Dictionary of Bible Themes » 4000 Creation » 4600 Living beings » 4618 calf
A young animal prized as the source of tender meat, suitable for celebrations. However, it also had associations with both the OT sacrificial system and idolatry.
The association of the calf with idolatry
Exodus 32:2-8; 1 Kings 12:28-29 See also Exodus 32:19-24; Deuteronomy 9:16-21; 2 Kings 10:28-29; Kings 17:16; 2 Chronicles 11:15; Nehemiah 9:16-18; Psalm 106:19-20; Hosea 8:5-6; Hosea 10:5; Hosea 13:2; Acts 7:41
The sacrifice of calves
Micah 6:6 See also Leviticus 9:1-4,8-11; 2 Samuel 6:12-13; 1 Kings 1:9-10; Hebrews 9:11-12,19-20
The flesh of the calf as a prized food
Proverbs 15:17; Luke 15:22-23 See also Genesis 18:6-8; 1 Samuel 14:31-32; Samuel 28:24-25
The metaphorical use of calves
Jeremiah 31:18; Malachi 4:2 See also Psalm 29:6; Psalm 68:30; Jeremiah 34:18; Jeremiah 46:20-21
See also
4404 food 4476 meals 4605 animals, religious role 4615 bull 4624 cow 7316 blood, OT sacrifices 7324 calf worship 7435 sacrifice, in OT 8768 idolatry
