The Meaning of Exodus 32:10 Explained

Exodus 32:10

KJV: Now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may wax hot against them, and that I may consume them: and I will make of thee a great nation.

YLT: and now, let Me alone, and My anger doth burn against them, and I consume them, and I make thee become a great nation.'

Darby: And now let me alone, that my anger may burn against them, and I may consume them; and I will make of thee a great nation.

ASV: now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may wax hot against them, and that I may consume them: and I will make of thee a great nation.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Now therefore let me alone,  that my wrath  may wax hot  against them, and that I may consume  them: and I will make  of thee a great  nation. 

What does Exodus 32:10 Mean?

Study Notes

let me alone
This whole scene affords a striking contrast between law and grace. (Cf) Moses' intercession with Christ's John 17:1-26 Israel was a nation, under probation Exodus 19:5 ; Exodus 19:6 believers under grace are a family, awaiting glory; John 20:17 ; Romans 5:1 ; Romans 5:2 . For them there is "an advocate with the Father, whose propitiatory sacrifice never loses efficacy 1 John 2:1 ; 1 John 2:2 . Moses pleads a covenant Exodus 32:13 . Christ points to a sacrifice John 17:4 .

Context Summary

Exodus 32:1-14 - Aaron's Golden Calf Offends The Lord
The people never thought of taking Aaron as a substitute for Moses, because they instinctively recognized his moral weakness. Though he was dressed in the garments of the high priest, he was essentially a weak man. This came into evidence:
(1) By his reply to the people. When they demanded the calf he ought to have met them with an indignant negative; but instead, and to prevent the unpopularity which such an attitude might have evoked, he contented himself with putting difficulties in the way of their project. "Surely," he thought, "they will never go on with their mad scheme, if they have to pay for it with their jewels." But the event did not justify his expectations.
(2) By his reply to Moses. "There came out this calf." It was the furnace, not I, that did it. "Blame my heredity, environment, companions," says the wrongdoer. The weak becomes the sinful one. Strong Son of God, help us! Make us strong! See Jeremiah 15:20. [source]

Chapter Summary: 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

What do the individual words in Exodus 32:10 mean?

Now therefore let alone Me that may burn hot My wrath against them and I may consume them and I will make of you a nation great
וְעַתָּה֙ הַנִּ֣יחָה לִּ֔י וְיִֽחַר־ אַפִּ֥י בָהֶ֖ם וַאֲכַלֵּ֑ם וְאֶֽעֱשֶׂ֥ה אוֹתְךָ֖ לְג֥וֹי גָּדֽוֹל

וְעַתָּה֙  Now  therefore 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Adverb
Root: עַתָּה  
Sense: now.
הַנִּ֣יחָה  let  alone 
Parse: Verb, Hifil, Imperative, masculine singular, third person feminine singular
Root: מֻנָּח  
Sense: to rest.
לִּ֔י  Me 
Parse: Preposition, first person common singular
וְיִֽחַר־  that  may  burn  hot 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Conjunctive imperfect Jussive, third person masculine singular
Root: חָרָה  
Sense: to be hot, furious, burn, become angry, be kindled.
אַפִּ֥י  My  wrath 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct, first person common singular
Root: אַף 
Sense: nostril, nose, face.
בָהֶ֖ם  against  them 
Parse: Preposition, third person masculine plural
וַאֲכַלֵּ֑ם  and  I  may  consume  them 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Piel, Conjunctive imperfect Cohortative if contextual, first person common singular, third person masculine plural
Root: כָּלָה  
Sense: to accomplish, cease, consume, determine, end, fail, finish, be complete, be accomplished, be ended, be at an end, be finished, be spent.
וְאֶֽעֱשֶׂ֥ה  and  I  will  make 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Conjunctive imperfect, first person common singular
Root: עָשָׂה 
Sense: to do, fashion, accomplish, make.
אוֹתְךָ֖  of  you 
Parse: Direct object marker, second person masculine singular
Root: אֹות 
Sense: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative.
לְג֥וֹי  a  nation 
Parse: Preposition-l, Noun, masculine singular
Root: גֹּוי 
Sense: nation, people.
גָּדֽוֹל  great 
Parse: Adjective, masculine singular
Root: גָּבֹול 
Sense: great.