Calf in Biblical History

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Schaff's Bible Dictionary

Definitions in Biblical History
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What is a Calf?
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.

Bibliography Information
Schaff, Philip, Dr. "Biblical Definition for 'calf' in Schaffs Bible Dictionary".
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