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Deuteronomy 9:20

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Deuteronomy 9:20 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And Jehovah was very angry with Aaron to destroy him: and I prayed for Aaron also at the same time.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And Jehovah was very angry with Aaron to destroy him: and I prayed for Aaron also at the same time.
Deuteronomy 9:20 — American Standard Version

Context — Deuteronomy 9

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
17And I took hold of the two tables, and cast them out of my two hands, and brake them before your eyes.
18And I fell down before Jehovah, as at the first, forty days and forty nights; I did neither eat bread nor drink water; because of all your sin which ye sinned, in doing that which was evil in the sight of Jehovah, to provoke him to anger.
19For I was afraid of the anger and hot displeasure, wherewith Jehovah was wroth against you to destroy you. But Jehovah hearkened unto me that time also.
20And Jehovah was very angry with Aaron to destroy him: and I prayed for Aaron also at the same time.
21And I took your sin, the calf which ye had made, and burnt it with fire, and stamped it, grinding it very small, until it was as fine as dust: and I cast the dust thereof into the brook that descended out of the mount.
22And at Taberah, and at Massah, and at Kibroth-hattaavah, ye provoked Jehovah to wrath.
23And when Jehovah sent you from Kadesh-barnea, saying, Go up and possess the land which I have given you; then ye rebelled against the commandment of Jehovah your God, and ye believed him not, nor hearkened to his voice.
← Deuteronomy 9:19Deuteronomy 9:21 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And the Lord was very angry with Aaron, to have destroyed him, etc.] For complying with the request of the people in making a calf for them, and for that miserable shift he made to excuse himself; which so provoked the Lord, that he threatened to destroy him, and he was in danger of being cut off, had it not been for the intercession of Moses: and I prayed for Aaron also the same time: who either was included in the general prayer for the people, (<023231>Exodus 32:31) or a particular prayer was made for him, though not recorded, and which also succeeded.”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“The Lord was very angry with Aaron to have destroyed him--By allowing himself to be overborne by the tide of popular clamor, Aaron became a partaker in the guilt of idolatry and would have suffered the penalty of his sinful compliance, had not the earnest intercession of Moses on his behalf prevailed.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Israel could not even boast that its heads and representatives continued, faithful. Aaron had been already designated for the high priestly functions; but he fell away with the rest of the people. It was due therefore solely to the grace of God and the intercession of Moses that Aaron himself and his promised priesthood with him were not cut off; just as at a later time, when Aaron had actually to die for a new sin Israel owed it still to the same causes that Eleazar was substituted and the High Priesthood perpetuated (compare Deuteronomy 10:6; Numbers 20:24-26). return to 'Top of Page'”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Exo 32:2-5, Exo 32:21, Exo 32:35; Heb 7:26-28 Deuteronomy 9:21”
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Related study paths

Read Deuteronomy 9 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification