Abomination to God: Idolatry
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Definition and Overview:
Idolatry, in biblical terms, refers to the worship of idols or the excessive reverence for or devotion to anything other than God. It is considered a grave sin and an abomination to God, as it violates the first and second commandments given to the Israelites. Idolatry is not limited to the worship of physical idols but extends to any form of allegiance or devotion that replaces or diminishes the worship due to God alone.

Biblical References:

1. The Ten Commandments:
The prohibition against idolatry is explicitly stated in the Ten Commandments. In Exodus 20:3-5 , God commands, "You shall have no other gods before Me. You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in the heavens above, on the earth below, or in the waters beneath. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God..."

2. Warnings Against Idolatry:
Throughout the Old Testament, the Israelites are repeatedly warned against idolatry. In Deuteronomy 4:23-24 , Moses cautions, "Be careful not to forget the covenant of the LORD your God that He made with you; do not make for yourselves an idol in the form of anything He has forbidden you. For the LORD your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God."

3. Consequences of Idolatry:
The Bible describes severe consequences for idolatry, including divine judgment and exile. In 2 Kings 17:12-15 , it is recorded, "They served idols, although the LORD had told them, 'You shall not do this thing.' Yet the LORD warned Israel and Judah through all His prophets and seers, saying, 'Turn from your evil ways and keep My commandments and statutes...' But they would not listen and stiffened their necks... They rejected His statutes and His covenant... and they followed worthless idols, and themselves became worthless."

4. Prophetic Condemnation:
The prophets frequently condemned idolatry, emphasizing its futility and the betrayal it represents. Isaiah 44:9-11 states, "All makers of idols are nothing, and the things they treasure are worthless. Their witnesses fail to see or comprehend, so they are put to shame. Who fashions a god or casts an idol which profits him nothing?"

5. New Testament Perspective:
The New Testament continues to denounce idolatry, expanding its definition to include covetousness and other forms of misplaced devotion. In 1 Corinthians 10:14 , Paul advises, "Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry." Similarly, in Colossians 3:5 , he writes, "Put to death, therefore, the components of your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is idolatry."

Theological Implications:
Idolatry is fundamentally a theological issue because it challenges the sovereignty and exclusivity of God. It represents a breach of the covenant relationship between God and His people, as it attributes divine honor and worship to created things rather than the Creator. The biblical narrative consistently portrays idolatry as a root cause of spiritual and moral decay, leading to a separation from God and His blessings.

Cultural and Historical Context:
In the ancient Near East, idolatry was prevalent, with various cultures worshiping a pantheon of gods represented by physical idols. The Israelites, surrounded by these cultures, were often tempted to adopt idolatrous practices. The biblical injunctions against idolatry served to distinguish the Israelites as a people set apart for the worship of the one true God.

Contemporary Relevance:
While modern society may not engage in idol worship in the traditional sense, the concept of idolatry remains relevant. Anything that takes precedence over God in one's life—be it wealth, power, status, or even relationships—can be considered a form of idolatry. The biblical call to reject idolatry and remain faithful to God is a timeless exhortation for believers to examine their priorities and devotion.
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Deuteronomy 7:25
The graven images of their gods shall you burn with fire: you shall not desire the silver or gold that is on them, nor take it to you, lest you be snared therein: for it is an abomination to the LORD your God.
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Deuteronomy 27:15
Cursed be the man that makes any graven or molten image, an abomination to the LORD, the work of the hands of the craftsman, and puts it in a secret place. And all the people shall answer and say, Amen.
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Deuteronomy 32:16
They provoked him to jealousy with strange gods, with abominations provoked they him to anger.
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Library

A Statement in vindication of the Doctrine of the Apostles as ...
... the Doctrine of the Apostles as Opposed to Idolatry, in the ... minded to worship should
be held in abomination and be ... while He Himself is now named the God of the ...
/.../the harmony of the gospels/chapter xxxii a statement in vindication.htm

The Fall of Solomon
... is before Jerusalem, and for Molech, the abomination of the ... from the same fountain
as the idolatry of which ... deeds are, even here and now, God's retribution for ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/the fall of solomon.htm

Pride of Prosperity
... the abomination of Moab," and "Molech, the abomination of the ... of some, the pure
religious service instituted by God was replaced by idolatry of the ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 3 pride of prosperity.htm

A Kingdom's Epitaph
... and long most for is our god, whatever our ... The idolatry is then described, in rapid
touches, as ... The old scenes of unnamable abomination, which had been so ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/a kingdoms epitaph.htm

The Way of Life and the Way of Death.
... Be not a diviner, for that leads to idolatry; [3402] for says Samuel ... 3413] and "that
which is of high esteem with man is abomination with God." [3414] Thou ...
/.../various/constitutions of the holy apostles/sec i on the two ways.htm

Jeroboam
... of the altar was a sign of God's displeasure at the abomination that was being ... of
Heaven and led Israel deeper and still deeper into idolatry, God sent message ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 7 jeroboam.htm

Concerning Private Festivals.
... [289] God no more ... I be invited, and stand by, I shall be partaker of idolatry; if
any ... 22:5. Moreover, the word "cursed" is not used there, but "abomination" is ...
/.../tertullian/on idolatry/chapter xvi concerning private festivals.htm

The Knowledge that God Is, Combined with the Knowledge that He is ...
... more seeming self-denial,"and yet what more real self-idolatry? ... Away with all this,
it is abomination to his majesty ... and to walk humbly with thy God?" So then ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/lecture xi the knowledge that.htm

The Danger of Deviating from Divine Institutions.
... Thus every abomination was sanctioned, and made an object of ... and obtain favor for
them"the very idolatry of paganism. ... and humility to draw nigh to God by the ...
/.../lee/sermons on various important subjects/sermon xxviii the danger of.htm

The Old and New Testaments have Many Things in Common -- Far More ...
... of desolation." The term "abomination" is an Old Testament expression connected
with idolatry, and signifies some special idol or false god (see Deut.7:26; 1 ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the antichrist/the old and new testaments.htm

Resources
What is an abomination? | GotQuestions.org

What is the abomination of desolation? | GotQuestions.org

What is the Queen James Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Abomination: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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Subtopics

Abomination

Abomination of Desolation

Abomination to God: Adultery

Abomination to God: Idolatry

Abomination to God: Incest

Abomination to God: Lying With a Woman in Her Menses

Abomination to God: Offering Children in Sacrifice

Abomination to God: Offering Seed to Molech

Abomination to God: Sodomy

Abomination to God: Sorcery and Necromancy

Abomination to God: The Hire of a Whore and Price of a Dog, As a Consecrated Gift

Abomination to God: Uncleanness

Abomination to God: Unjust Weights and Measures

Abomination: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To

Related Terms

Detestation (5 Occurrences)

Desolation (131 Occurrences)

Teeming (18 Occurrences)

Abominable (52 Occurrences)

Zidonians (11 Occurrences)

Desolating (6 Occurrences)

Milcom (8 Occurrences)

Crawling (20 Occurrences)

Swarming (19 Occurrences)

Sidonians (16 Occurrences)

Things (10975 Occurrences)

Chemosh (8 Occurrences)

Vile (59 Occurrences)

Ashtoreth (3 Occurrences)

Abominate (10 Occurrences)

Detestable (121 Occurrences)

Molech (16 Occurrences)

Creeping (43 Occurrences)

Fowls (61 Occurrences)

Olives (30 Occurrences)

Egyptians (108 Occurrences)

Perverse (55 Occurrences)

Builded (65 Occurrences)

Corruption (37 Occurrences)

Malchiel (3 Occurrences)

Balance (12 Occurrences)

Moabites (26 Occurrences)

Observe (216 Occurrences)

Ossifrage (2 Occurrences)

Ospray (2 Occurrences)

Loathsome (20 Occurrences)

Gier-eagle (4 Occurrences)

Graven (61 Occurrences)

Womankind (2 Occurrences)

Winged (69 Occurrences)

Investigate (11 Occurrences)

Impure (28 Occurrences)

Froward (21 Occurrences)

Fins (5 Occurrences)

Flying (22 Occurrences)

Fours (4 Occurrences)

Readeth (19 Occurrences)

Reads (5 Occurrences)

Reading (58 Occurrences)

Reader (5 Occurrences)

Engraved (62 Occurrences)

Detests (7 Occurrences)

Defiles (12 Occurrences)

Delights (39 Occurrences)

Detest (15 Occurrences)

Moloch (2 Occurrences)

Moves (30 Occurrences)

Mouse (2 Occurrences)

Practices (80 Occurrences)

Blushing (6 Occurrences)

Blush (16 Occurrences)

Bearded (2 Occurrences)

Bacchus

Balances (15 Occurrences)

Creep (8 Occurrences)

Carcase (38 Occurrences)

Crawleth (5 Occurrences)

Appalment (10 Occurrences)

Abhorrent (9 Occurrences)

Appropriate (19 Occurrences)

Sacrilege (3 Occurrences)

Shouldst (61 Occurrences)

Sea-eagle (2 Occurrences)

Scales (33 Occurrences)

Standing (334 Occurrences)

Idol (56 Occurrences)

Diverse (15 Occurrences)

Searched (71 Occurrences)

Insects (17 Occurrences)

Sacrificed (112 Occurrences)

Unjust (44 Occurrences)

Declaring (48 Occurrences)

Thoroughly (48 Occurrences)

Understand (208 Occurrences)

Abomination to God: Adultery
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