Adonis is a figure rooted in ancient mythology, primarily associated with Greek and Phoenician traditions, rather than directly mentioned in the Bible. However, his account and the associated cult practices have indirect connections to biblical narratives and the cultural context of the ancient Near East.

Mythological Background

Adonis is traditionally depicted as a handsome young man, beloved by the goddess Aphrodite in Greek mythology. His account is one of beauty, love, and tragic death, often symbolizing the cycle of life, death, and rebirth. The myth of Adonis is believed to have originated from the Phoenician god Tammuz, a deity associated with vegetation and fertility. The annual death and resurrection of Adonis were celebrated in rituals that symbolized the seasonal cycle of growth and decay.

Cultural and Religious Context

The worship of Adonis, or Tammuz, was prevalent in the ancient Near East, including regions that interacted with the Israelites. The cult of Adonis involved lamentation and mourning, reflecting the mythological narrative of his untimely death. This practice is reminiscent of the biblical references to Tammuz, particularly in the context of idolatry and syncretism.

Biblical References

While Adonis himself is not mentioned in the Bible, the worship of Tammuz is explicitly referenced in the book of Ezekiel. In Ezekiel 8:14 , the prophet describes a vision of idolatrous practices within the temple: "Then He brought me to the entrance of the north gate of the house of the LORD, and I saw women sitting there, weeping for Tammuz." This passage highlights the infiltration of pagan worship into Israelite religious practices, which was condemned by the prophets as a violation of the covenant with Yahweh.

Theological Implications

From a biblical perspective, the worship of Adonis/Tammuz represents a departure from the worship of the one true God. The lamentation rituals associated with Adonis were seen as idolatrous and contrary to the teachings of the Hebrew Scriptures. The prophets consistently warned against adopting the religious customs of surrounding nations, emphasizing the need for purity in worship and devotion to God alone.

Historical Influence

The influence of Adonis and similar deities can be seen in the broader context of ancient religious practices that the Israelites encountered. The syncretism that occurred as a result of cultural interactions posed a significant challenge to maintaining the distinct identity and faith of the Israelite people. The biblical narrative often reflects this tension, as seen in the repeated calls for repentance and return to exclusive worship of Yahweh.

In summary, while Adonis is not a biblical figure, the cultural and religious practices associated with his worship provide insight into the challenges faced by the Israelites in maintaining their covenantal relationship with God amidst a polytheistic environment. The biblical condemnation of such practices underscores the importance of fidelity to God's commandments and the rejection of idolatry.1. (n.) A youth beloved by Venus for his beauty. He was killed in the chase by a wild boar.

2. (n.) A preeminently beautiful young man; a dandy.

3. (n.) A genus of plants of the family Ranunculaceae, containing the pheasant's eye (Adonis autumnalis); -- named from Adonis, whose blood was fabled to have stained the flower.

ADONIS

a-do'-nis: A name for the Babylonian god TAMMUZ, which see. The word occurs only in the English Revised Version, margin of Isaiah 17:10, where for "pleasant plants" is read "plantings of Adonis." The the American Standard Revised Version rightly omits this marginal suggestion.

Naasseni Ascribe their System, through Mariamne, to James the ...
... And an entity of this description the Assyrians call Adonis or Endymion; [336] and
when it is styled Adonis, Venus, he says, loves and desires the soul when ...
/.../the refutation of all heresies/chapter ii naasseni ascribe their system.htm

The Rise of the Assyrian Empire
... he was buried at Byblos, this tradition maintained, and it was in his honour that
the festivals attributed by the vulgar to the young Adonis were really ...
/.../chapter iithe rise of the.htm

Beth-Lehem
... The same father of the annals adds, that Beth-lehem, from the times of Adrian to
the times of Constantine, was profaned by the temple of Adonis: for the ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 51 beth-lehem.htm

The First Chaldaean Empire and the Hyksos in Egypt
... attention, is here noticeable as being the only stream whose waters flow constantly
and with tolerable regularity; the others, the Leon, the Adonis,* and the ...
/.../chapter ithe first chaldaean empire.htm

The Apology of Aristides as it is Preserved in the History of ...
... For at one time she had Ares as a paramour, and at another time Anchises and again
Adonis, whose death she also laments, feeling the want of her lover. ...
/.../kay/the apology of aristides the philosopher/the apology of aristides as.htm

Refutation of what Libanius the Sophist Said Concerning Julian.
... The oracle was thus expressed: Atys propitiate, the great god, the chaste
Adonis, the blessed fair-haired Dionysius rich in gifts.'. ...
/.../chapter xxiii refutation of what libanius.htm

Contemporary Pagan and Heretical Hymns
... to secrecy."[41] The leading cults were those associated with Orpheus, the Magna
Mater (Cybele) and Attis, Mithra, Serapis, Isis, Adonis, and especially the ...
/.../v contemporary pagan and heretical.htm

Dedication
... Thou sleepest now in the land of Adonis, near the holy Byblus and the sacred stream
where the women of the ancient mysteries came to mingle their tears. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/renan/the life of jesus/dedication.htm

Chambers of Imagery
... who, false at once to their womanhood and to their God, were taking part in the
nameless obscenities and abominations of the worship of the Syrian Adonis. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/chambers of imagery.htm

False Gods Abandoned by Christians.
... who in their loves with men did such things as it is shameful even to mention),
and Proserpine and Venus (who were maddened with love of Adonis, and whose ...
/.../justin/the first apology of justin/chapter xxv false gods abandoned by.htm

Adonis (1 Occurrence)
... 3. (n.) A genus of plants of the family Ranunculaceae, containing the pheasant's
eye (Adonis autumnalis); -- named from Adonis, whose blood was fabled to have ...
/a/adonis.htm - 7k

Tammuz (1 Occurrence)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary A corruption of Dumuzi, the Accadian sun-god (the
Adonis of the Greeks), the husband of the goddess Ishtar. ...
/t/tammuz.htm - 10k

Gebal (3 Occurrences)
... It lies in lat. 34 degrees 8', nearly, and about 4 miles North of the river Adonis
(Nahr Ibrahim). It was regarded as a holy city by the ancients. ...
/g/gebal.htm - 11k

Comparative
... It is said, for instance, that the resurrection of Adonis, Osiris and Mithra
was believed in by their followers. It is true that ...
/c/comparative.htm - 29k

Adonizedec (2 Occurrences)

/a/adonizedec.htm - 8k

Phoenicians
... pass at its mouth, where Egyptian Assyrian and Babylonian kings engraved their
monuments; and a few miles South of Jebail (Gebal) is the Adonis (Nahr Ibrahim ...
/p/phoenicians.htm - 38k

Phoenicia (6 Occurrences)
... pass at its mouth, where Egyptian Assyrian and Babylonian kings engraved their
monuments; and a few miles South of Jebail (Gebal) is the Adonis (Nahr Ibrahim ...
/p/phoenicia.htm - 40k

Vine-cuttings (1 Occurrence)
... have not given honour to the God of your salvation, and have not kept in mind the
Rock of your strength; for this cause you made a garden of Adonis, and put in ...
/v/vine-cuttings.htm - 6k

Lily (9 Occurrences)
... Of the true "floral glories of Palestine" the pheasant's eye (Adonis Palestina),
the ranunuculus (R. Asiaticus), and the anemone (A coronaria), the last named ...
/l/lily.htm - 15k

Imported (9 Occurrences)
... have not given honour to the God of your salvation, and have not kept in mind the
Rock of your strength; for this cause you made a garden of Adonis, and put in ...
/i/imported.htm - 9k

Who was Tammuz? | GotQuestions.org

Is Jesus a myth? Is Jesus just a copy of the pagan gods of other ancient religions? | GotQuestions.org

Is Jesus a copy of Dionysus? | GotQuestions.org

Adonis: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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