Obelisks
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Obelisks are tall, four-sided, narrow tapering monuments which end in a pyramid-like shape at the top. Originating in ancient Egypt, these structures were typically made of stone and were often inscribed with hieroglyphs. They were erected to honor the sun god Ra and were believed to act as a bridge between the heavens and the earth. The obelisk's shape was thought to represent a ray of the sun, symbolizing the divine light and power of the sun god.

Obelisks in the Bible

While the Bible does not explicitly mention obelisks by name, it does refer to similar structures and the idolatrous practices associated with them. In the context of the ancient Near East, obelisks were often linked to pagan worship, which the Israelites were commanded to avoid. The Bible frequently warns against the worship of idols and the adoption of pagan customs.

In the book of Exodus, God commands the Israelites to destroy the altars, break the sacred stones, and cut down the Asherah poles of the Canaanites (Exodus 34:13). Although obelisks are not specifically mentioned, the command to destroy these objects of pagan worship reflects a broader prohibition against idolatry.

The prophet Jeremiah also speaks against the idolatrous practices of the nations surrounding Israel. In Jeremiah 43:13 , it is written, "He will demolish the sacred pillars of the temple of the sun in the land of Egypt, and He will burn down the temples of the gods of Egypt." This passage highlights the association of obelisks with sun worship and the judgment pronounced against such practices.

Symbolism and Significance

In the biblical worldview, obelisks and similar structures symbolize the idolatry and false worship that the Israelites were to reject. The presence of these monuments in neighboring cultures served as a constant reminder of the temptation to stray from the worship of the one true God. The biblical injunctions against idolatry emphasize the importance of exclusive devotion to God and the rejection of all forms of idol worship.

Historical Context

The historical context of obelisks in the Bible is rooted in the broader cultural and religious practices of the ancient Near East. Obelisks were prominent in Egyptian religious architecture and were often erected at the entrances of temples. They were considered sacred and were believed to house the spirit of the deity they honored.

The Israelites, having been delivered from Egypt, were well aware of the religious significance of obelisks and other idolatrous symbols. The biblical narrative consistently calls the people of God to remember their deliverance from Egypt and to remain faithful to the covenant established with Yahweh.

Modern Reflections

In contemporary times, obelisks can be found in various parts of the world, often as historical artifacts or as part of modern architectural designs. While they may no longer hold the same religious significance as they did in ancient Egypt, their presence serves as a reminder of the biblical call to discernment and faithfulness in worship. The biblical perspective encourages believers to remain vigilant against the influences of idolatry and to uphold the worship of God alone.
Strong's Hebrew
4676. matstsebah -- a pillar, stump
... Word Origin from natsab Definition a pillar, stump NASB Word Usage obelisks (1),
pillar (19), pillars (16), stump (2). garrison, standing image, pillar. ...
/hebrew/4676.htm - 6k
Library

The Heathen Gods were Simply Men.
... covers. There are also some large stone obelisks in the enclosure, and there
is a lake near them, adorned with an edging of stone. ...
/.../athenagoras/a plea for the christians/chapter xxviii the heathen gods were.htm

Philadelphia
... it out. In 2 Chronicles 31:1, Hezekiah "brake in pieces the pillars (marg.
obelisks), and hewed down the Asherim" (RV). His two ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bullinger/commentary on revelation/philadelphia.htm

'Fruit which is Death'
... The more fruit or material wealth, the more altars; the better the harvests, the
more the obelisks or pillars to gods, falsely supposed to be the authors of ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/fruit which is death.htm

Letter Lxxi. (AD 403. )
... In that earlier version you marked with asterisks the words found in the Hebrew
but wanting in the Greek, and with obelisks the words found in the Greek but ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/letter lxxi a d 403.htm

Letter clxxii. (AD 416. )
... to comply with your instructions, especially in regard to that version of the
Septuagint which is furnished with distinctive asterisks and obelisks; [2811] for ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/letter clxxii a d 416.htm

The Hardening in the Sacred Scripture.
... Historical events were chiseled in hieroglyphs upon stone, and published upon
obelisks and sarcophagi for the information of the public. ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/xxxiii the hardening in the.htm

Of the Fact that Idolatry Has Been Subverted by the Name of Christ ...
... [615] Exodus 20:4. [616] Exodus 23:24. [Simulacra eorum. The Revised Version renders
"their pillars," with "obelisks" in the margin.--R.]. [617] Vocabunt. ...
/.../augustine/the harmony of the gospels/chapter xxvi of the fact that.htm

The Religious Revolution
... While on a visit with the Bishop of Eichstatt he was consulted about Luther's theses,
and gave his opinion in the /Obelisks/ on the dangerous character of the ...
/.../chapter ii the religious revolution.htm

Egypt and Greece.
... There were ranges of enormous columns, colossal statues, towering obelisks, and
pyramids rising like mountains from the verdure of the plain. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/xerxes/chapter ii egypt and greece.htm

Imperial Tombs.
... His tomb was entered from the south, the entrance being flanked by monuments of
great interest, such as the obelisks now in the Piazza del Quirinale and the ...
/.../lanciani/pagan and christian rome/chapter iv imperial tombs.htm

Thesaurus
Obelisks (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Obelisks (1 Occurrence). Jeremiah 43:13 He shall
also break the pillars of Beth Shemesh, that is in the ...
/o/obelisks.htm - 6k

Obelisk
... pyramidion. It is ordinarily monolithic. Egyptian obelisks are commonly
covered with hieroglyphic writing from top to bottom. 2. (n ...
/o/obelisk.htm - 7k

On (40792 Occurrences)
... established. In ancient times this city was full of obelisks dedicated to the
sun. Of these only one now remains standing. "Cleopatra's ...
/o/on.htm - 17k

Obeth

/o/obeth.htm - 6k

Garrison (15 Occurrences)
... "garrisons" in Ezek. 26:11; correctly in Revised Version "pillars," marg. "obelisks,"
probably an idolatrous image. Noah Webster's Dictionary. ...
/g/garrison.htm - 13k

Wings (81 Occurrences)
... Ancient monuments and obelisks are covered with the heads of bulls, lions, different
animals, and men even, to which the wings of an eagle were added to ...
/w/wings.htm - 34k

Fire (602 Occurrences)
... of Baal. These objects of worship seem to have been of the nature of obelisks,
and were sometimes evidently made of wood. Torches ...
/f/fire.htm - 78k

Egypt (596 Occurrences)
... The Fayyum was rescued for agriculture by the kings of the Twelfth Dynasty; and
two obelisks were erected in front of the temple of the sun-god at On or ...
/e/egypt.htm - 101k

Chemosh (8 Occurrences)
... defiled the high places and the altars, and in order to make a clean sweep of the
idolatrous figures, "he brake in pieces the pillars," or obelisks, "and cut ...
/c/chemosh.htm - 20k

Resources
What was a sacred stone in Leviticus? | GotQuestions.org

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Concordance
Obelisks (1 Occurrence)

Jeremiah 43:13
He shall also break the pillars of Beth Shemesh, that is in the land of Egypt; and the houses of the gods of Egypt shall he burn with fire.
(See NAS RSV)

Subtopics

Obelisks

Related Terms

Obelisk

On (40792 Occurrences)

Obeth

Garrison (15 Occurrences)

Wings (81 Occurrences)

Fire (602 Occurrences)

Egypt (596 Occurrences)

Chemosh (8 Occurrences)

Alexandria (4 Occurrences)

Images (158 Occurrences)

Zoan (7 Occurrences)

Assyria (124 Occurrences)

Obelisk
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