Who wrote the Hebrew Bible, when, and why? Why does it contain so many competing perspectives and why do scholars sometimes disagree about what its words originally meant? In Misquoting Moses, Yale professor Joel Baden and co-host Megan Kraege explore the surprising history, authorship, translation, and interpretation of the Hebrew Bible. Each week, they bring the questions and evidence scholars have debated for centuries out of the university and into lively, accessible conversations for anyone curious about the Bible.
Curated by: Bart D. Ehrman (15 videos)
Links Mentioned in this Episode: - https://www.bartehrman.com/5yeardeals - To celebrate the 5 year anniversary of Paths in Biblical Studies, we're offering a five-dollar trial for 5 weeks’ access to the Biblical Studies Academy. Inside the BSA, you get access to 60+ courses from the world's top scholars including Joel Baden and Bart Ehrman, and membership in the BSA community.Also as a thank you for anyone who starts a trial or buys a course anytime in November and December, we're adding on a bonus five-day scholar series for free, PLUS a mystery prize! - https://www.bartehrman.com/askjoel - submit your questions to Joel about the Hebrew Bible, or anything else in the Misquoting Moses podcast!" *Episode Outline:* 00:00 — The Golden Calf: What Really Happened at Mount Sinai? 02:07 — Why the Israelites Made the Golden Calf and Aaron’s Role 10:12 — Why a Calf? Understanding the Symbolism Behind the Idol 13:21 — Was the Golden Calf Actually Meant to Represent Yahweh? 15:35 — Worshiping the Right God the Wrong Way: Which Law Did Israel Break? 24:38 — “These Are Your Gods”: The Connection to Jeroboam’s Golden Calves 36:55 — Why Moses Made the Israelites Drink the Golden Calf and the Mystery of Exodus 32 45:26 — Ask Joel: What Language Did God Write the Ten Commandments In? The Law in Samuel and Why Moses Didn't Enter Canaan *Episode Description:* The Golden Calf incident in Exodus 32 is often presented as Israel's ultimate act of rebellion against God. But a closer look reveals a more complex story. In this episode of Misquoting Moses, Dr. Joel Baden joins host Megan Kraege to challenge common interpretations and uncover the political and religious conflicts behind this famous biblical narrative. While Moses is on Mount Sinai receiving instructions for the Tabernacle, the Israelites become anxious about his prolonged absence. Dr. Baden argues that their request to Aaron isn't necessarily for a new god, but for a replacement for Moses, their connection to the divine. They need a tangible representation of the God who led them out of Egypt. But was the Golden Calf actually an idol to another deity? Dr. Baden argues that it was intended to represent Yahweh. Aaron announces a festival to Yahweh, and the people credit the calf with bringing them out of Egypt. Since the biblical tradition consistently attributes the Exodus to Yahweh, the calf was likely meant to represent Israel's own God. So what was their sin? Rather than worshipping a foreign deity, they were worshipping Yahweh in a forbidden way. Dr. Baden points to the Covenant Code (Exodus 21–23), which prohibits making gods of silver and gold. The calf violated this command, explaining why Moses smashes the tablets when he sees what the Israelites have done. One of the most fascinating clues comes from the people's declaration: "These are your gods, O Israel." Why does the text use the plural when there is only one calf? Dr. Baden notes that this exact phrase appears elsewhere only in 1 Kings 12, when King Jeroboam establishes two golden calves at Dan and Bethel in the Northern Kingdom. This connection raises the possibility that the Exodus story wasn't originally a historical account of Moses' time, but a later polemic against the Northern Kingdom's religious practices. By placing Jeroboam's controversial golden calves in Israel's distant past, the author portrays this form of worship as an ancient and fundamental sin. The episode also explores the story's strange details, including Moses making the Israelites drink the ground-up calf, the Levites killing thousands of their own people, and the seemingly contradictory punishments imposed by God. Finally, in the "Ask Joel" segment, Dr. Baden answers listener questions about the original language of the Ten Commandments, the absence of references to the giving of the Law in historical books like Samuel, and why Joshua was created as a biblical character rather than having Moses lead the Israelites into the Promised Land. *Three Key Takeaways:* 1. The Sin Was Improper Worship, Not Apostasy 2. The Story is a Polemic Against the Northern Kingdom 3. The Golden Calf Story Became a "Magnet" for Traditions of Sin and Punishment