Topical Encyclopedia Sun-worship, the veneration of the sun as a deity or a symbol of divine power, is a practice that has been observed in various cultures throughout history. In the context of the Bible, sun-worship is consistently portrayed as idolatrous and contrary to the worship of the one true God, Yahweh. The practice is often associated with pagan religions and is explicitly condemned in the Scriptures.Biblical References and Condemnation The Bible contains several references to sun-worship, often highlighting it as a form of idolatry that leads the Israelites away from their covenant with God. In Deuteronomy 4:19, the Israelites are warned: "And when you look up to the sky and see the sun, the moon, and the 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 prohibition against worshiping celestial bodies, which were created by God and not to be revered as deities. In 2 Kings 23:5, during the reforms of King Josiah, sun-worship is specifically targeted for eradication: "Then he removed from the entrance of the house of the LORD all the articles made for Baal and Asherah and all the host of heaven. He burned them outside Jerusalem in the fields of the Kidron Valley and carried their ashes to Bethel." Josiah's actions demonstrate a return to the exclusive worship of Yahweh and a rejection of syncretistic practices that included sun-worship. The prophet Ezekiel also condemns sun-worship in a vision of the abominations being committed in the temple. Ezekiel 8:16 describes the scene: "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; they were bowing down to the sun in the east." This act of turning away from the temple to face the sun symbolizes a profound spiritual apostasy. Cultural Context and Influence Sun-worship was prevalent among many ancient Near Eastern cultures, including the Egyptians, Babylonians, and Canaanites. The sun was often personified as a god, such as Ra in Egypt or Shamash in Mesopotamia. These cultures exerted significant influence on the Israelites, who were repeatedly tempted to adopt foreign religious practices. The allure of sun-worship may have been due in part to the sun's vital role in agriculture and its perceived power and majesty. However, the biblical narrative consistently emphasizes that the sun, like all creation, is subject to the sovereignty of God. Psalm 19:1-6 poetically describes the sun's role in creation, yet it is clear that the sun itself is not to be worshiped: "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands... In the heavens He has pitched a tent for the sun." Theological Implications From a theological perspective, sun-worship represents a fundamental misunderstanding of the nature of God and His creation. The Bible teaches that God alone is the Creator and Sustainer of the universe, and He alone is worthy of worship. Romans 1:25 highlights the error of idolatry: "They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator, who is forever worthy of praise! Amen." Sun-worship, therefore, is not merely a cultural or religious misstep but a direct challenge to the exclusive worship and glory due to God. It serves as a reminder of the constant human tendency to elevate creation above the Creator, a theme that resonates throughout the biblical narrative. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia SUN-WORSHIPsun'-wur-ship: The splendor of the sun makes it a natural object of adoration, once the purer idea of the one true God (Romans 1:20, 21) is parted with, and in most ancient nations the worship of the sun was an outstanding feature. It is found in Babylonian and Assyrian (Samas; special seats of sun-worship were Sippara and Larsa); in Egypt it is a leading feature of the religion (Ra, and, under special phases, Horus, Tum, Aten; a special seat of sun-worship was Heliopollis, the Old Testament On, called in Jeremiah 43:13 Beth-shemesh, "house of the sun"). Other cities bore the same name: Beth-shemesh (Joshua 15:10 = Ir-shemesh; Joshua 19:41, in Judah; Joshua 19:22, in Issachar; Joshua 19:38, in Naphtali; see BETH-SHEMESH). Allusions to, and warnings against, sun-worship are frequent in the Old Testament, as in Leviticus 26:30 2 Chronicles 14:5; 2 Chronicles 34:4, 7; Isaiah 17:8; Isaiah 27:9 Ezekiel 6:4, 6, in which passages for the King James Version "images," "idols," the Revised Version (British and American) has "sun-images" (which see); Job 31:26, 27 and numerous passages show that this form of idolatry latterly penetrated deeply into Judah-even into its temple-worship (2 Kings 23:5, 11, "horses.... given to the sun" (see under HORSES OF THE SUN, "Chariots of the Sun"); and Ezekiel 8:16). Josiah's reformation took account of these abuses (2 Kings 23:5, 11 2 Chronicles 34:4, 7), and Ezekiel strenuously denounced them (8:16;). Library Faustus Repels the Charge of Sun-Worship The Living One For, Like Some Others, You are under the Delusion that Our God is ... The Lord's Day On the Feast of the Nativity, ii. Appendix writings in connection with the Manich??an controversy The Education of the World. Homilies on Galatians and Ephesians. The Wyclif of the East --Bible Translation Thesaurus Sunworship... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia SUN-WORSHIP. sun'-wur-ship: The splendor of the sun makes it a natural object of adoration, once ... /s/sunworship.htm - 8k Sun-worship Sun (1708 Occurrences) Nostrils (22 Occurrences) On (40792 Occurrences) Timnath-heres (1 Occurrence) Timnathheres (1 Occurrence) Sup (3 Occurrences) Sunstroke Nose (23 Occurrences) Resources What does the Bible say about sun worship? | GotQuestions.orgWhy should we worship God? | GotQuestions.org Why was the worship of Baal and Asherah a constant struggle for the Israelites? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus |
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