calf Summary and Overview

Calves were commonly made use of in sacrifices, and are therefore frequently mentioned in Scripture. The "fatted calf" was regarded as the choicest of animal food; it was frequently also offered as a special sacrifice (1 Sam. 28:24; Amos 6:4; Luke 15:23). The words used in Jer. 34:18, 19, "cut the calf in twain," allude to the custom of dividing a sacrifice into two parts, between which the parties ratifying a covenant passed (Gen. 15:9, 10, 17, 18). The sacrifice of the lips, i.e., priase, is called "the calves of our lips" (Hos. 14:2, R.V., "as bullocks the offering of our lips." Compare Heb. 13:15; Ps. 116:7; Jer. 33:11). The golden calf which Aaron made (Ex. 32:4) was probably a copy of the god Moloch rather than of the god Apis, the sacred ox or calf of Egypt. The Jews showed all through their history a tendency toward the Babylonian and Canaanite idolatry rather than toward that of Egypt. Ages after this, Jeroboam, king of Israel, set up two idol calves, one at Dan, and the other at Bethel, that he might thus prevent the ten tribes from resorting to Jerusalem for worship (1 Kings 12:28). These calves continued to be a snare to the people till the time of their captivity. The calf at Dan was carried away in the reign of Pekah by Tiglath-pileser, and that at Bethel ten years later, in the reign of Hoshea, by Shalmaneser (2 Kings 15:29; 17:33). This sin of Jeroboam is almost always mentioned along with his name (2 Kings 15:28 etc.).

The calf was held in high esteem by the Jews as food. #1Sa 28:24; Lu 15:23| The molten calf prepared by Aaron for the people to worship, #Ex 32:4| was probably a wooden figure laminated with gold, a process which is known to have existed in Egypt. [AARON] Cal'neh, or Cal'no (fortress of Anu), appears in #Ge 10:10| among the cities of Nimrod. Probably the site is the modern Niffer. In the eighth century B.C. Caneh was taken by one of the Assyrian kings, and never recovered its prosperity. #Isa 10:9; Am 6:2|

CALF . Gen 18:7. A fatted calf was regarded by the Jews as the choicest animal food. 1 Sam 28:24; Am 6:4; Luke 15:23. The allusion in Jer 34:18 is to an ancient custom of ratifying a contract or covenant in the observance of which an animal was slain and divided, and the parties passed between the parts, signifying their willingness to be so divided themselves if they failed to perform their covenant. Gen 15:9-10, 2 Sam 21:17. Calf, Molten, Ex 32:4, was an idol god prepared by Aaron in compliance with the request of the children of Israel, who had become impatient at the absence of Moses and desired some visible image or representation of the Deity. See Aaron. It was probably made of wood and thickly overlaid with gold. The golden calves of Jeroboam, 1 Kgs 12:28, were objects of worship set up by that king in the land of Israel to prevent the ten tribes from resorting to Jerusalem to worship, and so more effectually Bronze Figure of Apis. ( Wilkinson.) to separate them from the house of David. One of the idols was in Dan and CAL CAM the other in Bethel, the two extremes of his kingdom. It is supposed this wicked king had become acquainted with the forms and objects of idolatrous worship while he dwelt in Egypt. 1 Kgs 11:40. His sin is almost always mentioned whenever his name is used. See Jeroboam. Calves of our Lips, Hos 14:2, is a figurative expression signifying the fruits of our lips, or our offerings of praise to God. Calves were used in sacrifices, and we are to render praises and thanksgivings to God as the offering of our lips. Heb 13:15.