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μοσχοποιέω

moschopoiéō

G3447 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

to make, fashion, or create a calf (specifically a young bovine); in particular, to craft or form the image or idol of a calf, especially as an object of veneration or cultic practice. The term primarily denotes the act of manufacturing or producing a sculpted calf, with strong referential ties to the biblical narrative of the Golden Calf.

Semantic Range

to fashion a calf (as a sculpted image), to make a calf-idol, to manufacture an image of a calf for cultic or religious purposes

Root / Etymology

Compound of μόσχος (calf, young bull) and ποιέω (to make, to do). The word literally means 'to make a calf.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

μοσχοποιέω is a rare, specialized term attested only in Hellenistic Jewish literature, notably in the Septuagint (Exodus 32:4, 32:8; Acts 7:41). It specifically refers to the making of a calf-idol, as in the narrative of the Israelites creating the Golden Calf during the Exodus. The term almost always carries the sense of producing a cultic image rather than simply crafting an animal figure. In the New Testament (Acts 7:41), Stephen's speech references the Israelites' actions at Sinai, echoing the Septuagint usage. English translations often render the verb as 'make a calf,' but this does not always convey the cultic or idolatrous nuance present in Greek context. Classical Greek uses distinct vocabulary for sculpting or forming idols (e.g., ἀγαλματοποιέω), while μοσχοποιέω is native to Jewish-Greek vocabulary reflecting the Hebrew Exodus account.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from μόσχος and ποιέω; to fabricate the image of a bullock:--make a calf.

Root Family

μοσχοποιέω (moschopoieō) — to make a calf, to fashion a calf-image, to produce a calf-idol

Root μοσχ-, ποιε- to make, to form, to produce (a calf)

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G3447-01 ἐμοσχοποίησαν emoschopoiesan V AOR ACT IND 3P PL they made they made a calf-idol they made a calf-idol 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G3447-01 Acts 7:41 ἐμοσχοποίησαν emoschopoiesan V AOR ACT IND 3P PL they made they made a calf-idol they made a calf-idol
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