Definition: And it came to pass, as soon as he came nigh unto the camp, that he saw the calf, and the dancing: and Moses’ anger waxed hot, and he cast the tables out of his hands, and brake them beneath the mount.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this passage from Exodus 32:19. It's a really dramatic story about God’s judgment! Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Story: God is sending Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. During a test, the Israelites are boasting and celebrating – they're building a golden calf and dancing around it. Because they’re distracted, Moses is furious. He quickly destroys all their idols (representations of God) and throws the tables out of his hands and breaks them beneath the mountain. What It Means in More Detail: “As soon as he came nigh unto the camp…” : This means it was happening right when Moses arrived at the camp. It’s a sudden, urgent moment. “…that he saw the calf, and the dancing:” : He clearly recognized the idols they were making. The calf is a symbol of idolatry – worshipping other things instead of God. “And Moses anger waxed hot…” : This shows how deeply upset he was. Anger is a powerful emotion, and it’s heightened by this situation. “…and he cast the tables out of his hands…” : He deliberately destroyed the idols. The tables were sacred objects used for worship. “And brake them beneath the mount.” : This is a shocking part – he threw them underneath the mountain, as if trying to hide them. It suggests a deep sense of shame and regret. Overall Meaning & Significance: This passage is a key moment in God’s plan to free his people from their idolatry. It's about God’s judgment on sin. He’s showing that when people turn away from him and focus on things other than him, it leads to consequences. It also shows God's power and His unwavering commitment to protecting his people. Important Note: This story is a bit symbolic. It wasn’t necessarily about Moses causing the idols. It was a display of God’s righteous anger at their disobedience. --- Do you want me to explain any particular part of this passage in more detail, or would you like me to offer some context about the story of Exodus 32? For example, we could talk about: The significance of the golden calf What it means for the Israelites to disobey God