Exodus 32:18
Exodus 32:18 in Multiple Translations
But Moses replied: “It is neither the cry of victory nor the cry of defeat; I hear the sound of singing!”
And he said, It is not the voice of them that shout for mastery, neither is it the voice of them that cry for being overcome: but the noise of them that sing do I hear.
And he said, It is not the voice of them that shout for mastery, neither is it the voice of them that cry for being overcome; but the noise of them that sing do I hear.
And Moses said, It is not the voice of men who are overcoming in the fight, or the cry of those who have been overcome; it is the sound of songs which comes to my ear.
But Moses replied, “These are not the shouts of victory or of defeat. What I'm hearing is people partying!”
Who answered, It is not the noyse of them that haue the victorie, nor the noyse of them that are ouercome: but I do heare ye noyse of singing.
and he saith, 'It is not the voice of the crying of might, nor is it the voice of the crying of weakness — a voice of singing I am hearing.'
He said, “It isn’t the voice of those who shout for victory. It is not the voice of those who cry for being overcome; but the noise of those who sing that I hear.”
And he said, It is not the voice of them that shout for mastery, neither is it the voice of them that cry for being overcome: but the noise of them that sing do I hear.
But he answered: It is not the cry of men encouraging to fight, nor the shout of men compelling to flee: but I hear the voice of singers.
But Moses/I replied, “No, that is not the shouting that people do when they have won a victory or when they have been defeated in a battle What I hear is the sound of loud singing!”
Berean Amplified Bible — Exodus 32:18
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 32:18 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יֹּ֗אמֶר
אֵ֥ין
קוֹל֙
עֲנ֣וֹת
גְּבוּרָ֔ה
וְ/אֵ֥ין
ק֖וֹל
עֲנ֣וֹת
חֲלוּשָׁ֑ה
ק֣וֹל
עַנּ֔וֹת
אָנֹכִ֖י
שֹׁמֵֽעַ
וַ/יֹּ֗אמֶר
ʼâmar
H559
to say
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
אֵ֥ין
ʼayin
H369
nothing
Part
קוֹל֙
qôwl
H6963
voice
N-ms
עֲנ֣וֹת
ʻânâh
H6030
to dwell
V-Qal-Inf-a
גְּבוּרָ֔ה
gᵉbûwrâh
H1369
might
N-fs
וְ/אֵ֥ין
ʼayin
H369
nothing
Conj | Part
ק֖וֹל
qôwl
H6963
voice
N-ms
עֲנ֣וֹת
ʻânâh
H6030
to dwell
V-Qal-Inf-a
חֲלוּשָׁ֑ה
chălûwshâh
H2476
weakness
N-fs
ק֣וֹל
qôwl
H6963
voice
N-ms
עַנּ֔וֹת
ʻânâh
H6030
to dwell
V-Piel-Inf-a
אָנֹכִ֖י
ʼânôkîy
H595
I
Pron
שֹׁמֵֽעַ
shâmaʻ
H8085
to hear
V-Qal
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
Use ← → arrow keys to navigate between words.
Hebrew Word Reference — Exodus 32:18
וַ/יֹּ֗אמֶר
ʼâmar
H559
"to say"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.
Definition: 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
Usage: Occurs in 4337 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. See also: Genesis 1:3; Genesis 18:23; Genesis 25:32.
אֵ֥ין
ʼayin
H369
"nothing"
Part
This word means nothing or not, often used to indicate the absence of something, as in Genesis 1:2 where the earth was without form. It emphasizes the idea of something lacking or non-existent.
Definition: 1) nothing, not, nought n 1a) nothing, nought neg 1b) not 1c) to have not (of possession) adv 1d) without w/prep 1e) for lack of
Usage: Occurs in 686 OT verses. KJV: else, except, fail, (father-) less, be gone, in(-curable), neither, never, no (where), none, nor, (any, thing), not, nothing, to nought, past, un(-searchable), well-nigh, without. Compare H370 (אַיִן). See also: Genesis 2:5; Deuteronomy 14:27; 1 Kings 15:22.
קוֹל֙
qôwl
H6963
"voice"
N-ms
A voice or sound, it can refer to the sound of a person speaking, an animal, or a musical instrument. In the Bible, it is often used to describe God's voice or the sound of praise and worship.
Definition: : sound/noise 1) voice, sound, noise 1a) voice 1b) sound (of instrument)
Usage: Occurs in 436 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] aloud, bleating, crackling, cry ([phrase] out), fame, lightness, lowing, noise, [phrase] hold peace, (pro-) claim, proclamation, [phrase] sing, sound, [phrase] spark, thunder(-ing), voice, [phrase] yell. See also: Genesis 3:8; Judges 5:11; Job 4:10.
עֲנ֣וֹת
ʻânâh
H6030
"to dwell"
V-Qal-Inf-a
This verb means to sing or make music, but also to respond or give an answer. In the Bible, it is used to describe praising God in song or responding to a question. The KJV translates it as 'sing' or 'answer'.
Definition: (Qal) to dwell
Usage: Occurs in 316 OT verses. KJV: give account, afflict (by mistake for H6031 (עָנָה)), (cause to, give) answer, bring low (by mistake for H6031 (עָנָה)), cry, hear, Leannoth, lift up, say, [idiom] scholar, (give a) shout, sing (together by course), speak, testify, utter, (bear) witness. See also H1042 (בֵּית עֲנוֹת), H1043 (בֵּית עֲנָת). See also: Genesis 18:27; 2 Samuel 14:19; Job 40:2.
גְּבוּרָ֔ה
gᵉbûwrâh
H1369
"might"
N-fs
This word means strength, might, or power, like God's mighty power in Psalm 111:6. It can describe a person's bravery or the strength of an action, as in the mighty deeds of God in Psalm 145:11.
Definition: 1) strength, might 1a) strength 1b) might, valour, bravery 1c) might, mighty deeds (of God) Aramaic equivalent: ge.vu.rah (גְּבוּרָה "might" H1370)
Usage: Occurs in 61 OT verses. KJV: force, mastery, might, mighty (act, power), power, strength. See also: Exodus 32:18; Psalms 71:18; Psalms 20:7.
וְ/אֵ֥ין
ʼayin
H369
"nothing"
Conj | Part
This word means nothing or not, often used to indicate the absence of something, as in Genesis 1:2 where the earth was without form. It emphasizes the idea of something lacking or non-existent.
Definition: 1) nothing, not, nought n 1a) nothing, nought neg 1b) not 1c) to have not (of possession) adv 1d) without w/prep 1e) for lack of
Usage: Occurs in 686 OT verses. KJV: else, except, fail, (father-) less, be gone, in(-curable), neither, never, no (where), none, nor, (any, thing), not, nothing, to nought, past, un(-searchable), well-nigh, without. Compare H370 (אַיִן). See also: Genesis 2:5; Deuteronomy 14:27; 1 Kings 15:22.
ק֖וֹל
qôwl
H6963
"voice"
N-ms
A voice or sound, it can refer to the sound of a person speaking, an animal, or a musical instrument. In the Bible, it is often used to describe God's voice or the sound of praise and worship.
Definition: : sound/noise 1) voice, sound, noise 1a) voice 1b) sound (of instrument)
Usage: Occurs in 436 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] aloud, bleating, crackling, cry ([phrase] out), fame, lightness, lowing, noise, [phrase] hold peace, (pro-) claim, proclamation, [phrase] sing, sound, [phrase] spark, thunder(-ing), voice, [phrase] yell. See also: Genesis 3:8; Judges 5:11; Job 4:10.
עֲנ֣וֹת
ʻânâh
H6030
"to dwell"
V-Qal-Inf-a
This verb means to sing or make music, but also to respond or give an answer. In the Bible, it is used to describe praising God in song or responding to a question. The KJV translates it as 'sing' or 'answer'.
Definition: (Qal) to dwell
Usage: Occurs in 316 OT verses. KJV: give account, afflict (by mistake for H6031 (עָנָה)), (cause to, give) answer, bring low (by mistake for H6031 (עָנָה)), cry, hear, Leannoth, lift up, say, [idiom] scholar, (give a) shout, sing (together by course), speak, testify, utter, (bear) witness. See also H1042 (בֵּית עֲנוֹת), H1043 (בֵּית עֲנָת). See also: Genesis 18:27; 2 Samuel 14:19; Job 40:2.
חֲלוּשָׁ֑ה
chălûwshâh
H2476
"weakness"
N-fs
Weakness or defeat is the meaning of this Hebrew word, which describes a state of being overcome or prostrated. It is used in the Bible to describe physical or emotional exhaustion, as seen in the story of King David in Psalm 38:9.
Definition: weakness, defeat, prostration
Usage: Occurs in 1 OT verses. KJV: being overcome. See also: Exodus 32:18.
ק֣וֹל
qôwl
H6963
"voice"
N-ms
A voice or sound, it can refer to the sound of a person speaking, an animal, or a musical instrument. In the Bible, it is often used to describe God's voice or the sound of praise and worship.
Definition: : sound/noise 1) voice, sound, noise 1a) voice 1b) sound (of instrument)
Usage: Occurs in 436 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] aloud, bleating, crackling, cry ([phrase] out), fame, lightness, lowing, noise, [phrase] hold peace, (pro-) claim, proclamation, [phrase] sing, sound, [phrase] spark, thunder(-ing), voice, [phrase] yell. See also: Genesis 3:8; Judges 5:11; Job 4:10.
עַנּ֔וֹת
ʻânâh
H6030
"to dwell"
V-Piel-Inf-a
This verb means to sing or make music, but also to respond or give an answer. In the Bible, it is used to describe praising God in song or responding to a question. The KJV translates it as 'sing' or 'answer'.
Definition: (Qal) to dwell
Usage: Occurs in 316 OT verses. KJV: give account, afflict (by mistake for H6031 (עָנָה)), (cause to, give) answer, bring low (by mistake for H6031 (עָנָה)), cry, hear, Leannoth, lift up, say, [idiom] scholar, (give a) shout, sing (together by course), speak, testify, utter, (bear) witness. See also H1042 (בֵּית עֲנוֹת), H1043 (בֵּית עֲנָת). See also: Genesis 18:27; 2 Samuel 14:19; Job 40:2.
אָנֹכִ֖י
ʼânôkîy
H595
"I"
Pron
This simple Hebrew word just means 'I', referring to the speaker, like in Genesis 27 where Esau says 'I' when talking to his father Isaac.
Definition: I (first pers. sing.) Another spelling of a.ni (אֲנִי, אָֽנֹכִ֫י "I" H0589)
Usage: Occurs in 335 OT verses. KJV: I, me, [idiom] which. See also: Genesis 3:10; Deuteronomy 11:26; 2 Samuel 3:39.
שֹׁמֵֽעַ
shâmaʻ
H8085
"to hear"
V-Qal
To hear and listen is what this Hebrew word means, often implying attention and obedience. In Exodus and Deuteronomy, it is used when God speaks to the people, and they must listen and obey.
Definition: : hear v 1) to hear, listen to, obey 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to hear (perceive by ear) 1a2) to hear of or concerning 1a3) to hear (have power to hear) 1a4) to hear with attention or interest, listen to 1a5) to understand (language) 1a6) to hear (of judicial cases) 1a7) to listen, give heed 1a7a) to consent, agree 1a7b) to grant request 1a8) to listen to, yield to 1a9) to obey, be obedient 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be heard (of voice or sound) 1b2) to be heard of 1b3) to be regarded, be obeyed 1c) (Piel) to cause to hear, call to hear, summon 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to cause to hear, tell, proclaim, utter a sound 1d2) to sound aloud (musical term) 1d3) to make proclamation, summon 1d4) to cause to be heard n m 2) sound
Usage: Occurs in 1072 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] attentively, call (gather) together, [idiom] carefully, [idiom] certainly, consent, consider, be content, declare, [idiom] diligently, discern, give ear, (cause to, let, make to) hear(-ken, tell), [idiom] indeed, listen, make (a) noise, (be) obedient, obey, perceive, (make a) proclaim(-ation), publish, regard, report, shew (forth), (make a) sound, [idiom] surely, tell, understand, whosoever (heareth), witness. See also: Genesis 3:8; Exodus 32:18; Deuteronomy 27:9.
Study Notes — Exodus 32:18
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Exodus 32:18 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Exodus 32:18
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Exodus 32:18
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Exodus 32:18
- Trapp's Commentary on Exodus 32:18
- Ellicott's Commentary on Exodus 32:18
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Exodus 32:18
- Cambridge Bible on Exodus 32:18
- Sermons on Exodus 32:18
Context — The Golden Calf
16The tablets were the work of God, and the writing was the writing of God, engraved on the tablets.
17When Joshua heard the sound of the people shouting, he said to Moses, “The sound of war is in the camp.”
18But Moses replied: “It is neither the cry of victory nor the cry of defeat; I hear the sound of singing!”
19As Moses approached the camp and saw the calf and the dancing, he burned with anger and threw the tablets out of his hands, shattering them at the base of the mountain. 20Then he took the calf they had made, burned it in the fire, ground it to powder, and scattered the powder over the face of the water. Then he forced the Israelites to drink it.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Exodus 15:1–18 | Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the LORD: “I will sing to the LORD, for He is highly exalted. The horse and rider He has thrown into the sea. The LORD is my strength and my song, and He has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise Him, my father’s God, and I will exalt Him. The LORD is a warrior, the LORD is His name. Pharaoh’s chariots and army He has cast into the sea; the finest of his officers are drowned in the Red Sea. The depths have covered them; they sank there like a stone. Your right hand, O LORD, is majestic in power; Your right hand, O LORD, has shattered the enemy. You overthrew Your adversaries by Your great majesty. You unleashed Your burning wrath; it consumed them like stubble. At the blast of Your nostrils the waters piled up; like a wall the currents stood firm; the depths congealed in the heart of the sea. The enemy declared, ‘I will pursue, I will overtake. I will divide the spoils; I will gorge myself on them. I will draw my sword; my hand will destroy them.’ But You blew with Your breath, and the sea covered them. They sank like lead in the mighty waters. Who among the gods is like You, O LORD? Who is like You—majestic in holiness, revered with praises, performing wonders? You stretched out Your right hand, and the earth swallowed them up. With loving devotion You will lead the people You have redeemed; with Your strength You will guide them to Your holy dwelling. The nations will hear and tremble; anguish will grip the dwellers of Philistia. Then the chiefs of Edom will be dismayed; trembling will seize the leaders of Moab; those who dwell in Canaan will melt away, and terror and dread will fall on them. By the power of Your arm they will be as still as a stone until Your people pass by, O LORD, until the people You have bought pass by. You will bring them in and plant them on the mountain of Your inheritance— the place, O LORD, You have prepared for Your dwelling, the sanctuary, O Lord, Your hands have established. The LORD will reign forever and ever!” |
| 2 | Daniel 5:4 | As they drank the wine, they praised their gods of gold and silver, bronze and iron, wood and stone. |
| 3 | Daniel 5:23 | Instead, you have exalted yourself against the Lord of heaven. The vessels from His house were brought to you, and as you drank wine from them with your nobles, wives, and concubines, you praised your gods of silver and gold, bronze and iron, wood and stone, which cannot see or hear or understand. But you have failed to glorify the God who holds in His hand your very breath and all your ways. |
Exodus 32:18 Summary
[Moses said he heard singing, not fighting, because he understood that the Israelites were celebrating in a way that was not pleasing to God, similar to the uncontrolled revelry condemned in 1 Peter 4:3. This shows that Moses was tuned in to what God was doing and was not swayed by the opinions of others. He trusted God, as seen in Exodus 14:13-14, and was aware of the Israelites' tendency to idolatry, as warned against in Deuteronomy 12:30. By trusting in God and seeking His wisdom, we can also develop discernment and make wise decisions, as encouraged in Proverbs 2:6 and James 1:5.]
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Moses say he heard the sound of singing when others thought it was a cry of war?
Moses' statement in Exodus 32:18 indicates his discernment and understanding of the situation, recognizing the Israelites' reckless celebration, similar to the uncontrolled revelry condemned in 1 Peter 4:3, rather than an actual battle.
What is the significance of Moses' response to Joshua's alarm?
Moses' calm and informed response reflects his trust in God, as seen in Exodus 14:13-14, and his awareness of the Israelites' tendency to idolatry, as warned against in Deuteronomy 12:30.
How does this verse relate to the golden calf incident?
Exodus 32:18 is a pivotal moment, as Moses' perception of the singing foreshadows the idolatrous worship of the golden calf, which is explicitly described in Exodus 32:4-6 and condemned by God in Exodus 32:7-10.
What can we learn from Moses' discernment in this situation?
Moses' ability to discern the true nature of the noise, as seen in Exodus 32:18, teaches us to seek wisdom and understanding from God, as encouraged in Proverbs 2:6 and James 1:5, rather than relying solely on our own perceptions or the opinions of others.
Reflection Questions
- What are some times in my life when I have misinterpreted a situation, and how can I apply Moses' discernment to my own decision-making?
- How can I cultivate a deeper trust in God, like Moses, to remain calm and informed in the face of uncertain or alarming circumstances?
- In what ways can I be more aware of the potential for idolatry in my own life, and how can I apply the lessons of the golden calf incident to my own spiritual journey?
- What role does faith and trust in God play in helping me to discern the true nature of a situation, and how can I develop this trust in my own life?
Gill's Exposition on Exodus 32:18
And he said,.... Not Joshua, as Saadiah Gaon thinks, but Moses, in answer to what Joshua had said: [it is] not the voice of [them that] shout for mastery; that have got the better of it, and have
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Exodus 32:18
And he said, It is not the voice of them that shout for mastery, neither is it the voice of them that cry for being overcome: but the noise of them that sing do I hear.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Exodus 32:18
The voice of them that shout for mastery, Heb. of a cry of strength, i.e. of strong men, or of the stronger and victorious party, who use to express themselves with triumphant shouts. The voice of them that cry for being overcome, Heb. of a cry of weakness, i.e. of weak, and wounded, and vanquished men, who use to break forth into doleful cries.
Trapp's Commentary on Exodus 32:18
Exodus 32:18 And he said, [It is] not the voice of [them that] shout for mastery, neither [is it] the voice of [them that] cry for being overcome: [but] the noise of [them that] sing do I hear.Ver. 18. It is not the voice of them that shout for mastery.] As Joshua, a man of a warlike spirit, was ready to imagine. Non est vox clamoris fortitudinis, vel clamandi fortitudinem: so the original hath it.
Ellicott's Commentary on Exodus 32:18
(18) Shout . . . cry . . . sing.—The Hebrew verb is the same in all three clauses. Translate: It is not the voice of them that cry for victory, nor is it the voice of them that cry for defeat; the voice of them that cry do I hear. Moses’ sense of hearing conveys to him no positive result. We must remember that the camp was still distant, and that the sound was conveyed circuitously, since the descent from the Ras Sufsafeh is by a side valley, from which the sight of the plain is shut out (Stanley, Sinai and Palestine, p. 44).
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Exodus 32:18
Verse 18. And he said] That is, Moses returned this answer to the observations of Joshua.
Cambridge Bible on Exodus 32:18
18. Lit. It is not the sound of the answering of might, neither is it the sound of the answering of weakness; the sound of answering-in-song do I hear; i.e. not the answering cries of victors and vanquished, but the answering voices of singers, are what Moses hears. The passage (Di.) ‘has a highly peculiar, almost poetical character’ (cf. v. 25); and there is a play on the double sense of the word ‘answer.’ For the sense of answering responsively in song, see on Exodus 15:21.
Sermons on Exodus 32:18
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
(Hebrews) 2-Moses by Leonard Ravenhill | In this sermon, the speaker reflects on the story of Moses and his commitment to serving God. The speaker highlights Moses' dedication by mentioning his 40 days of fasting and his |
|
Don't Lose Your Song by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of not losing one's song, referring to the joy and praise that comes from having a strong faith in God. The speaker reads from |
|
The Life of David Brainerd - Part. 2 by Jonathan Edwards | In this sermon transcript, the preacher reflects on their own feelings of unworthiness and insufficiency. They express a desire for a close and constant devotion to God and a fear |
|
|
Death of a Promise - Part 3 by David Wilkerson | In this sermon series entitled "The Death of a Promise," the preacher discusses the concept of God putting a sentence of death on a promise. He uses the example of Abraham and how |
|
Joy in God by C.H. Spurgeon | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of remembering and acknowledging God as our creator and the keeper of His laws. He contrasts the troubled state of those who |
|
|
Sunshine in the Heart by C.H. Spurgeon | The sermon transcript discusses two teachings from Psalm 37:4. The first teaching is that the life of a believer is described as a delight in God, emphasizing that true religion is |
|
|
The Majesty of God by Leonard Ravenhill | In this sermon transcript, the speaker announces that they will be hosting a Bible study every Tuesday night for sixty minutes in Garden Valley. The study will focus on the elevent |