Verse (Click for Chapter) 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? Berean Literal Bible And Moses pleaded the face of YHWH his God, and he said, “Why, O YHWH, does Your anger burn hot against Your people, whom You have brought out from the land of Egypt with great power and with 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? Berean Annotated Bible But Moses (drawn out) sought the favor of the LORD his God {YHWH Elohaw}, saying, “O LORD, why does Your anger burn against Your people, whom You brought out of the land of Egypt (land of bondage) 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? 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? Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleBut 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? 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 VersionAnd 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? Berean Literal Bible And Moses pleaded the face of YHWH his God, and he said, “Why, O YHWH, does Your anger burn hot against Your people, whom You have brought out from the land of Egypt with great power and with a mighty 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 BibleBut 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 BibleBut 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 1917And 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 But Moses sought the favor of the LORD his God, Exodus 33:12-13 Then Moses said to the LORD, “Look, You have been telling me, ‘Lead this people up,’ but You have not let me know whom You will send with me. Yet You have said, ‘I know you by name, and you have found favor in My sight.’ / Now if indeed I have found favor in Your sight, please let me know Your ways, that I may know You and find favor in Your sight. Remember that this nation is Your people.” Deuteronomy 9:18-19 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. 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. saying, “O LORD, why does Your anger burn against Your people, Deuteronomy 9:8 At Horeb you provoked the LORD, and He was angry enough to destroy you. Psalm 106:40-41 So the anger of the LORD burned against His people, and He abhorred His own inheritance. / He delivered them into the hand of the nations, and those who hated them ruled over them. Psalm 78:21-22 Therefore the LORD heard and was filled with wrath; so a fire was kindled against Jacob, and His anger flared against Israel, / because they did not believe God or rely on His salvation. whom You brought out of the land of Egypt Exodus 20:2 “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. Deuteronomy 5:6 “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. Psalm 105:43 He brought forth His people with rejoicing, His chosen with shouts of joy. with great power and a mighty hand?” Deuteronomy 9:29 But they are Your people, Your inheritance, whom You brought out by Your great power and outstretched arm.” Deuteronomy 7:8 But because the LORD loved you and kept the oath He swore to your fathers, He brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the house of slavery, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt. Deuteronomy 4:34 Or has any god tried to take as his own a nation out of another nation—by trials, signs, wonders, and war, by a strong hand and an outstretched arm, and by great terrors—as the LORD your God did for you in Egypt, before your eyes? 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, … 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, … 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: Jump to Previous Anger Begged Besought Burn Egypt Entreated Forth Great Hand Hot Mighty Moses Power Wax WrathJump to Next Anger Begged Besought Burn Egypt Entreated Forth Great Hand Hot Mighty Moses Power Wax WrathExodus 32 1. The people in the absence of Moses, caused Aaron to make a calf7. 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 Moses acts as an intercessor, a role that foreshadows Christ's mediatory work. This phrase highlights the intimate relationship Moses has with God, emphasizing his role as a prophet and leader. The Hebrew term for "sought the favor" implies a deep, earnest plea, reflecting Moses' dedication and concern for the Israelites. This intercession is a pivotal moment, showcasing the power of prayer and the importance of a mediator between God and humanity. 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? Persons / Places / Events 1. MosesThe leader of the Israelites, chosen by God to lead His people out of Egypt. In Exodus 32:11, Moses intercedes for the Israelites after they have sinned by worshiping the golden calf. 2. The LORD (Yahweh) The covenant God of Israel, who is angered by the Israelites' idolatry and considers destroying them. 3. The Israelites The people of God who have been delivered from Egypt but have quickly turned to idolatry in Moses' absence. 4. Mount Sinai The mountain where Moses received the Ten Commandments and where the events of Exodus 32 take place. 5. The Golden Calf An idol made by the Israelites in Moses' absence, representing a significant breach of their covenant with God. Teaching Points The Power of IntercessionMoses' prayer demonstrates the importance and power of intercession. Believers are called to pray for others, standing in the gap as Moses did for the Israelites. God's Mercy and Justice This passage highlights the balance between God's justice and mercy. While God is justly angered by sin, He is also merciful and responsive to sincere intercession. The Danger of Idolatry The Israelites' quick turn to idolatry serves as a warning against placing anything above God. Believers must guard their hearts against modern forms of idolatry. Leadership and Responsibility Moses' response to the crisis shows the responsibility of leaders to advocate for and guide their people back to God. Christian leaders today are called to shepherd their flocks with similar dedication. Remembering God's Promises Moses appeals to God's promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, reminding us of the importance of knowing and trusting in God's covenant promises. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Exodus 32:11?2. How does Moses' intercession in Exodus 32:11 model effective prayer for us today? 3. What does Moses' plea reveal about God's relationship with His chosen people? 4. How can we apply Moses' example of humility in our daily lives? 5. Connect Exodus 32:11 with other instances of intercession in the Bible. 6. What does Moses' appeal teach us about God's promises and faithfulness? 7. Why did Moses intercede for the Israelites in Exodus 32:11 despite their sin? 8. How does Exodus 32:11 reflect God's relationship with His chosen people? 9. What does Moses' plea in Exodus 32:11 reveal about his leadership qualities? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Exodus 32? 11. Can prayer alter God's decisions? 12. What does the Bible say about praying for unbelievers? 13. How can Psalm 90 be attributed to Moses when historical evidence places the Psalms’ compilation long after his lifetime? 14. How does the portrayal of Aaron's role in Exodus 32 align with other biblical depictions of him, and does it reveal inconsistencies across different texts? What Does Exodus 32:11 Mean But Moses sought the favor of the LORD his God• The scene follows Israel’s sin with the golden calf (Exodus 32:1-6). Judgment is deserved, yet Moses “stood in the breach” (Psalm 106:23) and intentionally approached God. • “Sought the favor” is literally to seek the face—an act of personal, relational intercession. Compare Deuteronomy 9:18-19, where Moses again pleads forty days and nights. • Moses models how one redeemed leader prays: grounded in covenant, confident in God’s character, and willing to petition boldly (Hebrews 7:25 points forward to Christ’s greater intercession). • Practical takeaway: when sin erupts, the faithful do not withdraw but run to God on behalf of others (Exodus 33:12-17). “O LORD, why does Your anger burn against Your people” • Moses does not deny the people’s guilt (Exodus 32:7-8); instead he questions the duration and outcome of God’s wrath. • He appeals to relationship: “Your people.” Covenant language reminds God of His own promises (Genesis 15:13-14; Exodus 6:7). • Righteous anger is real (Deuteronomy 9:7-8; Psalm 78:40), yet Moses argues for mercy because of God’s ownership and love (Isaiah 63:9). • Notice the reverent tone—Moses addresses “LORD” (YHWH), the name tied to steadfast covenant faithfulness (Exodus 3:14-15). “whom You brought out of the land of Egypt” • Moses anchors his plea in history: the Exodus is God’s undeniable act of redemption (Exodus 13:3; Deuteronomy 4:34). • By rehearsing redemption, Moses underscores the absurdity of abandoning the people now; God’s past grace is the basis for present mercy (Romans 8:32). • This pattern—remembering salvation to plead for continued grace—appears throughout Scripture (Nehemiah 9:9-15; Psalm 105:26-38). “with great power and a mighty hand” • The two phrases stress God’s sovereign, public, and incomparable deliverance (Deuteronomy 26:8; Jeremiah 32:21). • Moses highlights God’s reputation: if the people perish, the nations might question that very power (Exodus 32:12). • Application points: – God’s past victories fuel present faith. – Intercession appeals to God’s glory as well as human need (Numbers 14:13-19). – Believers today can recall the greater exodus accomplished at the cross (Colossians 1:13) when pleading for mercy. summary Exodus 32:11 portrays Moses as an intercessor who lovingly stands between a holy God and a sinful people. He bases his appeal on relationship (“Your people”), redemption (“brought out of Egypt”), and God’s renown (“great power and a mighty hand”). The verse teaches that divine wrath is real, yet God invites earnest, covenant-rooted prayer that seeks His favor, remembers His past acts, and longs for His glory to shine in mercy. 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. Hebrew But Mosesמֹשֶׁ֔ה (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 Links Exodus 32:11 NIVExodus 32:11 NLT Exodus 32:11 ESV Exodus 32:11 NASB Exodus 32:11 KJV Exodus 32:11 BibleApps.com Exodus 32:11 Biblia Paralela Exodus 32:11 Chinese Bible Exodus 32:11 French Bible Exodus 32:11 Catholic Bible OT Law: Exodus 32:11 Moses begged Yahweh his God and said (Exo. 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