Gen 35:4, Exo 32:20, Deu 7:25-26, Isa 2:20-21, 30:22, Mat 5:29-30 | TSK | STEP | ear-rings.These rings were not worn as mere ornaments, but for superstitious purposes; perhaps as amulets or charms, first consecrated to some false god, or formed under some constellation, and stamped with magical characters. Maimonides mentions rings and jewels of this kind, with the image of the sun, moon, etc., impressed upon them; and Augustine describes them (Epist. 73,) as used for this execrable purpose. hid them. the oak.

Genesis 35:4

ear-rings.These rings were not worn as mere ornaments, but for superstitious purposes; perhaps as amulets or charms, first consecrated to some false god, or formed under some constellation, and stamped with magical characters. Maimonides mentions rings and jewels of this kind, with the image of the sun, moon, etc., impressed upon them; and Augustine describes them (Epist. 73,) as used for this execrable purpose.

Ex 32:2-4; Jud 8:24-27; Ho 2:13

hid them.

Ex 32:20; De 7:5,25; Isa 2:20; 30:22

the oak.

Jos 24:25,26; Jud 9:6

Exodus 32:20

took the calf.How truly contemptible must the object of their idolatry appear, when they were obliged to drink their god, reduced to powder, and strewed on the water! Some have asked, how gold, the most ductile and ponderous of all metals, could have been stamped into dust, and strewed on the water. In De 9:21, this is fully explained. I took, says Moses, your sin, the calf which ye had made, and burnt it with fire; that is, melted it down, probably into ingots or gross plates, and stamped it, beat it into thin laminæ, something like our gold leaf, and ground it very small, even until it was as small as dust, which might be very easily done by the action of the hands, when beat into thin plates or leaves as the original words {ekkoth,} and {dak,} imply.

De 7:5,25; 9:21; 2Ki 23:6,15

made the.

Pr 1:31; 14:14