Topical Bible: Egypt: The Country of: Idols of

◄ Egypt: The Country of: Idols of ►

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Egypt, a prominent nation in biblical history, is frequently associated with idolatry and the worship of false gods. The land of Egypt, with its rich cultural and religious heritage, was known for its pantheon of deities and elaborate religious practices, which often stood in stark contrast to the monotheistic worship of Yahweh by the Israelites.

Idolatry in Egypt

The Bible often references the idolatrous practices of Egypt, highlighting the nation's devotion to a multitude of gods and goddesses. These deities were often represented in the form of idols, which were crafted from various materials such as wood, stone, and precious metals. The Egyptians worshiped gods associated with natural elements, animals, and celestial bodies, reflecting their understanding of the world and the divine.

Biblical References to Egyptian Idols

The prophet Isaiah speaks of the futility of Egyptian idols, declaring that they would tremble before the power of the Lord. In Isaiah 19:1 , it is written: "Behold, the LORD rides on a swift cloud and is coming to Egypt. The idols of Egypt will tremble before Him, and the hearts of the Egyptians will melt within them." This passage underscores the impotence of Egyptian idols in the face of the true God.

Jeremiah also prophesies against the idols of Egypt, foretelling their destruction. In Jeremiah 43:12-13 , the prophet states: "He will set fire to the temples of the gods of Egypt; he will burn them and take them captive. As a shepherd wraps himself in his garment, so will he wrap Egypt around himself, and he will depart from there unscathed. He will demolish the sacred pillars of the temple of the sun in the land of Egypt and will burn down the temples of the gods of Egypt."

The Exodus and Egyptian Idolatry

The narrative of the Exodus is a pivotal moment in the biblical account of Egypt's idolatry. The plagues that God sent upon Egypt were not only judgments against Pharaoh and his people but also direct challenges to the gods of Egypt. Each plague demonstrated the superiority of Yahweh over the Egyptian deities, culminating in the deliverance of the Israelites from bondage.

In Exodus 12:12 , God declares: "On that night I will pass through the land of Egypt and strike down every firstborn—both men and animals—and I will execute judgment against all the gods of Egypt. I am the LORD." This statement highlights the spiritual dimension of the plagues as acts of divine judgment against the false gods of Egypt.

The Influence of Egyptian Idolatry on Israel

Despite their deliverance from Egypt, the Israelites struggled with the temptation of idolatry, influenced by their time in the land. This is evident in the incident of the golden calf, where the Israelites fashioned an idol reminiscent of Egyptian worship practices. In Exodus 32:4 , it is recorded: "He took the gold from their hands, and with an engraving tool he fashioned it into a molten calf, which they said, 'These, O Israel, are your gods, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!'"

Conclusion

The biblical portrayal of Egypt as a land of idols serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of idolatry and the importance of exclusive devotion to the one true God. The narratives and prophecies concerning Egypt's idols emphasize the power and sovereignty of Yahweh over all false gods and the ultimate futility of idolatrous worship.

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Ezekiel 20:7,8
Then said I to them, Cast you away every man the abominations of his eyes, and defile not yourselves with the idols of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.
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Library

Egypt.
... and many of them had begun to worship their idols and forget ... Moses was then sent
to Egypt to lead out the ... and wonders that were sent on the country were such ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson iii egypt.htm

The Story of Moses, the Child who was Found in the River
... who served the Lord God, while the Egyptians worshipped idols and animals. ... had now
become his enemy, Moses went away from Egypt into a country in Arabia ...
/.../marshall/the wonder book of bible stories/the story of moses the.htm

The Plagues of Egypt
... Thou shalt know that the idols of Egypt are nothing ... that particular time in that
particular country, to work ... may become lice throughout all the land of Egypt.'. ...
/.../kingsley/the gospel of the pentateuch/sermon x the plagues of.htm

The Events which Happened at this Time to Dionysius and those in ...
... a few of the heathen forsook the idols and turned ... and more familiar to us, yet the
country was said ... us much intercourse with the brethren from Egypt, so that ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter xi the events which happened.htm

The Flight into Egypt and St. John the Baptist in the Desert
... idol fell down in a small temple, and afterwards all the idols fell ... all collected
together in one city; they had migrated to Egypt from their own country. ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/xvi the flight into egypt.htm

The Temple of Serapis (Ad 391)
... Nile, which floods the country at a certain season; and the heathens had long said
that the Christians were afraid to destroy the idols of Egypt, lest the gods ...
/.../chapter xvi the temple of.htm

Egypt
... of the aboriginal tribes of India and identified the idols of the populace ... Hordes
of invaders poured into Egypt from Asia and overran the whole country. ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter v egypt.htm

The Return of the Holy Family from Egypt
... who had taken the Holy Family's part when the idols collapsed in ... journey home as
they had done when warned to flee into Egypt. ... The Jews in this country were so ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/xvii the return of the.htm

How Hermes Openly Confessed the Error of his Forefathers, the ...
... Nor was this the case only in Egypt, for which country alone the ... he was drawn into
fellowship with them,"into the fellowship not of stolid idols, but of ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 24 how hermes openly confessed.htm

Nineveh.
... Sennacherib undertook an expedition into Egypt, and on ... all the remaining Israelites
from their country, and filled ... These, bringing their idols into the land of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson ix nineveh.htm