Exodus 32:28
New International Version
The Levites did as Moses commanded, and that day about three thousand of the people died.

New Living Translation
The Levites obeyed Moses’ command, and about 3,000 people died that day.

English Standard Version
And the sons of Levi did according to the word of Moses. And that day about three thousand men of the people fell.

Berean Standard Bible
The Levites did as Moses commanded, and that day about three thousand of the people fell dead.

King James Bible
And the children of Levi did according to the word of Moses: and there fell of the people that day about three thousand men.

New King James Version
So the sons of Levi did according to the word of Moses. And about three thousand men of the people fell that day.

New American Standard Bible
So the sons of Levi did as Moses instructed, and about three thousand men of the people fell that day.

NASB 1995
So the sons of Levi did as Moses instructed, and about three thousand men of the people fell that day.

NASB 1977
So the sons of Levi did as Moses instructed, and about three thousand men of the people fell that day.

Legacy Standard Bible
So the sons of Levi did according to the word of Moses, and about three thousand men of the people fell that day.

Amplified Bible
So the sons of Levi did as Moses instructed, and about three thousand men of the people [of Israel] were killed that day.

Christian Standard Bible
The Levites did as Moses commanded, and about three thousand men fell dead that day among the people.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The Levites did as Moses commanded, and about 3,000 men fell dead that day among the people.

American Standard Version
And the sons of Levi did according to the word of Moses: and there fell of the people that day about three thousand men.

Contemporary English Version
The men of the Levi tribe followed his orders, and that day they killed about 3,000 men.

English Revised Version
And the sons of Levi did according to the word of Moses: and there fell of the people that day about three thousand men.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The Levites did what Moses told them, and that day about 3,000 people died.

Good News Translation
The Levites obeyed, and killed about three thousand men that day.

International Standard Version
The descendants of Levi did just as Moses told them, and about 3,000 people died that day.

Majority Standard Bible
The Levites did as Moses commanded, and that day about three thousand of the people fell dead.

NET Bible
The Levites did what Moses ordered, and that day about three thousand men of the people died.

New Heart English Bible
The sons of Levi did according to the word of Moses: and there fell of the people that day about three thousand men.

Webster's Bible Translation
And the children of Levi did according to the word of Moses: and there fell of the people that day about three thousand men.

World English Bible
The sons of Levi did according to the word of Moses. About three thousand men fell of the people that day.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And the sons of Levi do according to the word of Moses, and there falls of the people on that day about three thousand men,

Young's Literal Translation
And the sons of Levi do according to the word of Moses, and there fall of the people on that day about three thousand men,

Smith's Literal Translation
And the sons of Levi will do according to the word of Moses: and there will fall from the people in that day about three thousand men.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And the sons of Levi did according to the words of Moses, and there were slain that day about three and twenty thousand men.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And the sons of Levi did according to the words of Moses, and there fell on that day about twenty-three thousand men.

New American Bible
The Levites did as Moses had commanded, and that day about three thousand of the people fell.

New Revised Standard Version
The sons of Levi did as Moses commanded, and about three thousand of the people fell on that day.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And the Levites did according to the word of Moses; and there fell of the people that day about three thousand men.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Moshe said to them, “Thus says LORD JEHOVAH, God of Israel, ‘Throw a man his sword around his waist and pass through and turn from door to door in the camp, and kill each man his brother, and each man his neighbor, and each man his relative.”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And the sons of Levi did according to the word of Moses; and there fell of the people that day about three thousand men.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the sons of Levi did as Moses spoke to them, and there fell of the people in that day to the number of three thousand men.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Moses Breaks the Tablets
27He told them, “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘Each of you men is to fasten his sword to his side, go back and forth through the camp from gate to gate, and slay his brother, his friend, and his neighbor.’ ” 28The Levites did as Moses commanded, and that day about three thousand of the people fell dead. 29Afterward, Moses said, “Today you have been ordained for service to the LORD, since each man went against his son and his brother; so the LORD has bestowed a blessing on you this day.”…

Cross References
Numbers 25:5-9
So Moses told the judges of Israel, “Each of you must kill all of his men who have joined in worshiping Baal of Peor.” / Just then an Israelite man brought to his family a Midianite woman in the sight of Moses and the whole congregation of Israel while they were weeping at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. / On seeing this, Phinehas son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, got up from the assembly, took a spear in his hand, ...

Deuteronomy 13:6-11
If your very own brother, or your son or daughter, or the wife you embrace, or your closest friend secretly entices you, saying, “Let us go and worship other gods” (which neither you nor your fathers have known, / the gods of the peoples around you, whether near or far, whether from one end of the earth or the other), / you must not yield to him or listen to him. Show him no pity, and do not spare him or shield him. ...

1 Kings 18:40
Then Elijah ordered them, “Seize the prophets of Baal! Do not let a single one escape.” So they seized them, and Elijah brought them down to the Kishon Valley and slaughtered them there.

Deuteronomy 33:9
He said of his father and mother, ‘I do not consider them.’ He disregarded his brothers and did not know his own sons, for he kept Your word and maintained Your covenant.

Numbers 16:32-35
and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them and their households—all Korah’s men and all their possessions. / They went down alive into Sheol with all they owned. The earth closed over them, and they vanished from the assembly. / At their cries, all the people of Israel who were around them fled, saying, “The earth may swallow us too!” ...

1 Samuel 15:3
Now go and attack the Amalekites and devote to destruction all that belongs to them. Do not spare them, but put to death men and women, children and infants, oxen and sheep, camels and donkeys.’”

Joshua 7:24-25
Then Joshua, together with all Israel, took Achan son of Zerah, the silver, the cloak, the bar of gold, his sons and daughters, his oxen and donkeys and sheep, his tent, and everything else he owned, and brought them to the Valley of Achor. / “Why have you brought this trouble upon us?” said Joshua. “Today the LORD will bring trouble upon you!” And all Israel stoned him to death. Then they stoned the others and burned their bodies.

2 Chronicles 15:13
And whoever would not seek the LORD, the God of Israel, would be put to death, whether young or old, man or woman.

Judges 20:35
The LORD defeated Benjamin in the presence of Israel, and on that day the Israelites slaughtered 25,100 Benjamites, all armed with swords.

2 Kings 10:25
When he had finished making the burnt offering, Jehu said to the guards and officers, “Go in and kill them. Do not let anyone out.” So the guards and officers put them to the sword, threw the bodies out, and went into the inner room of the temple of Baal.

Matthew 10:37
Anyone who loves his father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me;

Luke 14:26
“If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be My disciple.

Acts 5:29
But Peter and the other apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than men.

Hebrews 10:28-29
Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. / How much more severely do you think one deserves to be punished who has trampled on the Son of God, profaned the blood of the covenant that sanctified him, and insulted the Spirit of grace?

Revelation 2:14-16
But I have a few things against you, because some of you hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to place a stumbling block before the Israelites so they would eat food sacrificed to idols and commit sexual immorality. / In the same way, some of you also hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. / Therefore repent! Otherwise I will come to you shortly and wage war against them with the sword of My mouth.


Treasury of Scripture

And the children of Levi did according to the word of Moses: and there fell of the people that day about three thousand men.

children

Deuteronomy 33:9
Who said unto his father and to his mother, I have not seen him; neither did he acknowledge his brethren, nor knew his own children: for they have observed thy word, and kept thy covenant.

Malachi 2:4-6
And ye shall know that I have sent this commandment unto you, that my covenant might be with Levi, saith the LORD of hosts…

there fell

Numbers 16:32-35,41
And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up, and their houses, and all the men that appertained unto Korah, and all their goods…

1 Corinthians 10:8
Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.

Hebrews 2:2,3
For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; …

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Children Commanded Death Died Fall Fell Instructed Levi Moses Thousand Three Word
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Children Commanded Death Died Fall Fell Instructed Levi Moses Thousand Three Word
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














The Levites did as Moses commanded
The Levites, a tribe set apart for priestly duties, demonstrated obedience to Moses, who acted as God's representative. This act of obedience highlights the Levites' role as defenders of God's holiness. Their actions here foreshadow their future role as the priestly tribe in Israel. This obedience is a stark contrast to the idolatry of the golden calf, showing a clear division between those who follow God's commands and those who do not. The Levites' loyalty here is rewarded later when they are chosen to serve in the tabernacle (Numbers 3:5-10).

and that day about three thousand of the people fell dead
This phrase indicates the severe consequence of idolatry and rebellion against God. The number "three thousand" is significant, as it represents a substantial portion of the population, emphasizing the seriousness of the sin and the need for purification among the people. This event serves as a sobering reminder of the holiness of God and the seriousness of sin. It also prefigures the New Testament concept of spiritual death due to sin (Romans 6:23). The judgment here is immediate and physical, contrasting with the spiritual life offered through Christ, who provides a way to escape eternal death (John 3:16).

Persons / Places / Events
1. Moses
The leader of the Israelites, who was on Mount Sinai receiving the Law from God when the events of Exodus 32 occurred.

2. The Levites
The tribe chosen by God to carry out the priestly duties. In this passage, they are called to execute judgment on those who sinned against God.

3. The Israelites
The people of God who, in Moses' absence, created and worshiped a golden calf, committing idolatry.

4. Mount Sinai
The mountain where Moses received the Ten Commandments and where the Israelites camped during this event.

5. The Golden Calf
An idol made by the Israelites, representing a significant act of rebellion against God.
Teaching Points
The Seriousness of Idolatry
Idolatry is a grave sin that provokes God's wrath. Believers must guard their hearts against placing anything above God.

The Call to Holiness
Like the Levites, Christians are called to be set apart and to uphold God's standards, even when it is difficult.

The Cost of Disobedience
Sin has serious consequences, as seen in the judgment executed by the Levites. This serves as a warning to live in obedience to God.

The Role of Leadership
Moses' leadership and intercession for the people highlight the importance of godly leadership in guiding others back to righteousness.

The Importance of Repentance
The Israelites' sin and subsequent judgment underscore the need for genuine repentance and turning back to God.Verse 28. - About three thousand. We cannot gather from this, as some have done, that the Levites who rallied to Moses were only 3,000 - for every Levite was not obliged to kill a man - but only that, when this number was slain, the idolaters desisted from their orgy

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
The Levites
בְנֵֽי־ (ḇə·nê-)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121: A son

did
וַיַּֽעֲשׂ֥וּ (way·ya·‘ă·śū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 6213: To do, make

as Moses
מֹשֶׁ֑ה (mō·šeh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 4872: Moses -- a great Israelite leader, prophet and lawgiver

commanded,
כִּדְבַ֣ר (kiḏ·ḇar)
Preposition-k | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause

and that
הַה֔וּא (ha·hū)
Article | Pronoun - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

day
בַּיּ֣וֹם (bay·yō·wm)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3117: A day

about three
כִּשְׁלֹ֥שֶׁת (kiš·lō·šeṯ)
Preposition-k | Number - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7969: Three, third, thrice

thousand
אַלְפֵ֖י (’al·p̄ê)
Number - masculine plural construct
Strong's 505: A thousand

of
מִן־ (min-)
Preposition
Strong's 4480: A part of, from, out of

the people
הָעָם֙ (hā·‘ām)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

fell dead.
וַיִּפֹּ֤ל (way·yip·pōl)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5307: To fall, lie


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OT Law: Exodus 32:28 The sons of Levi did according (Exo. Ex)
Exodus 32:27
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