Israel, are your gods, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt.” / One calf he set up in Bethel, and the other in Dan. / And this thing became a sin; the people walked as far as Dan to worship before one of the calves.

2 Kings 17:16-17
They abandoned all the commandments of the LORD their God and made for themselves two cast idols of calves and an Asherah pole. They bowed down to all the host of heaven and served Baal. / They sacrificed their sons and daughters in the fire and practiced divination and soothsaying. They devoted themselves to doing evil in the sight of the LORD, provoking Him to anger.

Hosea 8:4-6
They set up kings, but not by Me. They make princes, but without My approval. With their silver and gold they make themselves idols, to their own destruction. / He has rejected your calf, O Samaria. My anger burns against them. How long will they be incapable of innocence? / For this thing is from Israel—a craftsman made it, and it is not God. It will be broken to pieces, that calf of Samaria.

Isaiah 44:9-20
All makers of idols are nothing, and the things they treasure are worthless. Their witnesses fail to see or comprehend, so they are put to shame. / Who fashions a god or casts an idol which profits him nothing? / Behold, all his companions will be put to shame, for the craftsmen themselves are only human. Let them all assemble and take their stand; they will all be brought to terror and shame. ...

Jeremiah 7:9-10
Will you steal and murder, commit adultery and perjury, burn incense to Baal, and follow other gods that you have not known, / and then come and stand before Me in this house, which bears My Name, and say, ‘We are delivered, so we can continue with all these abominations’?

Ezekiel 20:8
But they rebelled against Me and refused to listen. None of them cast away the abominations before their eyes, and they did not forsake the idols of Egypt. So I resolved to pour out My wrath upon them and vent My anger against them in the land of Egypt.

Romans 1:21-23
For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts. / Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools, / and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images of mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.

Galatians 4:8
Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods.

1 John 5:21
Little children, keep yourselves from idols.


Treasury of Scripture

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

Genesis 20:9
Then Abimelech called Abraham, and said unto him, What hast thou done unto us? and what have I offended thee, that thou hast brought on me and on my kingdom a great sin? thou hast done deeds unto me that ought not to be done.

Genesis 26:10
And Abimelech said, What is this thou hast done unto us? one of the people might lightly have lien with thy wife, and thou shouldest have brought guiltiness upon us.

Deuteronomy 13:6-8
If thy brother, the son of thy mother, or thy son, or thy daughter, or the wife of thy bosom, or thy friend, which is as thine own soul, entice thee secretly, saying, Let us go and serve other gods, which thou hast not known, thou, nor thy fathers; …

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Aaron Great Led Moses Sin
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Aaron Great Led Moses Sin
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 did this people do to you
This phrase begins with Moses confronting Aaron, his brother, and the high priest, about the grave sin of idolatry that the Israelites have committed. The Hebrew word for "people" here is "עָם" (am), which often refers to a collective group bound by common identity or purpose. Moses' question implies a sense of incredulity and disappointment. He is seeking to understand what could have possibly driven Aaron to allow such a transgression. This reflects Moses' role as a leader who is deeply concerned with the spiritual well-being of his people. Historically, this moment is pivotal as it underscores the tension between leadership and accountability within the community of Israel.

Moses asked
Moses, the central figure in the Exodus narrative, is portrayed here as a mediator between God and the Israelites. His questioning of Aaron is not just a personal inquiry but a representation of divine justice seeking to understand human failure. The Hebrew root for "asked" is "שָׁאַל" (sha'al), which can also mean to inquire or demand. This indicates that Moses is not merely curious but is demanding an explanation for the breach of covenant that has occurred. Moses' leadership is characterized by his direct communication with God and his responsibility to guide the people according to divine law.

that you have led them
The phrase "led them" is critical as it places responsibility on Aaron for the people's actions. The Hebrew verb "הֵבִיא" (hevi) suggests bringing or causing to come. Aaron's role as a leader is under scrutiny, highlighting the influence and responsibility leaders have over their followers. This moment serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of poor leadership and the ease with which people can be led astray when their leaders fail to uphold righteous standards.

into so great a sin?
The term "great" in Hebrew is "גָּדוֹל" (gadol), which emphasizes the severity of the sin committed. The "sin" referred to is the creation and worship of the golden calf, a direct violation of the first two commandments given by God. This act of idolatry is not just a minor transgression but a profound breach of the covenant relationship between God and Israel. The historical context of this event is significant as it occurs shortly after the Israelites have received the law at Mount Sinai, making their sin even more grievous. This phrase serves as a reminder of the seriousness with which God views idolatry and the importance of faithfulness to His commandments.

(21) Moses said unto Aaron, What did this people unto thee ?--The second step was to inquire how the idolatry came about; and here Moses very reasonably addressed himself to Aaron. Aaron had been left in charge of the people (Exodus 24:14), to advise them, direct them, control them, if necessary. How had he acquitted himself of this charge? He had allowed the people to commit a great sin. What excuse could he offer for his conduct? Had the people injured him in any way? The question is asked ironically.

Verses 21-24. - AARON TRIES TO EXCUSE HIMSELF. Having taken the needful steps for the destruction of the idol, Moses naturally turned upon Aaron. He had been left in charge of the people, to guide them, instruct them, counsel them in difficulties (Exodus 24:14). How had he acquitted himself of his task? He had led the people into a great sin - had at any rate connived at it - assisted in it. Moses therefore asks, "What had the people done to him, that he should so act? How had they injured him, that he should so greatly injure them?" To this he has no direct reply. But he will not acknowledge himself in fault - he must excuse himself. And his excuse is twofold: -

1. It was the people's fault, not his; they were "set on mischief."

2. It was a fatality - he threw the gold into the fire, and "it came out this calf." We are not surprised, after this, to read in Deuteronomy, that "the Lord was very angry with Aaron to have destroyed him," and was only hindered from his purpose by the intercession of Moses Verse 21. - What did this people unto thee? Moses does not suppose that the people had really done anything to Aaron. He asks the question as a reproach - they had done nothing to thee - had in no way injured thee - and yet thou broughtest this evil upon them. So great a sin. Literally, "a great sin" - the sin of idolatry. If Aaron had offered a strenuous opposition from the first, the idolatry might not have taken place - the people might have been brought to a better mind.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
“What
מֶֽה־ (meh-)
Interrogative
Strong's 4100: What?, what!, indefinitely what

did this
הַזֶּ֑ה (haz·zeh)
Article | Pronoun - masculine singular
Strong's 2088: This, that

people
הָעָ֣ם (hā·‘ām)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

do
עָשָׂ֥ה (‘ā·śāh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6213: To do, make

to you,”
לְךָ֖ (lə·ḵā)
Preposition | second person masculine singular
Strong's Hebrew

Moses
מֹשֶׁה֙ (mō·šeh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 4872: Moses -- a great Israelite leader, prophet and lawgiver

asked
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

Aaron,
אַהֲרֹ֔ן (’a·hă·rōn)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 175: Aaron -- an elder brother of Moses

“that
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

you have led
הֵבֵ֥אתָ (hê·ḇê·ṯā)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

them into
עָלָ֖יו (‘ā·lāw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

so great
גְדֹלָֽה׃ (ḡə·ḏō·lāh)
Adjective - feminine singular
Strong's 1419: Great, older, insolent

a sin?”
חֲטָאָ֥ה (ḥă·ṭā·’āh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 2401: An offence, a sacrifice for, it


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