Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  7000 God's people  »  7300 Institutions and culture of OT  »  7324 calf worship

A heathen (notably Egyptian and Canaanite) practice, in which statues of bull calves were worshipped as symbols of fertility and physical strength. Contrary to the second commandment this was copied by the Israelites and by Jeroboam after the division of the kingdom, in both cases incurring God's wrath.

Aaron made a golden calf for the Israelites to worship

This act was born partly of impatience

Exodus 32:1-4 See also Exodus 32:7-8; Psalm 106:19-22; Acts 7:41

It was swiftly condemned

Exodus 32:19-20 See also Exodus 32:35; Deuteronomy 9:16-21; Psalm 106:23

King Jeroboam initiated calf worship

As a matter of expediency

1 Kings 12:26-30 See also 2 Kings 17:15-16; 2 Chronicles 11:14-15; Corinthians 13:8

Jeroboam's sin was one of the main reasons for the Assyrian captivity

2 Kings 17:18-28 See also Hosea 8:4-9; Hosea 10:5-6

Calf worship is detestable and useless

Deuteronomy 7:25; Isaiah 44:9-20; Isaiah 46:6-7; Romans 1:21-23

See also

4615  bull
4618  calf
5071  Aaron
6103  abomination
8718  disobedience
8747  false gods
8752  false worship
8768  idolatry