Jump to: Smith's • Easton's • Webster's • Concordance • Thesaurus • Greek • Hebrew • Library • Subtopics • Terms Topical Encyclopedia An idol, in biblical terms, refers to any object, image, or representation that is worshiped as a god or considered to possess divine power. The concept of idolatry is a central theme in the Bible, where it is consistently condemned as a violation of the first and second commandments given by God to the Israelites. These commandments emphasize the exclusive worship of Yahweh and the prohibition of creating and venerating images or likenesses of any kind.Old Testament Context In the Old Testament, idolatry is portrayed as a persistent temptation and sin for the people of Israel. The first explicit command against idolatry is found in the Ten Commandments: "You shall have no other gods before Me. You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in the heavens above, on the earth below, or in the waters beneath" (Exodus 20:3-4). This command underscores the monotheistic foundation of Israelite religion and the prohibition against worshiping any deity other than Yahweh. The Israelites' struggle with idolatry is evident throughout their history. Despite clear instructions, they frequently turned to the gods of surrounding nations, such as Baal and Asherah, often represented by physical idols. The golden calf incident (Exodus 32) is a notable example, where the Israelites crafted a calf idol while Moses was on Mount Sinai, leading to severe consequences. Prophets like Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel vehemently denounced idolatry, highlighting its futility and the absurdity of worshiping man-made objects. Isaiah 44:9-20 vividly describes the process of crafting an idol and the irrationality of attributing divine power to it: "The woodworker stretches a measuring line; he marks it out with a stylus; he shapes it with chisels and outlines it with a compass. He makes it in the form of a man, like a man in all his glory, that it may dwell in a shrine" (Isaiah 44:13). New Testament Context In the New Testament, the issue of idolatry extends beyond physical idols to include any form of devotion or allegiance that supplants God. The Apostle Paul addresses idolatry in his letters, warning against the worship of created things rather than the Creator. In Romans 1:22-23, Paul writes, "Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images of mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles" . Paul also cautions the Corinthian church against participating in pagan rituals and idol feasts, emphasizing the incompatibility of idolatry with Christian faith: "Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry" (1 Corinthians 10:14). He further explains that idols are nothing, but the spiritual forces behind them can lead believers astray (1 Corinthians 8:4-6). Theological Implications Idolatry, in its essence, is a distortion of true worship and a misplacement of trust and reverence. It represents a fundamental breach in the relationship between God and humanity, as it attributes divine qualities to finite and fallible entities. The biblical narrative consistently portrays idolatry as a source of spiritual adultery, leading to moral and societal decay. The Bible's condemnation of idolatry serves as a call to exclusive devotion to God, urging believers to recognize Him as the sole source of life, provision, and salvation. This theme is encapsulated in the Shema, a central declaration of Jewish faith: "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is One" (Deuteronomy 6:4). Contemporary Relevance While the physical idols of ancient times may not be as prevalent today, the concept of idolatry remains relevant. Modern forms of idolatry can manifest in the excessive pursuit of wealth, power, status, or even relationships that take precedence over one's relationship with God. The biblical admonition against idolatry challenges believers to examine their hearts and priorities, ensuring that their worship and allegiance are directed solely toward God. Smith's Bible Dictionary IdolAn image or anything used as an object of worship in place of the true God. Among the earliest objects of worship, regarded as symbols of deity, were the meteoric stones,which the ancients believed to have been images of the Gods sent down from heaven. From these they transferred their regard to rough unhewn blocks, to stone columns or pillars of wood, in which the divinity worshipped was supposed to dwell, and which were connected, like the sacred stone at Delphi, by being anointed with oil and crowned with wool on solemn days. Of the forms assumed by the idolatrous images we have not many traces in the Bible. Dagon, the fish-god of the Philistines, was a human figure terminating in a fish; and that the Syrian deities were represented in later times in a symbolical human shape we know for certainty. When the process of adorning the image was completed, it was placed in a temple or shrine appointed for it. Epist. (Jeremiah 12:1; Jeremiah 19:1) ... Wisd. 13:15; (1 Corinthians 18:10) From these temples the idols were sometimes carried in procession, Epist. (Jeremiah 4:26) on festival days. Their priests were maintained from the idol treasury, and feasted upon the meats which were appointed for the idols' use. Bel and the Dragon 3,13. Easton's Bible Dictionary (1.) Hebrews aven, "nothingness;" "vanity" (Isaiah 66:3; 41:29; Deuteronomy 32:21; 1 Kings 16:13; Psalm 31:6; Jeremiah 8:19, etc.). (2.) `Elil, "a thing of naught" (Psalm 97:7; Isaiah 19:3); a word of contempt, used of the gods of Noph (Ezek. 30:13). (3.) `Emah, "terror," in allusion to the hideous form of idols (Jeremiah 50:38). (4.) Miphletzeth, "a fright;" "horror" (1 Kings 15:13; 2 Chronicles 15:16). (5.) Bosheth, "shame;" "shameful thing" (Jeremiah 11:13; Hosea 9:10); as characterizing the obscenity of the worship of Baal. (6.) Gillulim, also a word of contempt, "dung;" "refuse" (Ezek. 16:36; 20:8; Deuteronomy 29:17, marg.). (7.) Shikkuts, "filth;" "impurity" (Ezek. 37:23; Nahum 3:6). (8.) Semel, "likeness;" "a carved image" (Deuteronomy 4:16). (9.) Tselem, "a shadow" (Dan. 3:1; 1 Samuel 6:5), as distinguished from the "likeness," or the exact counterpart. (10.) Temunah, "similitude" (Deuteronomy 4:12-19). Here Moses forbids the several forms of Gentile idolatry. (11.) `Atsab, "a figure;" from the root "to fashion," "to labour;" denoting that idols are the result of man's labour (Isaiah 48:5; Psalm 139:24, "wicked way;" literally, as some translate, "way of an idol"). (12.) Tsir, "a form;" "shape" (Isaiah 45:16). (13.) Matztzebah, a "statue" set up (Jeremiah 43:13); a memorial stone like that erected by Jacob (Genesis 28:18; 31:45; 35:14, 20), by Joshua (4:9), and by Samuel (1 Samuel 7:12). It is the name given to the statues of Baal (2 Kings 3:2; 10:27). (14.) Hammanim, "sun-images." Hamman is a synonym of Baal, the sun-god of the Phoenicians (2 Chronicles 34:4, 7; 14:3, 5; Isaiah 17:8). (15.) Maskith, "device" (Leviticus 26:1; Numbers 33:52). In Leviticus 26:1, the words "image of stone" (A.V.) denote "a stone or cippus with the image of an idol, as Baal, Astarte, etc." In Ezek. 8:12, "chambers of imagery" (maskith), are "chambers of which the walls are painted with the figures of idols;" comp. ver. 10, 11. (16.) Pesel, "a graven" or "carved image" (Isaiah 44:10-20). It denotes also a figure cast in metal (Deuteronomy 7:25; 27:15; Isaiah 40:19; 44:10). (17.) Massekah, "a molten image" (Deuteronomy 9:12; Judges 17:3, 4). (18.) Teraphim, pl., "images," family gods (penates) worshipped by Abram's kindred (Joshua 24:14). Put by Michal in David's bed (Judges 17:5; 18:14, 17, 18, 20; 1 Samuel 19:13). "Nothing can be more instructive and significant than this multiplicity and variety of words designating the instruments and inventions of idolatry." Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (n.) An image or representation of anything.2. (n.) An image of a divinity; a representation or symbol of a deity or any other being or thing, made or used as an object of worship; a similitude of a false god. 3. (n.) That on which the affections are strongly (often excessively) set; an object of passionate devotion; a person or thing greatly loved or adored. 4. (n.) A false notion or conception; a fallacy. Greek 1493. eidoleion -- an idol's temple ... an idol's temple. Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: eidoleion Phonetic Spelling: (i-do-li'-on) Short Definition: a temple for an image Definition: a ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1493.htm - 6k 1497. eidolon -- an image (ie for worship), by impl. a false god 1494. eidolothutos -- sacrificed to idols 4481. Rhemphan -- Remphan. 1495. eidololatria -- image worship 3434. Moloch -- Moloch, the god of the Ammonites 3152. mataios -- vain, useless 1496. eidololatres -- an image worshiper Strong's Hebrew 8655. teraphim -- (a kind of idol) perhaps household idol... 8654, 8655. teraphim. 8656 . (a kind of idol) perhaps household idol. Transliteration: teraphim Phonetic Spelling: (ter-aw-feme') Short Definition: idols. ... /hebrew/8655.htm - 6k 1544. gillul -- an idol 6459. pesel -- an idol, image 6090b. otseb -- an idol 6091. atsab -- an idol 152. Adrammelek -- "Adar is prince," an Assyr. idol, also a son of ... 6456. pasil -- an idol, image 1712. Dagon -- a god and an idol of the Philistines 3649. komer -- a priest (in idol worship) 6090. otseb -- a pain Library The Idol Shepherd The Idol which Shed Tears. An Idol Thrown Out of a Temple. Of the Idol Temples which were Destroyed by John in Phoenicia. Overthrow of an Idol Temple, and Abolition of Licentious Practices ... Folly of Idol Worship. How the Gentiles Abandoned Idol Worship, and Turned to the ... Destruction of Idol Temples and Images Everywhere. Confutation of Idol-Worship. Idols not to be Made, Much Less Worshipped. Idols and Idol-Makers ... Thesaurus Idol (56 Occurrences)... to labour;" denoting that idols are the result of man's labour (Isaiah 48:5; Psalm 139:24, "wicked way;" literally, as some translate, "way of an idol"). ... /i/idol.htm - 29k Idol-sacrifices (3 Occurrences) Idol-worship (2 Occurrences) Idol-house (1 Occurrence) Idol's (1 Occurrence) Idol-worshipper (1 Occurrence) Calf-Idol (2 Occurrences) Sacrificed (112 Occurrences) Malcam (6 Occurrences) Resources Why is idol worship such a powerful temptation? | GotQuestions.orgWhat can we learn from the account of Micah and the idol in Judges? | GotQuestions.org What does the Bible say about eating food/meat that has been sacrificed to idols? | GotQuestions.org Idol: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Idol (56 Occurrences)Acts 7:41 Acts 21:25 1 Corinthians 8:4 1 Corinthians 8:7 1 Corinthians 8:10 1 Corinthians 10:19 1 Corinthians 10:28 Revelation 2:14 Revelation 2:20 Exodus 20:4 Exodus 32:4 Exodus 32:8 Deuteronomy 4:16 Deuteronomy 4:23 Deuteronomy 4:25 Deuteronomy 5:8 Deuteronomy 9:12 Deuteronomy 9:16 Deuteronomy 27:15 Judges 17:3 Judges 17:4 Judges 18:14 Judges 18:17 Judges 18:18 1 Samuel 19:13 1 Samuel 19:16 1 Kings 11:5 1 Kings 11:7 1 Kings 15:13 2 Chronicles 15:16 2 Chronicles 33:7 2 Chronicles 33:15 Psalms 24:4 Psalms 106:19 Isaiah 40:19 Isaiah 40:20 Isaiah 41:7 Isaiah 44:10 Isaiah 44:12 Isaiah 44:15 Isaiah 44:17 Isaiah 45:20 Isaiah 48:5 Isaiah 66:3 Jeremiah 10:8 Jeremiah 22:28 Ezekiel 8:3 Ezekiel 8:5 Ezekiel 8:12 Hosea 3:4 Hosea 4:12 Hosea 8:5 Hosea 9:10 Hosea 10:6 Nahum 1:14 Habakkuk 2:18 Subtopics Idol: Manufacture of, Forbidden Idol: Things offered To, not to be Eaten Related Terms Idol-sacrifices (3 Occurrences) |
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