Topical Encyclopedia In biblical terminology, "imagines" refers to idols or graven images that are often mentioned in the context of worship and idolatry. The Bible consistently warns against the creation and worship of such images, emphasizing the importance of worshiping the one true God in spirit and truth.Old Testament Context The prohibition against imagines is rooted in the Ten Commandments, where God explicitly commands the Israelites not to make or worship idols. In Exodus 20:4-5 , it is written: "You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in the heavens above or on the earth below or in the waters beneath. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God..." Throughout the Old Testament, the Israelites are repeatedly admonished for turning to idols, which are often referred to as "imagines." The prophets frequently rebuke the people for their idolatry, which is seen as a betrayal of their covenant with God. For instance, in Isaiah 44:9-10 , the futility of idol-making is highlighted: "Those who fashion idols are all nothing, and the things they treasure are worthless. Their witnesses fail to see or comprehend, so they are put to shame. Who fashions a god or casts an idol which profits him nothing?" New Testament Perspective In the New Testament, the emphasis shifts from physical idols to the broader concept of idolatry, which includes anything that takes the place of God in one's heart. The Apostle Paul addresses this in his letters, warning believers to flee from idolatry. In 1 Corinthians 10:14 , Paul writes, "Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry." The New Testament also emphasizes the spiritual nature of worship. Jesus, in His conversation with the Samaritan woman at the well, declares in John 4:23-24 , "But a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth, for the Father is seeking such as these to worship Him. God is Spirit, and His worshipers must worship Him in spirit and in truth." Theological Implications From a theological standpoint, imagines represent a distortion of true worship. They are seen as a human attempt to control or contain the divine, which is contrary to the nature of God as revealed in Scripture. The Bible teaches that God is transcendent and cannot be reduced to any physical form or image. The worship of imagines is thus viewed as a fundamental misunderstanding of God's nature and a violation of His commandments. Cultural and Historical Context In the ancient Near Eastern context, the creation and worship of imagines were common practices among surrounding nations. These cultures often used idols as representations of their deities, believing that the divine presence could inhabit these physical objects. The Israelites, however, were called to be distinct from these practices, serving as a witness to the nations of the one true God who is not confined to any image or form. Practical Application For contemporary believers, the concept of imagines extends beyond physical idols to include anything that might usurp God's rightful place in one's life. This can include material possessions, personal ambitions, or even relationships that become more important than one's relationship with God. The call to avoid imagines is a call to prioritize God above all else and to worship Him with undivided devotion. Library He Falsely Imagines that the Same Energies Produce the Same Works ... He Falsely Imagines that we Can have an Unalterable Series of ... He Imagines Also that Both the Earthquake and the Darkness were an ... He Imagines, However, that we Utter These Exhortations for the ... Jesus Accordingly, as Celsus Imagines, Exhibited after his Death ... This Jew of Celsus, Ridiculing Jesus, as He Imagines... It Is, Moreover, in a Very Unphilosophical Spirit that Celsus ... His Friend Being Snatched Away by Death, He Imagines that He ... The Various Hypotheses of Marcus and Others. Theories Respecting ... The Trinity of the Outer Man, or of External vision, is not an ... Thesaurus Imagines (2 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance Imagines (2 Occurrences). 1 Corinthians 3:18 Let no one deceive himself. If any man imagines that he is ... /i/imagines.htm - 7k Imagination (20 Occurrences) Imagineth (1 Occurrence) Imagined (5 Occurrences) Possesses (7 Occurrences) Compared (29 Occurrences) Attained (20 Occurrences) Singing (65 Occurrences) Singers (41 Occurrences) Foolish (259 Occurrences) Resources What is escapism? | GotQuestions.orgWhy does the KJV Bible mention the unicorn? | GotQuestions.org Is The Divine Comedy / Dante's Inferno a biblically accurate description of Heaven and Hell? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Imagines (2 Occurrences)1 Corinthians 3:18 1 Corinthians 8:2 Subtopics Related Terms |