Reference: Calf Worship
Fausets
(See AARON.) The Israelites "in Egypt" had served the Egyptian idols (Jos 24:14), including the sacred living bulls Apis, Basis, and Mnevis, and sacred cows Isis and Athor; worshipped for their utility to man, and made symbols of the sun and Osiris. In fact Nature, not the personal Creator, God, was symbolized by the calf and worshipped. But Aaron's golden calf he expressly calls, "thy Elohim which brought thee up out of Egypt"; and the feast to it "a feast to Jehovah" (Ex 32:4-8,17-19). Israel too had just seen that "upon Egypt's gods Jehovah executed judgments" (Nu 33:4). What they yearned for therefore was not the vanquished Egyptian idols, but some visible symbol of the unseen Jehovah; the cherubic emblem, the calf or ox, furnished this. So Ps 106:20, "they changed their glory (i.e. God) into the similitude of an ox that eateth grass"; indeed the Egyptians used to offer a bottle of hay to Apis.
The rites of Mnevis' feast at Heliopolis, boisterous revelry, dancing, offerings, etc., which the Israelites were familiar with in Egypt, they transferred to Jehovah's calf image. Ac 7:40-41 marks this first stage of idolatry. The second more glaring stage surely followed: "God turned, and gave them up to worship the host of heaven" (Ac 7:42-43). Jeroboam's calves, which his exile in Egypt familiarized him with, and which he subsequently set up at Dan and Bethel similarly, were not set up to oppose Jehovah's worship, but to oppose His worship by Jeroboam's subjects at Jerusalem, lest they should thereby be alienated from him (1Ki 12:26-29). It was notorious that it was Jehovah who delivered Israel out of Egypt; and, like Aaron, Jeroboam says of the calves, thereby identifying them with Jehovah, "Behold thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of Egypt."
Jehu's worship of the calves is markedly distinguished from the Baal worship of Ahab which he overthrew (2Ki 10:18-29). Baal worship breaks the first commandment by having other gods besides Jehovah. The calf worship breaks the second by worshipping Jehovah with an image or symbol; Rome's sin in our days. Moreover, there was only one Apis, there were two calves answering to the two cherubim. Hence, this was the only idolatry into which Judah never fell. As having the original cherubim in the temple at Jerusalem, she did not need the copies at Dan and Bethel. The prophets of the calves regarded themselves as "prophets of Jehovah" (1Ki 22:5-6).
Hosea denounces the calf worship, and calls Bethel Bethaven, the house of vanity, instead of the house of God (Ho 8:5-6; 10:5-6). Kissing them was one mode of adoration (Ho 13:2); contrast God's command," Kiss the Son, lest He be angry and ye perish" (Ps 2:12). Tiglath Pileser carried away the calf at Daniel Shalmaneser, 10 years later, carried away that at Bethel (2Ki 15:29; 17:6). In Ho 14:2 we read "calves of our lips": instead of calves which we can no longer offer in our exile, we present praises of our lips; so Heb 13:15.
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And he received the gold at their hand, and fashioned it with a graving tool, and made it a molten calf, and they said - These, are thy gods, O Israel, who brought thee up, out of the land of Egypt.
And he received the gold at their hand, and fashioned it with a graving tool, and made it a molten calf, and they said - These, are thy gods, O Israel, who brought thee up, out of the land of Egypt. And when Aaron saw it, he built an altar before it. And Aaron made proclamation, and said, A festival to Yahweh, to-morrow!
And when Aaron saw it, he built an altar before it. And Aaron made proclamation, and said, A festival to Yahweh, to-morrow! So they rose up early, on the morrow, and offered ascending-sacrifices, and brought near peace-offerings, and the people sat down, to eat and to drink, and then rose up - to make sport!
So they rose up early, on the morrow, and offered ascending-sacrifices, and brought near peace-offerings, and the people sat down, to eat and to drink, and then rose up - to make sport! Then spake Yahweh unto Moses - Go get thee down, for thy people whom thou hast brought up out of the land of Egypt have corrupted themselves.
Then spake Yahweh unto Moses - Go get thee down, for thy people whom thou hast brought up out of the land of Egypt have corrupted themselves. They have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them, they have made for themselves - a molten calf, and have bowed themselves down thereto mad have sacrificed thereto, and have said. These, are thy gods, O Israel, who have brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.
They have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them, they have made for themselves - a molten calf, and have bowed themselves down thereto mad have sacrificed thereto, and have said. These, are thy gods, O Israel, who have brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.
And Joshua heard the noise of the people as they shouted, - so he said unto Moses - The noise of war, in the camp!
And Joshua heard the noise of the people as they shouted, - so he said unto Moses - The noise of war, in the camp! But he said - Not the noise of the cry of heroism, nor yet the noise of the cry of defeat, - the noise of alternate song, do I hear.
But he said - Not the noise of the cry of heroism, nor yet the noise of the cry of defeat, - the noise of alternate song, do I hear. And it came to pass when he drew near unto the camp, and saw the calf, and the dancings, that the anger of Moses kindled, and he cast out of his hands the tables, and brake them in pieces at the foot of the mountain.
And it came to pass when he drew near unto the camp, and saw the calf, and the dancings, that the anger of Moses kindled, and he cast out of his hands the tables, and brake them in pieces at the foot of the mountain.
when the Egyptians, were burying them whom Yahweh had smitten among them, every firstborn, - when, upon their gods, Yahweh had executed judgments,
when the Egyptians, were burying them whom Yahweh had smitten among them, every firstborn, - when, upon their gods, Yahweh had executed judgments,
Now, therefore, revere ye Yahweh, and serve him, in sincerity and in truth, - and put away the gods which your fathers served beyond the River, and in Egypt, and serve ye Yahweh.
Now, therefore, revere ye Yahweh, and serve him, in sincerity and in truth, - and put away the gods which your fathers served beyond the River, and in Egypt, and serve ye Yahweh.
And Jeroboam said in his heart, - Now, shall the kingdom return to the house of David:
And Jeroboam said in his heart, - Now, shall the kingdom return to the house of David: If this people go up to offer sacrifices in the house of Yahweh, in Jerusalem, then will the heart of this people return unto their lord, unto Rehoboam, king of Judah, - and they will slay me, and return unto Rehoboam, king of Judah.
If this people go up to offer sacrifices in the house of Yahweh, in Jerusalem, then will the heart of this people return unto their lord, unto Rehoboam, king of Judah, - and they will slay me, and return unto Rehoboam, king of Judah. Whereupon the king took counsel, and made two calves of gold, - and said unto them - It is, too much for you, to go up to Jerusalem, Lo! thy gods, O Israel, that brought thee up out of the land of Egypt;
Whereupon the king took counsel, and made two calves of gold, - and said unto them - It is, too much for you, to go up to Jerusalem, Lo! thy gods, O Israel, that brought thee up out of the land of Egypt; And he set the one in Bethel, - and, the other, put he in Dan.
And Jehoshaphat said unto the king of Israel, I am as thou art, my people are us thy people, my horses as thy horses.
And Jehoshaphat said unto the king of Israel, I am as thou art, my people are us thy people, my horses as thy horses. Then said Jehoshaphat unto the king of Israel, - Seek, I pray thee, at once, the word of Yahweh. So the king of Israel gathered together the prophets, about four hundred men, and said unto them - Shall I go against Ramoth-gilead, to battle, or shall I forbear? And they said - Go up, that the Lord may deliver it into the hand of the king.
Then said Jehoshaphat unto the king of Israel, - Seek, I pray thee, at once, the word of Yahweh. So the king of Israel gathered together the prophets, about four hundred men, and said unto them - Shall I go against Ramoth-gilead, to battle, or shall I forbear? And they said - Go up, that the Lord may deliver it into the hand of the king.
Then Jehu gathered together all the people, and said unto them, - Ahab, served Baal, a little, - Jehu, will serve him, much.
Then Jehu gathered together all the people, and said unto them, - Ahab, served Baal, a little, - Jehu, will serve him, much. Now, therefore, all the prophets of Baal, all his servants and all his priests, call ye for me; do not let, a man, be missing; for, a great sacrifice, have I, to Baal, no one that is missing, shall live. But, Jehu, acted, craftily, to the end he might destroy the servants of Baal.
Now, therefore, all the prophets of Baal, all his servants and all his priests, call ye for me; do not let, a man, be missing; for, a great sacrifice, have I, to Baal, no one that is missing, shall live. But, Jehu, acted, craftily, to the end he might destroy the servants of Baal. And Jehu said - Hallow ye a solemn festival unto Baal. And they made proclamation.
And Jehu said - Hallow ye a solemn festival unto Baal. And they made proclamation. And Jehu sent throughout all Israel, and all the servants of Baal came in, so that there was not left remaining a man, who had not come in, - and they entered the house of Baal, and the house of Baal was filled, from door to door.
And Jehu sent throughout all Israel, and all the servants of Baal came in, so that there was not left remaining a man, who had not come in, - and they entered the house of Baal, and the house of Baal was filled, from door to door. Then said he to him who was over the wardrobe chamber, Bring forth vestments for all the servants of Baal. And he brought forth for them the vestments.
Then said he to him who was over the wardrobe chamber, Bring forth vestments for all the servants of Baal. And he brought forth for them the vestments. Then entered Jehu, with Jehonadab son of Rechab, into the house of Baal, - and he said unto the servants of Baal - Search ye and see, that there be not here, with you, any of the servants of Yahweh, none but the servants of Baal, alone.
Then entered Jehu, with Jehonadab son of Rechab, into the house of Baal, - and he said unto the servants of Baal - Search ye and see, that there be not here, with you, any of the servants of Yahweh, none but the servants of Baal, alone. And, when they entered to offer sacrifices and ascending-offerings, Jehu, set him, outside, eighty men, and said - The man who shall escape, of the men whom I am bringing into your power, his own life, shall be for, his life.
And, when they entered to offer sacrifices and ascending-offerings, Jehu, set him, outside, eighty men, and said - The man who shall escape, of the men whom I am bringing into your power, his own life, shall be for, his life. And it came to pass, as soon as he had made an end of offering the ascending-sacrifice, that Jehu said to the runners and to the officers - Enter, smite them, let not, a man, get out. So they smote them, with the edge of the sword, - and the runners and the officers cast them out, and then went as far as the city of the house of Baal,
And it came to pass, as soon as he had made an end of offering the ascending-sacrifice, that Jehu said to the runners and to the officers - Enter, smite them, let not, a man, get out. So they smote them, with the edge of the sword, - and the runners and the officers cast them out, and then went as far as the city of the house of Baal, and brought forth the idolatrous pillars that were in the house of Baal, and then burned it;
and brought forth the idolatrous pillars that were in the house of Baal, and then burned it; and they brake down the pillars of Baal, - and brake down the house of Baal, and appointed it for a sewer-house - until this day.
and they brake down the pillars of Baal, - and brake down the house of Baal, and appointed it for a sewer-house - until this day. Thus Jehu destroyed Baal out of Israel.
Thus Jehu destroyed Baal out of Israel. Nevertheless, as for the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, which he caused, Israel, to commit, Jehu turned not away from following them, - the calves of gold, one being in Bethel, and the other in Dan.
Nevertheless, as for the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, which he caused, Israel, to commit, Jehu turned not away from following them, - the calves of gold, one being in Bethel, and the other in Dan.
In the days of Pekah king of Israel, came Tiglath-pileser, king of Assyria, and took Ijon, and Abel-beth-maachah, and Janoah, and Kedesh, and Hazor, and Gilead, and Galilee, all the land of Naphtali - and carried them away captive to Assyria.
In the days of Pekah king of Israel, came Tiglath-pileser, king of Assyria, and took Ijon, and Abel-beth-maachah, and Janoah, and Kedesh, and Hazor, and Gilead, and Galilee, all the land of Naphtali - and carried them away captive to Assyria.
In the ninth year of Hoshea, did the king of Assyria capture Samaria, and carried Israel away captive to Assyria, - and settled them in Halah, and in Habor by the river of Gozan, and the mountains of Media.
In the ninth year of Hoshea, did the king of Assyria capture Samaria, and carried Israel away captive to Assyria, - and settled them in Halah, and in Habor by the river of Gozan, and the mountains of Media.
Kiss the son, lest he be angry, and ye perish by the way, for soon might be kindled his anger, - How happy are all who seek refuge in him!
Kiss the son, lest he be angry, and ye perish by the way, for soon might be kindled his anger, - How happy are all who seek refuge in him!
Thus changed they my glory, for the similitude of an ox that eateth grass.
Thus changed they my glory, for the similitude of an ox that eateth grass.
He hath cast away thy calf, O Samaria, kindled is mine anger upon them, - How long shall they not endure to be innocent?
He hath cast away thy calf, O Samaria, kindled is mine anger upon them, - How long shall they not endure to be innocent? For, of Israel, is even that thing! A craftsman, made it, and, a No-god, it is! For, into fragments, shall the Calf of Samaria be broken.
For, of Israel, is even that thing! A craftsman, made it, and, a No-god, it is! For, into fragments, shall the Calf of Samaria be broken.
About the calves of Beth-aven, will the inhabitant of Samaria be concerned, - for the people thereof, have mourned over it, and, the ascetics thereof, who, over it, used to exult, shall mourn for the glory thereof, because it hath departed therefrom.
About the calves of Beth-aven, will the inhabitant of Samaria be concerned, - for the people thereof, have mourned over it, and, the ascetics thereof, who, over it, used to exult, shall mourn for the glory thereof, because it hath departed therefrom. Itself also, to Assyria, shall be borne along, as a present to a hostile king, - shame, shall Ephraim receive, that Israel, may be ashamed, of his own counsel.
Itself also, to Assyria, shall be borne along, as a present to a hostile king, - shame, shall Ephraim receive, that Israel, may be ashamed, of his own counsel.
Now, therefore they go on to sin, and have made them a Molten Thing out of their silver, after the notion of idols, the workmanship of craftsmen, all of it! Of them, are they saying - Ye sacrificers of men! The Great Calf, shall ye surely kiss!
Now, therefore they go on to sin, and have made them a Molten Thing out of their silver, after the notion of idols, the workmanship of craftsmen, all of it! Of them, are they saying - Ye sacrificers of men! The Great Calf, shall ye surely kiss!
Take with you words, and return to Yahweh: say unto him - Wholly, shalt thou take away iniquity, Accept, then, with favour, and we will make good the boldness of our lips!
Take with you words, and return to Yahweh: say unto him - Wholly, shalt thou take away iniquity, Accept, then, with favour, and we will make good the boldness of our lips!
Saying unto Aaron - Make as gods who shall go before us; for, as for this Moses who brought us forth out of Egypt, we know not what hath befallen him!
Saying unto Aaron - Make as gods who shall go before us; for, as for this Moses who brought us forth out of Egypt, we know not what hath befallen him! And so they fell to calf-making in those days, and offered sacrifice unto the idol, and rejoiced in the works of their hands.
And so they fell to calf-making in those days, and offered sacrifice unto the idol, and rejoiced in the works of their hands. But God, turned, and delivered them up to be doing divine service unto the host of heaven, - just as it is written in a book of the prophets - Victims and sacrifices did ye offer unto me, forty years in the desert, O house of Israel?
But God, turned, and delivered them up to be doing divine service unto the host of heaven, - just as it is written in a book of the prophets - Victims and sacrifices did ye offer unto me, forty years in the desert, O house of Israel? Nay! but ye took with you the tent of Moloch, and the star of the god Rephan, - the forms which ye made to bow down unto them: therefore will I carry you away beyond Babylon.
Nay! but ye took with you the tent of Moloch, and the star of the god Rephan, - the forms which ye made to bow down unto them: therefore will I carry you away beyond Babylon.
Through him, let us be offering up a sacrifice of praise, continually, unto God; that is, a fruit of lips confessing unto his name.
Through him, let us be offering up a sacrifice of praise, continually, unto God; that is, a fruit of lips confessing unto his name.