Psalms 106:19

יַעֲשׂוּ עֵ֥גֶל בְּחֹרֵ֑ב וַ֝יִּשְׁתַּחֲו֗וּ לְמַסֵּכָֽה

They made a calf in Horeb, and worshipped the molten image.

Select a Hebrew word above to see its details.

עֵ֥גֶל

Root word calf, calves, calfs, bullock, bullocks

Dictionary form: עֵגֶל · ay-ɡEL

Noun — Common, masculine singular, absolute state

In the KJV here: a calf

calf ×7 the calf ×7 calves ×4 a calf ×2 and a calf ×1 and for the calves ×1 and the calf ×1 and the calves ×1

More options

calf — Default choice; fits most narrative and ritual contexts.

young bull — Emphasizes the male animal's identity more precisely.

bullock — Modernized KJV term; suits formal or liturgical registers.

young bovine — Neutral, technical; useful when gender is unspecified.

yearling — Highlights the animal's age; good for agricultural passages.

BDB5789 H5695

עֵ֫גֶל noun masculine^{Exod 32:24} calf (as rolling or circling about ? compare כַּר from כָּרַר; Late Hebrew id.; Phoenician (Punic) עגל id. Lzb³³⁶; ענילו Palmyrene proper name id. Cook⁸⁹; Aramaic , , עִיגְלָא, עֲגַלְתָּא, id.; Assyrian [agalu], plural agalê probably calves Dl^{HWB 16} (compare against this Jen^Kosmol.110, but see also Jäger^{BAS ii. 2, 286}); Arabic id.; Ethiopic , compare also Hom^{NS 226}); — ׳ע absolute Exod 32:19 +; construct 1Sam 28:24 +; suffix עֶגְלֵךְ Hos 8:5 plural עֲגָלִים Hos 13:2 +; construct עֶגְלֵי 1Kgs 12:28 +; — calf Isa 11:6; Isa 27:10 in simile of leaping mountains Ps 29:6 in simile of foot-sole of cherubim Ezek 1:7 מַרְבֵּק ׳ע i.e. a stall-fed (fatted) calf 1Sam 28:24, in simile Jer 46:21; Mal 3:20, compare מִתּוֺךְ מַרְבֵּק ׳ע Amos 6:4 לֹא לֻמָּ֑ד ׳ע Jer 31:18 an untrained calf; עֶגְלֵי עַמִּים Ps 68:31 calves of peoples, i.e. peoples like calves, so most; perhaps read ׳בַּעֲלֵי עמ Matthes Che Gunk^{Schöf. 66 f.} compare Bae; calf as sacrifice victim Mic 6:6; Lev 9:2; Lev 9:3; Lev 9:8 (P); cut in two, in ratifying covenant Jer 34:18; Jer 34:19 (compare עֶגְלָה Gen 15:9); elsewhere image of calf: made at Horeb, מַסֵּכָה ׳ע Exod 32:4; Exod 32:8; Deut 9:16; Neh 9:18 ׳ע alone Exod 32:19; Exod 32:20; Exod 32:24; Exod 32:35; Deut 9:21; Ps 106:19 two set up by Jeroboam I in Northern Israel, 1Kgs 12:28; 1Kgs 12:32; 2Kgs 10:29; 2Kgs 17:16; 2Chr 11:15; 2Chr 13:8, compare Hos 8:5; Hos 8:6 (עגְלֵךְ, שֹׁמְרוֺן ׳ע), Hos 13:2 also Hos 10:5 (see I. עֶגְלָה near the end).

calf, calves, calfs, bullock, bullocks

ʿēgel

a (male) calf (as frisking round), especially one nearly grown (i.e., a steer)

calf, bull-calf

בְּ חֹרֵ֑ב

בְּ

Prefix — preposition in, at, by, with

חֹרֵ֑ב

Root word a name — transliterate it ("In horeb")

Dictionary form: חֹרֵב · hoh-RABE

Noun — Proper Name

In the KJV here: in horeb

in horeb ×6 horeb ×2 also in horeb ×1 at horeb ×1 even to horeb ×1 from horeb ×1 him in horeb ×1 journey from horeb ×1

More options

Horeb — Standard modern spelling; use in most translation contexts.

Mount Horeb — Clarifies the mountain referent for general audiences.

Sinai — Equivalent site name; useful where Sinai is more recognizable.

the mountain of God — Descriptive title; emphasizes theological significance of the place.

BDB3092 H2722

חֹרֵב, חוֺרֵב proper name, of a mountain Horeb (waste, desert) — ᵐ5 Χωρηβ (see Lag^{BN 85}); אֶלהַֿר הָאֱלֹהִים חֹרֵ֑בָה Exod 3:1 (E), compare עַד הַר הָאֱלֹהִים חֹרֵב 1Kgs 19:8 הַצּוּר בְּחֹרֵב Exod 17:6, הַר חוֺרֵב Exod 33:6 (both E); מֵחֹרֵב, בְּחֹרֵב Deut 1:2; Deut 1:6; Deut 1:19; Deut 4:10; Deut 4:15; Deut 5:2; Deut 9:8; Deut 18:16; Deut 28:69; 1Kgs 8:9; 2Chr 5:10; Ps 106:19; Mal 3:22 the sacred mountain of the wilderness, no geographical difference from סִינַי discoverable, but synonym of it in E and (especially) D (except poem Deut 33:2 see סִינַי P).

horeb

ḥōrēb

desert

Choreb, a (generic) name for the Sinaitic mountains

another name for Mount Sinai from which God gave the law to Moses and the Israelites

וַ ֝יִּשְׁתַּחֲו֗וּ

וַ

Prefix — connector and (sometimes: but, so, then)

֝יִּשְׁתַּחֲו֗וּ

Root word worship, worshipped, bowed, down, obeisance, …

Dictionary form: שָׁחָה · shaw-HAW

וַ

Vav-consecutive (wayyiqtol) The וַ prefix — vav with patach plus a doubling dagesh in the next letter — flips this verb into story-telling past: translate "and (he) ___ed", not "will ___".

Verb — Hithpael, Sequential Imperfect (Wayyiqtol), third person masculine plural reflexive — "he did it to / for himself" story-telling past — try "and he ___ed" the built-in subject is "they"

In the KJV here: and worshipped

and worshipped ×23 and bowed himself ×11 and worship ×9 to worship ×9 and bowed herself ×4 and did obeisance ×4 and bowed themselves ×3 and he bowed himself ×3

More options

bow down — Most literal; physical posture of submission or reverence.

worship — Best for religious/devotional contexts directed toward a deity.

prostrate oneself — Emphasizes full-body submission; strongest physical sense.

pay homage — Suits royal or diplomatic contexts; dignified register.

do obeisance — Formal reverence toward a superior; slightly elevated register.

kneel — Less emphatic than prostration; use when posture is upright bow.

BDB8581 H7812

[שָׁחָה]₁₇₂ verb bow down (Late Hebrew id.; Jewish-Aramaic שְׁחִי (rare); akin to שׁוח, שׁחח); —

Qal Imperative feminine singular שְׁחִי Isa 51:23 bow down. Hiph`il Imperfect 3 masculine singular suffix יַשְׁחֶ֑נָּה Prov 12:25, figurative, anxiety depresses it (that is לֵב; opposed to שִׂמֵּחַ). Hithpa`lel₁₇₀ (Ges^{«GKC:75kk»§ 75kk}) Perfect 3 masculine singular הִשְׁתַּחֲוָה Ezek 46:2 2 masculine singular הִשְׁתַּחֲוִ֫יתָ Deut 4:19 + 3 t.; 1 singular הִשְׁתַּחֲוֵ֫יתִי 1Sam 16:4 + 2 t.; 3 masculine plural הִשְׁתַּחֲווּ Jer 8:2, etc.; Imperfect יִשְׁתַּחֲוֶה 2Sam 15:32 + 3 t.; apocopatic יִשְׁתַּ֫חוּ Isa 44:17 +; 3 masculine plural יִשְׁתַּחֲווּ Gen 49:8 +; 2 feminine plural תִּשְׁתַּחֲוֶ֫יןָ Gen 33:6; Gen 37:7, etc.; Imperative feminine singular הִשְׁתַּחֲוִי Ps 45:12 masculine plural הִשְׁתַּחֲווּ Ps 29:2 +; Infinitive construct הִשְׁשַׁתַּחֲוֺת Gen 37:10 +; suffix מִשְׁתַּחֲוֶי 2Kgs 5:18 (but ᵐ5 ᵑ9 and modern חֲוֺתוֺ-); Participle מִשְׁתַּחֲוֶה 2Kgs 19:27, etc.; מִשְׁתַּחֲוִיתֶּם Ezek 8:16, read וִים- all modern; —

1. bow down, prostrate oneself, before a monarch or superior, in homage, etc.:
a. with ל, after descriptive clause (especially with קדד, נפל 3 b, q. v. ), 1Sam 24:9; Gen 43:28 (J) 2Sam 14:4; 2Sam 14:22; Ruth 2:10; 1Kgs 1:31; 2Kgs 4:37 + 6 t., + (after כָּרֵע) Esth 3:2 (twice in verse); Esth 3:5.
b. with ל, followed by phrase (לפני) על אפים ארצה 2Sam 14:33; 1Kgs 1:23 לאפים Gen 48:12 (E) 2Sam 18:28 אפים Gen 42:6 (E) + 4 t.; omit אפים Gen 33:3 (J) + 3 t.; עַל כַּפּוֺת רֵנְלַיִךְ Isa 60:14.
c. with לְ person only, Gen 23:7 (P) Gen 27:29 (twice in verse); Gen 37:9 (E), Gen 49:8; Exod 11:8 (J) + 8 t.; with לפני Gen 23:12 (P); with אל Isa 45:14 (|| התפלּל); absolute Gen 33:6; Gen 33:7 (twice in verse) (J), Exod 18:7 (E) 2Sam 9:8; 2Sam 16:4; Isa 49:7.

2. before God, in worship, etc.:
a. with לְ, after descriptive phrase: קדד ארצה Exod 34:8 (J); ארצה omitted Gen 24:26; Gen 24:48 (J) + 4 t.; כרע אפים ארצה 2Chr 7:3 כרע 2Chr 29:29 נפל ארצה Job 1:20 נפל לפני 2Chr 20:18.
b. followed by phrase: אפים ארצה ׳ל ׳קדד וישׁ Neh 8:6 ׳ארצה ל Gen 24:52 (J); ונכרעה ׳השׁ Ps 95:6 בְּהַדְרַת קֹדֶשׁ ׳ל ׳השׁ Ps 29:2; Ps 96:9 = 1Chr 16:29 אֶלהֵֿיכָל (looking towards) Ps 5:8; Ps 138:2 לַהֲדֹם רגלים Ps 99:5; Ps 132:7.
c. with לְ only: 1Sam 1:28 (but read וַתַּנִּחֵהוּ ᵐ5 and modern), 1Sam 15:25; Jer 7:2; Ps 66:4 + 9 t.; with לפני Deut 26:10; Isa 66:23 + 4 t.; with בְ local Isa 27:13 with לְ local Ps 99:9 absolute Gen 22:5 (E) Judg 7:15 + 5 t.; accusative of location Exod 33:10 (E) Jer 26:2; Ezek 46:3 לפני (ה)מזבח Isa 36:7 = 2Kgs 18:22 = 2Chr 32:12 with על location Gen 47:31 (J) 1Kgs 1:47; Ezek 46:2 מֵרֶחֹק after off Exod 24:1 (E).
d. before angel in theoph.: after clause with נפל, קדד, Josh 5:14; Num 22:31 followed by אפים ארצה Gen 19:1 ארצה Gen 18:2 (all J).

3. before other gods: absolute Isa 2:20; Isa 44:15; Isa 44:17; Isa 46:6 accusative of location 2Kgs 5:18 (3 t. in verse); 2Kgs 19:37 = Isa 37:38 with לְ, Exod 20:5 = Deut 5:9 (10 words), Exod 23:24 (E), Num 25:2 (J), Josh 23:7 (D), Deut 8:19; Deut 11:16; 1Kgs 16:31 + 34 t.; with על, Lev 26:1 (H); לפני 2Chr 25:14 (|| קטּר).

worship, worshipped, bowed, down, obeisance, …

šāḥâ

to depress, i.e., prostrate (especially reflexive, in homage to royalty or God)

to bow down

(Qal) to bow down

to bow down, prostrate oneself

before superior in homage

לְ מַסֵּכָֽה

לְ

Prefix — preposition to, for

מַסֵּכָֽה

Root word image, images, molten, covering, vail

Dictionary form: מַסֵּכָה · mahs-say-KAW

Noun — Common, feminine singular, absolute state

In the KJV here: the molten image

and a molten image ×3 and the molten image ×3 and the molten images ×2 them a molten ×2 them molten images ×2 and molten images ×1 and the vail ×1 himself on it and the covering ×1

More options

cast idol — Clearest modern term for a metal-poured cult image.

molten image — Modernized KJV; still natural and widely understood.

cast metal image — More precise; good for scholarly or study-Bible contexts.

metal statue — Accessible for general audiences; less specific on process.

covering — Use only in Isaiah 25:7 where the word means a veil or shroud.

veil — Alternate for the rare 'covering' sense; prefer in poetic passages.

BDB5234 H4541

I. מַסֵּכָה noun feminine

1. molten metal, or image;

2. libation; — ׳מ Exod 32:4 +; construct מַסֵּכַת Isa 30:22 plural מַסֵּכוֺת 1Kgs 14:9 +; suffix מַסֵּכֹתָם Num 33:52 —

1. libation, with covenant sacrifice in making covenant Isa 30:1 (=

1. נֶסֶךְ; see, however, below II. [נָסַךְ]).

2. molten metal, or image: עֵגֶל מַסֵּכָה molten calf Exod 32:4; Exod 32:8; Deut 9:16; Neh 9:18, compare Ps 106:19 אֱלֹהֵי מַסֵּכָה molten gods Exod 34:17; Lev 19:4 ׳צַלְמֵי מ Num 33:52 פֶּסֶל וּמַסֵּכָה Deut 27:15; Judg 17:3; Judg 17:4; Judg 18:14; Nah 1:14; 2Chr 34:3; 2Chr 34:4, elsewhere (variously) Deut 9:12; Judg 18:17; Judg 18:18; 1Kgs 14:9; 2Kgs 17:16; 2Chr 28:2; Isa 30:22; Isa 42:17; Hos 13:2; Hab 2:18.

BDB5236 H4541

II. מַסֵּכָה noun feminine woven stuff, web, especially as covering; — absolute הַנְּסוּכָה עַלֿ ׳הַמּ Isa 25:7 the web that is woven over all the nations (i.e. mourning-veil, symbol of distress; || הַלּוֺט הַלּוֺט); = bed- covering Isa 28:20 (in figurative). Perhaps also ׳לִנְסֹךְ מ Isa 30:1 weave a web (|| לַעֲשׂוֺת עֵצָה), reference to negotiations with Egypt (so ᵑ9 Aq Ew De Che Di; > ᵐ5 Ges Hi Kn Brd Du pour a libation; ׳מ not elsewhere = נֶסֶךְ).

image, images, molten, covering, vail

massēkâ

properly, a pouring over, i.e., fusion of metal (especially a cast image); by implication, a libation, i.e., league

a pouring, libation, molten metal, cast image, drink offering

libation (with covenant sacrifice)

This book is chanted to the poetic accent system (used only in Job, Psalms, and Proverbs). Each group below ends at one of its pausing accents — translate a group as one unit.

יַעֲשׂוּ עֵ֥גֶל בְּחֹרֵ֑ב Atnach — the verse's main pause — take a breath here וַ֝יִּשְׁתַּחֲו֗וּ Revia Mugrash — a lesser break לְמַסֵּכָֽה Silluq — end of the verse

יַעֲשׂוּ-עֵגֶל בְּחֹרֵב וַיִּשְׁתַּחֲווּ לְמַסֵּכָֽה׃

They made a calf in Horeb, and worshipped the molten image.

Cross References

Exodus 32:4

וַיִּקַּח מִיָּדָם וַיָּצַר אֹתוֹ בַּחֶרֶט וַֽיַּעֲשֵׂהוּ עֵגֶל מַסֵּכָה וַיֹּאמְרוּ אֵלֶּה אֱלֹהֶיךָ יִשְׂרָאֵל אֲשֶׁר הֶֽעֱלוּךָ מֵאֶרֶץ מִצְרָֽיִם׃

And he received them at their hand, and fashioned it with a graving tool, after he had made it a molten calf: and they said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.

Exodus 32:35

וַיִּגֹּף יְהוָה אֶת-הָעָם עַל אֲשֶׁר עָשׂוּ אֶת-הָעֵגֶל אֲשֶׁר עָשָׂה אַֽהֲרֹֽן׃

And the LORD plagued the people, because they made the calf, which Aaron made.

Deuteronomy 9:21

וְֽאֶת-חַטַּאתְכֶם אֲשֶׁר-עֲשִׂיתֶם אֶת-הָעֵגֶל לָקַחְתִּי וָֽאֶשְׂרֹף אֹתוֹ׀ בָּאֵשׁ וָֽאֶכֹּת אֹתוֹ טָחוֹן הֵיטֵב עַד אֲשֶׁר-דַּק לְעָפָר וָֽאַשְׁלִךְ אֶת-עֲפָרוֹ אֶל-הַנַּחַל הַיֹּרֵד מִן-הָהָֽר׃

And I took your sin, the calf which ye had made, and burnt it with fire, and stamped it, and ground it very small, even until it was as small as dust: and I cast the dust thereof into the brook that descended out of the mount.

Deuteronomy 9:12

וַיֹּאמֶר יְהוָה אֵלַי קוּם רֵד מַהֵר מִזֶּה כִּי שִׁחֵת עַמְּךָ אֲשֶׁר הוֹצֵאתָ מִמִּצְרָיִם סָרוּ מַהֵר מִן-הַדֶּרֶךְ אֲשֶׁר צִוִּיתִם עָשׂוּ לָהֶם מַסֵּכָֽה׃

And the LORD said unto me, Arise, get thee down quickly from hence; for thy people which thou hast brought forth out of Egypt have corrupted themselves; they are quickly turned aside out of the way which I commanded them; they have made them a molten image.

Deuteronomy 9:8

וּבְחֹרֵב הִקְצַפְתֶּם אֶת-יְהוָה וַיִּתְאַנַּף יְהוָה בָּכֶם לְהַשְׁמִיד אֶתְכֶֽם׃

Also in Horeb ye provoked the LORD to wrath, so that the LORD was angry with you to have destroyed you.

1 Corinthians 10:7

μηδὲ εἰδωλολάτραι γίνεσθε καθώς τινες αὐτῶν ὥς γέγραπται Ἐκάθισεν ὁ λαὸς φαγεῖν καὶ πιεῖν καὶ ἀνέστησαν παίζειν

Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.

Nehemiah 9:18

אַף כִּֽי-עָשׂוּ לָהֶם עֵגֶל מַסֵּכָה וַיֹּאמְרוּ זֶה אֱלֹהֶיךָ אֲשֶׁר הֶֽעֶלְךָ מִמִּצְרָיִם וַֽיַּעֲשׂוּ נֶֽאָצוֹת גְּדֹלֽוֹת׃

Yea, when they had made them a molten calf, and said, This is thy God that brought thee up out of Egypt, and had wrought great provocations;

Acts 7:41

καὶ ἐμοσχοποίησαν ἐν ταῖς ἡμέραις ἐκείναις καὶ ἀνήγαγον θυσίαν τῷ εἰδώλῳ καὶ εὐφραίνοντο ἐν τοῖς ἔργοις τῶν χειρῶν αὐτῶν

And they made a calf in those days, and offered sacrifice unto the idol, and rejoiced in the works of their own hands.

Psalms 106:18

Read Psalms 106

Psalms 106:20

Psalms 106:19

Word Breakdown

Vowels & Accents

Grammar Vqi3mp

Verb Chart

English Options

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

Strong's Definition H6213

Word Breakdown

Vowels & Accents

Grammar Ncmsa

English Options

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

Strong's Definition H5695

Word Breakdown

Vowels & Accents

Grammar R/Np

English Options

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

Strong's Definition H2722

Word Breakdown

Vowels & Accents

Grammar C/Vtw3mp

Verb Chart

English Options

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

Strong's Definition H7812

Word Breakdown

Vowels & Accents

Grammar R/Ncfsa

English Options

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

Strong's Definition H4541

Masoretic Phrasing

KJV