Bible Strands
Exodus 32:30
The next day Moses said to the people, “You have committed a great sin. Now I will go up to the LORD; perhaps I can make atonement for your sin.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Moses addresses the Israelites the day after the golden calf incident, announcing that he will ascend to the LORD to seek atonement for their transgression.
The words — The Hebrew חֲטָאתֶ֖ם (cha.ta.Tem) literally means "you have sinned," directly naming the people's collective guilt without qualification.
The thread — This moment of confessed sin and intercessory initiative runs parallel to Samuel’s address in 1 Samuel 12:20 and Moses’ immediate follow-up prayer in Exodus 32:31.
Why it lands — The text requires precise acknowledgment of wrongdoing and frames intercession as a deliberate, uncertain step toward restoration rather than an automatic guarantee.
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 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.
Cross-references
- 1 Samuel 12:20 “Do not be afraid,” Samuel replied. “Even though you have committed all this evil, do not turn aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart.
- Numbers 25:13 It will be a covenant of permanent priesthood for him and his descendants, because he was zealous for his God and made atonement for the Israelites.”
- Exodus 32:31 So Moses returned to the LORD and said, “Oh, what a great sin these people have committed! They have made gods of gold for themselves.
- Numbers 16:47 So Aaron took the censer as Moses had ordered and ran into the midst of the assembly. And seeing that the plague had begun among the people, he offered the incense and made atonement for the people.
- 1 Samuel 12:23 As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by ceasing to pray for you. And I will continue to teach you the good and right way.
- 2 Samuel 16:12 Perhaps the LORD will see my affliction and repay me with good for the cursing I receive today.”
- 2 Kings 17:21 When the LORD had torn Israel away from the house of David, they made Jeroboam son of Nebat king, and Jeroboam led Israel away from following the LORD and caused them to commit a great sin.
- Amos 5:15 Hate evil and love good; establish justice in the gate. Perhaps the LORD, the God of Hosts, will be gracious to the remnant of Joseph.”
- Jonah 3:9 Who knows? God may turn and relent; He may turn from His fierce anger, so that we will not perish.”
- 1 Samuel 2:17 Thus the sin of these young men was severe in the sight of the LORD, for they were treating the LORD’s offering with contempt.