In the biblical narrative, stones are frequently mentioned as materials used in the construction of idols, which were objects of worship among various ancient cultures. The use of stone in idol-making is often highlighted in the Scriptures as a practice contrary to the worship of the one true God, Yahweh. The Bible consistently condemns the creation and worship of idols, emphasizing the futility and sinfulness of such practices.

The Old Testament provides numerous instances where stone idols are mentioned. In Leviticus 26:1 , God commands the Israelites, "You must not make idols for yourselves or set up a carved image or a sacred pillar, or place a sculpted stone in your land to bow down to it. For I am the LORD your God." This directive underscores the prohibition against creating and worshiping idols, including those made of stone.

The prophet Isaiah vividly describes the absurdity of idol worship in Isaiah 44:9-20. Although this passage does not exclusively focus on stone idols, it illustrates the general principle that idols, regardless of their material, are powerless and man-made. Isaiah 44:10-11 states, "Who fashions a god or casts an idol which profits him nothing? Behold, all his companions will be put to shame, for the craftsmen themselves are only human. Let them all assemble and take their stand; they will be brought to terror and shame."

In the historical context of Israel, the surrounding nations often worshiped deities represented by stone idols. The Canaanites, for example, had various stone idols and altars dedicated to their gods. The Israelites were repeatedly warned against adopting these practices. Deuteronomy 7:5 instructs, "Instead, this is what you are to do to them: Tear down their altars, smash their sacred stones, cut down their Asherah poles, and burn their idols in the fire."

The New Testament continues this theme, emphasizing the spiritual nature of true worship. In Acts 17:29 , the Apostle Paul, addressing the people of Athens, declares, "Therefore, being offspring of God, we should not think that the Divine Being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by man's skill and imagination." Here, Paul reiterates the biblical teaching that God cannot be represented by material objects, including stone.

Throughout Scripture, the use of stone in idol-making serves as a symbol of humanity's tendency to replace the worship of the Creator with the worship of created things. The biblical authors consistently call God's people to reject idolatry in all its forms and to worship Him alone, as He is the living God who cannot be confined to or represented by any physical object.Deuteronomy 4:28
And there you shall serve gods, the work of men's hands, wood and stone, which neither see, nor hear, nor eat, nor smell.
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Deuteronomy 28:36,64
The LORD shall bring you, and your king which you shall set over you, to a nation which neither you nor your fathers have known; and there shall you serve other gods, wood and stone.
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Deuteronomy 29:17
And you have seen their abominations, and their idols, wood and stone, silver and gold, which were among them:)
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2 Kings 19:18
And have cast their gods into the fire: for they were no gods, but the work of men's hands, wood and stone: therefore they have destroyed them.
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Isaiah 37:19
And have cast their gods into the fire: for they were no gods, but the work of men's hands, wood and stone: therefore they have destroyed them.
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Ezekiel 20:32
And that which comes into your mind shall not be at all, that you say, We will be as the heathen, as the families of the countries, to serve wood and stone.
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Idols not to be Made, Much Less Worshipped. Idols and Idol-Makers ...
... God prohibits an idol as much to be made as to ... The images of those things are idols;
the consecration of the ... Ye who serve stones, and ye who make images of gold ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/on idolatry/chapter iv idols not to be.htm

Of Marcellus, Bishop of Apamea, and the Idols' Temples Destroyed ...
... Marcellus, bishop of Apamea, and the idols' temples destroyed ... An attempt was made
to destroy the vast and ... break up its closely compacted stones seemed beyond ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of theodoret/chapter xxi of marcellus bishop of.htm

On the Words of the Gospel, John i. 10, "The World was Made ...
... beginning the Word was," not, "was made." So then ... we came, in our forefathers we
worshipped stones. ... a Canaanitish woman, a worshipper of idols, the handmaid of ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon lxxi on the words.htm

Acts of Sharbil, who was a Priest of Idols, and was Converted to ...
... mind, it is henceforth impossible that I should stumble at carved stones, or that ...
nor any likeness;" and therefore will I not sacrifice to idols made with hands ...
/.../unknown/the decretals/ancient syriac documents acts of.htm

Snake-Worship.
... They accordingly consecrated two old stone idols, made in the shape of serpents,
and ... stone into two or three pieces, and threw them away as common stones. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/hodson/old daniel/chapter three snake-worship.htm

The Christians Distinguish God from Matter.
... see how great is the interval which lies between them, pray to idols made of matter ...
for one thing, then certainly, in not regarding stocks and stones, gold and ...
/.../a plea for the christians/chapter xv the christians distinguish god.htm

Now it is not Recorded that any of the Gentile Churches did This.. ...
... this, because men who had for their gods idols made with hands ... to make it out that
their idols were only ... rivers." This husk shakes its rattling stones within a ...
/.../augustine/on christian doctrine in four books/chapter 11 now it is.htm

Psalm LX.
... compassing around of the Gentiles to idols made supplication, demons ... life present,
therefore there was made a heap ... frenzied men did use with stones to persecute ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm lx.htm

Impiety of Attributing a visible Form to God. --The Setting up of ...
... also the consecration of titles and stones which might ... worshipped superstitiously
whatever is bestowed upon idols is so ... out of Egypt before they made the calf. ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 11 impiety of attributing.htm

The Absurdity and Shamefulness of the Images by which the Gods are ...
... "Who shall refuse to look on any temples. And altars, worthless seats of
dumb stones,. And idols of stone, and images made by hands,. ...
/.../exhortation to the heathen/chapter iv the absurdity and shamefulness.htm

Is it possible for gold dust to come down during a church service? | GotQuestions.org

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