John Calvin Commentary Exodus 32:17

"And when Joshua heard the noise of the people as they shouted, he said unto Moses, There is a noise of war in the camp." — Exodus 32:17 (ASV)

And when Joshua heard the noise of the people This is introduced to inform us how unrestrainedly the people raged in their insane worship of the calf, since their shouting was heard from a distance.

This is how the devil bewitches poor, miserable men, so that for them, dissolute licentiousness is pious ardor.

Thus, there is nothing too disgraceful or abominable for the Gentiles to embrace, so that they may prove they omit nothing that might appease their false gods. Nor can it be doubted that, under the pretense of holy zeal, superstitious men give way to the indulgences of the flesh; and Satan baits his false modes of worship with such attractions that they are willingly and eagerly embraced and obstinately retained.

Joshua’s concern for the people leads him to consider it the cry of battle; while Moses,³⁴⁰ having been informed by God, infers that it is not the voice of men fighting, since their cry does not correspond to the shouts of conquerors, nor is there any sound like the wailing of the conquered.

³⁴⁰ Ver. 18, ענות. In the first clause A. V. renders this word shout, in the second cry, in the third sing. S.M. renders it resound in the two first, and in the last singers; but observes that it is literally to answer, and C. follows his rendering. — W