Bible Strands
Exodus 32:27
He told them, “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘Each of you men is to fasten his sword to his side, go back and forth through the camp from gate to gate, and slay his brother, his friend, and his neighbor.’”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Moses addresses the Levites at the camp entrance immediately after they gather in response to his call for those aligned with the LORD. He delivers this directive during the immediate aftermath of the golden calf incident.
The words — The Hebrew שִׂ֥ימוּ (Si.mu) literally means "put" or "place," commanding the men to fasten their swords. The term אִישׁ (‘ish) specifies "every man," emphasizing individual compliance within the group.
The thread — This command echoes the judicial execution order in Numbers 25:5 regarding Baal of Peor. The theme of severing primary loyalties for divine priority also appears in Luke 14:26.
Why it lands — The text demands immediate, unfiltered obedience to divine authority over human relationships. It requires the reader to recognize that covenant fidelity may necessitate decisive action against former allies.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And 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.
Cross-references
- Numbers 25:5 So Moses told the judges of Israel, “Each of you must kill all of his men who have joined in worshiping Baal of Peor.”
- Luke 14:26 “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be My disciple.
- Deuteronomy 33:8 Concerning Levi he said: “Give Your Thummim to Levi and Your Urim to Your godly one, whom You tested at Massah and contested at the waters of Meribah.
- Exodus 32:26 So Moses stood at the entrance to the camp and said, “Whoever is for the LORD, come to me.” And all the Levites gathered around him.
- Exodus 32:29 Afterward, Moses said, “Today you have been ordained for service to the LORD, since each man went against his son and his brother; so the LORD has bestowed a blessing on you this day.”
- Numbers 25:7 On seeing this, Phinehas son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, got up from the assembly, took a spear in his hand,
- 2 Corinthians 5:16 So from now on we regard no one according to the flesh. Although we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer.