Topical Bible: Idolatry: Idols Mentioned in Scripture: Queen of Heaven

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Topical Encyclopedia

The term "Queen of Heaven" appears in the Bible as a reference to a pagan deity worshiped by certain groups in ancient Israel and Judah, particularly during times of spiritual apostasy. This idolatrous practice is explicitly condemned in the Scriptures, as it represents a departure from the worship of the one true God, Yahweh.

Biblical References:

The primary references to the "Queen of Heaven" are found in the book of Jeremiah. The prophet Jeremiah, under divine inspiration, rebukes the people of Judah for their idolatrous practices, which include offerings made to this deity. In Jeremiah 7:18 , it is written: "The children gather wood, the fathers light the fire, and the women knead dough to make cakes for the Queen of Heaven. They pour out drink offerings to other gods to provoke Me to anger."

This passage highlights the communal nature of the idolatry, involving entire families in the worship of the Queen of Heaven. The making of cakes and pouring out of drink offerings were acts of devotion that directly violated the first commandment, which prohibits the worship of any gods other than Yahweh.

Further condemnation is found in Jeremiah 44, where the prophet addresses the remnant of Judah living in Egypt. Despite witnessing the consequences of their idolatry, the people persist in their worship of the Queen of Heaven. Jeremiah 44:17-19 records their defiant response: "Instead, we will do everything we vowed to make offerings to the Queen of Heaven and pour out drink offerings to her, just as we, our fathers, our kings, and our officials did in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem."

The people's insistence on continuing these practices, despite the clear warnings and judgments from God, underscores the deep-seated nature of their rebellion and the allure of idolatry.

Historical and Cultural Context:

The identity of the "Queen of Heaven" is not explicitly detailed in the biblical text, but scholars often associate her with various goddesses from the ancient Near East. Some suggest connections to Ishtar, Astarte, or Asherah, deities linked to fertility, love, and war. These goddesses were widely worshiped in the surrounding cultures, and their influence infiltrated Israelite society during periods of spiritual decline.

The worship of the Queen of Heaven likely involved rituals intended to secure fertility and prosperity, reflecting the agrarian concerns of the people. Such practices were attractive because they promised tangible benefits, yet they were in direct opposition to the covenantal relationship between Yahweh and His people.

Theological Implications:

The worship of the Queen of Heaven represents a significant theological breach, as it involves attributing divine power and authority to a created being rather than the Creator. This idolatry not only provokes God's righteous anger but also leads to spiritual and moral decay among His people.

The biblical denunciation of the Queen of Heaven serves as a warning against the seduction of idolatry in all its forms. It calls believers to exclusive devotion to God, who alone is worthy of worship and who demands fidelity from His covenant people. The narrative of the Queen of Heaven in Scripture is a poignant reminder of the consequences of turning away from God and the importance of maintaining purity in worship.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Jeremiah 44:17,25
But we will certainly do whatever thing goes forth out of our own mouth, to burn incense to the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings to her, as we have done, we, and our fathers, our kings, and our princes, in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem: for then had we plenty of victuals, and were well, and saw no evil.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

On Idolatry
... been accused of having committed idolatry; for, by ... impious and unlawful adoration
of idols, by the ... who resembles the "adulterous woman" mentioned in Proverbs 30 ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/disputation 23 on idolatry.htm

The Desolations of the Lord, the Consolation of his Saints
... Or, if any of them be mentioned, are they not a by-word ... Hath not that idolatry passed
away ... yesterday, to-day, and for ever." One generation of idols hath passed ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/the desolations of the lord.htm

CHAP. II. 4-25 (2-23).
... hvbiw] never occurs in the first-mentioned signification. ... 2:26."The "lovers" are
the idols; compare the ... people not to contract sin by idolatry, because that ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/chap ii 25-apr 2-23.htm

Nature of Covenanting.
... as when neither hand is specifically mentioned in any ... of Israel were peculiarly exposed
was that of idolatry. ... mouth, instead of the names of idols, the name of ...
/.../cunningham/the ordinance of covenanting/chapter i nature of covenanting.htm

Bede's Ecclesiastical History of England
... Earconbert, King of Kent, ordered the idols to be ... Saxons, during a pestilence, returned
to idolatry, but were ... How the above-mentioned Ceadda was made Bishop of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bede/bedes ecclesiastical history of england/

The First vision "On Earth"
... words of Hosea 10:8. Similar phenomena are again mentioned under the ... as elsewhere)
is always used with reference to idols and idolatry (see Deuteronomy 5:26 ...
/.../bullinger/commentary on revelation/the first vision on earth.htm

Obadiah; Or, Early Piety Eminent Piety
... and never bow his knee before the abhorred idols of the ... You and I do not want to
be mentioned if we are ... but he felt that without yielding to idolatry he could ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 30 1884/obadiah or early piety eminent.htm

The Sixth vision "On Earth"
... 6; xvi.2; xx.7, 8). Doubtless the idols and idolatry ... head, and shown the source and
origin of all idolatry. ... The woman and the Beast are first mentioned in brief ...
/.../bullinger/commentary on revelation/the sixth vision on earth.htm

The Sibylline Oracles.
... which Rome shall be overthrown and idolatry abolished; then ... and abstain from things
offered to idols." Among the ... [368] Another prodigy, mentioned also elsewhere ...
//christianbookshelf.org/deane/pseudepigrapha/the sibylline oracles.htm

The Bible
... world) and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.". ... harlot signifying fornication,
and fornication, idolatry"image worship ... of God is not once mentioned; but it ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/haldeman/christ christianity and the bible/the bible.htm