Exodus 32:14
Exodus 32:14 in Multiple Translations
So the LORD relented from the calamity He had threatened to bring on His people.
And the LORD repented of the evil which he thought to do unto his people.
And Jehovah repented of the evil which he said he would do unto his people.
So the Lord let himself be turned from his purpose of sending punishment on his people.
The Lord changed his mind over the disaster he threatened to cause his people.
Then the Lord changed his minde from the euil, which he threatned to do vnto his people.
and Jehovah repenteth of the evil which He hath spoken of doing to His people.
So the LORD turned away from the evil which he said he would do to his people.
And the LORD repented of the evil which he thought to do to his people.
And the Lord was appeased from doing the evil which he had spoken against his people.
So Yahweh changed his mind. He did not do to his people the terrible thing that he said he would do.
Berean Amplified Bible — Exodus 32:14
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.
Exodus 32:14 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יִּנָּ֖חֶם
יְהוָ֑ה
עַל
הָ֣/רָעָ֔ה
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
דִּבֶּ֖ר
לַ/עֲשׂ֥וֹת
לְ/עַמּֽ/וֹ
וַ/יִּנָּ֖חֶם
nâcham
H5162
to be sorry
Conj | V-Niphal-ConsecImperf-3ms
יְהוָ֑ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
The Lord
N-proper
עַל
ʻal
H5921
upon
Prep
הָ֣/רָעָ֔ה
raʻ
H7451
bad
Art | N-fs
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
ʼăsher
H834
which
Rel
דִּבֶּ֖ר
dâbar
H1696
to speak
V-Piel-Perf-3ms
לַ/עֲשׂ֥וֹת
ʻâsâh
H6213
to make
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
לְ/עַמּֽ/וֹ
ʻam
H5971
Amaw
Prep | N-ms | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Exodus 32:14
וַ/יִּנָּ֖חֶם
nâcham
H5162
"to be sorry"
Conj | V-Niphal-ConsecImperf-3ms
To comfort means showing pity or sympathy, as seen in God's actions throughout the Bible, such as in Isaiah 40. The word can also imply regret or remorse, like in the story of Jonah, who was sorry for his actions. It involves easing someone's pain or discomfort.
Definition: : comfort 1) to be sorry, console oneself, repent, regret, comfort, be comforted 1a) (Niphal) 1a1) to be sorry, be moved to pity, have compassion 1a2) to be sorry, rue, suffer grief, repent 1a3) to comfort oneself, be comforted 1a4) to comfort oneself, ease oneself 1b) (Piel) to comfort, console 1c) (Pual) to be comforted, be consoled 1d) (Hithpael) 1d1) to be sorry, have compassion 1d2) to rue, repent of 1d3) to comfort oneself, be comforted 1d4) to ease oneself Also means: na.cham (נָחַם ": relent" H5162H)
Usage: Occurs in 100 OT verses. KJV: comfort (self), ease (one's self), repent(-er,-ing, self). See also: Genesis 5:29; Isaiah 12:1; Psalms 23:4.
יְהוָ֑ה
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.
עַל
ʻal
H5921
"upon"
Prep
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)
Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.
הָ֣/רָעָ֔ה
raʻ
H7451
"bad"
Art | N-fs
Ra means bad or evil, referring to moral or natural harm. It describes adversity, affliction, or distress, and is often used to convey a sense of misery or injury.
Definition: : harmful adj 1) bad, evil 1a) bad, disagreeable, malignant 1b) bad, unpleasant, evil (giving pain, unhappiness, misery) 1c) evil, displeasing 1d) bad (of its kind-land, water, etc) 1e) bad (of value) 1f) worse than, worst (comparison) 1g) sad, unhappy 1h) evil (hurtful) 1i) bad, unkind (vicious in disposition) 1j) bad, evil, wicked (ethically) 1j1) in general, of persons, of thoughts 1j2) deeds, actions
Usage: Occurs in 623 OT verses. KJV: adversity, affliction, bad, calamity, [phrase] displease(-ure), distress, evil((-favouredness), man, thing), [phrase] exceedingly, [idiom] great, grief(-vous), harm, heavy, hurt(-ful), ill (favoured), [phrase] mark, mischief(-vous), misery, naught(-ty), noisome, [phrase] not please, sad(-ly), sore, sorrow, trouble, vex, wicked(-ly, -ness, one), worse(-st), wretchedness, wrong. (Incl. feminine raaah; as adjective or noun.). See also: Genesis 2:9; Judges 9:57; 2 Kings 21:6.
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
ʼăsher
H834
"which"
Rel
This Hebrew word is a conjunction that connects ideas and events in the Bible, like in the book of Genesis, where it's used to describe the relationship between God and His creation.
Definition: A: 1) (relative part.) 1a) which, who 1b) that which 2) (conj) 2a) that (in obj clause) 2b) when 2c) since 2d) as 2e) conditional if B: Beth+ 1) in (that) which 2) (adv) 2a) where 3) (conj) 3a) in that, inasmuch as 3b) on account of C: Mem+ 1) from (or than) that which 2) from (the place) where 3) from (the fact) that, since D: Kaph+ 1) (conj.), according as, as, when 1a) according to that which, according as, as 1b) with a causal force: in so far as, since 1c) with a temporal force: when
Usage: Occurs in 4440 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] after, [idiom] alike, as (soon as), because, [idiom] every, for, [phrase] forasmuch, [phrase] from whence, [phrase] how(-soever), [idiom] if, (so) that ((thing) which, wherein), [idiom] though, [phrase] until, [phrase] whatsoever, when, where ([phrase] -as, -in, -of, -on, -soever, -with), which, whilst, [phrase] whither(-soever), who(-m, -soever, -se). As it is indeclinable, it is often accompanied by the personal pronoun expletively, used to show the connection. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 20:9; Genesis 31:16.
דִּבֶּ֖ר
dâbar
H1696
"to speak"
V-Piel-Perf-3ms
To speak or communicate, like God speaking to Moses in Exodus or a king commanding his people. It can also mean to promise or warn someone.
Definition: : speak/tell/command 1) to speak, declare, converse, command, promise, warn, threaten, sing 1a) (Qal) to speak 1b) (Niphal) to speak with one another, talk 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to speak 1c2) to promise 1d) (Pual) to be spoken 1e) (Hithpael) to speak 1f) (Hiphil) to lead away, put to flight
Usage: Occurs in 1049 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, bid, command, commune, declare, destroy, give, name, promise, pronounce, rehearse, say, speak, be spokesman, subdue, talk, teach, tell, think, use (entreaties), utter, [idiom] well, [idiom] work. See also: Genesis 8:15; Exodus 12:25; Leviticus 23:9.
לַ/עֲשׂ֥וֹת
ʻâsâh
H6213
"to make"
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
This verb means to make or do something, and is used over 2,600 times in the Bible. It is first used in Genesis 1:7 to describe God's creation of the world and is also used in Exodus 31:5 to describe the work of skilled craftsmen.
Definition: : make(OBJECT) 1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to do, work, make, produce 1a1a) to do 1a1b) to work 1a1c) to deal (with) 1a1d) to act, act with effect, effect 1a2) to make 1a2a) to make 1a2b) to produce 1a2c) to prepare 1a2d) to make (an offering) 1a2e) to attend to, put in order 1a2f) to observe, celebrate 1a2g) to acquire (property) 1a2h) to appoint, ordain, institute 1a2i) to bring about 1a2j) to use 1a2k) to spend, pass 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be done 1b2) to be made 1b3) to be produced 1b4) to be offered 1b5) to be observed 1b6) to be used 1c) (Pual) to be made
Usage: Occurs in 2286 OT verses. KJV: accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 34:19; Exodus 18:24.
לְ/עַמּֽ/וֹ
ʻam
H5971
"Amaw"
Prep | N-ms | Suff
A people or nation is what this Hebrew word represents, like the nation of Israel in Exodus 33:13. It can also mean a tribe, troops, or attendants, and is used to describe a group of people gathered together. The word is often used to refer to the people of God.
Definition: This name means nation, people
Usage: Occurs in 1655 OT verses. KJV: folk, men, nation, people. See also: Genesis 11:6; Exodus 16:4; Leviticus 17:9.
Study Notes — Exodus 32:14
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Exodus 32:14 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Exodus 32:14
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Exodus 32:14
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Exodus 32:14
- Trapp's Commentary on Exodus 32:14
- Ellicott's Commentary on Exodus 32:14
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Exodus 32:14
- Cambridge Bible on Exodus 32:14
- Whedon's Commentary on Exodus 32:14
- Sermons on Exodus 32:14
Context — The Golden Calf
12Why should the Egyptians declare, ‘He brought them out with evil intent, to kill them in the mountains and wipe them from the face of the earth’? Turn from Your fierce anger and relent from doing harm to Your people.
13Remember Your servants Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, to whom You swore by Your very self when You declared, ‘I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky, and I will give your descendants all this land that I have promised, and it shall be their inheritance forever.’”
14So the LORD relented from the calamity He had threatened to bring on His people.
15Then Moses turned and went down the mountain with the two tablets of the Testimony in his hands. They were inscribed on both sides, front and back. 16The tablets were the work of God, and the writing was the writing of God, engraved on the tablets.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jonah 3:10 | When God saw their actions—that they had turned from their evil ways—He relented from the disaster He had threatened to bring upon them. |
| 2 | Psalms 106:45 | And He remembered His covenant with them, and relented by the abundance of His loving devotion. |
| 3 | Jeremiah 26:13 | So now, correct your ways and deeds, and obey the voice of the LORD your God, so that He might relent of the disaster He has pronounced against you. |
| 4 | 1 Chronicles 21:15 | Then God sent an angel to destroy Jerusalem, but as the angel was doing so, the LORD saw it and relented from the calamity, and He said to the angel who was destroying the people, “Enough! Withdraw your hand now!” At that time the angel of the LORD was standing by the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite. |
| 5 | Jonah 4:2 | So he prayed to the LORD, saying, “O LORD, is this not what I said while I was still in my own country? This is why I was so quick to flee toward Tarshish. I knew that You are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion—One who relents from sending disaster. |
| 6 | 2 Samuel 24:16 | But when the angel stretched out his hand to destroy Jerusalem, the LORD relented from the calamity and said to the angel who was destroying the people, “Enough! Withdraw your hand now!” At that time the angel of the LORD was by the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite. |
| 7 | Jeremiah 18:8 | But if that nation I warned turns from its evil, then I will relent of the disaster I had planned to bring. |
| 8 | Jeremiah 26:19 | Did Hezekiah king of Judah or anyone else in Judah put him to death? Did Hezekiah not fear the LORD and seek His favor, and did not the LORD relent of the disaster He had pronounced against them? But we are about to bring great harm on ourselves!” |
| 9 | Joel 2:13 | So rend your hearts and not your garments, and return to the LORD your God. For He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion. And He relents from sending disaster. |
| 10 | Deuteronomy 32:26 | I would have said that I would cut them to pieces and blot out their memory from mankind, |
Exodus 32:14 Summary
This verse means that God changed His mind about punishing His people because of Moses' prayer. It shows that God is a merciful God who listens to prayer and wants to bless His people, not hurt them (as seen in Psalm 103:8). God's relenting is an act of love and mercy, and it reminds us that He is always willing to forgive and show compassion when we turn to Him in repentance (as in 1 John 1:9). This verse gives us hope and encourages us to pray and trust in God's goodness, even in difficult times.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean for God to relent from a calamity?
When God relents, it means He chooses to withhold or stop a judgment or punishment, often in response to prayer or repentance, as seen in Exodus 32:14 and also in Psalm 106:45 where God remembered His covenant and relented according to His great mercy.
Is God's relenting a sign of weakness?
No, God's relenting is not a sign of weakness but rather an expression of His mercy and grace, as stated in Exodus 34:6-7 where God describes Himself as abundant in mercy and truth.
How does this verse relate to the concept of God's sovereignty?
This verse shows that God's sovereignty includes His ability to change His plans in response to prayer or the actions of His people, while still being true to His character, as seen in Jeremiah 18:7-10 where God says He will relent from doing harm if a nation turns from its evil.
What can we learn from God's decision to relent in this verse?
We can learn that God is a God of mercy and that He desires to bless and not to curse, and that prayer and repentance can make a difference in His decisions, as seen in 2 Chronicles 7:14 where God promises to forgive and heal if His people humble themselves and pray.
Reflection Questions
- What are some times in my life when I have experienced God's mercy and relenting, and how did I respond?
- How can I apply the principle of repentance and prayer from Exodus 32:12-14 to my own life and circumstances?
- What does this verse teach me about God's character and His desire to bless His people?
- In what ways can I trust in God's sovereignty and mercy, even when I don't understand His plans or actions?
Gill's Exposition on Exodus 32:14
And the Lord repented of the evil which he thought to do unto his people.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Exodus 32:14
And the LORD repented of the evil which he thought to do unto his people. The Lord repented of the evil which he thought to do unto his people.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Exodus 32:14
i.e. Changed his sentence. See on .
Trapp's Commentary on Exodus 32:14
Exodus 32:14 And the LORD repented of the evil which he thought to do unto his people.Ver. 14. And the Lord repented.] See Exodus 32:12. Moses here had a hard pull, but he carried it.
Ellicott's Commentary on Exodus 32:14
MOSES’ REPLY, AND GOD’S “.”(11-13) Moses has three arguments: (1) God has done so much for His people, that surely He will not now make all of none effect (Exodus 32:11); (2) their destruction will give a triumph to the Egyptians (Exodus 32:12); (3) it will nullify the promises made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Genesis 15:5; Genesis 17:2-6; Genesis 26:1; Genesis 28:12; Genesis 35:11), causing Moses to eclipse their glory, and to be looked upon as the true patriarch and progenitor of the “peculiar people” (Exodus 32:13). To these arguments he adds entreaties that God will be merciful, and change His purpose (Exodus 32:12). (14) The Lord repented of the evil.—Moses’ intercession was effectual. God spared the people at his desire. He is, therefore, said to have “repented”; not that He had really changed His purpose, for He had known from the beginning that Moses would intercede and that He would spare, but because He first announced a (conditional) purpose, and then announced a different one. The mode of speech is, as so frequently, anthropomorphic.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Exodus 32:14
Verse 14. And the Lord repented of the evil] This is spoken merely after the manner of men who, having formed a purpose, permit themselves to be diverted from it by strong and forcible reasons, and so change their minds relative to their former intentions.
Cambridge Bible on Exodus 32:14
14. And Jehovah repented, &c.] so Genesis 6:7, Judges 2:18, 1 Samuel 15:11; 1 Samuel 15:35, 2 Samuel 24:16 al. Hebrew writers often express themselves ‘anthropopathically,’ i.e. attribute to God the feelings or emotions of a man. God is thus said to ‘repent,’ not because He really changes His purpose, but because He does so apparently, when, in consequence of a change in the character and conduct of men, He is obliged to make a corresponding change in the purpose towards them which He had previously announced, and adopt towards them a new attitude. See esp. Jeremiah 18, where it is taught that if man repents, a threat may be withdrawn (cf. Jeremiah 26:3; Jeremiah 26:13; Jeremiah 26:19, Jonah 3:9-10), while on the other hand if man turns to evil a promise may be revoked. Here Jehovah ‘repents,’ as a consequence of Moses’ intercession (cf. Amos 7:3; Amos 7:6). God is also said to ‘repent,’ when he stops a judgement in the midst, as it seems, of its course, through compassion (2 Samuel 24:16, Deuteronomy 32:36).
Where, however, nothing is likely to occur to cause a change in Jehovah’s declared purpose, He is said to be ‘not a man, that he should repent’ (1 Samuel 15:29; cf. Numbers 23:19).
Whedon's Commentary on Exodus 32:14
14. The Lord repented — See notes at Genesis 6:6; Judges 2:18, and 1 Samuel 15:11.
Sermons on Exodus 32:14
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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A Worm's Eye View of Missions by Warren Wiersbe | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the lessons Jonah learned about God in the first three chapters of the book of Jonah. In chapter one, Jonah learns about God's providence and |
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How to Save a City by Warren Wiersbe | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the story of Jonah and the city of Nineveh. He highlights the incredible missionary miracle that occurred when the entire city, possibly cons |
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Jonah - Part 4 by Dai Patterson | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the story of Jonah and his anger. He highlights three instances in chapter 4 where Jonah is angry. The preacher emphasizes that it is the or |
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Jonah - the Training of a Disciple - Part 1 by Alan Redpath | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the theme of grace and the story of Jonah from the Bible. He highlights the gracious nature of God, emphasizing that God is slow to anger, f |
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Ministry From Jonah 02 by Welcome Detweiler | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the story of Jonah and the city of Nineveh. He emphasizes that despite the wickedness of Nineveh, God loved and cared for the sinners in that |
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Dealing With Failed Expectations by David Wilkerson | David Wilkerson addresses the dangers of harboring resentment toward God, particularly among believers and ministers who feel disillusioned and burned out due to unmet expectations |
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Homily 10 on Ephesians by St. John Chrysostom | John Chrysostom emphasizes the importance of unity in the Church, drawing parallels between the body of believers and the physical body, highlighting the need for each member to fu |