What was the golden calf in Exodus?
According to the Bible, the golden calf (עֵגֶּל הַזָהָב ‘ēggel hazāhāv) was an idol (a cult image) made by the Israelites when Moses went up to Mount Sinai. In Hebrew, the incident is known as ḥēṭ’ ha’ēggel (חֵטְא הַעֵגֶּל) or “the sin of the calf”. It is first mentioned in the Book of Exodus.
What is the biblical story of the golden calf?
According to Exodus, they “gathered around Aaron and said to him: ‘Come, make gods for us, who shall go before us’” (Exodus 32:1). Rather than remaining steadfast in his faith, Aaron gave in. He ordered the people to collect all the gold in their possession, and used it to create a golden calf for worship.
Who worship the golden calf in the Bible?
Moses and the Levites (members of the tribe of Levi, which Aaron led) unite. The men of Levi refused to give up their worship of ‘the Lord’ to pay homage to the golden calf, so they have remained loyal to God. Led by Moses, the Levites go and kill three thousand men for worshipping the golden calf as a false idol.
Why is Aaron important in the Bible?
Aaron has an important role as priest in the Bible, particularly in the Hebrew Bible. When he is first introduced in Exodus 4:14, he is identified as the brother of Moses and as a Levite, one of the groups of priests. Hence, from the beginning, Aaron is seen as a priest.
Why were the Israelites not allowed to enter the promised land?
They, as a nation, had despised the word of the Lord, first, by refusing to go up against the Canaanites when the Lord had told them to, and second, by going up against them after the Lord had told them not to. Thus Israel had been denied entry into the promised land.
What does Deuteronomy mean literally?
The name Deuteronomy comes from the Septuagint’s Greek title for the book, to deuteronomion, meaning “second law” or “repeated law,” a name tied to one of the Hebrew appellations for the book, Mishneh Torah.
Did Moses marry?
A grateful Jethro gives Moses his daughter Zipporah in marriage, despite their religious differences. They marry and have two sons, Gershom and Eliezer. A few years later, after God speaks to Moses through a burning bush, Moses sets out with his family to return to Egypt to free his people from slavery.
What is the Golden Calf in the Book of Exodus?
The Golden Calf story is only in the E version and a later editor added in an explanation that God made a second pair of tablets to give continuity to the J story. The actual Ten Commandments as given in Exodus 20 were also inserted by the redactor who combined the various sources.
What happened to the Israelites who worshiped the Golden Calf?
The Levites did so, and Moses instructed them to strike down the Israelites who were worshipping the golden calf. About three thousand men were killed that day, and the Levites were ordained for service to the Lord ( Exodus 32:15–29 ). Moses told the people, “You have sinned a great sin.
What is the Adoration of the Golden Calf?
idol (a cult image) made by the Israelites when Moses went up to Mount Sina. The Adoration of the Golden Calf – Picture from the Hortus deliciarum of Herrad of Landsberg (12th century) According to the Bible, the golden calf (עֵגֶּל הַזָהָב ‘ēggel hazāhāv) was an idol (a cult image) made by the Israelites when Moses went up to Mount Sinai.
What did Moses do with the Golden Calf?
Moses burned the golden calf and ground it into a powder, which he mixed with water and gave the people to drink. He rebuked Aaron and called for the people who would choose the Lord to come to him.