Exodus 32:7 Meaning and Explanation
“And the LORD said unto Moses, Go, get thee down; for thy people, which thou broughtest out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves:”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →God tells Moses to descend from the mountain because the people have corrupted themselves with idolatry.
The Context of Exodus 32:7
God informs Moses of Israel's apostasy at Mount Sinai.
What Does Exodus 32:7 Mean?
While Moses remained on the mountain receiving God's law, the covenant was being broken at its very foundation. God's words to Moses convey both urgency and a shift in how God now refers to the people: thy people, not my people.
Corruption here means a fundamental breaking of covenant. The people had not merely stumbled; they had deliberately chosen to turn from the living God to a dead idol, abandoning the foundation of their relationship with Him.
Exodus 32:7 in the Original Language
shachat (שָׁחַת), 'corrupted' — to destroy, ruin, or act corruptly; often indicates moral degradation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Exodus 32:7
What does Exodus 32:7 mean?
God tells Moses to descend from the mountain because the people have corrupted themselves with idolatry.
What is the context of Exodus 32:7?
God informs Moses of Israel's apostasy at Mount Sinai.