CHAP. V.
Of the molten Calf.

The History of the Molten Calf is at large set down, Exod. 32., where we read, that by reason of Moses his long absence, the people desired of Aaron, gods to be made; whereupon Aaron made for them the molten Calf. The reason why they worshipped God rather in the similitude of a Calf, than of any other Creature, is generally by Expositors conceived to be from the corruptions learned among the Egyptians, who worshipped their Idol Apis,[448] otherwise called Serapis,[449] in a living Oxe, and otherwise in an Image made in the form and similitude of an Oxe, with a bushel on his head. This Oxe was remarkable for certain notes and marks, whereby it was differenced from all others. It was black bodied, it had a white fore-head, and white spot behind, and a knot under his tongue: for the more curious fashioning and pollishing of these marks in the molten Calf, Aaron may seem to have made use of his graving tool.[450] The Egyptians repaired unto this Oxe for the resolution of matters doubtful, as to an Oracle,[451] and the manner of consulting with him, was thus. The party that repaired unto him, tendred a bottle of Hay, or Grass; which if he received, then it betokened a good and happy event; if otherwise he refused it, then it did portend some evil to come. Thus they turned their glory into an Oxe that eateth grass, Psalm 106. 20. The Hebrew word in the Psalm, translated an Oxe, is, Shar;[452] which I note, because in my opinion, it giveth light to one of the names by which this Idol was denoted. Sometimes it was called Apis, from the Hebrew word Ap,[453] signifying a face: sometimes Serapis quasi Shor-apis, which is nothing else but Bovis caput, an Ox-head; the very name used by the Fathers[454] to express this Idolatry. It is commonly known that this Idolatry was derived to Israel from the Egyptians; but whence the Egyptians first learned it few have taught. They do not conjecture amiss, who interpret the first Institution hereof to have been in the memory of Joseph, who by his providence relieved both Egypt, and other Neighbour Countries, in the seven years of famine. Besides the testimony of no slight Authors,[455] there are strong inducements to perswade it. First, both the years of plenty and famine were foresignified by the apparition of Oxen. Secondly, what fitter Emblem, (if it had not afterward proved an Idol) to continue the remembrance of a Joseph, (by whose alone care and industry, corn and victual was provided in an extream famine) than an Ox, the true and lively Hieroglyphick of an industrious Husbandman? Thirdly, in this Suidas agreeth with others, that this Ox was pourtrayed with a bushel on his head, though others do more clearly express the reason of this portraiture, namely, because of the great quantity of Corn measured out by Joseph in that extream dearth. Concerning the sin of the Israelites in making this Calf or Ox, the modern Jews do transfer the fault upon certain Prosylite Egyptians who came forth with them: and they say, that when Aaron cast their Jewels into the fire, these Egyptians, contrary to his expectation, by their Art Magick produceth a Calf, to which purpose they urge Aarons own words, Exod. 32. 34. I did cast the Gold into the fire, and thereof came this Calf, as if his art or will went not with the making thereof, but of it self it made it self. But this answer of his sheweth rather, how vain the wit of man is in the excuse of sin; and as his ingraving instrument writes down Aaron’s sins; so the confession of others, more ingenuous Jews proclaims the Israelites, saying,[456] that No punishment befalleth thee Israel, in which there is not an ounce of this Calf. I conclude this with the analogy between the Egyptian Apis, and the molten Calf: and this consisteth in three things. First, As there were some special marks in the Egyptians Ox; so is it probable that Aaron with his ingraving Tool made the like. Secondly, As the Egyptians in honor of their Ox celebrated a solemn Feast, with much singing and mirth.[457] So the Israelites proclaimed a feast in honor of their Calf: The people sate down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. Thirdly, As the Egyptians Ox was at last drowned in the River, so Moses burnt the molten Calf, and beat it to powder, and cast it upon the face of the water, Exod. 32. 10. Deut. 9. 21. Jeroboam afterward, though upon other inducements, committed the same sin; he thought in his heart, that if the people go up to Jerusalem, and do sacrifice in the house of the Lord, they would revolt from him, and return to the King of Judah: whereupon he set up two Calves of gold, the one in Bethel, the other in Dan; saying unto the people, It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem, 1 King. 12. 28.

[448] Plin. Nat. hist. l. 1. c. 46. Herod. l. 1. Setin. c. 35. aut aliorum distinctione 45.

[449] Alex. Genial. dier. l. 6. cap. 2.

[450] ‎‏בחרט‏‎ stylo sculptorio

[451] Plin. Hist. lib. 8. c. 46. It. Alex. Genial. dier. l. 6. c. 2.

[452] ‎‏שר‏‎

[453] Vultus facies ‎‏אף‏‎

[454] Cyprian. de bono patient. p. 318. vid. etiam August. p. 73. It. Tertul. adv. Jud. cap. 1.