Sun worship, the veneration of the sun as a deity or a symbol of divine power, is a practice that has been observed in various cultures throughout history. In the context of the Bible, sun worship is consistently portrayed as idolatrous and contrary to the worship of the one true God, Yahweh. The Bible provides several references to sun worship, often in the context of warning against idolatry and the practices of surrounding nations.

Old Testament References

The Old Testament contains numerous admonitions against the worship of celestial bodies, including the sun. In Deuteronomy 4:19, the Israelites are warned: "And when you look up to the sky and see the sun, the moon, and the stars—all the host of heaven—do not be enticed to bow down and worship what the LORD your God has apportioned to all the nations under heaven." This verse underscores the prohibition against worshiping the sun, emphasizing that these celestial bodies are creations of God, not deities themselves.

In 2 Kings 23:5, during the reforms of King Josiah, it is recorded: "Then he removed the idolatrous priests appointed by the kings of Judah to burn incense on the high places of the cities of Judah and in the areas surrounding Jerusalem. They had burned incense to Baal, to the sun and moon, to the constellations, and to all the host of heaven." This passage highlights the extent to which sun worship had infiltrated the religious practices of Judah, necessitating Josiah's reforms to restore proper worship of Yahweh.

Ezekiel 8:16 provides a vivid depiction of sun worship within the temple itself: "So He brought me into the inner court of the house of the LORD, and there at the entrance to the temple of the LORD, between the portico and the altar, were about twenty-five men with their backs to the temple of the LORD and their faces toward the east; they were bowing to the sun in the east." This vision given to Ezekiel illustrates the abomination of sun worship occurring in the very place dedicated to the worship of Yahweh.

New Testament Context

While the New Testament does not explicitly address sun worship, it continues the theme of rejecting idolatry in all its forms. The Apostle Paul, in Romans 1:25, speaks of those who "exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator, who is forever worthy of praise! Amen." This passage reflects the broader biblical condemnation of idolatry, including the worship of the sun as a created entity.

Cultural and Historical Background

Sun worship was prevalent among many ancient Near Eastern cultures, including the Egyptians, Canaanites, and Babylonians. The sun was often associated with powerful deities, such as Ra in Egypt and Shamash in Mesopotamia. These practices influenced the Israelites, who were repeatedly warned by the prophets to remain faithful to Yahweh and reject the idolatrous customs of their neighbors.

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, sun worship represents a fundamental misunderstanding of the nature of God and creation. The Bible consistently teaches that God alone is the Creator and Sustainer of the universe, and He alone is worthy of worship. The sun, while a magnificent part of God's creation, is not to be revered as divine. The biblical narrative emphasizes the importance of worshiping the Creator rather than the creation, a theme that is central to the Judeo-Christian understanding of monotheism.

Conclusion

The biblical stance on sun worship is clear: it is an idolatrous practice that detracts from the worship of the one true God. Throughout Scripture, the people of God are called to reject the worship of created things and to direct their devotion solely to the Creator, who is sovereign over all.