In all probability, these three chapters originally formed a distinct composition. The main incidents recorded in them follow in the order of time …

All the people brake off the golden earrings.—Aaron had miscalculated the strength of the people’s fanaticism. Not the sl…

And Aaron said to them, Break off the golden earrings, which are in the ears of your wives, of your sons, and of your daughters, and bring them…

And all the people broke off the golden earrings, which
were in their ears
The men to…

While Moses was on the mountain, receiving the law from God, the people made a tumultuous demand to Aaron. This fickle crowd was tired of waiting f…