Topical Encyclopedia In the history of the Kingdom of Judah, the worship of celestial bodies, including the sun, became a significant issue, particularly during periods of apostasy. The dedication of horses to the sun is a notable example of this syncretism, where elements of pagan worship infiltrated the religious practices of the Israelites.The practice is specifically mentioned during the reign of King Josiah, one of the reforming kings of Judah. In 2 Kings 23:11, the text states: "He removed from the entrance of the house 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 highlights several key points: 1. Location and Influence: The horses dedicated to the sun were located at the entrance of the house of the LORD, indicating that this form of idolatry had penetrated deeply into the religious life of Judah. The proximity to the temple suggests a blending of pagan and Yahwistic practices, which was strictly forbidden by Mosaic Law. 2. Royal Endorsement: The text specifies that these horses were dedicated by "the kings of Judah," implying that this was not an isolated incident but rather a practice endorsed by the royal authority over a period of time. This royal involvement underscores the extent of the apostasy and the challenge faced by reformers like Josiah. 3. Josiah's Reforms: King Josiah is noted for his religious reforms, which aimed to restore the worship of Yahweh and eliminate idolatry. His actions in removing and destroying the horses and chariots dedicated to the sun were part of a broader campaign to purify the worship practices of Judah. Josiah's reforms are detailed in 2 Kings 22-23 and 2 Chronicles 34-35, where he is portrayed as a king who sought to return his people to the covenantal faithfulness required by God. 4. Symbolism of the Sun: In the ancient Near East, the sun was often associated with various deities and was a common object of worship. The dedication of horses to the sun likely involved rituals intended to honor or appease these deities, reflecting the influence of surrounding cultures on Judah. 5. Biblical Condemnation: The Bible consistently condemns the worship of celestial bodies, including the sun, as idolatry. Deuteronomy 4:19 warns the Israelites not to be enticed into worshiping the sun, moon, and stars, which God has allotted to all the peoples under heaven. The prophets, including Jeremiah and Ezekiel, also speak against such practices, emphasizing the exclusive worship of Yahweh. The dedication of horses to the sun by the kings of Judah serves as a poignant reminder of the recurring struggle between faithfulness to God and the temptation to adopt the religious practices of surrounding nations. It highlights the need for continual vigilance and reform to maintain the purity of worship as prescribed in the Scriptures. Nave's Topical Index 2 Kings 23:11And he took away the horses that the kings of Judah had given to the sun, at the entering in of the house of the LORD, by the chamber of Nathanmelech the chamberlain, which was in the suburbs, and burned the chariots of the sun with fire. Nave's Topical Index Library Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire ... The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus The Sixth vision "On Earth" A Traveler's Note-Book An Exposition on the First Ten Chapters of Genesis, and Part of ... Resources What does the Bible say about sun worship? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean that there is nothing new under the sun? | GotQuestions.org Is it true that the sun stood still? | GotQuestions.org Sun: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Sun: Kings of Judah Dedicate Horses To Sun: Miracles Concerning: Darkening of Sun: Shadow of Went Back on the Sun-Dial of Ahaz Tanning: General Scriptures Concerning The Sun of the Glory of Christ The Sun: (Before or in Sight of) of Public Ignominy The Sun: (Darkened) of Severe Calamities The Sun: (Going Down at Noon) of Premature Destruction The Sun: (Its Brightness) of the Future Glory of Saints The Sun: (Its Clearness) of the Purity of the Church The Sun: (Its Power) of the Triumph of Saints The Sun: (No More Going Down) of Perpetual Blessedness The Sun: Called the Greater Light The Sun: Clearness of Its Light Alluded To The Sun: Compared to a Bridegroom Coming Forth from his Chamber The Sun: Compared to a Strong Man Rejoicing to Run a Race The Sun: Diffuses Light and Heat to all the Earth The Sun: God: Appointed to Divide Seasons The Sun: God: Appointed to Rule the Day The Sun: God: Causes to Know Its Time of Setting The Sun: God: Causes, to Rise Both on Evil and Good The Sun: God: Exercises Sovereign Power Over The Sun: God: Placed in the Firmament The Sun: Indicates the Hours of the Day by the Shadow on the Dial The Sun: Made to Praise and Glorify God The Sun: Miracles Connected With: Darkened at the Crucifixion The Sun: Miracles Connected With: Shadow Put Back on the Dial The Sun: Miracles Connected With: Standing Still for a Whole Day in the Valley of Ajalon The Sun: The Jews: Commenced Their Day With the Rising of The Sun: The Jews: Commenced Their Evening With the Setting of The Sun: The Jews: Consecrated Chariots and Horses, As Symbols of The Sun: The Jews: Expressed the East by Rising of The Sun: The Jews: Expressed the West by Setting of The Sun: The Jews: Expressed the Whole Earth By, from Rising of, to Setting of The Sun: The Jews: Forbidden to Worship The Sun: The Jews: Made Images of The Sun: The Power and Brilliancy of Its Rising Alluded To The Sun: The Rays of Change the Colour of the Skin The Sun: The Rays of Frequently Destructive to Human Life The Sun: The Rays of Pleasant to Man The Sun: The Rays of Produce and Ripen Fruits The Sun: The Rays of Soften and Melt some Substances The Sun: The Rays of Wither and Burn up the Herbs of the Field The Sun: Worshippers of, Turned Their Faces Towards the East Related Terms |
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