Exodus 32 32

Exodus 32:32 kjv

Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin--; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written.

Exodus 32:32 nkjv

Yet now, if You will forgive their sin?but if not, I pray, blot me out of Your book which You have written."

Exodus 32:32 niv

But now, please forgive their sin?but if not, then blot me out of the book you have written."

Exodus 32:32 esv

But now, if you will forgive their sin ? but if not, please blot me out of your book that you have written."

Exodus 32:32 nlt

But now, if you will only forgive their sin ? but if not, erase my name from the record you have written!"

Exodus 32 verses

Exodus 32 32 Meaning

Exodus 32:32 reveals Moses' profound, self-sacrificial love and devotion for the Israelite nation following their sin with the Golden Calf. He acts as a desperate intercessor, pleading with God to forgive their grave offense. His plea escalates to an extraordinary level, where he offers himself as a substitute for their destruction, desiring to be erased from God's "book" of life if it would mean the salvation of his people. This radical appeal highlights Moses' unique role as mediator and his deep identification with those he led, valuing their spiritual life over his own temporal existence.

Exodus 32 32 Context

Exodus 32:32 stands at a pivotal moment in Israel's history with God. Just after receiving the Ten Commandments and entering into a covenant relationship with God at Mount Sinai (Ex 19-24), the Israelites committed a grievous sin by constructing and worshipping a golden calf in Moses' absence (Ex 32:1-6). God's furious response (Ex 32:7-10) included a declaration to consume the people and raise up a new nation from Moses. Verses 11-14 describe Moses' initial passionate intercession, reminding God of His covenant and character, which causes God to "relent." Verse 32 is a subsequent and even deeper expression of Moses' plea after he has returned to the camp, witnessed the idolatry, destroyed the tablets, and confronted the people. It demonstrates Moses taking responsibility and extreme identification with his people's sin before God, seeking their full pardon, even at the cost of his own spiritual life. This plea underscores the gravity of the people's sin and the immense cost of forgiveness, prefiguring the ultimate sacrifice for sin.

Exodus 32 32 Word analysis

• "But now" (וְעַתָּה, v'attah): This phrase acts as a strong conjunction, marking a dramatic shift in Moses' prayer from simply appealing to God's character to an extreme personal sacrifice. It sets up an urgent and radical proposition.
• "if you will forgive" (נָשָׂא, nasa): The Hebrew verb nasa means "to lift, bear, carry." In the context of sin, it denotes "to bear the burden of sin," "to carry away sin," or "to forgive." Moses is pleading for God to take away the guilt of their offense, highlighting the active role of a divine pardon.
• "their sin" (חַטָּאתָם, chattatam): This specifically refers to the profound act of idolatry involving the golden calf. Chattat implies "missing the mark," a fundamental deviation from God's standards and covenant. It underscores the severity of breaking covenant directly after its establishment.
• "but if not": This stark clause emphasizes the unconditionality and gravity of Moses' following proposal. It creates a stark choice, intensifying his desperation and commitment to his people.
• "please blot me out" (מְחֵנִי, m'cheni from מָחָה, machah): The verb machah means "to wipe away," "erase," or "obliterate," similar to wiping writing from a tablet or a name from a list. Moses is requesting his complete spiritual annihilation and removal from God's remembrance, not just temporal death, but a separation from God's covenant and promises.
• "out of your book" (סִפְרְךָ, sifreka): This refers to a "book of life" or "book of remembrance." Though not explicitly named the "Book of Life" here, later Scripture confirms it as a divine registry of those who belong to God, those destined for continued life (both temporal and eternal), blessing, and covenant fellowship with Him.
• "that you have written" (אֲשֶׁר כָּתָבְתָּ, asher katavta): This phrase emphasizes the divine authorship and sovereignty over this "book." It signifies that the listing within this book is an act of God's perfect knowledge and righteous decree, not subject to human manipulation.
• "if you will forgive their sin—but if not, please blot me out": This powerful conditional statement forms the core of Moses' audacious intercession. It encapsulates his willingness to sacrifice his own spiritual standing and destiny, taking upon himself the judgment intended for the guilty Israelites, in an act of profound self-substitutionary love and empathy. This foreshadows the vicarious atonement central to Christ's work.

Exodus 32 32 Bonus section

• Moses' self-sacrificial offer serves as a powerful theological type, illustrating the principle of substitutionary atonement long before Christ's perfect fulfillment. While Moses' offer was not accepted in this specific way for the full and final atonement of sin, it highlighted the concept of an innocent one suffering for the guilty.
• The "Book of Life" evolves in biblical understanding. In Exodus, it might primarily signify inclusion in the covenant community destined for the promised land and its blessings. However, its development throughout Scripture points to an ultimate, eternal record of those justified and granted eternal life with God (e.g., in Rev 21:27).
• The parallel between Moses' plea here and Paul's anguish for Israel's salvation in Rom 9:3 is striking. Both great leaders demonstrated a profound, Christ-like love and willingness to be separated from divine favor for the sake of their kinsmen, illustrating the ultimate burden of genuine compassion for lost souls.
• God's response to Moses' intercession, though not taking Moses literally from the book, underscores the divine principle that each soul must ultimately bear the consequence of its own sin (Ex 32:33), even while God offers mercy based on intercession and eventually, the ultimate sacrifice.

Exodus 32 32 Commentary

Exodus 32:32 is a monumental expression of intercessory love, where Moses moves beyond mere pleading to offer himself as a substitute for Israel's sin. His request to be "blotted out of your book" means far more than just physical death; it implies erasure from divine memory, from covenant participation, and from the destiny of God's elect, signifying a spiritual severance. This desperate, selfless plea reveals Moses' unparalleled identification with his people and his immense love, choosing their spiritual life over his own. It foreshadows the ultimate mediation and substitution of Jesus Christ, who perfectly bore the sins of the world. This verse underscores the extreme cost of sin, the need for divine pardon, and the radical, self-giving nature of true spiritual leadership.