Keraia
Deuteronomy 9

Deuteronomy 9:16

The Golden Calf · Deuteronomy 9:7–29
Read Deuteronomy 9

Translations

Modern
And I saw how you had sinned against the LORD your God; you had made for yourselves a molten calf. You had turned aside quickly from the way that the LORD had commanded you.
Traditional
And I looked, and, behold, ye had sinned against the Lord your God, and had made you a molten calf: ye had turned aside quickly out of the way which the Lord had commanded you.
Literal
And I looked, and behold, you had sinned against YHWH your God; you had made for yourselves a molten calf; you had turned aside quickly from the way that YHWH had commanded you.
Latin
…vidissemque vos peccasse Domino Deo vestro, et fecisse vobis vitulum conflatilem, ac deseruisse velociter viam ejus, quam vobis ostenderat:

Original

Hebrew
English
And I saw how you had sinned against the LORD your God; you had made for yourselves a molten calf. You had turned aside quickly from the way that the LORD had commanded you.

Notes

Deuteronomy 9:16

When Israel was at Mount Sinai, the people made a golden calf as an idol (Exodus 32). This idol was likely shaped like the sacred bulls and cows that people worshiped in Egypt. Two well-known Egyptian gods were Apis, a bull god, and Hathor, a cow goddess. Both were connected with fertility (the ability to have children, animals, and good crops).

Later, when the Israelites entered the land of Canaan, they met people who worshiped other fertility gods. These Canaanite religions taught that their gods gave rain, crops, and children. The Israelites would be tempted to trust these false gods instead of trusting the one true God to bless them (compare Deuteronomy 8:18–20).

Theme notes and profiles

Ancient Law Codes

Parallels

Exodus 32:1–35 Acts 7:39–43

Glossary

Archaeology and the Bible Biblical Concept of Law Cattle Deuteronomy, Book of Golden Calf Wrath of God

Topics

Calf of Gold: Making of a Turning Aside from the Divine Command Calf: Golden, Made by Aaron Humility: General Scriptures Concerning Israel: Obduracy of Moses: Character of Magnified of God Moses: Character of Unaspiring Reproof: Faithfulness in Moses, of the Israelites