Topical Bible: Idolatry: Objects of Gods of Egypt

◄ Idolatry: Objects of Gods of Egypt ►

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Topical Encyclopedia

Idolatry in ancient Egypt was characterized by the worship of a multitude of deities, each represented by various objects and symbols. The Egyptians believed in a pantheon of gods and goddesses, each associated with specific aspects of life and nature. These deities were often depicted in human form, animal form, or a combination of both, and were worshiped through idols and images crafted from stone, wood, metal, and other materials.

Biblical Context

The Bible frequently references the idolatry of Egypt, highlighting the spiritual conflict between the worship of the one true God and the polytheistic practices of the Egyptians. In the book of Exodus, God demonstrates His supremacy over the gods of Egypt through the ten plagues, each of which can be seen as a direct challenge to specific Egyptian deities. For instance, the plague of darkness (Exodus 10:21-23) challenged Ra, the sun god, while the plague of frogs (Exodus 8:1-15) targeted Heqet, the frog-headed goddess of fertility.

Objects of Worship

1. Apis Bull: The Apis bull was one of the most significant animal deities in Egyptian religion, symbolizing strength and fertility. It was considered a living manifestation of the god Ptah and later associated with Osiris. The worship of the Apis bull is indirectly referenced in the Bible when the Israelites create a golden calf at Mount Sinai (Exodus 32:1-4), an act of idolatry that echoes Egyptian practices.

2. Sacred Animals: Various animals were considered sacred and were associated with specific gods. For example, the cat was linked to Bastet, the goddess of home and fertility, while the crocodile was associated with Sobek, the god of the Nile. These animals were often kept in temples and revered as earthly representatives of the gods.

3. Statues and Images: Egyptian temples housed numerous statues and images of gods, often crafted from precious materials. These idols were central to religious rituals and were believed to be imbued with the presence of the deity they represented. The Bible condemns the making and worship of such images, as seen in the commandment, "You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in the heavens above or on the earth below or in the waters beneath" (Exodus 20:4).

4. Obelisks and Pillars: These towering structures were often erected in honor of the sun god Ra and were believed to channel divine power. The Bible mentions the destruction of such pillars as part of the eradication of idolatry, as in the case of King Josiah, who "broke down the altars" and "cut down the Asherah poles" (2 Kings 23:12-14).

5. Amulets and Talismans: Egyptians commonly wore amulets and talismans inscribed with the names or symbols of gods for protection and blessing. These objects were believed to hold magical properties and were an integral part of daily life and religious practice.

Theological Implications

The worship of Egyptian gods through these objects was a direct violation of the first commandment, "You shall have no other gods before Me" (Exodus 20:3). The Bible consistently portrays idolatry as a grave sin, leading to spiritual adultery and separation from God. The Israelites' repeated temptation to adopt Egyptian idolatrous practices serves as a cautionary tale of the dangers of syncretism and the need for unwavering devotion to the one true God.

Nave's Topical Index

Exodus 12:12
For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the LORD.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

The Various Developments of Idolatry: Worship of the Heavenly ...
... 9. The various developments of idolatry: worship of ... heavenly bodies, the elements,
natural objects, fabulous creatures ... ventured to erect into gods their rulers ...
/.../select works and letters or athanasius/section 9 the various developments.htm

A Jealous God
... other, but when we carry love to idolatry, and put ... and to your famihes, "Put away
the strange gods that are ... persons who continue to live for objects other than ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 9 1863/a jealous god.htm

The Axe at the Root --A Testimony against Puseyite Idolatry
... and rotten rags, called relics, are the objects of adoration ... of Egypt they said,
"Let us make gods that they ... last they had so far gone into idolatry that they ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 12 1866/the axe at the roota.htm

Spiritual Idolatry
... rather than turn to the worship of those gods whom they ... In a word, so many objects
as there are in ... up in their hearts, so many species of idolatry they practise ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 78 spiritual idolatry.htm

Egypt
... torn to pieces, and the precious objects that had ... popular superstition and idolatry,
and the idolatry and culture ... ended by building shrines to the gods of the ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter v egypt.htm

On Idolatry
... to take the gods of foreign nations as objects of worship ... paid to a creature is pure
from idolatry, except that ... thereunto, and said, these be thy gods, O Israel ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/disputation 23 on idolatry.htm

The Golden Calf
... was the people who said, 'These be thy gods, O Israel ... to be directed to Him, is,
in His sight, rank idolatry. ... to give up everything for the sake of its objects. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the golden calf.htm

Paul and Barnabas in Lystra.
... city had been honoured with a visit of the Gods. ... All the objects around us bear witness
to the ... to God for our deliverance from that gross idolatry, which once ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xv paul and barnabas.htm

Impiety of Attributing a visible Form to God. --The Setting up of ...
... is implored from dead and senseless objects, by beings ... pretexts in defence of the
execrable idolatry in which ... Aaron saying, that these were the gods which had ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 11 impiety of attributing.htm

False Brethren and False Principles in the Church: Spirit and ...
... They know that your gods feel nothing; they gnaw them, they trample and ... upon all
who assisted in the fabrication of these objects of the heathen idolatry. ...
/.../killen/the ancient church/chapter iii false brethren and.htm