Psalms 106:20
Thus they changed their glory into the similitude of an ox that eateth grass.
Original Language Analysis
וַיָּמִ֥ירוּ
Thus they changed
H4171
וַיָּמִ֥ירוּ
Thus they changed
Strong's:
H4171
Word #:
1 of 7
to alter; by implication, to barter, to dispose of
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
2 of 7
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כְּבוֹדָ֑ם
their glory
H3519
כְּבוֹדָ֑ם
their glory
Strong's:
H3519
Word #:
3 of 7
properly, weight, but only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or copiousness
בְּתַבְנִ֥ית
into the similitude
H8403
בְּתַבְנִ֥ית
into the similitude
Strong's:
H8403
Word #:
4 of 7
structure; by implication, a model, resemblance
Historical Context
The calf likely represented Apis, the Egyptian bull-god, or imitated Canaanite Baal worship. Having lived 400 years in Egypt, Israel was steeped in pagan imagery. The golden calf showed they hadn't mentally separated from Egypt's gods despite physical deliverance. Jeroboam later repeated this sin when he set up golden calves at Dan and Bethel (1 Kings 12:28-30), demonstrating how patterns of idolatry recur across generations.
Questions for Reflection
- What does it mean to 'exchange' God's glory for lesser things?
- How does idolatry fundamentally involve exchanging the infinite for the finite?
- What modern 'oxen' (created things) do people worship instead of the Creator?
Analysis & Commentary
This verse interprets the golden calf's theological significance. 'Changed their glory' uses muwr (מוּר), meaning to exchange or substitute. 'Their glory' refers to Yahweh, Israel's glory and distinction among nations (Jeremiah 2:11). 'Into the similitude of an ox that eateth grass' emphasizes the absurdity—they exchanged the Creator for the image of a grass-eating animal. Paul echoes this in Romans 1:23: humanity 'changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.' The fundamental sin is exchange—trading the infinite for the finite, the Creator for creation. This reveals idolatry's essential foolishness.