Exodus Chapter 32 verse 21 Holy Bible
And Moses said unto Aaron, What did this people unto thee, that thou hast brought a great sin upon them?
read chapter 32 in ASV
And Moses said to Aaron, What did the people do to you that you let this great sin come on them?
read chapter 32 in BBE
And Moses said to Aaron, What has this people done to thee, that thou hast brought so great a sin on them?
read chapter 32 in DARBY
And Moses said unto Aaron, What did this people unto thee, that thou hast brought so great a sin upon them?
read chapter 32 in KJV
And Moses said to Aaron, What did this people to thee, that thou hast brought so great a sin upon them?
read chapter 32 in WBT
Moses said to Aaron, "What did these people do to you, that you have brought a great sin on them?"
read chapter 32 in WEB
And Moses saith unto Aaron, `What hath this people done to thee, that thou hast brought in upon it a great sin?'
read chapter 32 in YLT
Pulpit Commentary
Pulpit CommentaryVerses 21-24. - AARON TRIES TO EXCUSE HIMSELF. Having taken the needful steps for the destruction of the idol, Moses naturally turned upon Aaron. He had been left in charge of the people, to guide them, instruct them, counsel them in difficulties (Exodus 24:14). How had he acquitted himself of his task? He had led the people into a great sin - had at any rate connived at it - assisted in it. Moses therefore asks, "What had the people done to him, that he should so act? How had they injured him, that he should so greatly injure them?" To this he has no direct reply. But he will not acknowledge himself in fault - he must excuse himself. And his excuse is twofold: - 1. It was the people's fault, not his; they were "set on mischief." 2. It was a fatality - he threw the gold into the fire, and "it came out this calf." We are not surprised, after this, to read in Deuteronomy, that "the Lord was very angry with Aaron to have destroyed him," and was only hindered from his purpose by the intercession of Moses Verse 21. - What did this people unto thee? Moses does not suppose that the people had really done anything to Aaron. He asks the question as a reproach - they had done nothing to thee - had in no way injured thee - and yet thou broughtest this evil upon them. So great a sin. Literally, "a great sin" - the sin of idolatry. If Aaron had offered a strenuous opposition from the first, the idolatry might not have taken place - the people might have been brought to a better mind.
Ellicott's Commentary
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(21) Moses said unto Aaron, What did this people unto thee ?--The second step was to inquire how the idolatry came about; and here Moses very reasonably addressed himself to Aaron. Aaron had been left in charge of the people (Exodus 24:14), to advise them, direct them, control them, if necessary. How had he acquitted himself of this charge? He had allowed the people to commit a great sin. What excuse could he offer for his conduct? Had the people injured him in any way? The question is asked ironically.
