Acts 7:41

Verse

At that time they made a calf and offered a sacrifice to the idol, rejoicing in the works of their hands.

American Standard Version (1901)

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

And they made the image of a young ox in those days, and made an offering to it, and had joy in the work of their hands.

Douay-Rheims 1899

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

Free Bible Version

Then they made an idol in the shape of a calf, sacrificed to it, and celebrated what they themselves had made!

Geneva Bible 1599

And they made a calfe in those dayes, and offered sacrifice vnto the idole, and reioyced in the workes of their owne handes.

King James (Authorized) Version

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

Plain English Version

So then they made a statue that looked like a young cow. They brought some animals, and they killed them and burned them to give them to that statue. And they had a big party to show respect to the statue they made.

Translation for Translators

So, they made out of gold an image that looked like a calf. Then they sacrificed animals and offered other things to honor that idol, and they sang and danced to honor the idol that they themselves had made.

Unlocked Literal Bible

So they made a calf in those days and brought a sacrifice to the idol, and rejoiced because of the work of their hands.

Noah Webster Bible

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

World English Bible

They made a calf in those days, and brought a sacrifice to the idol, and rejoiced in the works of their hands.

Young's Literal Translation

'And they made a calf in those days, and brought a sacrifice to the idol, and were rejoicing in the works of their hands,

Context

The Rebellion of Israel

⁴⁰They said to Aaron, ‘Make us gods who will go before us! As for this Moses who led us out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has happened to him.’⁴¹At that time they made a calf and offered a sacrifice to the idol, rejoicing in the works of their hands. ⁴²But God turned away from them and gave them over to the worship of the host of heaven, as it is written in the book of the prophets: ‘Did you bring Me sacrifices and offerings forty years in the wilderness, O house of Israel?

Sermons

The Food Question

T. Austin-Sparks

Summary

In Acts 7:41, Stephen recounts the Israelites' idolatry in the wilderness, specifically referring to the golden calf incident. This verse highlights the tendency of God's people to turn away from Him and worship false gods, despite His faithfulness and provision. It serves as a cautionary reminder against the dangers of disobedience and the consequences of forsaking the one true God. Stephen's speech underscores the importance of remaining steadfast in faith and loyalty to God, avoiding the allure of worldly idols that can lead to spiritual downfall.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

And they made a calf in those days,.... Whilst Moses was in the mount; this was done in imitation of the Egyptian idol Apis or Serapis, which was an ox or a bullock; and it was made of the golden earnings of the people, which were melted down, and cast into the form of a calf, and graved by Aaron with a graving tool, Exo 32:2 And so the Syriac version here reads in the singular number, "and he made them a calf"; this was a most shameful and scandalous piece of idolatry. The Jews themselves are so sensible of the horribleness of it, and of the guilt of it, and of the reproach that lies on them for it, that it is common for them to say (c), "there is not a generation, or an age, in which there is not an ounce of the sin of the calf.'' Or, as elsewhere (d) expressed, "no punishment befalls thee, O Israel, in "which there is not an ounce of the sin of the calf".'' And offered sacrifice unto the idol; an altar was built, and proclamation made, that the next day would be the feast of the Lord; and accordingly early in the morning the people rose, and offered both burnt offerings and peace offerings, Exo 32:5 and rejoiceth in the works of their own hands; for so the calf was; and which rejoicing they showed by eating, and drinking, and singing, and dancing. (c) T. Hieros. Taaniot, fol. 68. 3. (d) Vid. Bab. Sanhedrin, fol. 102. 1.