The destruction of the golden calf (Ex 32:20): A materials science perspective

One of the most fascinating and heavily debated episodes involving gold in the Old Testament is the destruction of the golden calf described in Exodus 32:20. This study considers, for the first time, this episode from a materials science perspective. Textual analysis and experimental results indicat...

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Bibliographic Details
Authors: Briceño, Tarcicio Gaitán (Author) ; Mendoza Fandiño, Emigdio (Author) ; Rojo, Piedad Gañán (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
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Published: Univ. 2021
In: Verbum et ecclesia
Year: 2021, Volume: 42, Issue: 1, Pages: 1-7
Standardized Subjects / Keyword chains:B Bible. Exodus 32,20 / Gold / Destruction / Technics / Bottom–up and top–down design
IxTheo Classification:HB Old Testament
Further subjects:B golden calf
B top-down approach
B Exodus
B Grinding
B MATERIALS science
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Description
Summary:One of the most fascinating and heavily debated episodes involving gold in the Old Testament is the destruction of the golden calf described in Exodus 32:20. This study considers, for the first time, this episode from a materials science perspective. Textual analysis and experimental results indicate that it is plausible to make a gold mixture fit for later human consumption by using the three steps described in the passage. The results thus suggest that Exodus 32:20 could be an ancient reference to the most commented-upon materials processes of our day: reduce the size of matter through a top-down approach.Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: This article brings for the first time an approach between theological analysis and a support by materials sciences to evaluate the technical viability of the destruction of the golden calf described in Exodus 32:20. It impacts the obtained results and indicates the appropriate use of technical aspects of the writers of this text.
ISSN:2074-7705
Contains:Enthalten in: Verbum et ecclesia
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.4102/ve.v42i1.2175