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The golden calf made by Aaron is called an ’egel massekā (Exod 32:4). The same word, but in the pl., is used for the two calves set up at Bethel and Dan by Jeroboam (1 Kings 14:9). The making of such idols, in keeping with the decalogue, was strictly forbidden by the entire Mosaic law (Exod 34:17; Lev 19:4). The prophets also unreservedly condemned it (Isa 30:22; Hos 13:2; Hab 2:18; cf. also Ps 106:19). See Golden Calf.
