Jump to: Smith's • ISBE • Easton's • Webster's • Concordance • Thesaurus • Greek • Hebrew • Library • Subtopics • Terms International Standard Bible Encyclopedia IDOLATRYi-dol'-a-tri (teraphim, "household idols," "idolatry"; eidololatreia): There is ever in the human mind a craving for visible forms to express religious conceptions, and this tendency does not disappear with the acceptance, or even with the constant recognition, of pure spiritual truths (see IMAGES). Idolatry originally meant the worship of idols, or the worship of false gods by means of idols, but came to mean among the Old Testament Hebrews any worship of false gods, whether by images or otherwise, and finally the worship of Yahweh through visible symbols (Hosea 8:5, 6; Hosea 10:5); and ultimately in the New Testament idolatry came to mean, not only the giving to any creature or human creation the honor or devotion which belonged to God alone, but the giving to any human desire a precedence over God's will (1 Corinthians 10:14 Galatians 5:20 Colossians 3:5 1 Peter 4:3). The neighboring gods of Phoenicia, Canaan, Moab-Baal, Melkart, Astarte, Chemosh, Moloch, etc.-were particularly attractive to Jerusalem, while the old Semitic calf-worship seriously affected the state religion of the Northern Kingdom (see GOLDEN CALF). As early as the Assyrian and Babylonian periods (8th and 7th centuries B.C.), various deities from the Tigris and Euphrates had intruded themselves-the worship of Tammuz becoming a little later the most popular and seductive of all (Ezekiel 8:14)-while the worship of the sun, moon, stars and signs of the Zodiac became so intensely fascinating that these were introduced even into the temple itself (2 Kings 17:16; 2 Kings 21:3-7; 23:4, 12 Jeremiah 19:13 Ezekiel 8:16 Amos 5:26). Greek 1495. eidololatria -- image worship ... idol). Word Origin from eidolon and latreia Definition image worship NASB Word Usage idolatries (1), idolatry (3). idolatry. From ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1495.htm - 6k 4203. porneuo -- to commit fornication 4202. porneia -- fornication 2712. kateidolos -- full of idols 946. bdelugma -- a detestable thing 896. Baal -- Baal, a Canaanite deity 948. bdelussomai -- to detest Strong's Hebrew 8655. teraphim -- (a kind of idol) perhaps household idol... of uncertain derivation Definition (a kind of idol) perhaps household idol NASB Word Usage household idol (2), household idols (10), idolatry (1), teraphim (2 ... /hebrew/8655.htm - 6k 206. Aven -- "wickedness," a contemptuous synonym for two places 2181. zanah -- to commit fornication, be a harlot 8457. taznuth -- fornication 5079. niddah -- impurity 7750. sut -- to swerve, fall away 2183. zenunim -- fornication 868. ethnan -- the wages (of a harlot) 7723. shav -- emptiness, vanity 7413. ramah -- height, high place Library On Idolatry Whether the Cause of Idolatry was on the Part of Man? Whether Idolatry is the Gravest of Sins? What is Idolatry? Whether Idolatry is a Sin? On Idolatry Of Idolatry (Four Articles) Idolatry: Origin and Meaning of the Name. Concerning Idolatry in Words. Spiritual Idolatry Smith's Bible Dictionary Idolatrystrictly speaking denotes the worship of deity in a visible form, whether the images to which homage is paid are symbolical representations of the true God or of the false divinities which have been made the objects of worship in his stead. I. History of idolatry among the Jews. --The first undoubted allusion to idolatry or idolatrous customs in the Bible is in the account of Rachel's stealing her father's teraphim. (Genesis 31:19) During their long residence in Egypt the Israelites defiled themselves with the idols of the land, and it was long before the taint was removed. (Joshua 24:14; Ezekiel 20:7) In the wilderness they clamored for some visible shape in which they might worship the God who had brought them out of Egypt. (Exodus 32:1) ... until Aaron made the calf, the embodiment of Apis and emblem of the productive power of nature. During the lives of Joshua and the elders who outlived him they kept true to their allegiance; but the generation following who knew not Jehovah nor the works he had done for Israel, swerved from the plain path of their fathers and were caught in the toils of the foreigner. (Judges 2:1) ... From this time forth their history becomes little more than a chronicle of the inevitable sequence of offence and punishment. (Judges 2:12,14) By turns each conquering nation strove to establish the worship of its national God. In later times the practice of secret idolatry was carried to greater lengths. Images were set up on the corn-floors, in the wine-vats, and behind the doors of private houses, (Isaiah 57:8; Hosea 9:1,2) and to check this tendency the statute in (27:15) was originally promulgated. Under Samuel's administration idolatry was publicly renounced, (1 Samuel 7:3-6) but in the reign of Solomon all this was forgotten, even Solomon's own heart being turned after other gods. (1 Kings 11:14) Rehoboam perpetuated the worst features of Solomon's idolatry. (1 Kings 14:22-24) erected golden calves at Beth-el and at Dan, and by this crafty state? policy severed forever the kingdoms of Judah and Israel. (1 Kings 12:26-33) The successors of Jeroboam followed in his steps, till Ahab. The conquest of the ten tribes by Shalmaneser was for them the last scene Of the drama of abominations which had been enacted uninterruptedly for upwards of 250 years. Under Hezekiah a great reform was inaugurated, that was not confined to Judah and Benjamin, but spread throughout Ephraim and Manasseh. (2 Chronicles 31:1) and to all external appearances idolatry was extirpated. But the reform extended little below the surface. (Isaiah 29:13) With the death of Josiah ended the last effort to revive among the people a purer ritual. If not a purer faith. The lamp of David, which had long shed but a struggling ray, flickered for a while and then went out in the darkness of Babylonian Captivity. Though the conquests of Alexander caused Greek influence to be felt, yet after the captivity better condition of things prevailed, and the Jews never again fell into idolatry. The erection of synagogues had been assigned as a reason for the comparative purity of the Jewish worship after the captivity, while another cause has been discovered in the hatred for images acquired by the Jews in their intercourse with the Persians. II. Objects of idolatry .--The sun and moon were early selected as outward symbols of all-pervading power, and the worship of the heavenly bodies was not only the most ancient but the most prevalent system of idolatry. Taking its rise in the plains of Chaldea, it spread through Egypt, Greece, Scythia, and even Mexico and Ceylon. Comp. (4:19; 17:3; Job 31:20-28) In the later times of the monarchy, the planets or the zodiacal signs received, next to the sun and moon, their share of popular adoration. (2 Kings 23:5) Beast-worship, as exemplified in the calves of Jeroboam, has already been alluded to of pure hero-worship among the Semitic races we find no trace. The singular reverence with which trees have been honored is not without example in the history of the Hebrew. The terebinth (oak) at Mamre, beneath which Abraham built an altar, (Genesis 12:7; 13:18) and the memorial grove planted by him at Beersheba, (Genesis 21:33) were intimately connected with patriarchal worship. Mountains and high places were chosen spots for offering sacrifice and incense to idols, (1 Kings 11:7; 14:23) and the retirement of gardens and the thick shade of woods offered great attractions to their worshippers. (2 Kings 16:4; Isaiah 1:29; Hosea 4:13) The host of heaven was worshipped on the house-top. (2 Kings 23:12; Jeremiah 19:3; 32:29; Zephaniah 1:5) (The modern objects of idolatry are less gross than the ancient, but are none the less idols. Whatever of wealth or honor or pleasure is loved and sought before God and righteousness becomes an object of idolatry. --ED.) III. Punishment of idolatry . --Idolatry to an Israelite was a state offence, (1 Samuel 15:23) a political crime of the greatest character, high treason against the majesty of his king. The first and second commandments are directed against idolatry of every form. Individuals and communities were equally amenable to the rigorous code. The individual offender was devoted to destruction, (Exodus 22:20) his nearest relatives were not only bound to denounce him and deliver him up to punishment, (13:2-10) but their hands were to strike the first blow, when, on the evidence of two witnesses at least, he was stoned. (17:2-5) To attempt to seduce others to false worship was a crime of equal enormity. (13:6-10) IV. Attractions of idolatry . --Many have wondered why the Israelites were so easily led away from the true God, into the worship of idols. (1) Visible, outward signs, with shows, pageants, parades, have an attraction to the natural heart, which often fail to perceive the unseen spiritual realities. (2) But the greatest attraction seems to have been in licentious revelries and obscene orgies with which the worship of the Oriental idols was observed. This worship, appealing to every sensual passion, joined with the attractions of wealth and fashion and luxury, naturally was a great temptation to a simple, restrained, agricultural people, whose worship and law demands the greatest purity of heart and of life.--ED.) Easton's Bible Dictionary Image-worship or divine honour paid to any created object. Paul describes the origin of idolatry in Romans 1:21-25: men forsook God, and sank into ignorance and moral corruption (1:28).The forms of idolatry are, (1.) Fetishism, or the worship of trees, rivers, hills, stones, etc. (2.) Nature worship, the worship of the sun, moon, and stars, as the supposed powers of nature. (3.) Hero worship, the worship of deceased ancestors, or of heroes. In Scripture, idolatry is regarded as of heathen origin, and as being imported among the Hebrews through contact with heathen nations. The first allusion to idolatry is in the account of Rachel stealing her father's teraphim (Genesis 31:19), which were the relics of the worship of other gods by Laban's progenitors "on the other side of the river in old time" (Joshua 24:2). During their long residence in Egypt the Hebrews fell into idolatry, and it was long before they were delivered from it (Joshua 24:14; Ezek. 20:7). Many a token of God's displeasure fell upon them because of this sin. The idolatry learned in Egypt was probably rooted out from among the people during the forty years' wanderings; but when the Jews entered Palestine, they came into contact with the monuments and associations of the idolatry of the old Canaanitish races, and showed a constant tendency to depart from the living God and follow the idolatrous practices of those heathen nations. It was their great national sin, which was only effectually rebuked by the Babylonian exile. That exile finally purified the Jews of all idolatrous tendencies. The first and second commandments are directed against idolatry of every form. Individuals and communities were equally amenable to the rigorous code. The individual offender was devoted to destruction (Exodus 22:20). His nearest relatives were not only bound to denounce him and deliver him up to punishment (Deuteronomy 13:20-10), but their hands were to strike the first blow when, on the evidence of two witnesses at least, he was stoned (Deuteronomy 17:2-7). To attempt to seduce others to false worship was a crime of equal enormity (13:6-10). An idolatrous nation shared the same fate. No facts are more strongly declared in the Old Testament than that the extermination of the Canaanites was the punishment of their idolatry (Exodus 34:15, 16; Deuteronomy 7; 12:29-31; 20:17), and that the calamities of the Israelites were due to the same cause (Jeremiah 2:17). "A city guilty of idolatry was looked upon as a cancer in the state; it was considered to be in rebellion, and treated according to the laws of war. Its inhabitants and all their cattle were put to death." Jehovah was the theocratic King of Israel, the civil Head of the commonwealth, and therefore to an Israelite idolatry was a state offence (1 Samuel 15:23), high treason. On taking possession of the land, the Jews were commanded to destroy all traces of every kind of the existing idolatry of the Canaanites (Exodus 23:24, 32; 34:13; Deuteronomy 7:5, 25; 12:1-3). In the New Testament the term idolatry is used to designate covetousness (Matthew 6:24; Luke 16:13; Colossians 3:5; Ephesians 5:5). Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (n.) The worship of idols, images, or anything which is not God; the worship of false gods.2. (n.) Excessive attachment or veneration for anything; respect or love which borders on adoration. Thesaurus Idolatry (14 Occurrences)... Paul describes the origin of idolatry in Romans 1:21-25: men forsook God, and sank into ignorance and moral corruption (1:28). The forms of idolatry are,. ... /i/idolatry.htm - 21k Idolatrous (4 Occurrences) Jeremy (2 Occurrences) Moon (70 Occurrences) Apocalyptic Jehoahaz (22 Occurrences) Jehoram (27 Occurrences) Gods (310 Occurrences) Babylon (270 Occurrences) Malachi (2 Occurrences) Bible Concordance Idolatry (14 Occurrences)Acts 15:20 Yet let us send them written instructions to abstain from things polluted by connexion with idolatry, from fornication, from meat killed by strangling, and from blood. Acts 17:16 Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry. 1 Corinthians 10:14 Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. Galatians 5:20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, strife, jealousies, outbursts of anger, rivalries, divisions, heresies, Colossians 3:5 Put to death therefore your members which are on the earth: sexual immorality, uncleanness, depraved passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry; 1 Peter 4:3 for sufficient to us 'is' the past time of life the will of the nations to have wrought, having walked in lasciviousnesses, desires, excesses of wines, revelings, drinking-bouts, and unlawful idolatries, Leviticus 17:7 And they shall no more offer their sacrifices to idols, with which they have committed idolatry: This shall be a statute for ever to them throughout their generations. Deuteronomy 31:16 And the LORD said to Moses, Behold, thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, and this people will rise up, and commit idolatry with the gods of the strangers of the land, whither they go to be among them, and will forsake me, and break my covenant which I have made with them. 1 Samuel 15:23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as idolatry and teraphim. Because you have rejected the word of Yahweh, he has also rejected you from being king." 2 Kings 9:22 It happened, when Joram saw Jehu, that he said, "Is it peace, Jehu?" He answered, "What peace, so long as the prostitution of your mother Jezebel and her witchcraft abound?" 2 Chronicles 21:13 But hast walked in the way of the kings of Israel, and hast made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to commit idolatry, like the idolatries of the house of Ahab, and also hast slain thy brethren of thy father's house, who were better than thyself: Ezekiel 14:4 Therefore, speak with them, and thou hast said unto them: Thus said the Lord Jehovah: Every one of the house of Israel who causeth his idols to go up unto his heart, and the stumbling-block of his iniquity setteth over-against his face, and hath gone in unto the prophet -- I Jehovah have given an answer to him for this, for the abundance of his idols, Ezekiel 23:49 And they have put your wickedness on you, And the sins of your idols ye bear, And ye have known that I 'am' the Lord Jehovah! Ezekiel 43:9 Now let them put away their prostitution, and the dead bodies of their kings, far from me; and I will dwell in the midst of them forever. Subtopics Idolatry is a Work of the Flesh Idolatry is Changing the Glory of God Into an Image Idolatry is Changing the Truth of God Into a Lie Idolatry: A Virtual Forsaking of God Idolatry: Accompanied by Feasts Idolatry: Adopted by the Wicked Kings Idolatry: All Forms of, Forbidden by the Law of Moses Idolatry: All Heathen Nations Given up To Idolatry: An Abomination to God Idolatry: Angels Refuse to Receive the Worship of Idolatry: Captivity of Israel on Account of Idolatry: Captivity of Judah on Account of Idolatry: Consists in Bowing Down to Images Idolatry: Consists in Covetousness Idolatry: Consists in Fearing Other Gods Idolatry: Consists in Looking to Other Gods Idolatry: Consists in Sacrificing to Images Idolatry: Consists in Sacrificing to Other Gods Idolatry: Consists in Sensuality Idolatry: Consists in Serving Other Gods Idolatry: Consists in Setting up Idols in the Heart Idolatry: Consists in Speaking in the Name of Other Gods Idolatry: Consists in Swearing by Other Gods Idolatry: Consists in Walking After Other Gods Idolatry: Consists in Worshipping Angels Idolatry: Consists in Worshipping Dead Men Idolatry: Consists in Worshipping Demons Idolatry: Consists in Worshipping Images Idolatry: Consists in Worshipping Other Gods Idolatry: Consists in Worshipping the Host of Heaven Idolatry: Consists in Worshipping the True God by an Image Idolatry: Curse Denounced Against Idolatry: Denunciations Against Idolatry: Destruction of, Promised Idolatry: Divination Connected With Idolatry: Early Notice of, Amongst God's Professing People Idolatry: Everything Connected With, should be Destroyed Idolatry: Example of the Kings Encouraged Israel In Idolatry: Exhortations to Turn From Idolatry: Great Prevalence of, in Israel Idolatry: Idols Mentioned in Scripture: Adrammelech Idolatry: Idols Mentioned in Scripture: Anammelech Idolatry: Idols Mentioned in Scripture: Ashima Idolatry: Idols Mentioned in Scripture: Ashtoreth Idolatry: Idols Mentioned in Scripture: Baal Idolatry: Idols Mentioned in Scripture: Baal-Berith Idolatry: Idols Mentioned in Scripture: Baal-Peor Idolatry: Idols Mentioned in Scripture: Baalzebub Idolatry: Idols Mentioned in Scripture: Baal-Zephon Idolatry: Idols Mentioned in Scripture: Bel Idolatry: Idols Mentioned in Scripture: Chemosh Idolatry: Idols Mentioned in Scripture: Chiun Idolatry: Idols Mentioned in Scripture: Dagon Idolatry: Idols Mentioned in Scripture: Diana Idolatry: Idols Mentioned in Scripture: Huzzab Idolatry: Idols Mentioned in Scripture: Jupiter Idolatry: Idols Mentioned in Scripture: Mercury Idolatry: Idols Mentioned in Scripture: Merodach Idolatry: Idols Mentioned in Scripture: Molech or Milcom Idolatry: Idols Mentioned in Scripture: Nebo Idolatry: Idols Mentioned in Scripture: Nergal Idolatry: Idols Mentioned in Scripture: Nibhaz and Tartak Idolatry: Idols Mentioned in Scripture: Nisroch Idolatry: Idols Mentioned in Scripture: Queen of Heaven Idolatry: Idols Mentioned in Scripture: Remphan Idolatry: Idols Mentioned in Scripture: Rimmon Idolatry: Idols Mentioned in Scripture: Succothbenoth Idolatry: Idols Mentioned in Scripture: Tammuz Idolatry: Incompatible With the Service of God Idolatry: Led the Heathen to Consider Their Gods to Have But a Local Idolatry: Led the Heathen to Think That Their Gods Visited the Earth In Idolatry: Led to Abominable Sins Idolatry: Making Idols for the Purpose of, Described and Ridiculed Idolatry: Objects of Brazen Serpent Idolatry: Objects of Departed Spirits Idolatry: Objects of Described as Abominations Idolatry: Objects of Described as Dumb Idols Idolatry: Objects of Described as Dumb Stones Idolatry: Objects of Described as Gods That Cannot Save Idolatry: Objects of Described as Gods That Have not Made the Heavens Idolatry: Objects of Described as Graven Images Idolatry: Objects of Described as Helpless Idolatry: Objects of Described as Idols of Abomination Idolatry: Objects of Described as Images of Abomination Idolatry: Objects of Described as Molten Gods Idolatry: Objects of Described as Molten Images Idolatry: Objects of Described as New Gods Idolatry: Objects of Described as No Gods Idolatry: Objects of Described as Nothing Idolatry: Objects of Described as Other Gods Idolatry: Objects of Described as Senseless Idols Idolatry: Objects of Described as Stocks Idolatry: Objects of Described as Strange Gods Idolatry: Objects of Described as Stumbling Blocks Idolatry: Objects of Described as Teachers of Lies Idolatry: Objects of Described as Vanities of the Gentiles Idolatry: Objects of Described as Vanity Idolatry: Objects of Described as Wind and Confusion Idolatry: Objects of Earthly Creatures Idolatry: Objects of Gods of Egypt Idolatry: Objects of Golden Calf Idolatry: Objects of Images of Angels Idolatry: Objects of Net and Drag Idolatry: Objects of Pictures on Walls Idolatry: Objects of Sun, Moon, and Stars Idolatry: Objects of The Heavenly Bodies Idolatry: Objects of, Carried in Procession Idolatry: Objects of, Numerous Idolatry: Objects of, Worshipped by Bowing to Them Idolatry: Objects of, Worshipped by Burning Children Idolatry: Objects of, Worshipped by Cutting the Flesh Idolatry: Objects of, Worshipped by Kissing the Hand to Them Idolatry: Objects of, Worshipped by Kissing Them Idolatry: Objects of, Worshipped in Groves Idolatry: Objects of, Worshipped in Private Houses Idolatry: Objects of, Worshipped in Secret Places Idolatry: Objects of, Worshipped in Temples Idolatry: Objects of, Worshipped with Incense Idolatry: Objects of, Worshipped with Libations Idolatry: Objects of, Worshipped with Prayer Idolatry: Objects of, Worshipped with Sacrifices Idolatry: Objects of, Worshipped with Singing and Dancing Idolatry: Objects of, Worshipped: On High Places Idolatry: Objects of, Worshipped: On the Tops of Houses Idolatry: Objects of, Worshipped: Under Trees Idolatry: Obstinate Sinners Judicially Given up To Idolatry: Other Customs of Bowing Idolatry: Other Customs of Cutting the Flesh Idolatry: Other Customs of Incense Burned on Altars Idolatry: Other Customs of Kissing Idolatry: Other Customs of Libations Idolatry: Other Customs of Libations of Blood Idolatry: Other Customs of Libations of Wine Idolatry: Other Customs of Meat offerings Idolatry: Other Customs of Music Idolatry: Other Customs of Offered Burnt offerings Idolatry: Other Customs of Peace offerings Idolatry: Other Customs of Praise Idolatry: Other Customs of Prayers to Idols Idolatry: Other Customs of Singing and Dancing Idolatry: Other Customs of Tithes and Gifts Idolatry: Prophecies Relating To Idolatry: Punishment of Banishment Idolatry: Punishment of Dreadful Judgments Which End in Death Idolatry: Punishment of Eternal Torments Idolatry: Punishment of Exclusion from Heaven Idolatry: Punishment of Judicial Death Idolatry: Renounced on Conversion Idolatry: Rites of, Obscene and Impure Idolatry: Saints Preserved by God From Idolatry: Saints Refuse to Receive the Worship of Idolatry: Saints should Flee From Idolatry: Saints should Keep From Idolatry: Saints should not Covenant With Those Who Practise Idolatry: Saints should not Have Anything Connected With in Their Houses Idolatry: Saints should not Have Religious Intercourse With Those Who Practise Idolatry: Saints should not Intermarry With Those Who Practise Idolatry: Saints should not Partake of Any Thing Connected With Idolatry: Saints should Refuse to Engage In, Though Threatened With Death Idolatry: Saints should Testify Against Idolatry: The Good Kings of Judah Endeavoured to Destroy Idolatry: The Jews: Brought, out of Egypt With Them Idolatry: The Jews: Followed the Assyrians In Idolatry: The Jews: Followed the Canaanites In Idolatry: The Jews: Followed the Moabites In Idolatry: The Jews: Followed the Syrians In Idolatry: The Jews: Forbidden to Practise Idolatry: The Jews: Often Mixed Up, With God's Worship Idolatry: The Jews: Practised, in Egypt Idolatry: They Who Practise are Estranged from God Idolatry: They Who Practise are Ignorant and Foolish Idolatry: They Who Practise are Mad Upon It Idolatry: They Who Practise are Vain in Their Imaginations Idolatry: They Who Practise: Ask Counsel of Their Idols Idolatry: They Who Practise: Boast of It Idolatry: They Who Practise: Carried Away by It Idolatry: They Who Practise: Defile the Sanctuary of God Idolatry: They Who Practise: Forget God Idolatry: They Who Practise: Forsake God Idolatry: They Who Practise: Go After It in Heart Idolatry: They Who Practise: Go Astray from God Idolatry: They Who Practise: Hate God Idolatry: They Who Practise: Have Fellowship With Devils Idolatry: They Who Practise: Hold Fast Their Deceit Idolatry: They Who Practise: Inflame Themselves Idolatry: They Who Practise: Look to Idols for Deliverance Idolatry: They Who Practise: Pollute the Name of God Idolatry: They Who Practise: Provoke God Idolatry: They Who Practise: Swear by Their Idols Idolatry: Victims Sacrificed In, often Adorned With Garlands Idolatry: Warnings Against, and Punishments of Idolatry: Wicked Practices of Human Sacrifices Idolatry: Wicked Practices of Licentiousness of Idolatry: Wicked Practices of Practices of, Relating to the Dead Idolatry: Woe Denounced Against Idolatry: Zeal Against: Israel Idolatry: Zeal Against: Jehoshaphat Idolatry: Zeal Against: Josiah Idolatry: Zeal Against: Manasseh Related Terms Insubordination (1 Occurrence) Links Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus |