30 Bible Verses about Calves

Most Relevant Verses

Exodus 32:2-8

And Aaron said unto them, "Pluck off the golden earrings which are in the ears of your wives, your sons and of your daughters: and bring them unto me." And all the people plucked off the golden earrings that were in their ears, and brought them unto Aaron. And he received them of their hands and fashioned it with a graver and made it a calf of molten metal. And they said, "This is thy God, O Israel, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt."read more.
And when Aaron saw that, he made an altar before it, and made a proclamation saying, "Tomorrow shall be holy day unto the LORD." And they rose up in the morning and offered burnt offerings, and brought offerings of atonement also. And then they sat them down to eat and drink, and rose up again to play. Then the LORD said unto Moses, "Go, get thee down; for thy people, which thou broughtest out of the land of Egypt, have marred all: they are turned at once out of the way which I commanded them, and have made them a calf of molten metal, and have worshipped it and have offered thereto and have said, 'This is thy God thou Israel, which hath brought thee out of the land of Egypt.'"

1 Kings 12:28-29

Whereupon the king took counsel and made two calves of gold and said unto the people, "Ye shall not need to go any more to Jerusalem. Behold your gods, Israel, which brought you out of the land of Egypt!" And he put the one in Bethel and the other in Dan.

Exodus 32:19-24

And as soon as he came nigh unto the host and saw the calf and the dancing, his wrath waxed hot, and he cast the tables out of his hand, and brake them even at the hill foot. And the took the calf which they had made and burned it with fire, and stamped it unto powder and strowed it in the water, and made the children of Israel drink. And then Moses said unto Aaron, "What did this people unto thee that thou hast brought so great a sin upon them?"read more.
And Aaron said, "Let not the wrath of my lord wax fierce, thou knowest the people that they are even set on mischief. They said unto me, 'Make us a god to go before us, for we wot not what is become of Moses, the fellow that brought us out of the land of Egypt.' And I said unto them, 'Let them that have gold, take and bring it me': and I cast it into the fire, and thereof came out this calf."

Deuteronomy 9:16-21

And when I looked and saw that ye had sinned against the LORD your God and had made you a calf of metal and had turned at once out of the way which the LORD had commanded you; Then I took the two tables and cast them out of my two hands, and brake them before your eyes. And I fell before the LORD, even as at the first time - forty days and nights, and neither ate bread nor drank water - over all your sins which ye had sinned in doing wickedly in the sight of the LORD and in provoking him.read more.
For I was afraid of the wrath and fierceness wherewith the LORD was angry with you, even for to have destroyed you; But the LORD heard my petition at that time also. The LORD was very angry with Aaron also, even for to have destroyed him: But I made intercession for Aaron also the same time. And I took your sin, the calf which ye had made and burnt him with fire and stamped him and ground him a-good, even unto small dust. And I cast the dust thereof into the brook that descended out of the mount.

2 Kings 10:28-29

And so Jehu destroyed Baal out of Israel. But from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat which made Israel sin with the golden calves in Bethel and Dan, Jehu departed not.

2 Kings 17:16

But they left the commandments of the LORD their God and made them Images of metal, even two calves: and made groves and bowed themselves unto all the Host of heaven, and served Baal.

2 Chronicles 11:15

And he ordained him priests of hill altars - both to field devils and also to the calves which he had made.

Nehemiah 9:16-18

But our fathers were proud, and hard necked, so that they followed not thy commandments, and refused to hear, and were not mindful of the wonders that thou didst for them: but became obstinate and heady insomuch that they turned back to their bondage in their disobedience. But thou, my God, forgavest, and wast gracious, merciful, patient, and of great goodness, and forsookest them not. And though they made a molten calf, and said 'This is thy God, that brought thee out of the land of Egypt,' and did great blasphemies,

Psalm 106:19-20

They made a calf in Horeb, and worshipped the molten image. Thus they turned their glory into the similitude of a calf, that eateth hay.

Hosea 8:5-6

Thy calf, O Samaria, shall be taken away, for my wrathful indignation is gone forth against thee. How long will it be, before they can be cleansed? For the calf came from Israel; the workman made it: therefore can it be no God, but even to a spider's web shall the calf of Samaria be turned.

Hosea 10:5

They that dwell in Samaria have worshiped the calf of Bethaven: therefore shall the people mourn over them, yea and the priests also, that in their wealthiness rejoiced with them. And why? It shall pass away from them.

Hosea 13:2

And now they sin more and more. Of their silver, they make them molten Images, like the idols of the Heathen, and yet all is nothing but the work of the craftsmen. Notwithstanding they preach of the same: whoso will kiss the calves, offereth to men.

Acts 7:41

And they made a calf in those days, and offered sacrifice unto the image, and rejoiced in the works of their own hands.

Micah 6:6

"What acceptable thing shall I offer unto the LORD? Shall I bow my knee to the high God? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, and with calves of a year old?

Leviticus 9:1-4

And the eighth day Moses called Aaron and his sons, and the elders of Israel, and said unto Aaron, "Take a calf for a sin offering, and a ram for a burnt offering: both without blemish, and bring them before the LORD." And unto the children of Israel he spake, saying, "Take ye a he goat for a sin offering, and a calf and a lamb both two of a year old, and without blemish for a burnt sacrifice,read more.
and an ox and a ram for peace offerings, to offer before the LORD, and a meat offering mingled with oil, for today the LORD will appear unto you."

2 Samuel 6:12-13

And when it was told king David how that the LORD had blessed the house of Obededom and all that pertained unto him, because of the Ark of God, he went and brought the Ark of God from the house of Obededom unto the city of David with gladness. And ever, when they that bare the Ark of the LORD had gone six paces, he offered an ox and a fat sheep.

1 Kings 1:9-10

And Adonijah sacrificed sheep and oxen and fatlings at the stone of Zoheleth which is fast by the well of Rogel, and bade all his brethren, the king's sons, and all the men of Judah, the king's servants. But Nathan the prophet and Benaiah and the mighty men and Solomon his brother he bade not.

Hebrews 9:11-12

But Christ being a high priest of good things to come, came by a greater, and a more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands: that is to say, not of this manner building, neither by the blood of goats, and calves: but by his own blood, we entered once for all into the holy place, and found eternal redemption.

Luke 15:22-23

But his father said to his servants, 'Bring forth that best garment, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. And bring hither that fatted calf, and kill him, and let us eat and be merry:

Genesis 18:6-8

And Abraham went a pace into his tent unto Sara, and said, Make ready at once three pecks of fine meal; knead it, and make cakes." And Abraham ran unto his beasts and fetched a calf that was tender and good, and gave it unto a young man, which made it ready at once. And he took butter and milk and the calf which he had prepared, and set it before them, and stood himself by them under the tree: and they ate.

1 Samuel 14:31-32

And they laid on the Philistines that day, from Michmash to Aijalon. And the people were exceeding fainty. Then the people gat them to the spoil and took sheep oxen and calves, and slew them on the ground and did eat with the blood.

1 Samuel 28:24-25

The woman had a fat calf in the house, and that she hasted and killed it, and took flour and kneaded it and did bake him sweet cakes, and brought them before Saul and before his servants. And when they had eaten, they stood up, and went away the same night.

Jeremiah 31:18

Moreover, I heard Ephraim, that was led away captive, complain on this manner, 'O LORD, thou hast corrected me, and thy chastening have I received, as an untamed calf. Convert thou me, and I shall be converted, for thou art my LORD God.

Psalm 29:6

He maketh them also to skip like a calf; Lebanon also, and Sirion, like a young unicorn.

Psalm 68:30

Reprove the beasts among the reeds, the heap of bulls with the calves, those that drive for money. O scatter thou the people that delight in war.

Jeremiah 34:18

Yea, those men that have broken my covenant, and not kept the words of the covenant which they made before me - when they hewed the calf in two, and when there went through the two halves thereof -

Jeremiah 46:20-21

The land of Egypt is like a goodly fair calf, but one shall come out of the north to prick her forward. Her waged soldiers that be with her, are like fat calves. They also shall flee away together, and not abide: for the day of their slaughter and the time of their visitation shall come upon them.

From Thematic Bible


Animals » Names of » Calves

Genesis 18:7

And Abraham ran unto his beasts and fetched a calf that was tender and good, and gave it unto a young man, which made it ready at once.

1 Samuel 28:24

The woman had a fat calf in the house, and that she hasted and killed it, and took flour and kneaded it and did bake him sweet cakes,

Amos 6:4

Ye that lie upon beds of ivory, and use your wantonness upon your couches; ye that eat the best lambs of the flock, and the fattest calves of the drove;

Calves » Illustrative of » Patient endurance

Ezekiel 1:7

Their legs were straight; But their feet were like bullock's feet, and they glistered, as it had been fair scoured metal.

Revelation 4:7

And the first beast was like a lion, the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle.

Calves » The young of the herd

Job 21:10

Their bullock gendereth, and that not out of time: their cow calveth, and is not unfruitful.

Jeremiah 31:12

And they shall come, and rejoice upon the hill of Zion, and shall have plenteousness of goods, which the LORD shall give them: Namely, wheat, wine, oil, young sheep and calves. And their conscience shall be as a well-watered garden, for they shall no more be hungry.

Calves » Illustrative of » Sacrifices of praise

Hosea 14:2

Take words with you and turn unto the Lord. And say unto him, "Remit all wickedness and given things, and we will pay thee openly

Calves » Fattened in stalls, &c

1 Samuel 28:24

The woman had a fat calf in the house, and that she hasted and killed it, and took flour and kneaded it and did bake him sweet cakes,

Amos 6:4

Ye that lie upon beds of ivory, and use your wantonness upon your couches; ye that eat the best lambs of the flock, and the fattest calves of the drove;

Calves » When fattened considered a delicacy

1 Samuel 28:24-25

The woman had a fat calf in the house, and that she hasted and killed it, and took flour and kneaded it and did bake him sweet cakes, and brought them before Saul and before his servants. And when they had eaten, they stood up, and went away the same night.

Calves » Offered in sacrifice

Leviticus 9:2-3

and said unto Aaron, "Take a calf for a sin offering, and a ram for a burnt offering: both without blemish, and bring them before the LORD." And unto the children of Israel he spake, saying, "Take ye a he goat for a sin offering, and a calf and a lamb both two of a year old, and without blemish for a burnt sacrifice,

Calves » Eaten in the patriarchal age

Genesis 18:7-8

And Abraham ran unto his beasts and fetched a calf that was tender and good, and gave it unto a young man, which made it ready at once. And he took butter and milk and the calf which he had prepared, and set it before them, and stood himself by them under the tree: and they ate.

Calves » Fed on » Milk

1 Samuel 6:10

And the men did even so: they took two kine that gave milk and tied them in the cart, and kept the calves at home,

Calves » If first-born not redeemed

Numbers 18:17

"But the firstborn of oxen, sheep and goats shall not be redeemed. For they are holy, and thou shalt sprinkle their blood upon the altar, and shalt burn their fat to be a sacrifice of a sweet savour unto the LORD.

Calves » Fed on » Branches of trees, &c

Isaiah 27:10

The strong cities shall be desolate, and the fair cities shall be left like a wilderness. The cattle shall feed and lie there, and the sheep shall eat it up.

Calves » Illustrative of » Saints nourished by grace

Calves » Playfulness of, alluded to

Psalm 29:6

He maketh them also to skip like a calf; Lebanon also, and Sirion, like a young unicorn.

Calves » Of a year old best for sacrifice

Micah 6:6

"What acceptable thing shall I offer unto the LORD? Shall I bow my knee to the high God? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, and with calves of a year old?

Calves » Names of

Genesis 18:7

And Abraham ran unto his beasts and fetched a calf that was tender and good, and gave it unto a young man, which made it ready at once.

1 Samuel 28:24

The woman had a fat calf in the house, and that she hasted and killed it, and took flour and kneaded it and did bake him sweet cakes,

Amos 6:4

Ye that lie upon beds of ivory, and use your wantonness upon your couches; ye that eat the best lambs of the flock, and the fattest calves of the drove;

Topics on Calves

Golden Calves

Exodus 32:13

Remember Abraham, Isaac and Israel thy servants, to whom thou sworest by thine own self and saidest unto them, 'I will multiply your seed as the stars of heaven, and all this land which I have said, I will give unto your seed: and they shall inherit it forever.'"

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Theasaurus: Calves