Topical Encyclopedia Kaiwan is a deity mentioned in the Old Testament, specifically in the book of Amos. The reference to Kaiwan is found in Amos 5:26, where the prophet Amos addresses the Israelites regarding their idolatrous practices. The Berean Standard Bible translates this verse as follows: "You have lifted up the shrine of your king and the pedestal of your idols, the star of your god—Kaiwan, which you made for yourselves."Historical and Cultural Context Kaiwan is often associated with astral worship, particularly the veneration of celestial bodies such as stars and planets. In the ancient Near Eastern context, astral deities were commonly worshiped, and Kaiwan is believed to be linked to the planet Saturn. The worship of celestial bodies was prevalent among various cultures surrounding Israel, including the Babylonians and Assyrians, who had a pantheon of gods associated with stars and planets. Biblical Context The mention of Kaiwan in Amos 5:26 is part of a larger prophetic rebuke against the Northern Kingdom of Israel. Amos, a prophet from the Southern Kingdom of Judah, was sent by God to call out the social injustices and religious syncretism prevalent in Israel. The Israelites had adopted the worship of foreign deities, incorporating these practices into their religious life, which was a direct violation of the covenantal relationship they had with Yahweh. The reference to Kaiwan highlights the Israelites' departure from monotheistic worship and their engagement in idolatry. This idolatry was not merely the worship of physical idols but also included the adoption of foreign religious customs and the worship of deities like Kaiwan, which were contrary to the worship of Yahweh. Theological Implications From a theological perspective, the worship of Kaiwan represents a significant breach of the first commandment, which prohibits the worship of other gods (Exodus 20:3). The Israelites' idolatry is seen as a form of spiritual adultery, where they forsake their exclusive devotion to Yahweh in favor of foreign deities. This act of unfaithfulness is a recurring theme in the prophetic literature, where the prophets call the people back to covenant faithfulness and warn of impending judgment if they continue in their idolatrous ways. Interpretation and Application In the conservative Christian tradition, the mention of Kaiwan serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of idolatry and syncretism. It underscores the importance of maintaining purity in worship and the need for believers to guard against the influence of secular and pagan practices that can lead them away from a true and devoted relationship with God. The call to exclusive worship of Yahweh is as relevant today as it was in the time of Amos, reminding believers to examine their own lives for any form of idolatry that may hinder their walk with God. Concordance Kaiwan (1 Occurrence)Amos 5:26 Thesaurus Kaiwan (1 Occurrence)...Kaiwan (1 Occurrence). Amos 5:26 Truly, you will take up Saccuth your king and Kaiwan your images, the star of your god, which you made for yourselves. ... /k/kaiwan.htm - 6k Kain (2 Occurrences) Kallai (1 Occurrence) Saccuth (1 Occurrence) Resources Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus |
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