μοσχοποιέω (moschopoieō)
moschopoieō
to make a calf
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb moschopoieō means to fashion an image of a young bull or calf. It is a rare compound word, combining terms for "calf" and "to make," and appears only once in the New Testament. This single occurrence is found in Stephen’s speech in Acts 7:41, where he recounts the Israelites’ rebellion during their time in the wilderness.
Stephen uses this specific term to describe the creation of the golden calf idol. By choosing a word that literally translates to "making a calf," he highlights the physical act of crafting an image rather than just the abstract concept of idolatry. The sources note that this usage aligns with the Septuagint’s rendering of the Hebrew text, emphasizing the tangible nature of the sin.
This word carries significant theological weight by recalling one of the most famous moments of apostasy in the Old Testament. It serves as a sharp reminder of how quickly the people turned from their deliverer to worship a created object. The term underscores the danger of replacing the invisible God with a visible, manageable substitute.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word μοσχοποιέω literally means to make a calf. It appears only once in Scripture, in Acts 7:41. Stephen uses it to describe the Israelites making the golden calf. This was not just a mistake. It was a deliberate act of replacing God with something they could see and touch.
This story warns us about our own hearts. We often try to shape our faith into something comfortable or predictable. We want a god who fits our plans. But true faith trusts the invisible God, even when He does not look like what we expect.
When you feel drawn to control your circumstances, remember this moment. It is easy to turn to visible things for security. Yet God calls us to trust Him without seeing. This word reminds us that idolatry is not just about statues. It is about trusting created things more than the Creator.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- they made a calf1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἐμοσχοποίησαν1×
Key Verses
-
Acts 7:41
They made a calf in those days, and brought a sacrifice to the idol, and rejoiced in the works of their hands.
This verse records the specific act of fashioning the golden calf, highlighting the physical creation of an idol as a direct rebellion against God's unseen presence.