Topical Bible: Idolatry: Objects of, Worshipped in Temples

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Idolatry, the worship of idols or images as divine, is a recurrent theme in the Bible, often depicted as a grievous sin against the one true God. The practice of idolatry is frequently associated with the worship of various objects within temples, which were considered sacred spaces dedicated to these false deities. The Bible provides numerous accounts of such practices, highlighting the spiritual and moral decline that accompanies idolatry.

Golden Calves

One of the most infamous instances of idol worship in the Bible is the creation of the golden calf by the Israelites at Mount Sinai. While Moses was on the mountain receiving the Law from God, the people grew impatient and demanded that Aaron make them gods to lead them. Aaron complied, fashioning a calf from their gold jewelry. The people then proclaimed, "These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!" (Exodus 32:4). This act of idolatry provoked God's wrath and led to severe consequences for the Israelites.

Baal and Asherah

Baal and Asherah were prominent deities worshipped in the ancient Near East, often associated with fertility and nature. The worship of Baal was particularly prevalent among the Canaanites, and the Israelites frequently fell into the snare of Baal worship. Temples dedicated to Baal often contained altars and images of the deity. The prophet Elijah famously confronted the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel, challenging them to a contest to demonstrate the power of the true God (1 Kings 18:20-40).

Asherah, often considered a consort of Baal, was worshipped through wooden poles or carved images placed in high places or near altars. The Bible records numerous instances where the Israelites erected Asherah poles, provoking God's anger. King Josiah, in his reforms, destroyed these objects of idolatry, as recorded in 2 Kings 23:6: "He brought the Asherah pole from the house of the LORD to the Kidron Valley outside Jerusalem, and there he burned it, ground it to powder, and threw its dust on the graves of the common people" .

Dagon

Dagon was a deity worshipped by the Philistines, often depicted as a fish-god or a god of grain. The temple of Dagon is mentioned in the account of Samson, who was brought there to entertain the Philistines. In a final act of strength, Samson pulled down the pillars of the temple, killing himself and many Philistines (Judges 16:23-30). The Ark of the Covenant was also placed in the temple of Dagon, leading to the idol's downfall before the presence of the true God (1 Samuel 5:2-4).

Molech

Molech was a god associated with the Ammonites, and his worship involved the abhorrent practice of child sacrifice. The Bible explicitly condemns the worship of Molech, warning the Israelites against adopting such detestable practices. Leviticus 18:21 states, "You must not give any of your children to be sacrificed to Molech, for you must not profane the name of your God. I am the LORD" . Despite these warnings, some Israelites, including King Solomon, fell into the sin of Molech worship, building high places for this idol (1 Kings 11:7).

Conclusion

The worship of idols in temples, as depicted in the Bible, serves as a stark reminder of the spiritual dangers of turning away from the worship of the one true God. These accounts underscore the importance of faithfulness and obedience to God's commandments, as well as the consequences of idolatry.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Kings 5:18
In this thing the LORD pardon your servant, that when my master goes into the house of Rimmon to worship there, and he leans on my hand, and I bow myself in the house of Rimmon: when I bow down myself in the house of Rimmon, the LORD pardon your servant in this thing.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

A Statement in vindication of the Doctrine of the Apostles as ...
... Doctrine of the Apostles as Opposed to Idolatry, in the ... of the prophets that all
these objects which those ... whether the God of Israel also worshipped their gods ...
/.../the harmony of the gospels/chapter xxxii a statement in vindication.htm

The Axe at the Root --A Testimony against Puseyite Idolatry
... and rotten rags, called relics, are the objects of adoration ... itself, and in one shape
or another idolatry is the ... And is he to be worshipped with your organs ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 12 1866/the axe at the roota.htm

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

Paul in Athens.
... them this character, because he had observed that their city was "wholly given to
idolatry." The objects of worship ... "Neither is he worshipped with men's ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xx paul in athens.htm

Acts xvii. 16, 17
... him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry. ... of idols." Nowhere else were
so many objects [867] of ... with hands" (v.24), "neither is worshipped with men's ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xxxviii acts xvii 16.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

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

The Uproar in Ephesus.
... silver shrines for Diana, who was worshipped in the ... Ephesians placed in their houses
as objects of private ... While the votaries of idolatry and superstition have ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xxiii the uproar in.htm

The Danger of Deviating from Divine Institutions.
... Adoration offered to other than God, is idolatry. ... to inferior deities, who were
worshipped as mediators ... the worshippers entertained of the objects of their ...
/.../lee/sermons on various important subjects/sermon xxviii the danger of.htm

Impiety of Attributing a visible Form to God. --The Setting up of ...
... For we know that the Sun was worshipped by the ... bodies, giving the name of deities
to objects, which, if ... us learn how prone our nature is to idolatry, that we ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 11 impiety of attributing.htm