In the context of ancient Israelite religion and culture, the sun held significant symbolic and practical importance. However, the making of images of the sun by the Jews is a topic that highlights moments of deviation from the strict monotheism that characterized the worship of Yahweh, the God of Israel. The Bible records instances where the Israelites, influenced by surrounding pagan cultures, engaged in practices that included the creation of images and symbols associated with the sun, which were contrary to the commandments given by God.

Biblical References:

1. 2 Kings 23:11 : "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 passage describes King Josiah's reforms, where he eradicated idolatrous practices, including the removal of objects associated with sun worship from the temple. The dedication of horses and chariots to the sun indicates the extent to which sun imagery had infiltrated the religious practices of Judah.

2. Ezekiel 8:16 : "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 sun in the east." This vision given to the prophet Ezekiel reveals the idolatrous practices occurring within the very precincts of the temple, where men were seen worshiping the sun, turning their backs on the temple of the LORD.

Cultural and Religious Context:

The Israelites were surrounded by nations such as the Egyptians, Canaanites, and Babylonians, who practiced sun worship as part of their polytheistic religions. The sun was often personified and deified, seen as a powerful force of nature and a symbol of life and fertility. In contrast, the Hebrew Scriptures emphasize the worship of Yahweh alone, who is the Creator of the sun and all celestial bodies. The First Commandment explicitly forbids the worship of other gods, and the making of graven images is prohibited (Exodus 20:3-4).

Despite these clear prohibitions, the influence of neighboring cultures and the human tendency toward idolatry led some Israelites to incorporate sun imagery into their religious practices. This syncretism was met with strong condemnation by the prophets and reformers in Israel, who called the people back to exclusive worship of Yahweh.

Theological Implications:

The making of images of the sun by the Jews serves as a reminder of the constant struggle against idolatry faced by the people of Israel. It underscores the importance of adhering to the commandments and the dangers of allowing cultural influences to lead to spiritual compromise. The prophetic denunciations and reforms, such as those led by King Josiah, highlight the call to purity in worship and the rejection of any form of idolatry.

In summary, the instances of sun imagery among the Jews reflect moments of religious apostasy and the ongoing challenge of maintaining faithfulness to the covenant with Yahweh. The biblical narrative consistently calls the people back to the worship of the one true God, who alone is worthy of honor and devotion.2 Chronicles 14:5
Also he took away out of all the cities of Judah the high places and the images: and the kingdom was quiet before him.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Chronicles 34:4
And they broke down the altars of Baalim in his presence; and the images, that were on high above them, he cut down; and the groves, and the carved images, and the molten images, he broke in pieces, and made dust of them, and strewed it on the graves of them that had sacrificed to them.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Refutation of the Jews
... He it is Who was crucified with the sun and moon as witnesses ... 38) Yet the Jews
disbelieve this ... Of whom, for instance, do the prophets say "I was made manifest to ...
/.../athanasius/on the incarnation of the word/chapter 6 refutation of the.htm

Appendix iii. Rabbinic views as to the Lawfulness of Images ...
... of the planets were allowed, except those of the sun and moon ... [6324] The Nasi R.
Gamaliel made use of ... on all connected with the coins of the Jews is contained ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/appendix iii rabbinic views as.htm

Faustus Repels the Charge of Sun-Worship
... to the Pagans in their worship of the sun, and to the ... In your way of living you have
made no change. ... In this you have followed the Jews, who separated from the ...
/.../faustus repels the charge of.htm

On the Words Incarnate, and Made Man.
... 13. These things the Jews read, but hear not: for they have ... was like lightning [1396] ;
not like the sun: and his ... Men forsook God, and made carved images of men ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/lecture xii on the words.htm

But Having Asserted that Our Religion is Supported by the Writings ...
... times, descending into a certain virgin, and made flesh in ... light of day was withdrawn,
when the sun at the ... If the Jews object, we answer that Moses, who was ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/apology/chapter xxi but having asserted.htm

Jews and Gentiles in "The Land"
... of the ancient Syrian god of the sun, and even ... the un-Jewish practice of images on
coins ... Testament know what separation Pharisaical Jews made between themselves ...
/.../edersheim/sketches of jewish social life/chapter 2 jews and gentiles.htm

The Apology of Aristides the Philosopher. Translated from the ...
... and the seas, and had surveyed the sun and the ... classes of men:"Barbarians and Greeks,
Jews and Christians. ... 4431] and for this end they made images and shut ...
/.../kay/the apology of aristides the philosopher/the apology of aristides the.htm

The Jews Make all Ready for the War; and Simon, the Son of Gioras ...
... 2:8; as is the prayer to or towards the sun for his ... [26] Of this Sohemus we have
mention made by Tacitus. ... the breach of the sabbath by the seditions Jews in an ...
/.../chapter 22 the jews make.htm

How Solomon Grew Rich, and Fell Desperately in Love with Women and ...
... heads sparkled with the reflection of the sun-beams from ... the laws of Moses, which
forbade Jews to marry ... the observation of the laws, when he made the images of ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 7 how solomon grew.htm

On the Words of the Gospel, John i. 10, "The World was Made ...
... know Him, when at His Passion the sun was darkened ... the beginning the Word was," not,
"was made." So then ... For when he saw these self-same Jews priding themselves ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon lxxi on the words.htm

How could there be light on the first day of Creation if the sun was not created until the fourth day? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean that there is nothing new under the sun? | GotQuestions.org

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Sun: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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