Topical Bible: Idolatry: Objects of, Worshipped: Under Trees

◄ Idolatry: Objects of, Worshipped: Under Trees ►

Jump to: Torrey's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

In the biblical context, idolatry refers to the worship of idols or images as gods, which is strictly prohibited in the Scriptures. One of the recurring themes in the Old Testament is the worship of idols under trees, a practice that was prevalent among the pagan nations surrounding Israel and, at times, adopted by the Israelites themselves.

Biblical References:

1. Deuteronomy 12:2-3 : "You must completely destroy all the places where the nations you are dispossessing have served their gods—on the high mountains, on the hills, and under every green tree. Tear down their altars, smash their sacred stones, and burn up their Asherah poles; cut down the idols of their gods and wipe out their names from those places."

This passage highlights God's command to the Israelites to eradicate all forms of idol worship, including those conducted under trees. The "green tree" is often associated with fertility cults and the worship of nature deities, which were common among the Canaanites.

2. 1 Kings 14:23 : "For they also built for themselves high places, sacred pillars, and Asherah poles on every high hill and under every green tree."

Here, the text describes the actions of the Israelites who, influenced by surrounding cultures, engaged in idolatrous practices. The mention of "every green tree" indicates the widespread nature of this form of worship, which was contrary to the worship of Yahweh.

3. 2 Kings 16:4 : "And he sacrificed and burned incense on the high places, on the hills, and under every green tree."

This verse refers to King Ahaz of Judah, who participated in idolatrous practices, including those under trees. Such actions were seen as a direct violation of the covenant relationship between God and His people.

4. Isaiah 57:5 : "Who burn with lust among the oaks, under every green tree, who slaughter children in the ravines, under the clefts of the rocks?"

The prophet Isaiah condemns the Israelites for their idolatrous practices, which included immoral acts and child sacrifice. The reference to "oaks" and "every green tree" underscores the association of these locations with pagan worship.

5. Jeremiah 2:20 : "For long ago you broke your yoke and tore off your bonds, saying, 'I will not serve!' Indeed, on every high hill and under every green tree you lay down as a prostitute."

Jeremiah uses the imagery of a prostitute to describe Israel's unfaithfulness to God through idolatry. The "green tree" serves as a symbol of the places where Israel engaged in spiritual adultery.

Cultural and Religious Context:

The worship of idols under trees was often linked to fertility rites and the veneration of nature deities, such as Asherah, a goddess associated with trees and fertility. These practices were deeply ingrained in the religious life of the Canaanites and other neighboring peoples. The Israelites, despite being called to worship the one true God, frequently fell into the temptation of adopting these pagan customs.

The use of trees in idol worship can be attributed to their symbolic representation of life, fertility, and sustenance. In the ancient Near Eastern context, trees were often seen as sacred and were believed to be dwelling places for deities. This belief led to the establishment of cultic sites under trees, where rituals and sacrifices were performed.

Theological Implications:

From a theological perspective, the worship of idols under trees represents a direct challenge to the sovereignty and exclusivity of Yahweh as the one true God. It signifies a departure from the covenantal relationship established at Sinai, where the Israelites were commanded to worship God alone and to reject all forms of idolatry.

The biblical condemnation of idol worship under trees serves as a reminder of the dangers of syncretism and the need for faithfulness to God's commandments. It underscores the importance of worshiping God in spirit and truth, free from the influences of surrounding cultures and their idolatrous practices.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Isaiah 57:5
Enflaming yourselves with idols under every green tree, slaying the children in the valleys under the clefts of the rocks?
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Jeremiah 2:20
For of old time I have broken your yoke, and burst your bands; and you said, I will not transgress; when on every high hill and under every green tree you wander, playing the harlot.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Paul and Barnabas in Lystra.
... true God continued to be known and worshipped long after ... All the objects around us
bear witness to the ... for our deliverance from that gross idolatry, which once ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xv paul and barnabas.htm

Refutation of the Gentiles --Continued
... The objects of worship formerly were varied and countless ... the weakness of their own
idolatry, at the ... deserting those whom formerly they worshipped, they worship ...
/.../athanasius/on the incarnation of the word/chapter 8 refutation of the.htm

False Brethren and False Principles in the Church: Spirit and ...
... have pictures in the church, lest that which is worshipped and adored be ... upon all
who assisted in the fabrication of these objects of the heathen idolatry. ...
/.../killen/the ancient church/chapter iii false brethren and.htm

Faustus Repels the Charge of Sun-Worship
... unchangeable; for He alone is to be worshipped, in the ... The objects of your worship
can be shown to have ... that this very explanation of their idolatry, on which ...
/.../faustus repels the charge of.htm

The Preface to the Commandments
... They worshipped creeping things, as the crocodile, and the Indian ... Why is it that
we are prone to idolatry? Because we are led much by visible objects, and love ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/the ten commandments/1 3 the preface to the.htm

The Mission of Paul and Silas to Macedonia.
... involved in the thick darkness of ignorance and idolatry. ... of the city of Thyatira,
which worshipped God, heard ... detaching him from the unhallowed objects of his ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xvii the mission of.htm

Christian Behavior
... 4,5). We are by faith made good trees, and shall ... should have worshipped at Jerusalem,
they worshipped at Bethel ... at Gilgal and Dan, in gardens, under poplars and ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/christian behavior.htm

CHAP. II. 4-25 (2-23).
... not accidental that Hosea enumerates the three objects, just in ... this is only a species
of the idolatry of all ... one and the same Baal was worshipped according to ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/chap ii 25-apr 2-23.htm

Isaiah
... Isaiah heaps upon the common objects of men's ... the impotence of superstition and idolatry
and material ... and be in consequence honoured and worshipped on Egyptian ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/isaiah.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... I.--- The prophets, their struggle against Phonician idolatry, the story ... in a list
of strange gods worshipped at Memphis ... of the sea-coast," as objects of God's ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm