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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width; initial-scale=1.0;"/><title>Topical Bible: Calf-Idol</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/topical/c/calf-idol.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/newtopical.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/print.css" type="text/css" media="Print" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/topical/vmenus/hosea/8-5.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="//biblehu.com/bmcde/c/calf-idol.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/topical/">Topical</a> > Calf-Idol</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/topical/naves/c/calf--worshiped_by_jehu.htm" title="Calf: Worshiped by Jehu">◄</a> Calf-Idol <a href="/topical/c/calf-idols.htm" title="Calf-Idols">►</a></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse">Jump to: <a href="#cnc" title="Multiversion Concordance">Concordance</a> • <a href="#thes" title="Bible Thesaurus">Thesaurus</a> • <a href="#sub" title="Subtopics">Subtopics</a> • <a href="#rel" title="Related Terms">Terms</a></div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><a name="te" id="te"></a><div class="vheading2">Topical Encyclopedia</div>The term "Calf-Idol" refers primarily to the golden calves mentioned in the Old Testament, which were objects of idolatrous worship among the Israelites. These idols are significant in biblical history as they represent a recurring theme of apostasy and rebellion against God.<br><br><b>Historical Context</b><br><br>The most notable instance of calf-idolatry occurs in the Book of Exodus. While Moses was on Mount Sinai receiving the Law from God, the Israelites grew impatient and demanded that Aaron make them gods to lead them. Aaron complied by fashioning a golden calf from the jewelry of the people. The Israelites then proclaimed, "These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!" (<a href="/exodus/32-4.htm">Exodus 32:4</a>). This act of idolatry provoked God's wrath, and Moses, upon descending from the mountain, shattered the tablets of the Law in anger and destroyed the calf (<a href="/exodus/32-19.htm">Exodus 32:19-20</a>).<br><br><b>The Sin of Jeroboam</b><br><br>The sin of calf-idolatry reemerged during the reign of King Jeroboam I of Israel. After the division of the united monarchy, Jeroboam feared that pilgrimages to the temple in Jerusalem would undermine his rule. To prevent this, he established two centers of worship in Bethel and Dan, where he set up golden calves, declaring, "Here are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt" (<a href="/1_kings/12-28.htm">1 Kings 12:28</a>). This act led Israel into sin, as the people worshiped the calves instead of the LORD.<br><br><b>Prophetic Condemnation</b><br><br>The prophets of Israel vehemently condemned the worship of the calf-idols. Hosea, in particular, denounced the idolatry of the northern kingdom, warning of impending judgment: "The calf of Samaria will be broken to pieces" (<a href="/hosea/8-6.htm">Hosea 8:6</a>). The prophet Amos also criticized the idolatrous practices at Bethel, calling for repentance and a return to true worship (<a href="/amos/5-5.htm">Amos 5:5</a>).<br><br><b>Theological Implications</b><br><br>The worship of calf-idols is emblematic of Israel's struggle with faithfulness to the covenant with Yahweh. It highlights the tension between the worship of the one true God and the allure of pagan practices. The calf-idol serves as a symbol of the Israelites' tendency to revert to idolatry, despite the clear commandments against it: "You shall have no other gods before Me" (<a href="/exodus/20-3.htm">Exodus 20:3</a>).<br><br><b>Lessons for Believers</b><br><br>The narrative of the calf-idol serves as a cautionary tale for believers, emphasizing the importance of steadfastness in faith and the dangers of syncretism. It underscores the need for vigilance against idolatry in all its forms, reminding the faithful to worship God alone with sincerity and truth.<a name="cnc" id="cnc"></a><div class="vheading">Concordance</div><span class="encheading">Calf-Idol (2 Occurrences)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/hosea/8-5.htm">Hosea 8:5</a></span><br />Cast off hath thy calf, O Samaria, Burned hath Mine anger against them, Till when are they not capable of purity?<br /><span class="source">(See NIV)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/hosea/10-5.htm">Hosea 10:5</a></span><br />For the calves of Beth-Aven fear do inhabitants of Samaria, Surely mourned on account of it hath its people, And its priests on account of it leap about, Because of its honour, for it hath removed from it,<br /><span class="source">(See NIV)</span><a name="thes" id="thes"></a><div class="vheading2">Thesaurus</div><a href="/topical/c/calf-idol.htm"><span class="l"><b>Calf</b>-<b>Idol</b> (2 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>Calf</b>-<b>Idol</b>. Calf, <b>Calf</b>-<b>Idol</b>. Calf-Idols . Multi-Version Concordance<br><b>Calf</b>-<b>Idol</b> (2 Occurrences). Hosea 8:5 Cast off hath <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/c/calf-idol.htm - 6k</font><p><a href="/topical/c/capable.htm"><span class="l">Capable (10 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Hosea 8:5 Let Samaria throw out his <b>calf</b><b>idol</b>! My anger burns against them! How<br> long will it be until they are capable of purity? (WEB DBY YLT NAS NIV). <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/c/capable.htm - 10k</font><p><a href="/topical/c/calf-idols.htm"><span class="l">Calf-Idols (1 Occurrence)</span></a><br>Calf-Idols. <b>Calf</b>-<b>Idol</b>, Calf-Idols. Calf's . Multi-Version Concordance<br> Calf-Idols (1 Occurrence). <b>...</b> <b>Calf</b>-<b>Idol</b>, Calf-Idols. Calf's . Reference Bible. <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/c/calf-idols.htm - 6k</font><p><a href="/topical/s/spurned.htm"><span class="l">Spurned (16 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> good. The enemy will pursue him. (See RSV). Hosea 8:5 Let Samaria throw<br> out his <b>calf</b><b>idol</b>! My anger burns against them! How long <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/s/spurned.htm - 10k</font><p><a href="/topical/b/burns.htm"><span class="l">Burns (34 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> In the morning it burns as a flaming fire. (WEB NAS). Hosea 8:5 Let Samaria<br> throw out his <b>calf</b><b>idol</b>! My anger burns against them! <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/b/burns.htm - 17k</font><p><a href="/topical/c/calf.htm"><span class="l">Calf (39 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> (YLT). Hosea 8:5 Let Samaria throw out his <b>calf</b><b>idol</b>! My anger burns against<br> them! How long will it be until they are capable of purity? <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/c/calf.htm - 49k</font><p><a href="/topical/i/idol.htm"><span class="l">Idol (56 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> (WEB NAS NIV). Hosea 8:5 Let Samaria throw out his <b>calf</b><b>idol</b>! My anger burns against<br> them! How long will it be until they are capable of purity? (WEB NIV). <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/i/idol.htm - 29k</font><p><a href="/topical/r/rejected.htm"><span class="l">Rejected (96 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> good. The enemy will pursue him. (See NAS NIV). Hosea 8:5 Let Samaria throw<br> out his <b>calf</b><b>idol</b>! My anger burns against them! How long <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/r/rejected.htm - 36k</font><p><a href="/topical/p/purity.htm"><span class="l">Purity (16 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Hosea 8:5 Let Samaria throw out his <b>calf</b><b>idol</b>! My anger burns against them! How<br> long will it be until they are capable of purity? (WEB DBY YLT NIV). <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/p/purity.htm - 30k</font><a name="res" id="res"></a><div class="vheading2">Resources</div><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/golden-calf.html">What should we learn from the golden calf incident in Exodus 32? | GotQuestions.org</a><br /><br /><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/Aaron-golden-calf.html">Why wasn't Aaron punished for making the golden calf? | GotQuestions.org</a><br /><br /><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/idol-worship.html">Why is idol worship such a powerful temptation? | GotQuestions.org</a><br /><br /><a href="/concordance/">Bible Concordance</a> • <a href="/dictionary/">Bible Dictionary</a> • <a href="/encyclopedia/">Bible Encyclopedia</a> • <a href="/topical/">Topical Bible</a> • <a href="/thesaurus/">Bible Thesuarus</a></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="sub" id="sub"></a><div class="vheading">Subtopics</div><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/c/calf-idol.htm">Calf-Idol</a></p><a name="rel" id="rel"></a><div class="vheading2">Related Terms</div><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/c/calf's.htm">Calf's (2 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/c/calf-idol.htm">Calf-Idol (2 Occurrences)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/topical/naves/c/calf--worshiped_by_jehu.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Calf: Worshiped by Jehu"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Calf: Worshiped by Jehu" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/topical/c/calf-idols.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Calf-Idols"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Calf-Idols" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div> <div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"><script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script></div></td></tr></table></div></div></div> <br /><br /> <div align="center"> <div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>