Golden calf

According to Exodus 32.4, this was an idol made by the Israelites during Moses' time on the top of Mount Sinai. Jeroboam also made two golden calves one of which he put in Bethel and the other in Dan. It is not clear quite what the calves symbolised. Bulls were widely worshipped in the Ancient Near East but some wonder whether the calves were meant to symbolise the throne of God rather than an idol. Whatever their symbolism the calves represented a departure from the worship of God laid down in the law.