Exodus 32:5

New English Translation

Footnotes

1. Exodus 32:5 tn The preterite with the vav (ו) consecutive is subordinated as a temporal clause to the next preterite.
2. Exodus 32:5 tn The word “this” has been supplied.
3. Exodus 32:5 tn “Before it” means before the deity in the form of the calf. Aaron tried to redirect their worship to Yahweh, but the people had already broken down the barrier and were beyond control (U. Cassuto, Exodus, 413).
4. Exodus 32:5 tn Heb “called.”
5. Exodus 32:5 sn The word is חַג (khag), the pilgrim’s festival. This was the word used by Moses for their pilgrimage into the wilderness. Aaron seems here to be trying to do what Moses had intended they do, make a feast to Yahweh at Sinai, but his efforts will not compete with the idol. As B. Jacob says, Aaron saw all this happening and tried to rescue the true belief (Exodus, 941).