Topical Encyclopedia The "Calves of Jeroboam" refer to the golden calves that King Jeroboam I of Israel established as objects of worship in the northern kingdom. This act is recorded in 1 Kings 12:28-30, where Jeroboam, fearing that his subjects might return to the house of David if they continued to worship in Jerusalem, set up two golden calves. He placed one in Bethel and the other in Dan, declaring, "Here are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt" (1 Kings 12:28).The term "Calves of Bethaven" is a derogatory reference to these idols, found in the prophetic writings of Hosea. Bethaven, meaning "house of wickedness," is a play on the name Bethel, which means "house of God." Hosea 10:5 states, "The people of Samaria will fear for the calf of Beth-aven. Indeed, its people will mourn for it, and its idolatrous priests will wail over it, because its glory has departed from it." This passage highlights the spiritual decline and idolatry that plagued the northern kingdom due to Jeroboam's actions. Jeroboam's establishment of the calves was a direct violation of the first two commandments given to Moses, which prohibited the making of graven images and the worship of other gods (Exodus 20:3-4). This idolatry led Israel into sin and was a significant factor in the eventual downfall of the northern kingdom. The prophets repeatedly condemned the worship of these calves, associating them with Israel's unfaithfulness to Yahweh. The calves symbolized a broader pattern of syncretism and apostasy in Israel, as the people combined the worship of Yahweh with pagan practices. This syncretism was a recurring theme in the prophetic literature, where the prophets called the people back to exclusive worship of the one true God. Hosea, in particular, used the imagery of the calves to illustrate Israel's spiritual adultery and the consequences of their unfaithfulness. The legacy of the calves of Jeroboam serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of idolatry and the importance of maintaining pure worship. The narrative underscores the need for fidelity to God's commandments and the perils of compromising one's faith for political or social expediency. Torrey's Topical Textbook Hosea 10:5The inhabitants of Samaria shall fear because of the calves of Bethaven: for the people thereof shall mourn over it, and the priests thereof that rejoiced on it, for the glory thereof, because it is departed from it. Torrey's Topical Textbook Resources What are the curses God promised Israel for disobedience? | GotQuestions.orgWhat are the blessings God promised Israel for obedience? | GotQuestions.org What is the story of Rehoboam and Jeroboam? | GotQuestions.org Calves: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Calves of Jeroboam were Kissed in Adoration Calves of Jeroboam: Called The: Calves of Bethaven Calves of Jeroboam: Called The: Calves of Samaria Calves of Jeroboam: Called The: Golden Calves Calves of Jeroboam: Designed to Represent God Calves of Jeroboam: Feasts Appointed For Calves of Jeroboam: God's People Refused to Worship Calves of Jeroboam: Guilt of Making Calves of Jeroboam: Guilt of Worshipping Calves of Jeroboam: Made of Gold Calves of Jeroboam: Made to Prevent the Israelites Going to Jerusalem Calves of Jeroboam: Placed in Dan and Bethel Calves of Jeroboam: Predictions Respecting: Captivity Calves of Jeroboam: Predictions Respecting: Destruction Calves of Jeroboam: Predictions Respecting: Punishment of the Worshippers Calves of Jeroboam: Priests Appointed For Calves of Jeroboam: Probably from an Egyptian Model Calves of Jeroboam: Sacrifices offered To Calves of Jeroboam: Worship of Adopted by Succeeding Kings Calves of Jeroboam: Worship of Became the Sin of Israel Calves of Jeroboam: Worship of Denounced by a Prophet Related Terms |
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