Dictionary of Bible Themes: 7442 shrine

7442 shrine

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Dictionary of Bible Themes » 7000 God's people » 7300 Institutions and culture of OT » 7442 shrine

A local sanctuary, often dedicated to pagan worship. Before the building of the temple the Israelites worshipped at several divinely sanctioned shrines; afterwards, worship at a central sanctuary was required. True worship of God required that pagan shrines be destroyed. It was Israel's failure to abandon these religious sites that led to syncretism and apostasy.

Common features of pagan shrines

A location on high ground under trees

Ezekiel 6:13 Mountains were considered the dwelling- places of the gods, whilst trees were associated with fertility. See also 2 Kings 17:10; Isaiah 1:29 sacred trees; Jeremiah 2:20; Ezekiel 18:11 mountain shrines; Ezekiel 20:28

Idols and sacred symbols

Isaiah 44:13 See also 2 Kings 10:26-27; Kings 17:29-31; 2 Chronicles 34:3-4; Acts 19:24

A serving priesthood

2 Kings 23:5,20

Sacrifice to the deity

Jeremiah 48:35 See also 1 Kings 22:43; 2 Kings 12:3; Kings 16:4 pp 2 Chronicles 28:4; 2 Chronicles 28:25

Shrine-prostitution

Genesis 38:21-22; Deuteronomy 23:17; 1 Kings 14:24; Kings 15:12; Job 36:14

Pagan shrines were to be destroyed

On Israel's entry into Canaan

Deuteronomy 12:2-3 See also Exodus 34:13-14; Numbers 33:52; Deuteronomy 7:5

As a sign of religious reformation

Judges 6:25; 2 Kings 23:8-20 See also 2 Kings 10:25; 2 Chronicles 14:3; 2 C 6; 2 Kings 18:4

Shrines in Israel for the worship of God

Worship at the high places

1 Kings 3:2-3 Following Canaanite custom, Israel set up shrines on high ground possibly, against God's instruction, at old Baal sites. Worship at these non-legitimate sites was condemned. See also 2 Chronicles 33:17

Worship at sites sanctioned by God

Exodus 20:24 See also Judges 6:22-24; 1 Samuel 9:12-14; Samuel 10:5

Examples of shrines dedicated to God

Bethel:

Genesis 12:8; Judges 21:2

Shiloh:

Joshua 18:1; Judges 21:19

Mizpah:

Judges 20:1; 1 Samuel 7:6

Gibeon:

1 Kings 3:4-5; 1 Chronicles 16:39-40; 2 Chronicles 1:13

A central place of worship was later required

2 Kings 18:22 pp Isaiah 36:7 Following the building of the temple, worship in various scattered shrines was condemned, probably because of associations with pagan worship. See also Deuteronomy 12:4-7 The central sanctuary was, initially, the place where the tabernacle was located. Eventually this was superseded by the temple; 2 Samuel 7:13 pp 1 Chronicles 17:12

Israel's failure to abandon worship at the shrines led to apostasy

Improper worship at shrines dedicated to God

Judges 17:5 See also Judges 18:30-31; 1 Kings 12:28-31; Kings 13:32; 2 Kings 17:32-33; 2 Chronicles 11:15; Amos 4:4

The corruption of temple worship

2 Kings 23:4-7; Ezekiel 8:14-16

Shrines dedicated to false gods

1 Kings 14:23-24; Ezekiel 8:12 See also 1 Kings 11:7-8; 2 Kings 21:2-3

Child sacrifice was amongst the syncretistic practices adopted by Judah:

Jeremiah 7:31; Jeremiah 19:5; Jeremiah 32:35 Amos 5:26; Acts 7:43

Israel's spiritual adultery

Ezekiel 16:24-25 See also Jeremiah 3:6; Ezekiel 16:39; Ezekiel 18:6; Hosea 4:12-13

God's judgment on false places of worship

Ezekiel 6:3-6 See also Leviticus 26:30-31; Hosea 10:8