Exodus 32:11
New International Version
But Moses sought the favor of the LORD his God. “LORD,” he said, “why should your anger burn against your people, whom you brought out of Egypt with great power and a mighty hand?

New Living Translation
But Moses tried to pacify the LORD his God. “O LORD!” he said. “Why are you so angry with your own people whom you brought from the land of Egypt with such great power and such a strong hand?

English Standard Version
But Moses implored the LORD his God and said, “O LORD, why does your wrath burn hot against your people, whom you have brought out of the land of Egypt with great power and with a mighty hand?

Berean Standard Bible
But Moses sought the favor of the LORD his God, saying, “O LORD, why does Your anger burn against Your people, whom You brought out of the land of Egypt with great power and a mighty hand?

King James Bible
And Moses besought the LORD his God, and said, LORD, why doth thy wrath wax hot against thy people, which thou hast brought forth out of the land of Egypt with great power, and with a mighty hand?

New King James Version
Then Moses pleaded with the LORD his God, and said: “LORD, why does Your wrath burn hot against Your people whom You have brought out of the land of Egypt with great power and with a mighty hand?

New American Standard Bible
Then Moses pleaded with the LORD his God, and said, “LORD, why does Your anger burn against Your people whom You have brought out from the land of Egypt with great power and with a mighty hand?

NASB 1995
Then Moses entreated the LORD his God, and said, “O LORD, why does Your anger burn against Your people whom You have brought out from the land of Egypt with great power and with a mighty hand?

NASB 1977
Then Moses entreated the LORD his God, and said, “O LORD, why doth Thine anger burn against Thy people whom Thou hast brought out from the land of Egypt with great power and with a mighty hand?

Legacy Standard Bible
Then Moses entreated the favor of Yahweh his God and said, “O Yahweh, why does Your anger burn against Your people whom You have brought out of the land of Egypt with great power and with a strong hand?

Amplified Bible
But Moses appeased and entreated the LORD his God, and said, “LORD, why does Your anger burn against Your people whom You have brought out of the land of Egypt with great power and a mighty hand?

Christian Standard Bible
But Moses sought the favor of the LORD his God: “LORD, why does your anger burn against your people you brought out of the land of Egypt with great power and a strong hand?

Holman Christian Standard Bible
But Moses interceded with the LORD his God: “ LORD, why does Your anger burn against Your people You brought out of the land of Egypt with great power and a strong hand?

American Standard Version
And Moses besought Jehovah his God, and said, Jehovah, why doth thy wrath wax hot against thy people, that thou hast brought forth out of the land of Egypt with great power and with a mighty hand?

Contemporary English Version
Moses tried to get the LORD God to change his mind: Our LORD, you used your mighty power to bring these people out of Egypt. Now don't become angry and destroy them.

English Revised Version
And Moses besought the LORD his God, and said, LORD, why doth thy wrath wax hot against thy people, which thou hast brought forth out of the land of Egypt with great power and with a mighty hand?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
But Moses pleaded with the LORD his God. "LORD," he said, "why are you so angry with your people whom you brought out of Egypt using your great power and mighty hand?

Good News Translation
But Moses pleaded with the LORD his God and said, "LORD, why should you be so angry with your people, whom you rescued from Egypt with great might and power?

International Standard Version
But Moses implored the LORD his God: "LORD, why are you angry with your people whom you brought out of the land of Egypt with great power and a show of force?

Majority Standard Bible
But Moses sought the favor of the LORD his God, saying, “O LORD, why does Your anger burn against Your people, whom You brought out of the land of Egypt with great power and a mighty hand?

NET Bible
But Moses sought the favor of the LORD his God and said, "O LORD, why does your anger burn against your people, whom you have brought out from the land of Egypt with great power and with a mighty hand?

New Heart English Bible
Moses pleaded with the LORD his God, and said, "O LORD, why does your wrath burn hot against your people, that you have brought forth out of the land of Egypt with great power and with a mighty hand?

Webster's Bible Translation
And Moses besought the LORD his God, and said, LORD, why thy wrath wax hot against thy people, which thou hast forth from the land of Egypt, with great power, and with mighty hand?

World English Bible
Moses begged Yahweh his God, and said, “Yahweh, why does your wrath burn hot against your people, that you have brought out of the land of Egypt with great power and with a mighty hand?
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Moses appeases the face of his God YHWH and says, “Why, O YHWH, does Your anger burn against Your people, whom You have brought forth out of the land of Egypt with great power and with a strong hand?

Young's Literal Translation
And Moses appeaseth the face of Jehovah his God, and saith, 'Why, O Jehovah, doth Thine anger burn against Thy people, whom Thou hast brought forth out of the land of Egypt with great power and with a strong hand?

Smith's Literal Translation
And Moses will supplicate the face of Jehovah, his God, and will say, For what will thy wrath kindle against thy people which thou didst bring forth out of the land of Egypt by thy great power and with a strong hand?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But Moses besought the Lord his God, saying: Why, O Lord, is thy indignation kindled against thy people, whom thou hast brought out of the land of Egypt, with great power, and with a mighty hand?

Catholic Public Domain Version
Then Moses prayed to the Lord his God, saying: “Why, O Lord, is your fury enraged against your people, whom you led away from the land of Egypt, with great strength and with a mighty hand?

New American Bible
But Moses implored the LORD, his God, saying, “Why, O LORD, should your anger burn against your people, whom you brought out of the land of Egypt with great power and with a strong hand?

New Revised Standard Version
But Moses implored the LORD his God, and said, “O LORD, why does your wrath burn hot against your people, whom you brought out of the land of Egypt with great power and with a mighty hand?
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
But Moses prayed before the LORD his God and said, Not so, O LORD, let not thy wrath kindle against thy people whom thou hast brought forth out of the land of Egypt with great power and with a mighty hand.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Now leave me and my anger will prevail with them and I shall destroy them and I shall make you a great nation.”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And Moses besought the LORD his God, and said: 'LORD, why doth Thy wrath wax hot against Thy people, that Thou hast brought forth out of the land of Egypt with great power and with a mighty hand?

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Moses prayed before the Lord God, and said, Wherefore, O Lord, art thou very angry with thy people, whom thou broughtest out of the land of Egypt with great strength, and with thy high arm?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Moses Informed of Israel's Sin
10Now leave Me alone, so that My anger may burn against them and consume them. Then I will make you into a great nation.” 11But Moses sought the favor of the LORD his God, saying, “O LORD, why does Your anger burn against Your people, whom You brought out of the land of Egypt with great power and a mighty hand? 12Why should the Egyptians declare, ‘He brought them out with evil intent, to kill them in the mountains and wipe them from the face of the earth’? Turn from Your fierce anger and relent from doing harm to Your people.…

Cross References
Deuteronomy 9:18-20
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.

Numbers 14:13-19
But Moses said to the LORD, “The Egyptians will hear of it, for by Your strength You brought this people from among them. / And they will tell it to the inhabitants of this land. They have already heard that You, O LORD, are in the midst of this people, that You, O LORD, have been seen face to face, that Your cloud stands over them, and that You go before them in a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. / If You kill this people as one man, the nations who have heard of Your fame will say, ...

Psalm 106:23
So He said He would destroy them—had not Moses His chosen one stood before Him in the breach to divert His wrath from destroying them.

Deuteronomy 9:25-29
So I fell down before the LORD for forty days and forty nights, because the LORD had said He would destroy you. / And I prayed to the LORD and said, “O Lord GOD, do not destroy Your people, Your inheritance, whom You redeemed through Your greatness and brought out of Egypt with a mighty hand. / Remember Your servants Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Overlook the stubbornness of this people and the wickedness of their sin. ...

Nehemiah 9:18-19
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, / You in Your great compassion did not forsake them in the wilderness. By day the pillar of cloud never turned away from guiding them on their path; and by the night the pillar of fire illuminated the way they should go.

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, ...

1 Samuel 12:22
Indeed, for the sake of His great name, the LORD will not abandon His people, because He was pleased to make you His own.

2 Kings 13:23
But the LORD was gracious to Israel and had compassion on them, and He turned toward them because of His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. And to this day, the LORD has been unwilling to destroy them or cast them from His presence.

Isaiah 63:11-14
Then His people remembered the days of old, the days of Moses. Where is He who brought them through the sea with the shepherds of His flock? Where is the One who set His Holy Spirit among them, / who sent His glorious arm to lead them by the right hand of Moses, who divided the waters before them to gain for Himself everlasting renown, / who led them through the depths like a horse in the wilderness, so that they did not stumble? ...

Jeremiah 14:21
For the sake of Your name do not despise us; do not disgrace Your glorious throne. Remember Your covenant with us; do not break it.

Ezekiel 20:9
But I acted for the sake of My name, that it should not be profaned in the eyes of the nations among whom they were living, in whose sight I had revealed Myself to Israel by bringing them out of the land of Egypt.

Daniel 9:15-19
Now, O Lord our God, who brought Your people out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand, and who made for Yourself a name renowned to this day, we have sinned; we have acted wickedly. / O Lord, in keeping with all Your righteous acts, I pray that Your anger and wrath may turn away from Your city Jerusalem, Your holy mountain; for because of our sins and the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and Your people are a reproach to all around us. / So now, our God, hear the prayers and petitions of Your servant. For Your sake, O Lord, cause Your face to shine upon Your desolate sanctuary. ...

Romans 9:4-5
the people of Israel. Theirs is the adoption as sons; theirs the divine glory and the covenants; theirs the giving of the law, the temple worship, and the promises. / Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them proceeds the human descent of Christ, who is God over all, forever worthy of praise! Amen.

Acts 7:35-40
This Moses, whom they had rejected with the words, ‘Who made you ruler and judge?’ is the one whom God sent to be their ruler and redeemer through the angel who appeared to him in the bush. / He led them out and performed wonders and signs in the land of Egypt, at the Red Sea, and for forty years in the wilderness. / This is the same Moses who told the Israelites, ‘God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your brothers.’ ...

Hebrews 3:16-19
For who were the ones who heard and rebelled? Were they not all those Moses led out of Egypt? / And with whom was God angry for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness? / And to whom did He swear that they would never enter His rest? Was it not to those who disobeyed? ...


Treasury of Scripture

And Moses sought the LORD his God, and said, LORD, why does your wrath wax hot against your people, which you have brought forth out of the land of Egypt with great power, and with a mighty hand?

besought

Deuteronomy 9:18-20,26-29
And I fell down before the LORD, as at the first, forty days and forty nights: I did neither eat bread, nor drink water, because of all your sins which ye sinned, in doing wickedly in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger…

Psalm 106:23
Therefore he said that he would destroy them, had not Moses his chosen stood before him in the breach, to turn away his wrath, lest he should destroy them.

the Lord his God.

Numbers 11:11
And Moses said unto the LORD, Wherefore hast thou afflicted thy servant? and wherefore have I not found favour in thy sight, that thou layest the burden of all this people upon me?

Numbers 16:22
And they fell upon their faces, and said, O God, the God of the spirits of all flesh, shall one man sin, and wilt thou be wroth with all the congregation?

Deuteronomy 9:18-20
And I fell down before the LORD, as at the first, forty days and forty nights: I did neither eat bread, nor drink water, because of all your sins which ye sinned, in doing wickedly in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger…

which thou

Exodus 32:7
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:

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Anger Begged Besought Burn Egypt Entreated Forth Great Hand Hot Mighty Moses Power Wax Wrath
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Anger Begged Besought Burn Egypt Entreated Forth Great Hand Hot Mighty Moses Power Wax Wrath
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














But Moses sought the favor of the LORD his God
This phrase highlights Moses' role as an intercessor. The Hebrew word for "sought" is "ḥālal," which can mean to entreat or to plead. Moses stands in the gap between God and the Israelites, demonstrating the power of prayer and intercession. In a historical context, this reflects the ancient Near Eastern practice where leaders would often act as mediators between their people and the divine. Moses' relationship with God is personal and intimate, as indicated by "his God," showing a deep covenantal bond.

O LORD
The use of "LORD" in all caps signifies the Hebrew name "YHWH," the personal and covenantal name of God. This name is sacred and denotes God's eternal, self-existent nature. By invoking this name, Moses appeals to God's covenantal promises and His unchanging nature. It is a reminder of the relationship established with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and the faithfulness of God to His promises.

why does Your anger burn
The phrase "Your anger burn" uses the Hebrew word "ḥārâ," which conveys a sense of intense, consuming anger. This anthropomorphic expression helps readers understand the seriousness of Israel's sin in God's eyes. Historically, divine anger was a common theme in ancient texts, often associated with covenant violations. Moses' question is not just rhetorical; it is a plea for understanding and a call for God to remember His mercy.

against Your people
By referring to the Israelites as "Your people," Moses reminds God of His ownership and responsibility towards them. This phrase emphasizes the covenant relationship between God and Israel. Despite their sin, they remain God's chosen people, a theme that runs throughout the Old Testament. It underscores the idea that God's relationship with His people is based on His promises, not their performance.

whom You brought out of the land of Egypt
This phrase recalls the Exodus, a foundational event in Israel's history. The deliverance from Egypt is a testament to God's power and faithfulness. The Hebrew word for "brought out" is "yāṣā'," which means to lead or bring forth. This act of deliverance is central to Israel's identity and serves as a constant reminder of God's saving grace. It is a call for God to remember His past acts of mercy and to act consistently with His character.

with great power and a mighty hand
The terms "great power" and "mighty hand" are expressions of God's omnipotence. The Hebrew word for "power" is "gāḏôl," meaning great or significant, and "mighty hand" uses "ḥāzāq," indicating strength or force. These phrases are often used in the Old Testament to describe God's ability to perform miraculous acts. They serve as a reminder of God's unmatched strength and His ability to save and protect His people. Moses appeals to these attributes, urging God to act in accordance with His nature as a powerful and compassionate deliverer.

MOSES' REPLY, AND GOD'S "REPENTANCE."

(11-13) Moses has three arguments: (1) God has done so much for His people, that surely He will not now make all of none effect (Exodus 32:11); (2) their destruction will give a triumph to the Egyptians (Exodus 32:12); (3) it will nullify the promises made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Genesis 15:5; Genesis 17:2-6; Genesis 26:1; Genesis 28:12; Genesis 35:11), causing Moses to eclipse their glory, and to be looked upon as the true patriarch and progenitor of the "peculiar people" (Exodus 32:13). To these arguments he adds entreaties that God will be merciful, and change His purpose (Exodus 32:12). . . .

Verses 11-13. - Moses has three pleas wherewith he "wrestles with God:" -

1. Israel is God's people, for whom he has done so much that surely he will not now destroy them, and so undo his own work.

2. Egypt will be triumphant if Israel is swept away, and will misapprehend the Divine action.

3. The promises made to Abraham (Genesis 15:5; Genesis 17:2-6; etc.), Isaac (Genesis 26:4), and Jacob (Genesis 28:14; Genesis 35:11), which had received a partial fulfilment, would seem to be revoked and withdrawn if the nation already formed were destroyed and a fresh start made.

Parallel Commentaries ...


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

entreated
וַיְחַ֣ל (way·ḥal)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 2470: To be weak or sick

the LORD
יְהוָ֣ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

his God,
אֱלֹהָ֑יו (’ĕ·lō·hāw)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

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

“O LORD,
יְהוָה֙ (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

why
לָמָ֤ה (lā·māh)
Interrogative
Strong's 4100: What?, what!, indefinitely what

does Your anger
אַפְּךָ֙ (’ap·pə·ḵā)
Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 639: The nose, nostril, the face, a person, ire

burn
יֶחֱרֶ֤ה (ye·ḥĕ·reh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 2734: To glow, grow warm, to blaze up, of anger, zeal, jealousy

against Your people,
בְּעַמֶּ֔ךָ (bə·‘am·me·ḵā)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

whom
אֲשֶׁ֤ר (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

You brought
הוֹצֵ֙אתָ֙ (hō·w·ṣê·ṯā)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 3318: To go, bring, out, direct and proxim

out of the land
מֵאֶ֣רֶץ (mê·’e·reṣ)
Preposition-m | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 776: Earth, land

of Egypt
מִצְרַ֔יִם (miṣ·ra·yim)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 4714: Egypt -- a son of Ham, also his descendants and their country in Northwest Africa

with great
גָּד֖וֹל (gā·ḏō·wl)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 1419: Great, older, insolent

power
בְּכֹ֥חַ (bə·ḵō·aḥ)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3581: A small reptile (of unknown species)

and a mighty
חֲזָקָֽה׃ (ḥă·zā·qāh)
Adjective - feminine singular
Strong's 2389: Strong, stout, mighty

hand?
וּבְיָ֥ד (ū·ḇə·yāḏ)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 3027: A hand


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OT Law: Exodus 32:11 Moses begged Yahweh his God and said (Exo. Ex)
Exodus 32:10
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