golden calf

golden calf

n.

1. A golden image of a sacrificial calf fashioned by Aaron and worshiped by the Israelites.

2.

a. Money as an object of worship; mammon.

b. The subject of intense veneration: "Arms control . . . has evolved [into] the golden calf of liberalism" (Patrick J. Buchanan).

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golden calf

n

1. (Christian Religious Writings / Bible) Old Testament

a.  an idol made by Aaron and set up for the Israelites to worship (Exodus 32)

b.  either of two similar idols set up by Jeroboam I at Dan and Bethel in the northern kingdom (I Kings 12:28-30)

2. Informal the pursuit or idolization of material wealth

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

golden calf - (Old Testament) an idol made by Aaron for the Israelites to worship; destroyed by Moses; it is now used to refer to anything worshipped undeservedly graven image, idol, god - a material effigy that is worshipped; "thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image"; "money was his god" Old Testament - the collection of books comprising the sacred scripture of the Hebrews and recording their history as the chosen people; the first half of the Christian Bible