Exodus 32:20 Meaning and Explanation
“And 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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Moses destroys the calf by burning, grinding, and scattering it in water, then makes the people drink it.
The Context of Exodus 32:20
Moses destroys the golden calf and makes the people consume it.
What Does Exodus 32:20 Mean?
Moses methodically destroyed the idol, making it useless and unrecoverable. By burning and grinding the calf to powder, he demonstrated that this supposed god was merely metal—powerless and perishable.
Forcing the people to drink the powder mixed in water was a form of humiliation and judgment. It made the people ingest the remnants of their false god, a vivid demonstration of its worthlessness and a physical consequence of their idolatry.
Frequently Asked Questions About Exodus 32:20
What does Exodus 32:20 mean?
Moses destroys the calf by burning, grinding, and scattering it in water, then makes the people drink it.
What is the context of Exodus 32:20?
Moses destroys the golden calf and makes the people consume it.