They shall fear, because of the Calves of Beth-aven

They shall fear, because of the Calves of Beth-aven.

Why, were there many Calves at Beth-aven? Indeed there were Calves at Dan and Bethel, but there was but one at each of them. Here Beth-aven and Bethel was all one, Jeroboam was so subtil to set up the Calf at Bethel because the place took its name from God, but here the Holy Ghost calls it a House of Beth-aven, because it signifies a house of vanity, or iniquity, God calls it by another name. We may call things by names that may hold up some honor and respect, but God will give another name to these things that we would fain put an honor upon.

He calls it Beth-aven, and the Calves of Beth-aven. Why, was there many Calves at Beth-aven?

Now the answer that some give is this: There was but one at Bethel indeed; but both Bethel and Dan may have the name Bath-aven, (for they are both houses of vanity) and so called Calves in respect of them both.

Or others thus: The Calves of Beth-aven — as if the Prophet should say, Set up as many Calves as you will, they shall not help you if you had a thousand of them.

Or rather as I find some, Arias Montanus with others, they are called the Calves of Beth-aven, because according to the example of the Calf that was set up at Beth-aven, their workmen did make other little ones, to be in their houses; like as Demetrius that was the silver-smith for Diana, made shrines for Diana's Temple, it was Demetrius's trade to make little kind of temples in silver, either to hang about their necks, or to be in their houses, or ornaments: So it was probable that the Calf that was set up at Beth-aven had so much honor put upon it, as to have little things made with silver or gold according to their estates; perhaps for mean men, little things made with wood; and gentlemen with silver, and others with gold, like to those Calves, and so had them in their families; and therefore they are called Calves in the plural number. And if this were so, we might have a good note from that.

That the true worshipers of God should labor to bring the true worship of God into their families. They would bring the Calf into their families, or houses; so should we bring the ordinances of God into our families, bring the worship of God into our families, and not content ourselves with public worship, but have private worship too; they did not content themselves with a Calf abroad, but had them at home in their houses or families.

And further there is a note from it: they are called the Calves in the feminine gender, the she Calves, that is in a way of contempt of them.