It states in the bible, back in Egypt, they were all slaves, where did 'slaves' get so much gold?
Also, wouldnt they have needed a smelting works to make the golden calf?
2007-07-29 15:14:32 · 17 answers · asked by Paul222@England 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Julia D, You are very defensive there, at the end of your answer! .. lol.
I thought the 'Israelites' where called that later, after they had created Israel?
I meant no insult!!
Thanks for your answer anyway!
2007-07-29 15:41:19 · update #1
bouncer bobtail .... You stated:
'I'm not a bible expert, but I do know the difference between gold and golden. A golden calf doesn't require any gold in its construction, just like my golden hair'.
Do you think that they had gold 'coloured' (im English!) paint back then?? ... lol.
2007-07-29 16:40:05 · update #2
The Egyptians threw their gold at them before throwing them out of the land, if you read it. They just wanted them OUT, "no more plagues, here take our gold and get out!" It was supposed to be a payment, a restitution, for the 400 years of slavery of the Israelites. Given under pressure at the last minute in hopes of lessening God's wrath a bit, but given at least.
The gold for the calf specifically came from the jewelry they wore, from the abovementioned gold. The Israelite women, however, refused to give their jewelry for such idolatry, and as a result, we are rewarded with Rosh Chodesh (head of the month) which means the first of the month we don't have to do any work whatsoever, just rest or whatever we like.
This is also one of the many reasons why, in Judaism, women are considered to be on a higher spiritual level than men.
Several years back, the Egyptian government actually tried to sue Israel for the gold that they gave the Jews when the Jews made the Exodus from Egypt.
Israel replied "fine, sue us, and we will countersue for payment for the 400 years of slavery." Egypt promptly dropped it's lawsuit. I thought that was just hilarious. Yes, this actually happened, you can probably find old newspaper stories about it on Google or something.
They had all they needed to melt the gold down, yes. There were over 6 million people there, including the insincere Egyptian converts who had come out with the Jews, these are called the Erev Rav, the Mixed Multitude. It was basically a city moving around through the desert, and they didn't just leave their skills and trades behind, they brought their knowledge with them and made what they needed as they travelled.
And why do you have "Israelites" in quotation marks like that? You think that's not really the correct name for them? What would you suggest?
Source: Me, Jewish. Torah, Talmud, Midrash
EDIT: No insult taken, I was just curious about what you were thinking, or if you had been told something different.
2007-07-29 15:26:20 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 2⤋
I'm not a bible expert, but I do know the difference between gold and golden. A golden calf doesn't require any gold in its construction, just like my golden hair.
It is normally when freeing slaves to give them some money. Otherwise they will return in the night, slit your throat and take it. You can melt gold easily on an open fire.
2007-07-29 16:14:37 · answer #2 · answered by bouncer bobtail 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
God caused the Egyptians in general to be favourable disposed towards the Israelites and they gave them much of their silver and gold. (Exodus 12:33-36).
They used gold earings to make the calf (Exodus 32:2)
Aaron apparantly used tools to fashion a calf out of the gold
2007-07-30 04:03:54 · answer #3 · answered by good tree 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It states in the bible where they got the gold from give to them by the Egyptians and slaves back then could have personal property.
2007-07-29 15:19:49 · answer #4 · answered by old crow 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Exodus 12 says that the Israelites plundered Egypt as they left, "taking items of gold & silver."
2007-07-29 15:20:03 · answer #5 · answered by Matthew 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
it is described and explained in full in Exodus.
"... And the LORD gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they lent unto them such things as they required. And they spoiled the Egyptians."
being that the Israelites were slave forced to work ,someone surely had the task of smelting.
I remember a part about the people pressing Arron to do as they pleased and make a calf.
Look it up in Exodus.
2007-07-29 15:32:31 · answer #6 · answered by dj 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
They were given treasure by the Egyptians. Reread Exodus. It talks all about it.
As for a smelting works, I'm sure they found a way to melt gold.
2007-07-29 15:17:40 · answer #7 · answered by The_Cricket: Thinking Pink! 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Moses told them to borrow it from their Egyptian neighbors
Exodus 11:2
Speak now in the ears of the people, and let every man borrow of his neighbour, and every woman of her neighbour, jewels of silver and jewels of gold.
Exodus 12:35
And the children of Israel did according to the word of Moses; and they borrowed of the Egyptians jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment:
2007-07-29 15:30:05 · answer #8 · answered by Tommiecat 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
God put it into the minds of the slave owners to be generous with their gold and jewelry. They freely gave it to the Israelites.
The capabilities to use what they had were with them as trades people can usually get what they need working, from experience.
2007-07-29 15:22:36 · answer #9 · answered by Wisdom 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
1) I belive it says they took a bunch of riches from the egyptians before leaving.
2) I am pretty sure the book specifies that the calf was of beaten gold, basically meaning that they needed much less heat to make the gold workable in that manner.
edit: and pretty sure beaten gold in that manner means much less volume of gold needed too.
2007-07-29 15:17:51 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 1⤋