Topical Encyclopedia The sun, as one of the most prominent celestial bodies, has been a significant object of attention and reverence in various ancient cultures. However, within the context of the Hebrew Scriptures, the worship of the sun is explicitly forbidden for the Israelites. This prohibition is rooted in the monotheistic foundation of the Jewish faith, which demands exclusive worship of Yahweh, the one true God.Biblical Prohibition The prohibition against sun worship is clearly articulated in the Law of Moses. In Deuteronomy 4:19 , the Israelites are warned: "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 command underscores the distinction between the Creator and His creation, emphasizing that the sun, though a magnificent part of creation, is not to be an object of worship. Further, in Deuteronomy 17:2-3 , the law prescribes severe consequences for those who turn to worship 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." Historical Context The ancient Near Eastern context in which the Israelites lived was replete with sun worship. Neighboring cultures, such as the Egyptians and Canaanites, often revered the sun as a deity. The Egyptians, for instance, worshiped Ra, the sun god, as one of their principal deities. This cultural backdrop made the Israelites' call to exclusive worship of Yahweh particularly countercultural and significant. Prophetic Condemnation The prophets of Israel also spoke against the practice of sun worship. In 2 Kings 23:5 , during the reforms of King Josiah, it is recorded: "Then he removed from the entrance to the temple of the LORD the horses that the kings of Judah had dedicated to the sun. They were in the court near the room of an official named Nathan-Melech. Josiah then burned the chariots dedicated to the sun." This action was part of a broader effort to purify the worship practices of Judah and return to the exclusive worship of Yahweh. Ezekiel also condemns the practice in his vision of the abominations in the temple. In Ezekiel 8:16 , he describes: "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." Theological Implications The prohibition against sun worship is deeply theological, emphasizing the sovereignty and uniqueness of Yahweh. The sun, while a powerful and life-sustaining force, is merely a part of God's creation, subject to His will and purpose. The Israelites were called to recognize the Creator above all creation, maintaining a clear distinction between the worship of the Creator and the appreciation of His creation. In summary, the biblical injunction against sun worship is a testament to the monotheistic faith of Israel, which stands in contrast to the polytheistic practices of surrounding nations. The sun, though a significant and powerful element of the natural world, is not to be an object of worship, but rather a testament to the glory and majesty of the Creator, Yahweh. Torrey's Topical Textbook 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. Torrey's Topical Textbook Deuteronomy 17:3 Library Jews and Gentiles in "The Land" For, Like Some Others, You are under the Delusion that Our God is ... The Lord's Day --The Worship of the Apostolic Church --Its ... The Worship of the Church. The Religion of the Primitive ... In Jud??a and through Samaria - a Sketch of Samaritan History and ... What Manner of Life and Death the Roman Kings Had. The Sermon on the Mount. Comparison Between the False Church and the True. The Revelation of St. John the Divine Impiety of Attributing a visible Form to God. --The Setting up of ... Resources Will the sun really be turned to darkness and the moon to blood (Joel 2:31)? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the sun of righteousness (Malachi 4:2)? | GotQuestions.org What does it mean to not let the sun go down on your anger? | 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 The-not-beloved (1 Occurrence) Kir'iath-je'arim (18 Occurrences) Kirjathjearim (17 Occurrences) Vine-dressers (18 Occurrences) Kirjath-jearim (17 Occurrences) Kibroth-hattaavah (5 Occurrences) |
    |