8769 idolatry, in OT
Dictionary of Bible Themes

Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  8000 The life of the believer  »  8700 Threats to the life of faith  »  8768 idolatry  »  8769 idolatry, in OT

Scripture provides illustrations of idolatry from various periods in the history of the people of God. Idolatry is seen as a constant temptation for believers, especially in times of national or personal stress.

Idolatry among the Gentiles

Judges 11:24; Judges 16:23-24; 2 Kings 5:18; Isaiah 36:18-20; Isaiah 37:38; Isaiah 46:1; Ezekiel 8:14; Acts 14:11-13; 1 Corinthians 8:5

Idolatry among God's people

In patriarchal times

Joshua 24:2 See also Genesis 31:30,34 these household gods may have been either masks or statuettes; Genesis 35:2

In the Mosaic period

Exodus 32:4

In the period of the judges

Judges 17:5 See also Judges 10:6

In the early monarchy

1 Kings 11:10 See also 1 Kings 12:28 The golden calves were perhaps pedestals on which the LORD was thought to sit.

In the middle monarchy

1 Kings 16:33 An Asherah pole was probably a crude carved wooden image of a Canaanite fertility goddess. See also 1 Kings 11:7-8; Kings 16:32

In the late monarchy

2 Kings 21:2-6

After the fall of Jerusalem

Ezekiel 8:10 See also Ezekiel 8:3,14,16

Objects of false worship

The sun, moon and stars

Deuteronomy 4:19 See also Deuteronomy 17:3; Job 31:26

Other objects of worship

Deuteronomy 4:28 See also Deuteronomy 16:22 sacred stones; 1 Kings 12:31 high places; Isaiah 1:29 oaks

Practices associated with idolatry

The burning of children

2 Kings 23:10

The superstitious use of religious symbols

2 Kings 18:4 See also Judges 8:27 The ephod was a priestly garment sometimes subject to excessive veneration.

Sexual deviance

Deuteronomy 23:17 See also 1 Kings 14:24; Hosea 4:14

See also

4155  divination
4281  stars
5205  alliance
5947  shame
6243  adultery, spiritual
7312  Baal
7374  high places
7384  household gods
7442  shrine
7471  temples, heathen
8747  false gods
8752  false worship



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