Topical Bible: Idolatry: Objects of, Worshipped in Groves

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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 notable settings for such idolatrous practices was the groves, often associated with the worship of foreign deities and the violation of the covenant relationship between God and His people.

Biblical References and Context

The worship of idols in groves is frequently mentioned in the Old Testament, where it is depicted as a significant transgression against the commandments of God. The groves, or "Asherah poles," were often erected near altars dedicated to Baal and other Canaanite deities. These sites were typically located on high places or in lush, wooded areas, which were considered sacred by the surrounding pagan cultures.

In Deuteronomy 16:21, the Israelites are explicitly commanded, "Do not set up any wooden Asherah pole beside the altar you build to the LORD your God." This directive underscores the prohibition against incorporating pagan symbols and practices into the worship of Yahweh.

The Book of Judges provides an account of Gideon, who was instructed by God to tear down his father's altar to Baal and cut down the Asherah pole beside it (Judges 6:25-26). This act of obedience was a direct challenge to the idolatrous practices that had infiltrated Israelite society.

Historical and Cultural Significance

The groves were not merely physical locations but represented a broader cultural and spiritual apostasy. They were often associated with fertility rites and other practices that were abhorrent to the worship of the one true God. The presence of these objects in Israel was a reflection of the influence of neighboring nations and their gods, which the Israelites were repeatedly warned against.

In 1 Kings 14:23, it is recorded, "They also built for themselves high places, sacred pillars, and Asherah poles on every high hill and under every green tree." This passage highlights the widespread nature of idolatry and the allure of these practices, which led the people away from their covenantal obligations.

Prophetic Condemnation and Reform

The prophets of Israel consistently condemned the worship of idols in groves, calling the people to repentance and a return to the worship of Yahweh. Isaiah, Jeremiah, and other prophets spoke against these practices, emphasizing the futility and deception of idol worship.

King Josiah's reforms, as described in 2 Kings 23, included the destruction of the high places and the removal of the Asherah poles. Verse 6 states, "He brought the Asherah pole from the house of the LORD to the Kidron Valley outside Jerusalem, burned it there, ground it to powder, and threw its dust on the graves of the common people." Josiah's actions were a decisive effort to purify the land and restore true worship.

Theological Implications

The worship of idols in groves represents a fundamental breach of the first and second commandments, which call for exclusive devotion to God and prohibit the making of graven images (Exodus 20:3-4). This idolatry was not merely a cultural issue but a spiritual rebellion against God's sovereignty and holiness.

The biblical narrative consistently portrays idolatry as a snare that leads to moral and spiritual decay. The groves, as centers of idol worship, symbolize the seductive power of false religion and the constant challenge of maintaining faithfulness to God amidst a pluralistic and often hostile environment.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Exodus 34:13
But you shall destroy their altars, break their images, and cut down their groves:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

On Idolatry
... to sin and of increasing the crime of idolatry; (1 Kings 12 ... take the gods of foreign
nations as objects of worship ... which is esteemed as a god be worshipped in an ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/disputation 23 on idolatry.htm

A Discourse
... debauchery, inhumanity, profaneness, superstition, and idolatry,' will be ... is called
God, or that is worshipped (2 Thessalonians ... the eye out at, to objects at a ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a discourse.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

The Iranian Conquest
... personifications of natural phenomena which were the chief objects of worship ...
Darmesteter considers that the earliest Achaemenids worshipped Ahura-mazda alone ...
/.../chapter ithe iranian conquest.htm