Topical Bible: Idolatry: Objects of Described as Abominations

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Idolatry, in the biblical context, refers to the worship of idols or images as gods, and it is consistently condemned throughout Scripture. The objects of idolatry are often described as abominations, highlighting their detestable nature in the sight of the Lord. This entry explores the biblical portrayal of these objects and the strong language used to describe them.

Biblical References and Descriptions

1. Graven Images and Carved Idols: The Bible frequently refers to graven images and carved idols as abominations. In Deuteronomy 7:25-26 , the Israelites are commanded, "You must burn up the images of their gods. Do not covet the silver or gold that is on them, or take it for yourselves, or you will be ensnared by it, for it is detestable to the LORD your God. And you must not bring an abomination into your house, or you will be set apart for destruction like it. You are to utterly detest and abhor it, because it is set apart for destruction."

2. Idols of the Nations: The idols of the surrounding nations are often described as worthless and detestable. In 2 Kings 17:12 , it is stated, "They served idols, although the LORD had told them, 'You shall not do this thing.'" The narrative continues to emphasize the futility and abominable nature of these idols.

3. The Abomination of the Golden Calf: One of the most infamous instances of idolatry in the Bible is the creation of the golden calf by the Israelites in Exodus 32. This act is described as a great sin and an abomination, provoking the Lord's anger. In Exodus 32:7-8 , God says to Moses, "Go down at once, for your people, whom you brought up out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves. How quickly they have turned aside from the way I commanded them! They have made for themselves a molten calf, have bowed down to it, sacrificed to it, and said, 'These, O Israel, are your gods, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt.'"

4. The Abomination of the Detestable Practices: In Ezekiel 8:10-12 , the prophet Ezekiel is shown the abominations committed by the elders of Israel, who worship images of creeping things and detestable beasts. The passage reads, "So I went in and looked, and I saw all kinds of crawling creatures and detestable beasts, along with all the idols of the house of Israel, carved all around the wall. And before them stood seventy elders of the house of Israel, with Jaazaniah son of Shaphan standing among them. Each had a censer in his hand, and a fragrant cloud of incense was rising. 'Son of man,' He said to me, 'do you see what the elders of the house of Israel are doing in the darkness, each at the shrine of his own idol? For they are saying, "The LORD does not see us; the LORD has forsaken the land."'"

5. The Abomination of Human Sacrifice: Some forms of idolatry involved the horrific practice of human sacrifice, which is described as an abomination. In Deuteronomy 12:31 , the Israelites are warned, "You must not worship the LORD your God in their way, because they practice for their gods every abomination which the LORD hates. They even burn their sons and daughters in the fire as sacrifices to their gods."

Theological Implications

The biblical portrayal of idolatry as an abomination underscores the severity of turning away from the worship of the one true God. Idolatry is not merely a misguided act of devotion but a profound violation of the covenant relationship between God and His people. The use of the term "abomination" reflects the deep offense idolatry causes to God's holiness and the destructive impact it has on the spiritual and moral fabric of the community. The consistent biblical message is a call to exclusive worship of the Lord, rejecting all forms of idolatry and the objects associated with it.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Isaiah 44:19
And none considers in his heart, neither is there knowledge nor understanding to say, I have burned part of it in the fire; yes, also I have baked bread on the coals thereof; I have roasted flesh, and eaten it: and shall I make the residue thereof an abomination? shall I fall down to the stock of a tree?
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Jeremiah 32:34
But they set their abominations in the house, which is called by my name, to defile it.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Harbinger
... The shocking effect of their idolatry upon their moral ... attainments in arts and science,
is described by the ... they are possessed of and the vast objects they aim ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/messiah vol 1/sermon ii the harbinger.htm

A Jealous God
... In Ezekiel we find the false god described as "the image ... other, but when we carry
love to idolatry, and put ... persons who continue to live for objects other than ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 9 1863/a jealous god.htm

Proposition Though the Necessity and Indispensableness of all the ...
... This cannot be better described than in the ... to withdraw their thoughts from sensual
objects, and fasten ... natural consequence of which absurd idolatry, and also ...
/.../v proposition v though the.htm

The Seventh Commandment
... the beasts; therefore the adulterer is described like a ... himself with women, and they
enticed him to idolatry. ... not be tempted with vain objects; the Scripture ...
/.../watson/the ten commandments/2 7 the seventh commandment.htm

What Carey did for Literature and for Humanity
... no unfair means of rendering even idolatry detestable," but he ... class who had been
the special objects of Christ's ... of a leper, which he thus described:""A pit ...
/.../smith/the life of william carey/chapter xi what carey did.htm

The Case of all the Protestant or Reformed Churches, With
... that certain external things, which are objects of the ... of the spirit of lies and
idolatry, is two ... 8.) The reformed say, that the personage thus described is the ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/disputation 22 the case of.htm

Acts 17:16-17. Athens.
... The result is told us: the interview is carefully described. ... side by side; let the
same objects be presented to ... when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry.". ...
/.../chapter ix acts 17 16-17 athens.htm

Whether There Can be any Suitable Cause for the Sacraments of the ...
... touch was contracted even by inanimate objects; for whatever ... was in any way connected
with idolatry should be ... robe" of Aaron "was the whole world" described. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether there can be any 2.htm

India as Carey Found It
... and loving words of Fuller on "the objects you must ... tormented in this life by idolatry,
superstition, and ... be now above 144,000,000, is thus described after an ...
/.../smith/the life of william carey/chapter iii india as carey.htm

The Prophet Joel.
... of the prince's of Judah, and allowed free scope to idolatry. ... The object of joy is
here described, first, figuratively ... Amos 7:4, 5, where, as objects of hostile ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/the prophet joel.htm