Topical Bible: Moon: Worship of, Forbidden

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The worship of the moon, along with other celestial bodies, is explicitly forbidden in the Bible. This prohibition is rooted in the monotheistic foundation of the Israelite faith, which demands exclusive devotion to Yahweh, the one true God. The ancient Near Eastern context in which the Israelites lived was replete with astral worship, including the veneration of the moon, often personified as a deity. The biblical texts consistently reject such practices, emphasizing the sovereignty of God over all creation, including the celestial bodies.

Deuteronomy 4:19 warns the Israelites against being led astray by the allure of the heavens: "And when you look to the heavens and see the sun and moon and stars—all the host of heaven—do not be enticed to bow down and worship what the LORD your God has apportioned to all the nations under heaven." This verse underscores the idea that the celestial bodies, while part of God's creation, are not to be objects of worship. They are created entities, serving their purpose under God's command, and are not divine in themselves.

In Deuteronomy 17:2-5, the law prescribes severe consequences for those who engage in the worship of the moon or other celestial bodies: "If a man or woman among you in one of the towns that the LORD your God will give you is found doing evil in the sight of the LORD your God by transgressing His covenant and going to worship other gods, bowing down to them or to the sun or moon or any of the host of heaven—which I have forbidden—and if it is reported to you and you hear about it, you must investigate it thoroughly. If it is true and confirmed that this detestable thing has been done in Israel, you must bring out to your gates that man or woman who has done this evil thing and stone that person to death." This passage highlights the seriousness with which God views idolatry, particularly the worship of celestial bodies, as a breach of His covenant with Israel.

The prophet Jeremiah also addresses the issue of astral worship in Jeremiah 8:2, where he speaks of the judgment that will come upon those who have worshiped the sun, moon, and stars: "They will be exposed to the sun and the moon and all the host of heaven, which they have loved and served, and which they have followed and consulted and worshiped. They will not be gathered or buried, but will be like dung lying on the ground." This imagery of exposure and disgrace serves as a stark warning against the futility and danger of idolatry.

In the historical narrative, 2 Kings 23:5 recounts King Josiah's reforms, which included the removal of idolatrous priests who had burned incense to the sun, moon, and constellations: "Then he removed the idolatrous priests appointed by the kings of Judah to burn incense on the high places of the cities of Judah and in the places around Jerusalem—those who burned incense to Baal, to the sun and moon and constellations, and to all the host of heaven." Josiah's actions reflect a return to the covenantal faithfulness demanded by God, purging the land of practices that were abhorrent to Him.

The biblical injunctions against moon worship are part of a broader theological framework that affirms God's unique and unparalleled divinity. The celestial bodies, while magnificent and awe-inspiring, are part of the created order and are not to be revered as deities. The consistent biblical message is one of exclusive worship and allegiance to Yahweh, the Creator of the heavens and the earth.

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Deuteronomy 4:19
And lest you lift up your eyes to heaven, and when you see the sun, and the moon, and the stars, even all the host of heaven, should be driven to worship them, and serve them, which the LORD your God has divided to all nations under the whole heaven.
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Deuteronomy 17:3
And has gone and served other gods, and worshipped them, either the sun, or moon, or any of the host of heaven, which I have not commanded;
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Library

All Association with Idols is to be Avoided.
... men to shine upon them, but not for worship; although the ... swear by the sun, or by
the moon, or by ... Judaic corruption, and on that account was forbidden; and if ...
/.../constitutions of the holy apostles/sec ii all association with idols.htm

The Balance of Powers in Nature Shews that it is not God, Either ...
... proper limits, and it in its turn is forbidden by autumn ... to combine, the name of
gods, or to worship them with ... not then likely that the sun or the moon, or any ...
/.../athanasius/select works and letters or athanasius/section 29 the balance of.htm

Appendix iii. Rabbinic views as to the Lawfulness of Images ...
... that they were used for purposes of worship, and that ... except those of the sun and
moon, [6324] likewise ... as regarded signet-rings, that it was forbidden to have ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/appendix iii rabbinic views as.htm

The Foundations of Good Citizenship.
... Moses alone ascends the mountain, while the people are forbidden to approach. ... is
probably that it was originally connected with the worship of the moon. ...
/.../kent/the making of a nation/study x the foundations of.htm

The Lord's Day --The Worship of the Apostolic Church --Its ...
... respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of ... But in the worship of the primitive
Christians there was ... the members of the Church were not forbidden to speak ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/killen/the ancient church/chapter i the lords daythe.htm

Israel in Canaan.
... were devoted, and an especial Ashtoreth, the moon, or Queen of ... Well might such worship
be called abomination, and the Israelites be forbidden to hold any ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson v israel in canaan.htm

Whether the Third Precept of the Decalogue, Concerning the ...
... God; and in this way the work of worship, which pertains ... In this sense servile work
is not forbidden on the Sabbath ... day in their feasts of the new moon." It is ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the third precept of.htm

Whether Sufficient Reason Can be Assigned for the Ceremonies ...
... were set up, not to be worshipped, for this was forbidden by the ... was kept at the
new moon: and not at the full moon, to avoid the worship of idolaters ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether sufficient reason can be.htm

Of Porphyry's Epistle to Anebo, in which He Asks for Information ...
... as divine works, and closely allied to the worship of the ... and other exhalations;
why the initiated are forbidden to touch ... man, but to the sun and moon, or some ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 11 of porphyrys epistle to.htm

Whether the Production of Light is Fittingly Assigned to the First ...
... creatures; for they would have paid them Divine worship, since they were prone to
worship as gods even the sun, moon, and stars, which was forbidden them (Dt.4 ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the production of light.htm