Deuteronomy 9:20

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Deuteronomy 9:20 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

The LORD was angry enough with Aaron to destroy him, but at that time I also prayed for Aaron.

King James Version KJV

And the LORD was very angry with Aaron to have destroyed him: and I prayed for Aaron also the same time.

American Standard Version ASV

And Jehovah was very angry with Aaron to destroy him: and I prayed for Aaron also at the same time.

Bible in Basic English BBE

And the Lord, in his wrath, would have put Aaron to death: and I made prayer for Aaron at the same time.

Free Bible Version FBV

The Lord was so angry with Aaron he was ready to destroy him, but right then I prayed for Aaron too.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

Likewise ye Lord was very angrie with Aaron, euen to destroy him: but at that time I prayed also for Aaron.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

'And with Aaron hath Jehovah shewed himself very angry, to destroy him, and I pray also for Aaron at that time;

World English Bible WEB

The LORD was angry enough with Aaron to destroy him. I prayed for Aaron also at the same time.

Noah Webster Bible WBS

And the LORD was very angry with Aaron to have destroyed him: and I prayed for Aaron also at the same time.

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

And he was exceeding angry against Aaron also, and would have destroyed him, and I prayed in like manner for him.

Translation for Translators T4T

Yahweh was also very angry with Aaron for making that golden calf and was ready to kill Aaron. But at the same time I prayed for Aaron also, and Yahweh answered my prayer.

Study Highlights

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Berean Amplified Bible — Deuteronomy 9:20

BAB

Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Deuteronomy 9:20 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

HEB וּֽ/בְ/אַהֲרֹ֗ן הִתְאַנַּ֧ף יְהוָ֛ה מְאֹ֖ד לְ/הַשְׁמִיד֑/וֹ וָֽ/אֶתְפַּלֵּ֛ל גַּם בְּעַ֥ד אַהֲרֹ֖ן בָּ/עֵ֥ת הַ/הִֽוא

וּֽ/בְ/אַהֲרֹ֗ן ʼAhărôwn H175 Aaron Conj | Prep | N-proper

הִתְאַנַּ֧ף ʼânaph H599 be angry V-Hithpael-Perf-3ms

יְהוָ֛ה Yᵉhôvâh H3068 The Lord N-proper

מְאֹ֖ד mᵉʼôd H3966 much Adv

לְ/הַשְׁמִיד֑/וֹ shâmad H8045 to destroy Prep | V-Hiphil-Inf-a | Suff

וָֽ/אֶתְפַּלֵּ֛ל pâlal H6419 to pray Conj | V-Hithpael-ConsecImperf-1cs

גַּם gam H1571 also DirObjM

בְּעַ֥ד bᵉʻad H1157 about/through/for Prep

אַהֲרֹ֖ן ʼAhărôwn H175 Aaron N-proper

בָּ/עֵ֥ת ʻêth H6256 time Prep | N-cs

הַ/הִֽוא hûwʼ H1931 he/she/it Art | Pron

Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Deuteronomy 9:20

וּֽ/בְ/אַהֲרֹ֗ן ʼAhărôwn H175 "Aaron" Conj | Prep | N-proper

Aaron was the brother of Moses and the first high priest of the Israelites. He was a leader in the Exodus from Egypt and played a key role in the early history of the Israelites. His story is told in Exodus and Leviticus.

Definition: A man of the tribe of Levi living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness, first mentioned at Exo.4.14; son of: Amram (H6019) and Jochebed (H3115); brother of: Moses (H4872) and Miriam (H4813); married to Elisheba (H0472); father of: Nadab (H5070), Abihu (H0030), Eleazar (H0499) and Ithamar (H0385) Also named: Aarōn (Ἀαρών "Aaron" G0002) § Aaron = "light bringer" brother of Moses, a Levite and the first high priest

Usage: Occurs in 328 OT verses. KJV: Aaron. See also: Exodus 4:14; Exodus 34:31; Numbers 3:39.

הִתְאַנַּ֧ף ʼânaph H599 "be angry" V-Hithpael-Perf-3ms

The Hebrew word for 'be angry' describes God's displeasure, like in Psalm 103:8. It means to breathe hard or be enraged, used in the Bible to convey strong emotions.

Definition: 1) to be angry, to be displeased, to breathe hard 1a) (Qal) to be angry (of God) 1b) (Hithpael) to be angry (always of God)

Usage: Occurs in 14 OT verses. KJV: be angry (displeased). See also: Deuteronomy 1:37; 2 Chronicles 6:36; Psalms 2:12.

יְהוָ֛ה Yᵉhôvâh H3068 "The Lord" N-proper

Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.

Definition: Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)

Usage: Occurs in 5522 OT verses. KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). See also: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 24:42; Exodus 8:8.

מְאֹ֖ד mᵉʼôd H3966 "much" Adv

Meod means 'much' or 'very' and is used to emphasize something. It can mean 'exceedingly' or 'greatly' and is often used to show strong feelings or actions.

Definition: adv 1) exceedingly, much subst 2) might, force, abundance n m 3) muchness, force, abundance, exceedingly 3a) force, might 3b) exceedingly, greatly, very (idioms showing magnitude or degree) 3b1) exceedingly 3b2) up to abundance, to a great degree, exceedingly 3b3) with muchness, muchness

Usage: Occurs in 278 OT verses. KJV: diligently, especially, exceeding(-ly), far, fast, good, great(-ly), [idiom] louder and louder, might(-ily, -y), (so) much, quickly, (so) sore, utterly, very ([phrase] much, sore), well. See also: Genesis 1:31; 1 Samuel 11:6; Psalms 6:4.

לְ/הַשְׁמִיד֑/וֹ shâmad H8045 "to destroy" Prep | V-Hiphil-Inf-a | Suff

The Hebrew word shâmad means to destroy or desolate something, used to describe annihilation or devastation. It is used in the Bible to describe the destruction of cities or nations, such as in the book of Isaiah.

Definition: 1) to destroy, exterminate, be destroyed, be exterminated 1a) (Niphal) 1a1) to be annihilated, be exterminated 1a2) to be destroyed, be devastated 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to annihilate, exterminate 1b2) to destroy Aramaic equivalent: she.mad (שְׁמַד "to destroy" H8046)

Usage: Occurs in 86 OT verses. KJV: destory(-uction), bring to nought, overthrow, perish, pluck down, [idiom] utterly. See also: Genesis 34:30; 2 Samuel 22:38; Psalms 37:38.

וָֽ/אֶתְפַּלֵּ֛ל pâlal H6419 "to pray" Conj | V-Hithpael-ConsecImperf-1cs

To pray or intercede, as seen in the Bible when people like Moses and David prayed to God for guidance and help, often using this Hebrew word to describe their actions.

Definition: 1) to intervene, interpose, pray 1a) (Piel) to mediate, judge 1b)(Hithpael) 1b1) to intercede 1b2) to pray

Usage: Occurs in 82 OT verses. KJV: intreat, judge(-ment), (make) pray(-er, -ing), make supplication. See also: Genesis 20:7; 2 Chronicles 6:34; Psalms 5:3.

גַּם gam H1571 "also" DirObjM

Also means 'even' or 'too', used for emphasis or to connect ideas, like 'both...and' or 'neither...nor'. It can introduce a climax or show contrast.

Definition: 1) also, even, indeed, moreover, yea 1a) also, moreover (giving emphasis) 1b) neither, neither...nor (with negative) 1c) even (for stress) 1d) indeed, yea (introducing climax) 1e) also (of correspondence or retribution) 1f) but, yet, though (adversative) 1g) even, yea, yea though (with 'when' in hypothetical case) 2) (TWOT) again, alike

Usage: Occurs in 661 OT verses. KJV: again, alike, also, (so much) as (soon), both (so)...and, but, either...or, even, for all, (in) likewise (manner), moreover, nay...neither, one, then(-refore), though, what, with, yea. See also: Genesis 3:6; Exodus 19:9; 1 Samuel 14:21.

בְּעַ֥ד bᵉʻad H1157 "about/through/for" Prep

This word means about, through, or for something, often used to describe location or action. It can be translated as 'about', 'at', 'by', or 'through', depending on the context in which it is used.

Definition: 1) behind, through, round about, on behalf of, away from, about 1a) through (of action) 1b) behind (with verbs of shutting) 1c) about (with verbs of fencing) 1d) on behalf of (metaph. especially with Hithpael)

Usage: Occurs in 81 OT verses. KJV: about, at by (means of), for, over, through, up (-on), within. See also: Genesis 7:16; 2 Chronicles 30:18; Psalms 3:4.

אַהֲרֹ֖ן ʼAhărôwn H175 "Aaron" N-proper

Usage: Occurs in 328 OT verses. KJV: Aaron. See also: Exodus 4:14; Exodus 34:31; Numbers 3:39.

בָּ/עֵ֥ת ʻêth H6256 "time" Prep | N-cs

Eth means time, especially now or when, and can refer to an event, experience, or occasion. It is often used to describe a specific moment or period.

Definition: 1) time 1a) time (of an event) 1b) time (usual) 1c) experiences, fortunes 1d) occurrence, occasion

Usage: Occurs in 258 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] after, (al-) ways, [idiom] certain, [phrase] continually, [phrase] evening, long, (due) season, so (long) as, (even-, evening-, noon-) tide, (meal-), what) time, when. See also: Genesis 8:11; 2 Chronicles 35:17; Psalms 1:3.

הַ/הִֽוא hûwʼ H1931 "he/she/it" Art | Pron

This word is a pronoun meaning 'he', 'she', or 'it', used to refer to a person or thing. It is used in the Bible to emphasize a subject or make it clear who is being talked about.

Definition: pron 3p s 1) he, she, it 1a) himself (with emphasis) 1b) resuming subj with emphasis 1c) (with minimum emphasis following predicate) 1d) (anticipating subj) 1e) (emphasising predicate) 1f) that, it (neuter) demons pron 2) that (with article)

Usage: Occurs in 1693 OT verses. KJV: he, as for her, him(-self), it, the same, she (herself), such, that (...it), these, they, this, those, which (is), who. See also: Genesis 2:11; Genesis 32:19; Exodus 21:3.

Study Notes — Deuteronomy 9:20

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
Deuteronomy 9:20 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Deuteronomy 9:20
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Deuteronomy 9:20
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Deuteronomy 9:20
Ellicott's Commentary on Deuteronomy 9:20
Cambridge Bible on Deuteronomy 9:20
Barnes' Notes on Deuteronomy 9:20
Whedon's Commentary on Deuteronomy 9:20
Sermons on Deuteronomy 9:20

Context — The Golden Calf

18Then 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. 19For 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.

20The LORD was angry enough with Aaron to destroy him, but at that time I also prayed for Aaron.

21And I took that sinful thing, the calf you had made, and burned it in the fire. Then I crushed it and ground it to powder as fine as dust, and I cast it into the stream that came down from the mountain. 22You continued to provoke the LORD at Taberah, at Massah, and at Kibroth-hattaavah.

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Exodus 32:35	And the LORD sent a plague on the people because of what they had done with the calf that Aaron had made.
2	Exodus 32:21	“What did this people do to you,” Moses asked Aaron, “that you have led them into so great a sin?”
3	Hebrews 7:26–28	Such a high priest truly befits us—One who is holy, innocent, undefiled, set apart from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. Unlike the other high priests, He does not need to offer daily sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the sins of the people; He sacrificed for sin once for all when He offered up Himself. For the law appoints as high priests men who are weak; but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son, who has been made perfect forever.
4	Exodus 32:2–5	So Aaron told them, “Take off the gold earrings that are on your wives and sons and daughters, and bring them to me.” Then all the people took off their gold earrings and brought them to Aaron. He took the gold from their hands, and with an engraving tool he fashioned it into a molten calf. And they said, “These, O Israel, are your gods, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!” When Aaron saw this, he built an altar before the calf and proclaimed: “Tomorrow shall be a feast to the LORD.”

Deuteronomy 9:20 Summary

This verse shows us that God was very angry with Aaron because of his mistake, but Moses prayed for him and asked God to forgive him. This teaches us that prayer can make a big difference in people's lives, just like it did for Aaron. We can learn from Moses' example to pray for others when they make mistakes, just as we would want them to pray for us (Exodus 32:31-32, James 5:16). By praying for others, we can show God's love and mercy, just like Moses did for Aaron.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why was the Lord angry with Aaron in Deuteronomy 9:20?

The Lord was angry with Aaron because of his involvement in the golden calf incident, as seen in Exodus 32:1-6, where Aaron gave in to the people's demands and helped create the idol.

What does it mean that the Lord was 'angry enough with Aaron to destroy him'?

This phrase indicates the severity of the Lord's anger towards Aaron, similar to His anger towards the Israelites in Deuteronomy 9:19, and highlights the importance of obedience and faithfulness to God, as seen in Deuteronomy 13:6-10.

How did Moses' prayer for Aaron affect the situation?

Moses' prayer for Aaron, as mentioned in Deuteronomy 9:20, demonstrates the power of intercession and the importance of praying for others, as seen in Ezekiel 22:30 and James 5:16, and likely mitigated the Lord's anger towards Aaron.

What can we learn from Moses' actions in this verse?

We can learn the value of selfless prayer and intercession for others, as well as the importance of humility and dependence on God, as seen in Moses' actions in Deuteronomy 9:18-20 and Exodus 32:31-32.

Reflection Questions

What are some ways I can pray for others who may be facing God's discipline or correction, just like Moses prayed for Aaron?
How can I apply the principle of intercession seen in this verse to my relationships with others, especially those who may be struggling with sin or rebellion?
What does this verse teach me about God's character, particularly His justice and mercy, as seen in His anger towards Aaron and His response to Moses' prayer?
In what ways can I demonstrate humility and dependence on God, like Moses did in this verse, in my own life and relationships?

Gill's Exposition on Deuteronomy 9:20

And the Lord was very angry with Aaron, to have destroyed him,.... For complying with the request of the people in making a calf for them, and for that miserable shift he made to excuse himself;

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Deuteronomy 9:20

And the LORD was very angry with Aaron to have destroyed him: and I prayed for Aaron also the same time. The Lord was very angry with Aaron to have destroyed him.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Deuteronomy 9:20

The Lord was very angry with Aaron, though he was only accessory, as being persuaded, and in a manner compelled, to comply with your desire.

Ellicott's Commentary on Deuteronomy 9:20

(20) I prayed for Aaron also.—Jewish commentators ascribe the loss of Aaron’s two sons (Leviticus 10:1-2) partly to God’s anger at this time.

Cambridge Bible on Deuteronomy 9:20

20. To this there is no reference in Exodus.

Barnes' Notes on Deuteronomy 9:20

Israel could not even boast that its heads and representatives continued, faithful. Aaron had been already designated for the high priestly functions; but he fell away with the rest of the people.

Whedon's Commentary on Deuteronomy 9:20

20. I prayed for Aaron also — Not only upon the people, but also upon Aaron, rested the indignation of Jehovah. Moses acts as a mediator for his brother.

Sermons on Deuteronomy 9:20

	Sermon	Description
	Great Danger to a Christian by A Van Eeden	This sermon delves into the danger of sliding into a lukewarm state as a Christian, using the example of the Israelites worshipping the golden calf in Exodus 32. It emphasizes the
	(Exodus) Exodus 32:15-25 by J. Vernon McGee	In this sermon, the speaker discusses the story of Moses and the golden calf from the Bible. The people of Israel, feeling abandoned by Moses, turned to idol worship and created a
	Sermon on the Mount: Blesseded Meek by J. Glyn Owen	In this sermon, the speaker discusses the leadership of Moses and his strength in leading the Israelites out of slavery. The speaker emphasizes that Moses had to be strong in order
	When Someone Decides to Pray by Carter Conlon	This sermon emphasizes the importance of prayer and seeking God's presence in times of spiritual crisis. It highlights the need to remove pride and false worship, and to earnestly
	(Exodus) Exodus 28:1-3 by J. Vernon McGee	In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of seeing God in everything, including the instructions given in the Bible. The speaker compares the Bible to a picture book,
	When Christ Appears in Glory by Albert Leckie	In this sermon, the preacher discusses the future manifestation of Jesus Christ in both judgment and salvation. He emphasizes that despite man's arrogance and disregard for the gos
	Psalm 11 by Carl Armerding	In this sermon, the speaker addresses the question of what the righteous can do when the foundations of society are destroyed. He emphasizes the importance of finding escape and re