Topical Encyclopedia The worship of the sun, a practice prevalent among various ancient cultures, is explicitly forbidden in the Bible. The sun, while recognized as a magnificent creation of God, is not to be an object of worship. The biblical texts consistently emphasize the distinction between the Creator and His creation, warning against idolatry in any form.Old Testament Prohibitions The Old Testament contains clear prohibitions against the worship of celestial bodies, including the sun. In Deuteronomy 4:19 , Moses warns the Israelites: "And when you look to the heavens and see the sun and moon and stars—all the host of heaven—do not be enticed to bow down and worship what the LORD your God has apportioned to all the nations under heaven." This verse underscores the danger of being led astray by the beauty and grandeur of the heavenly bodies, which are intended to serve humanity, not to be served by it. Further, in Deuteronomy 17:2-5 , the law prescribes severe consequences for those who engage in the worship of the sun: "If a man or woman among you in one of the towns that the LORD your God will give you is found doing evil in the sight of the LORD your God by transgressing His covenant and going to worship other gods, bowing down to them or to the sun or moon or any of the host of heaven—which I have forbidden—and if it is reported to you and you hear about it, then you must investigate it thoroughly. If it is true and confirmed that this detestable thing has been done in Israel, you must bring out to your gates that man or woman who has done this evil thing and stone that person to death." Prophetic Condemnations The prophets also spoke against the worship of the sun. In 2 Kings 23:5,11 , during the reforms of King Josiah, the practices associated with sun worship were eradicated: "He also did away with the idolatrous priests appointed by the kings of Judah to burn incense on the high places in the cities of Judah and in the places around Jerusalem—those who burned incense to Baal, to the sun and moon and constellations, and to all the host of heaven... He removed from the entrance to the house of the LORD the horses that the kings of Judah had dedicated to the sun. They were in the court near the chamber of an official named Nathan-Melech. Then he burned the chariots of the sun." Ezekiel 8:16 provides a vision of the abominations being committed in the temple, including sun worship: "So He brought me into the inner court of the house of the LORD, and there at the entrance to the temple of the LORD, between the portico and the altar, were about twenty-five men with their backs to the temple of the LORD and their faces toward the east; and they were bowing to the east in worship of the sun." New Testament Context While the New Testament does not specifically address sun worship, it continues the theme of rejecting idolatry. Romans 1:25 speaks to the broader issue of idolatry, stating, "They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is forever worthy of praise! Amen." This passage reinforces the biblical principle that worship is due to God alone, not to any part of His creation. Theological Implications The prohibition against sun worship is rooted in the fundamental biblical teaching of monotheism and the exclusive worship of Yahweh. The sun, like all creation, is a testament to God's power and majesty, as seen in Psalm 19:1-6 , which describes the heavens declaring the glory of God. However, the worship of the sun as a deity is a distortion of its intended purpose and a violation of the first commandment, "You shall have no other gods before Me" (Exodus 20:3). In summary, the Bible consistently forbids the worship of the sun, emphasizing the importance of directing worship solely to the Creator, who alone is worthy of praise and adoration. Nave's Topical Index Deuteronomy 4:19And lest you lift up your eyes to heaven, and when you see the sun, and the moon, and the stars, even all the host of heaven, should be driven to worship them, and serve them, which the LORD your God has divided to all nations under the whole heaven. Nave's Topical Index Deuteronomy 17:3 Library For, Like Some Others, You are under the Delusion that Our God is ... All Association with Idols is to be Avoided. The Worship of the Church. The Religion of the Primitive ... The Unity of God The Balance of Powers in Nature Shews that it is not God, Either ... Whether the Production of Light is Fittingly Assigned to the First ... Letter Xlvii. (AD 398. ) In Regard to the Persians, we have Already Said that Though they ... What Manner of Life and Death the Roman Kings Had. The Lord's Day --The Worship of the Apostolic Church --Its ... Resources How could there be light on the first day of Creation if the sun was not created until the fourth day? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean that there is nothing new under the sun? | GotQuestions.org What does it mean that the Shulammite had dark skin (Song of Solomon 1:6)? | GotQuestions.org Sun: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Sun: Kings of Judah Dedicate Horses To Sun: Miracles Concerning: Darkening of Sun: Shadow of Went Back on the Sun-Dial of Ahaz Tanning: General Scriptures Concerning The Sun of the Glory of Christ The Sun: (Before or in Sight of) of Public Ignominy The Sun: (Darkened) of Severe Calamities The Sun: (Going Down at Noon) of Premature Destruction The Sun: (Its Brightness) of the Future Glory of Saints The Sun: (Its Clearness) of the Purity of the Church The Sun: (Its Power) of the Triumph of Saints The Sun: (No More Going Down) of Perpetual Blessedness The Sun: Called the Greater Light The Sun: Clearness of Its Light Alluded To The Sun: Compared to a Bridegroom Coming Forth from his Chamber The Sun: Compared to a Strong Man Rejoicing to Run a Race The Sun: Diffuses Light and Heat to all the Earth The Sun: God: Appointed to Divide Seasons The Sun: God: Appointed to Rule the Day The Sun: God: Causes to Know Its Time of Setting The Sun: God: Causes, to Rise Both on Evil and Good The Sun: God: Exercises Sovereign Power Over The Sun: God: Placed in the Firmament The Sun: Indicates the Hours of the Day by the Shadow on the Dial The Sun: Made to Praise and Glorify God The Sun: Miracles Connected With: Darkened at the Crucifixion The Sun: Miracles Connected With: Shadow Put Back on the Dial The Sun: Miracles Connected With: Standing Still for a Whole Day in the Valley of Ajalon The Sun: The Jews: Commenced Their Day With the Rising of The Sun: The Jews: Commenced Their Evening With the Setting of The Sun: The Jews: Consecrated Chariots and Horses, As Symbols of The Sun: The Jews: Expressed the East by Rising of The Sun: The Jews: Expressed the West by Setting of The Sun: The Jews: Expressed the Whole Earth By, from Rising of, to Setting of The Sun: The Jews: Forbidden to Worship The Sun: The Jews: Made Images of The Sun: The Power and Brilliancy of Its Rising Alluded To The Sun: The Rays of Change the Colour of the Skin The Sun: The Rays of Frequently Destructive to Human Life The Sun: The Rays of Pleasant to Man The Sun: The Rays of Produce and Ripen Fruits The Sun: The Rays of Soften and Melt some Substances The Sun: The Rays of Wither and Burn up the Herbs of the Field The Sun: Worshippers of, Turned Their Faces Towards the East Related Terms |
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