Exo 32:25-29 | Clarke | e4.org | Verse 25. Moses saw that the people were naked ] They were stripped, says the Targum, of the holy crown that was upon their heads, on which the great and precious name [Ancient Hebrew] JEHOVAH was engraved. But it is more likely that the word parua implies that they were reduced to the most helpless and wretched state, being abandoned by God in the midst of their enemies. This is exactly similar to that expression, : For the Lord brought Judah low, because of Ahaz king of Israel: for he made Judah NAKED, hiphria, and transgressed sore against the Lord . Their nakedness , therefore, though in the first sense it may imply that several of them were despoiled of their ornaments, yet it may also express their defenceless and abandoned state, in consequence of their sin. That they could not literally have all been despoiled of their ornaments, appears evident from their offerings. See , &c.

‏ Exodus 32:25-29

Verse 25. Moses saw that the people were naked] They were stripped, says the Targum, of the holy crown that was upon their heads, on which the great and precious name [Ancient Hebrew] JEHOVAH was engraved. But it is more likely that the word parua implies that they were reduced to the most helpless and wretched state, being abandoned by God in the midst of their enemies. This is exactly similar to that expression, 2Ch 28:19: For the Lord brought Judah low, because of Ahaz king of Israel: for he made Judah NAKED, hiphria, and transgressed sore against the Lord. Their nakedness, therefore, though in the first sense it may imply that several of them were despoiled of their ornaments, yet it may also express their defenceless and abandoned state, in consequence of their sin. That they could not literally have all been despoiled of their ornaments, appears evident from their offerings. See Ex 35:21, &c.

Verse 26. Who is on the Lord's side?] That is, Who among you is free from this transgression?

And all the sons of Levi, &c.] It seems they had no part in this idolatrous business.

Verse 27. From gate to gate] It is probable that there was an enclosed or intrenched camp, in which the chief rulers and heads of the people were, and that this camp had two gates or outlets; and the Levites were commanded to pass from one to the other, slaying as many of the transgressors as they could find.

Verse 28. There fell about three thousand men.] These were no doubt the chief transgressors; having broken the covenant by having other gods besides Jehovah, they lost the Divine protection, and then the justice of God laid hold on and slew them. Moses doubtless had positive orders from God for this act of justice, (see Ex 32:27;) for though, through his intercession, the people were spared so as not to be exterminated as a nation, yet the principal transgressors, those who were set on mischief, Ex 32:22, were to be put to death.

Verse 29. For Moses had said, Consecrate yourselves] Fill your hands to the Lord. See the reason of this form of speech in Clarke's note on "Ex 29:19".