What Is the Golden Calf?

The golden calf episode in Exodus is both popular and perplexing. While it has a shared ancient Near Eastern heritage of understanding divine presence, it chooses to undermine that heritage to promote its particular agenda. This study clarifies the text by situating it more firmly in its ancient Nea...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Hundley, Michael 1978- (Author)
Format: Print Article
Language:English
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Published: Catholic University of America Press [2017]
In: The catholic biblical quarterly
Year: 2017, Volume: 79, Issue: 4, Pages: 559-579
Standardized Subjects / Keyword chains:B Bible. Exodus 32 / Ancient Orient / Idea of God
IxTheo Classification:BC Ancient Orient; religion
HB Old Testament
NBC Doctrine of God
Further subjects:B golden calf
B Bible. Old Testament Criticism interpretation etc
B WORSHIP of idols & images
B Symbolics
B Presence of God
B Bible. Exodus 32
B cult statue
B Golden calf (Bible)
B Ancient Orient
B Cult
B Idol
B Bible. Exodus
B Divine Presence
Parallel Edition:Electronic
Description
Summary:The golden calf episode in Exodus is both popular and perplexing. While it has a shared ancient Near Eastern heritage of understanding divine presence, it chooses to undermine that heritage to promote its particular agenda. This study clarifies the text by situating it more firmly in its ancient Near Eastern context and by addressing the biblical adaptations that emerge when we address each of the chapter's distinct voices. I also consider the importance of perspective--what each character sees and how that vision affects the character's viewpoint--and the importance of divine visibility both in Exodus 32 and in the larger non-Priestly narrative.
ISSN:0008-7912
Contains:Enthalten in: The catholic biblical quarterly