עגל הזהב
The English phrase "golden calf" is translated into Hebrew as עגל הזהב.
This noun refers to a golden image of a calf.
Meaning: A golden image of a calf (noun)
Did you know?
- Despite the image of a calf, some historical interpretations suggest the עגל הזהב was not meant to be a god itself but a pedestal for an invisible divine presence.
- The Hebrew word עגל shares a linguistic root with the Arabic word عجل, which can mean 'to hurry', though they evolved into different meanings in each language.
- While עגל הזהב refers to the biblical idol, the term עגלה (the feminine form of the word) refers specifically to a carriage or a cart in Hebrew.
Example conversation
Noam and Agur are studying a religious text together.
- נועם Noamהאם את יודעת מה זה עגל הזהב?Ha-im at yoda'at ma ze egel ha-zahav?Do you know what the golden calf is?
- עגור Adiכן, נועם, זה פסל מוזהב.Ken, Noam, ze psal mo-zahav.Yes, Noam, it is a gilded statue.
- נועם Noamלמה הם השתמשו דווקא בעגל הזהב?Lama hem hishtamshu dovka ba-egel ha-zahav?Why did they use the golden calf specifically?
- עגור Adiזה חלק מהסיפור במקרא.Ze chelek me-ha-sippur ba-mikra.It is part of the story in the Bible.
