King James Bible
"And when the people heard these evil tidings, they mourned: and no man did put on him his ornaments."
The 'evil tidings' refers to God's declaration that He would not go with Israel to the Promised Land due to their golden calf idolatry. This devastating news meant losing God's immediate presence, which had been their source of guidance and protection since leaving Egypt. The people's mourning demonstrates genuine grief and repentance over their sin and its consequences. This collective sorrow marks a turning point from their earlier rebellious celebration around the golden calf. Removing ornaments was a traditional sign of mourning and humility in ancient Near Eastern culture. Their voluntary stripping of jewelry—the very materials used to create the golden calf—shows both remorse and a symbolic rejection of their idolatry.