We find the golden calf on two important occasions in Israel's history: Aaron, Moses' brother, forced by the people, sets up one in the wilderness after the exodus (Ex. 32:1-7), and Jeroboam sets up two: one in Bethel and another in Dan on the occasion of the division of the kingdom (1 Kings 12:28-29).
The festival that caused the making of the golden calf in the desert was accompanied by orgies (Acts 7:41). The representation of the transcendent God by an image that the Hebrews had seen in Egypt outraged Moses and the legislator severely punished the guilty.
Aaron was able to save his life because his participation in the rebellion was forced. The construction of the golden calves in times of the monarchy took place in the 10th century when the people were already established in the promised land and the northern monarch wanted to prevent the people from coming to Jerusalem.
This worship of a man-made image is condemned by the prophets (Hos. 8:5-6; 13:2).
Throughout the ancient East (Babylon, Sumeria, Egypt) the bull, due to its strength and fecundity, was considered a symbol of divinity. The religion of Moses condemned this practice.
Meaning of GOLDEN CALF
The festival that caused the making of the golden calf in the desert was accompanied by orgies (Acts 7:41).
