Lexical Summary elil: Idol, worthless thing Original Word: אֱלִיל Strong's Exhaustive Concordance idol, no value, thing of nothing Apparently from 'al; good for nothing, by anal. Vain or vanity; specifically an idol -- idol, no value, thing of nought. see HEBREW 'al NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof uncertain derivation Definition insufficiency, worthlessness NASB Translation futility (1), idols (16), images (1), worthless (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs אֱלִיל noun masculine (etymology uncertain: most probably akin to Syriac  weak, feeble, poor; perhaps also in usage [compare b] felt to suggest אַל not; compare Che on Isaiah 2:8) insufficiency, worthlessness. a. Zechariah 11:17 רֹעִי הָאֱלִיל the shepherd of worthlessness = the worthless shepherd, Job 13:4 רֹפְאֵי אֱלִל worthless physicians ("" טֹפְלֵישֶֿׁקֶר), Jeremiah 14:14 Qr concrete a thing nought (uttered by prophets), but here קֶסֶם אֱלִיל a worthless divin. ("" חֲזוֺן שֶׁקֶר, תַּרְמִית לִבָּם) should perhaps be read (compare Gf). b. especially plural אֱלִילִים concrete worthless gods, idols (compare הֲבָלִים) (possibly originally an independent word = gods, compare Sabean אלאלת, & see NöSBAk 1882, p. 1191, but even if so, associated by the prophets with idea of worthlessness, & used by them in iron. contrast with אֵלִים, אֱלֹהִים) Leviticus 19:4 (not to be made) Leviticus 26:1 (both H), Isaiah 2:8,18,20 (twice in verse) (of silver & gold), Isaiah 10:10 מַמְלְכוֺת הָאֱלִיל (collective) kingdoms of idolatrous worthlessness, Isaiah 10:11; Isaiah 19:1,3(of Egypt) Isaiah 31:7 (twice in verse); Ezekiel 30:13 (Egypt), Habakkuk 2:18 אִלְּמִים ׳א dumb idols, Psalm 96:5 ( = 1 Chronicles 16:26) all the gods of the nations are ׳א vain, worthless gods 1Chron 97:7. II. אלל (√ assumed for following words). Topical Lexicon Term Overview אֱלִיל (’elil) designates a false god or idol that is inherently powerless and worthless. The word is often set in deliberate contrast to Yahweh, highlighting the absolute futility of trusting in anything other than the living God. Old Testament Usage The noun appears twenty times, consistently exposing the emptiness of idolatry: • Cultic prohibitions (Leviticus 19:4; Leviticus 26:1) guard Israel from manufacturing or bowing to אֱלִילִים. Theological Significance 1. Ontological Nothingness: אֱלִיל expresses not merely inferiority but non-existence; idols possess no life, power, or truth. Contrast with the Living God Psalm 97:7 commands, “All worshipers of images are put to shame—those who boast in idols. Worship Him, all you gods!”. The text juxtaposes human-made objects with the Creator, stressing that glory, power, and salvation reside in Yahweh alone. Prophetic Denunciation Isaiah’s oracles are especially forceful. In Isaiah 31:7 the future repentance of Judah is envisioned: “For in that day each one will reject his idols of silver and gold—the sin your own hands have fashioned.”. Prophets unmask idols as frauds unable to save (Isaiah 19:1), counsel (Jeremiah 14:14), or protect (Ezekiel 30:13). Consequences of Idolatry • Exile and desolation (Isaiah 10:11; Ezekiel 30:13). Call to Covenant Fidelity The recurring imperative is to “turn away” and “cast away” idols (Isaiah 2:20; 31:7). Genuine worship involves exclusive allegiance, gratitude, and obedience to the LORD, whose glory outshines every false image. Christological Implications The New Testament echoes the theme: believers are commanded to “flee from idolatry” (1 Corinthians 10:14) and to “keep yourselves from idols” (1 John 5:21). In Christ, the true image of the invisible God, the emptiness of אֱלִיל is fully exposed, and the Father seeks worshipers in spirit and truth. Application for the Church Today Modern idols—materialism, self-exaltation, ideologies—are no less אֱלִילִים. Pastors and teachers must continually contrast the supremacy of God with these counterfeits, urging repentance, wholehearted worship, and discipleship rooted in Scripture. Key References Leviticus 19:4; Leviticus 26:1; 1 Chronicles 16:26; Job 13:4; Psalm 96:5; Psalm 97:7; Isaiah 2:8, 18, 20; Isaiah 10:10-11; Isaiah 19:1, 3; Isaiah 31:7; Jeremiah 14:14; Ezekiel 30:13; Habakkuk 2:18; Zechariah 11:17. Forms and Transliterations אֱלִ֣ל אֱלִילִ֑ים אֱלִילִ֔ים אֱלִילִ֗ם אֱלִילִ֥ים אֱלִילִים֙ אֱלִילֵ֣י אֱלִילֵ֤י אלילי אלילים אלילם אלל בָּאֱלִילִ֑ים באלילים הָ֣אֱלִילִ֔ים הָֽאֱלִיל֙ הָֽאֱלִילִים֙ הָאֱלִ֑יל האליל האלילים וְהָאֱלִילִ֖ים וְלֶאֱלִילֶ֑יהָ וֶֽאֱלִיל֙ וֶאֱלִילֵ֖י ואליל ואלילי והאלילים ולאליליה ’ĕ·lî·lê ’ĕ·lî·lim ’ĕ·lî·lîm ’ĕ·lil ’ĕlil ’ĕlîlê ’ĕlîlim ’ĕlîlîm bā’ĕlîlîm bā·’ĕ·lî·lîm baeliLim eLil eliLei eliLim hā’ĕlîl hā’ĕlîlîm hā·’ĕ·lî·lîm hā·’ĕ·lîl haeLil haeliLim veeLil veeliLei vehaeliLim veleeliLeiha we’ĕlîl we’ĕlîlê we·’ĕ·lî·lê we·’ĕ·lîl wə·hā·’ĕ·lî·lîm wə·le·’ĕ·lî·le·hā wəhā’ĕlîlîm wəle’ĕlîlehāLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Leviticus 19:4 HEB: תִּפְנוּ֙ אֶל־ הָ֣אֱלִילִ֔ים וֵֽאלֹהֵי֙ מַסֵּכָ֔ה NAS: Do not turn to idols or make KJV: Turn ye not unto idols, nor make INT: turn to idols gods molten Leviticus 26:1 1 Chronicles 16:26 Job 13:4 Psalm 96:5 Psalm 97:7 Isaiah 2:8 Isaiah 2:18 Isaiah 2:20 Isaiah 2:20 Isaiah 10:10 Isaiah 10:11 Isaiah 19:1 Isaiah 19:3 Isaiah 31:7 Isaiah 31:7 Jeremiah 14:14 Ezekiel 30:13 Habakkuk 2:18 Zechariah 11:17 20 Occurrences |
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