Psalms 106:19 Meaning and Explanation
“They made a calf in Horeb, and worshipped the molten image.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The people created and worshipped a golden calf idol at Mount Horeb while Moses was on the mountain.
The Context of Psalms 106:19
The golden calf episode (Exodus 32), marking one of Israel's most serious lapses into idolatry immediately after the covenant was made at Sinai.
What Does Psalms 106:19 Mean?
Creating an idol represented a fundamental betrayal of trust and a denial of God's presence and leadership. While Moses received the Law from God, the people fashioned an object to replace God, demonstrating profound spiritual unfaithfulness.
Worship of the molten image shows the depth of the people's forgetfulness. They turned away from the God who had just delivered them to create and venerate an object made from their own possessions.
Psalms 106:19 in the Original Language
egel (עֵגֶל), 'calf' — a young bull, and likely fashioned to resemble the idols of Egypt or Canaan.
Frequently Asked Questions About Psalms 106:19
What does Psalms 106:19 mean?
The people created and worshipped a golden calf idol at Mount Horeb while Moses was on the mountain.
What is the context of Psalms 106:19?
The golden calf episode (Exodus 32), marking one of Israel's most serious lapses into idolatry immediately after the covenant was made at Sinai.