Exo 32:6-7 | Clarke | e4.org | Verse 6. The people sat down to eat and to drink ] The burnt-offerings were wholly consumed; the peace-offerings, when the blood bad been poured out, became the food of the priests, &c. When therefore the strictly religious part of these ceremonies was finished, the people sat down to eat of the peace-offerings , and this they did merely as the idolaters , eating and drinking to excess. And it appears they went much farther, for it is said they rose up to play , letsachek , a word of ominous import, which seems to imply here fornicating and adulterous intercourse; and in some countries the verb to play is still used precisely in this sense. In this sense the original is evidently used, .

‏ Exodus 32:6-7

Verse 6. The people sat down to eat and to drink] The burnt-offerings were wholly consumed; the peace-offerings, when the blood bad been poured out, became the food of the priests, &c. When therefore the strictly religious part of these ceremonies was finished, the people sat down to eat of the peace-offerings, and this they did merely as the idolaters, eating and drinking to excess. And it appears they went much farther, for it is said they rose up to play, letsachek, a word of ominous import, which seems to imply here fornicating and adulterous intercourse; and in some countries the verb to play is still used precisely in this sense. In this sense the original is evidently used, Ge 39:14.

Verse 7. Thy people-have corrupted themselves] They had not only got into the spirit of idolatry, but they had become abominable in their conduct, so that God disowns them to be his: THY people have broken the covenant, and are no longer entitled to my protection and love.

This is one pretence that the Roman Catholics have for the idolatry in their image worship. Their high priest, the pope, collects the ornaments of the people, and makes an image, a crucifix, a madonna, &c. The people worship it; but the pope says it is only to keep God in remembrance. But of the whole God says, Thy people have corrupted themselves; and thus as they continue in their idolatry, they have forfeited the blessings of the Lord's covenant. They are not God's people, they are the pope's people, and he is called "our holy father the pope."