In the biblical context, the term "calf" primarily refers to a young bovine animal, often associated with significant religious and cultural symbolism in the Scriptures. Calves are mentioned in various contexts throughout the Bible, serving as symbols of idolatry, objects of sacrifice, and representations of prosperity and strength.

Idolatry and the Golden Calf:
One of the most notable references to a calf in the Bible is the account of the Golden Calf in Exodus 32. While Moses was on Mount Sinai receiving the Ten Commandments, the Israelites grew impatient and asked Aaron to make them gods to lead them. Aaron complied by fashioning a calf from the gold jewelry of the people. This act of idolatry provoked the LORD's anger, as it violated the commandment against making graven images. The Berean Standard Bible recounts this event: "He took what they handed him, and fashioned it with an engraving tool, and made it into a molten calf. Then they said, 'These, O Israel, are your gods, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!'" (Exodus 32:4).

Sacrificial Use:
Calves were also used in sacrificial offerings, as prescribed in the Mosaic Law. They were considered valuable offerings due to their purity and innocence. In Leviticus, the LORD provides instructions for various offerings, including the use of calves: "If his offering is a burnt offering from the herd, he is to present an unblemished male. He must present it at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting, so that he may be accepted by the LORD" (Leviticus 1:3). The sacrifice of calves was an integral part of the Israelites' worship and atonement practices.

Symbol of Prosperity and Strength:
In addition to their role in idolatry and sacrifice, calves are sometimes used metaphorically in the Bible to symbolize prosperity and strength. The imagery of a well-fed calf is used to depict abundance and blessing. In the book of Malachi, the prophet speaks of the righteous being rewarded: "But for you who fear My name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings, and you will go out and leap like calves from the stall" (Malachi 4:2). This imagery conveys a sense of joy and liberation, as well as the strength and vitality associated with young calves.

Judgment and Rebellion:
The calf is also used as a symbol of rebellion and judgment. In the book of Hosea, the prophet condemns the northern kingdom of Israel for its idolatry, specifically referencing the calf idol of Samaria: "The calf idol of Samaria will be carried off to Assyria as tribute to the great king. Ephraim will be disgraced; Israel will be ashamed of its wooden idols" (Hosea 10:6). This passage highlights the consequences of turning away from the LORD and relying on false gods.

Throughout the Bible, the calf serves as a multifaceted symbol, representing both the potential for idolatry and the importance of sacrificial worship. Its presence in Scripture underscores the tension between faithfulness to God and the temptation to turn to material and false representations of divine power.5695. egel -- a calf
... 5694, 5695. egel. 5696 . a calf. Transliteration: egel Phonetic Spelling:
(ay-ghel) Short Definition: calf. Word Origin from an ...
/hebrew/5695.htm - 6k

Book iv. --Of Marcion's Antitheses.
... Than fancied reason. [1564] Through a mirror [1565] "shade. Of fulgent light!"behold
what the calf's blood,. ... A victim at the temple. With calf's blood. ...
/.../book iv of marcions antitheses.htm

The Exodus.
... should be added to the wasteness of the wilderness;"those very people, I say, when
Moses stayed in the mount, made and worshipped a golden calf's head, after ...
/.../unknown/recognitions of clement /chapter xxxv the exodus.htm

Of the Deeds of Sylla, in which the Demons Boasted that He had ...
... But he never cried, "Forbear thy villanies, Sylla!""the villanies which were committed
at Rome by that victor to whom a golden crown on the calf's liver had ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 24 of the deeds of.htm

An Appreciation of John Wesley's Journal
... Those were the days of the Calf's Head Club and feastings on the twenty-ninth of
January, graceless meals for which Samuel Wesley had no stomach. ...
/.../wesley/the journal of john wesley/an appreciation of john wesleys.htm

Psalm LXXXIX.
... They are cut in pieces from their conspiracy, and in that they believe they are
cut in pieces; for they believe by degrees; as when the calf's head was ground ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm lxxxix.htm

The Second Oration on Easter.
... being refined and preserved by the Spirit That searcheth and knoweth all things,
not destroyed in the waters, nor scattered abroad as the calf's head which was ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/oration xlv the second oration.htm

Calf's (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Calf's (2 Occurrences). 1 Kings 10:19 There were
six steps to the throne, and the top of the throne was ...
/c/calf's.htm - 7k

Gleamed (2 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Ezekiel 1:7 Their feet were straight feet; and the sole of their feet
was like the sole of a calf's foot; and they sparkled like burnished brass. ...
/g/gleamed.htm - 7k

Pate (1 Occurrence)
... 4. (n.) The head of a person; the top, or crown, of the head. 5. (n.) The skin
of a calf's head. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. PATE. ...
/p/pate.htm - 8k

Burnished (6 Occurrences)
... (See RSV). Ezekiel 1:7 Their feet were straight feet; and the sole of their feet
was like the sole of a calf's foot; and they sparkled like burnished brass. ...
/b/burnished.htm - 8k

Calitas

/c/calitas.htm - 7k

Calf-Idols (1 Occurrence)
Calf-Idols. Calf-Idol, Calf-Idols. Calf's . Multi-Version Concordance
Calf-Idols (1 Occurrence). Hosea 13:2 And now do they add ...
/c/calf-idols.htm - 6k

Sparkled (3 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 1:7 Their feet were straight feet; and the sole of their feet was like the
sole of a calf's foot; and they sparkled like burnished brass. ...
/s/sparkled.htm - 7k

Soles (14 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 1:7 and their feet 'are' straight feet, and the sole of their feet 'is'
as a sole of a calf's foot, and they are sparkling as the colour of bright brass ...
/s/soles.htm - 11k

Sparkling (7 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 1:7 and their feet 'are' straight feet, and the sole of their feet 'is'
as a sole of a calf's foot, and they are sparkling as the colour of bright brass ...
/s/sparkling.htm - 8k

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