Image-worship or divine honour paid to any created object. Paul describes the origin of idolatry in Rom. 1:21-25: men forsook God, and sank into ignorance and moral corruption (1:28). The forms of idolatry are, (1.) Fetishism, or the worship of trees, rivers, hills, stones, etc. (2.) Nature worship, the worship of the sun, moon, and stars, as the supposed powers of nature. (3.) Hero worship, the worship of deceased ancestors, or of heroes. In Scripture, idolatry is regarded as of heathen origin, and as being imported among the Hebrews through contact with heathen nations. The first allusion to idolatry is in the account of Rachel stealing her father's teraphim (Gen. 31:19), which were the relics of the worship of other gods by Laban's progenitors "on the other side of the river in old time" (Josh. 24:2). During their long residence in Egypt the Hebrews fell into idolatry, and it was long before they were delivered from it (Josh. 24:14; Ezek. 20:7). Many a token of God's displeasure fell upon them because of this sin. The idolatry learned in Egypt was probably rooted out from among the people during the forty years' wanderings; but when the Jews entered Palestine, they came into contact with the monuments and associations of the idolatry of the old Canaanitish races, and showed a constant tendency to depart from the living God and follow the idolatrous practices of those heathen nations. It was their great national sin, which was only effectually rebuked by the Babylonian exile. That exile finally purified the Jews of all idolatrous tendencies. The first and second commandments are directed against idolatry of every form. Individuals and communities were equally amenable to the rigorous code. The individual offender was devoted to destruction (Ex. 22:20). His nearest relatives were not only bound to denounce him and deliver him up to punishment (Deut. 13:20-10), but their hands were to strike the first blow when, on the evidence of two witnesses at least, he was stoned (Deut. 17:2-7). To attempt to seduce others to false worship was a crime of equal enormity (13:6-10). An idolatrous nation shared the same fate. No facts are more strongly declared in the Old Testament than that the extermination of the Canaanites was the punishment of their idolatry (Ex. 34:15, 16; Deut. 7; 12:29-31; 20:17), and that the calamities of the Israelites were due to the same cause (Jer. 2:17). "A city guilty of idolatry was looked upon as a cancer in the state; it was considered to be in rebellion, and treated according to the laws of war. Its inhabitants and all their cattle were put to death." Jehovah was the theocratic King of Israel, the civil Head of the commonwealth, and therefore to an Israelite idolatry was a state offence (1 Sam. 15:23), high treason. On taking possession of the land, the Jews were commanded to destroy all traces of every kind of the existing idolatry of the Canaanites (Ex. 23:24, 32; 34:13; Deut. 7:5, 25; 12:1-3). In the New Testament the term idolatry is used to designate covetousness (Matt. 6:24; Luke 16:13; Col. 3:5; Eph. 5:5). strictly speaking denotes the worship of deity in a visible form, whether the images to which homage is paid are symbolical representations of the true God or of the false divinities which have been made the objects of worship in his stead. I. History of idolatry among the Jews.--The first undoubted allusion to idolatry or idolatrous customs in the Bible is in the account of Rachel's stealing her father's teraphim. (Genesis 31:19) During their long residence in Egypt the Israelites defiled themselves with the idols of the land, and it was long before the taint was removed. (Joshua 24:14; Ezekiel 20:7) In the wilderness they clamored for some visible shape in which they might worship the God who had brought them out of Egypt. (Exodus 32:1) ... until Aaron made the calf, the embodiment of Apis and emblem of the productive power of nature. During the lives of Joshua and the elders who outlived him they kept true to their allegiance; but the generation following who knew not Jehovah nor the works he had done for Israel, swerved from the plain path of their fathers and were caught in the toils of the foreigner. (Judges 2:1) ... From this time forth their history becomes little more than a chronicle of the inevitable sequence of offence and punishment. (Judges 2:12,14) By turns each conquering nation strove to establish the worship of its national God. In later times the practice of secret idolatry was carried to greater lengths. Images were set up on the corn-floors, in the wine-vats, and behind the doors of private houses, (Isaiah 57:8; Hosea 9:1,2) and to check this tendency the statute in (27:15) was originally promulgated. Under Samuel's administration idolatry was publicly renounced, (1 Samuel 7:3-6) but in the reign of Solomon all this was forgotten, even Solomon's own heart being turned after other gods. (1 Kings 11:14) Rehoboam perpetuated the worst features of Solomon's idolatry. (1 Kings 14:22-24) erected golden calves at Beth-el and at Dan, and by this crafty state' policy severed forever the kingdoms of Judah and Israel. (1 Kings 12:26-33) The successors of Jeroboam followed in his steps, till Ahab. The conquest of the ten tribes by Shalmaneser was for them the last scene Of the drama of abominations which had been enacted uninterruptedly for upwards of 250 years. Under Hezekiah a great reform was inaugurated, that was not confined to Judah and Benjamin, but spread throughout Ephraim and Manasseh. (2 Chronicles 31:1) and to all external appearances idolatry was extirpated. But the reform extended little below the surface. (Isaiah 29:13) With the death of Josiah ended the last effort to revive among the people a purer ritual. If not a purer faith. The lamp of David, which had long shed but a struggling ray, flickered for a while and then went out in the darkness of Babylonian Captivity. Though the conquests of Alexander caused Greek influence to be felt, yet after the captivity better condition of things prevailed, and the Jews never again fell into idolatry. The erection of synagogues had been assigned as a reason for the comparative purity of the Jewish worship after the captivity, while another cause has been discovered in the hatred for images acquired by the Jews in their intercourse with the Persians. II. Objects of idolatry .--The sun and moon were early selected as outward symbols of all-pervading power, and the worship of the heavenly bodies was not only the most ancient but the most prevalent system of idolatry. Taking its rise in the plains of Chaldea, it spread through Egypt, Greece, Scythia, and even Mexico and Ceylon. Comp. (4:19; 17:3; Job 31:20-28) In the later times of the monarchy, the planets or the zodiacal signs received, next to the sun and moon, their share of popular adoration. (2 Kings 23:5) Beast-worship, as exemplified in the calves of Jeroboam, has already been alluded to of pure hero-worship among the Semitic races we find no trace. The singular reverence with which trees have been honored is not without example in the history of the Hebrew. The terebinth (oak) at Mamre, beneath which Abraham built an altar, (Genesis 12:7; 13:18) and the memorial grove planted by him at Beersheba, (Genesis 21:33) were intimately connected with patriarchal worship. Mountains and high places were chosen spots for offering sacrifice and incense to idols, (1 Kings 11:7; 14:23) and the retirement of gardens and the thick shade of woods offered great attractions to their worshippers. (2 Kings 16:4; Isaiah 1:29; Hosea 4:13) The host of heaven was worshipped on the house-top. (2 Kings 23:12; Jeremiah 19:3; 32:29; Zephaniah 1:5) (The modern objects of idolatry are less gross than the ancient, but are none the less idols. Whatever of wealth or honor or pleasure is loved and sought before God and righteousness becomes an object of idolatry.--ED.) III. Punishment of idolatry .--Idolatry to an Israelite was a state offence, (1 Samuel 15:23) a political crime of the greatest character, high treason against the majesty of his king. The first and second commandments are directed against idolatry of every form. Individuals and communities were equally amenable to the rigorous code. The individual offender was devoted to destruction, (Exodus 22:20) his nearest relatives were not only bound to denounce him and deliver him up to punishment, (13:2-10) but their hands were to strike the first blow, when, on the evidence of two witnesses at least, he was stoned. (17:2-5) To attempt to seduce others to false worship was a crime of equal enormity. (13:6-10) IV. Attractions of idolatry .--Many have wondered why the Israelites were so easily led away from the true God, into the worship of idols. (1) Visible, outward signs, with shows, pageants, parades, have an attraction to the natural heart, which often fail to perceive the unseen spiritual realities. (2) But the greatest attraction seems to have been in licentious revelries and obscene orgies with which the worship of the Oriental idols was observed. This worship, appealing to every sensual passion, joined with the attractions of wealth and fashion and luxury, naturally was a great temptation to a simple, restrained, agricultural people, whose worship and law demands the greatest purity of heart and of life.--ED.) Forbidden -- Ex 20:2,3; De 5:7. Consists in Bowing down to images. -- Ex 20:5; De 5:9. Worshipping images. -- Isa 44:17; Da 3:5,10,15. Sacrificing to images. -- Ps 106:38; Ac 7:41. Worshipping other gods. -- De 30:17; Ps 81:9. Swearing by other gods. -- Ex 23:13; Jos 23:7. Walking after other gods. -- De 8:19. Speaking in the name of other gods. -- De 18:20. Looking to other gods. -- Ho 3:1. Serving other gods. -- De 7:4; Jer 5:19. Fearing other gods. -- 2Ki 17:35. Sacrificing to other gods. -- Ex 22:20. Worshipping the true God by an image, & c. -- Ex 32:4-6; Ps 106:19,20. Worshipping angels. -- Col 2:18. Worshipping the host of heaven. -- De 4:19; 17:3. Worshipping demons. -- Mt 4:9-10; Re 9:20. Worshipping dead men. -- Ps 106:28. Setting up idols in the heart. -- Eze 14:3,4. Covetousness. -- Eph 5:5; Col 3:5. Sensuality. -- Php 3:19. Is changing the glory of God into an image -- Ro 1:23; Ac 17:29. Is changing the truth of God into a lie -- Ro 1:25; Isa 44:20. Is a work of the flesh -- Ga 5:19,20. Incompatible with the service of God -- Ge 35:2,3; Jos 24:23; 1Sa 7:3; 1Ki 18:21; 2Co 6:15,16. Described as An abomination to God. -- De 7:25. Hateful to God. -- De 16:22; Jer 44:4. Vain and foolish. -- Ps 115:4-8; Isa 44:19; Jer 10:3. Bloody. -- Eze 23:39. Abominable. -- 1Pe 4:3. Unprofitable. -- Jdj 10:14; Isa 46:7. Irrational. -- Ac 17:29; Ro 1:21-23. Defiling. -- Eze 20:7; 36:18. They who practise Forget God. -- De 8:19; Jer 18:15. Go astray from God. -- Eze 44:10. Pollute the name of God. -- Eze 20:39. Defile the sanctuary of God. -- Eze 5:11. Are estranged from God. -- Eze 14:5. Forsake God. -- 2Ki 22:17; Jer 16:11. Hate God. -- 2Ch 19:2,3. Provoke God. -- De 31:20; Isa 65:3; Jer 25:6. Are vain in their imaginations. -- Ro 1:21. Are ignorant and foolish. -- Ro 1:21,22. Inflame themselves. -- Isa 57:5. Hold fast their deceit. -- Jer 8:5. Carried away by it. -- 1Co 12:2. Go after it in heart. -- Eze 20:16. Are mad upon it. -- Jer 50:38. Boast of it. -- Ps 97:7. Have fellowship with devils. -- Ho 4:12. Ask counsel of their idols. -- Ho 4:12. Look to idols for deliverance. -- Isa 44:17; 45:20. Swear by their idols. -- Am 8:14. Objects of, numerous -- 1Co 8:5. Objects of described as Strange gods. -- Ge 35:2,4; Jos 24:20. Other gods. -- Jdj 2:12,17; 1Ki 14:9. New gods. -- De 32:17; Jdj 5:8. Gods that cannot save. -- Isa 45:20. Gods that have not made the heavens. -- Jer 10:11. No gods. -- Jer 5:7; Ga 4:8. Molten gods. -- Ex 34:17; Le 19:4. Molten images. -- De 27:15; Hab 2:18. Graven images. -- Isa 45:20; Ho 11:2. Senseless idols. -- De 4:28; Ps 115:5,7. Dumb idols. -- Hab 2:18. Dumb Stones. -- Hab 2:19. Stocks. -- Jer 3:9; Ho 4:12. Abominations. -- Isa 44:19; Jer 32:34. Images of abomination. -- Eze 7:20. Idols of abomination. -- Eze 16:36. Stumbling blocks. -- Eze 14:3. Teachers of lies. -- Hab 2:18. Wind and confusion. -- Isa 41:29. Nothing. -- Isa 41:24; 1Co 8:4. Helpless. -- Jer 10:5. Vanity. -- Jer 18:15. Vanities of the Gentiles. -- Jer 14:22. Making idols for the purpose of, described and ridiculed -- Isa 44:10-20. Obstinate sinners judicially given up to -- De 4:28; 28:64; Ho 4:17. Warnings against -- De 4:15-19. Exhortations to turn from -- Eze 14:6; 20:7; Ac 14:15. Renounced on conversion -- 1Th 1:9. Led to abominable sins -- Ro 1:26-32; Ac 15:20. Saints should Keep from. -- Jos 23:7; 1Jo 5:21. Flee from. -- 1Co 10:14. Not have anything connected with in their houses. -- De 7:26. Not partake of any thing connected with. -- 1Co 10:19,20. Not have religious intercourse with those who practise. -- Jos 23:7; 1Co 5:11. Not covenant with those who practise. -- Ex 34:12,15; De 7:2. Not intermarry with those who practise. -- Ex 34:16; De 7:3. Testify against. -- Ac 14:15; 19:26. Refuse to engage in, though threatened with death. -- Da 3:18. Saints preserved by God from -- 1Ki 19:18; Ro 11:4. Saints refuse to receive the worship of -- Ac 10:25,26; 14:11-15. Angels refuse to receive the worship of -- Re 22:8,9. Destruction of, promised -- Eze 36:25; Zec 13:2. Everything connected with, should be destroyed -- Ex 34:13; De 7:5; 2Sa 5:21; 2Ki 23:14. Woe denounced against -- Hab 2:19. Curse denounced against -- De 27:15. Punishment of Judicial death. -- De 17:2-5. Dreadful judgments which end in death. -- Jer 8:2; 16:1-11. Banishment. -- Jer 8:3; Ho 8:5-8; Am 5:26,27. Exclusion from heaven. -- 1Co 6:9,10; Eph 5:5; Re 22:15. Eternal torments. -- Re 14:9-11; 21:8. Exemplified Israel. -- Ex 32:1; 2Ki 17:12. Philistines. -- Jdj 16:23. Micah. -- Jdj 17:4,5. Jeroboam. -- 1Ki 12:28. Maachah. -- 1Ki 15:13. Ahab. -- 1Ki 16:31. Jezebel. -- 1Ki 18:19. Sennacherib. -- 2Ki 19:37. Manasseh. -- 2Ki 21:4-7. Amon. -- 2Ki 21:21. Ahaz. -- 2Ch 28:3. Judah. -- Jer 11:13. Nebuchadnezzar. -- Da 3:1. Belshazzar. -- Da 5:23. People of Lystra. -- Ac 14:11,12. Athenians. -- Ac 17:16. Ephesians. -- Ac 19:28. Zeal against -- Exemplified Asa. -- 1Ki 15:12. Josiah. -- 2Ki 23:5. Jehoshaphat. -- 2Ch 17:6. Israel. -- 2Ch 31:1. Manasseh. -- 2Ch 33:15. All forms of, forbidden by the law of Moses -- Ex 20:4,5. All heathen nations given up to -- Ps 96:5; Ro 1:23,25; 1Co 12:2. Led the heathen to think that their gods visited the earth in bodily shapes -- Ac 14:11. Led the heathen to consider their gods to have but a local influence -- 1Ki 20:23; 2Ki 17:26. Objects of The heavenly bodies. -- 2Ki 23:5; Ac 7:42. Angels. -- Col 2:18. Departed spirits. -- 1Sa 28:14,15. Earthly creatures. -- Ro 1:23. Images. -- De 29:17; Ps 115:4; Isa 44:17. Temples built for -- Ho 8:14. Altars raised for -- 1Ki 18:26; Ho 8:11. Accompanied by feasts -- 2Ki 10:20; 1Co 10:27,28. Objects of, worshipped With sacrifices. -- Nu 22:40; 2Ki 10:24. With libations. -- Isa 57:6; Jer 19:13. With incense. -- Jer 48:35. With prayer. -- 1Ki 18:26; Isa 44:17. With singing and dancing. -- Ex 32:18,19; 1Ki 18:26; 1Co 10:7. By bowing to them. -- 1Ki 19:18; 2Ki 5:18. By kissing them. -- 1Ki 19:18; Ho 13:2. By kissing the hand to them. -- Job 31:26,27. By cutting the flesh. -- 1Ki 18:28. By burning children. -- De 12:31; 2Ch 33:6; Jer 19:4,5; Eze 16:21. In temples. -- 2Ki 5:18. On high places. -- Nu 22:41; Jer 2:20. In groves. -- Ex 34:13. Under trees. -- Isa 57:5; Jer 2:20. In private houses. -- Jdj 17:4,5. On the tops of houses. -- 2Ki 23:12; Zep 1:5. In secret places. -- Isa 57:8. Rites of, obscene and impure -- Ex 32:25; Nu 25:1-3; 2Ki 17:9; Isa 57:6,8,9; 1Pe 4:3. Divination connected with -- 2Ch 33:6. Victims sacrificed in, often adorned with garlands -- Ac 14:13. Idols, mentioned in Scripture Adrammelech. -- 2Ki 17:31. Anammelech. -- 2Ki 17:31. Ashima. -- 2Ki 17:30. Ashtoreth. -- Jdj 2:13; 1Ki 11:33. Baal. -- Jdj 2:11-13; 6:25. Baal-berith. -- Jdj 8:33; 9:4,46. Baal-peor. -- Nu 25:1-3. Baalzebub. -- 2Ki 1:2,16. Baal-zephon. -- Ex 14:2. Bel. -- Jer 50:2; 51:44. Chemosh. -- Nu 21:29; 1Ki 11:33. Chiun. -- Am 5:26. Dagon. -- Jdj 16:23; 1Sa 5:1-3. Diana. -- Ac 19:24,27. Huzzab. -- Na 2:7. Jupiter. -- Ac 14:12. Mercury. -- Ac 14:12. Molech or Milcom. -- Le 18:21; 1Ki 11:5,33. Merodach. -- Jer 50:2. Nergal. -- 2Ki 17:30. Nebo. -- Isa 46:1. Nibhaz and Tartak. -- 2Ki 17:31. Nisroch. -- 2Ki 19:37. Queen of heaven. -- Jer 44:17,25. Remphan. -- Ac 7:43. Rimmon. -- 2Ki 5:18. Succothbenoth. -- 2Ki 17:30. Tammuz. -- Eze 8:14. Objects of, carried in procession -- Isa 46:7; Am 5:26; Ac 7:43. Early notice of, amongst God's professing people -- Ge 31:19,30; 35:1-4; Jos 24:2. The Jews Practised, in Egypt. -- Jos 24:14; Eze 23:3,19. Brought, out of Egypt with them. -- Eze 23:8; Ac 7:39-41. Forbidden to practise. -- Ex 20:1-5; 23:24. Often mixed up, with God's worship. -- Ex 32:1-5; 1Ki 12:27,28. Followed the Canaanites in. -- Jdj 2:11-13; 1Ch 5:25. Followed the Moabites in. -- Nu 25:1-3. Followed the Assyrians in. -- Eze 16:28-30; 23:5-7. Followed the Syrians in. -- Jdj 10:6. Adopted by Solomon -- 1Ki 11:5-8. Adopted by the wicked kings -- 1Ki 21:26; 2Ki 21:21; 2Ch 28:2-4; 33:3,7. Example of the kings encouraged Israel in -- 1Ki 12:30; 2Ki 21:11; 2Ch 33:9. Great prevalence of, in Israel -- Isa 2:8; Jer 2:28; Eze 8:10. A virtual forsaking of God -- Jer 2:9-13. The good kings of Judah endeavoured to destroy -- 2Ch 15:16; 34:7. Captivity of Israel on account of -- 2Ki 17:6-18. Captivity of Judah on account of -- 2Ki 17:19-23.
Idolatry