Jeroboam had set up idolatrous calf worship in the northern ten - tribe kingdom of Israel to keep the people from going to Jerusalem to worship Jehovah at the temple there.
Jerobeam oli põhjapoolses kümnest suguharust koosnevas Iisraeli kuningriigis sisse seadnud vasikakultuse, et rahvas ei läheks Jeruusalemma templisse Jehoovat kummardama.