Topical Bible: Idolatry: Objects of Described as Graven Images

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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. Graven images, specifically, are physical representations or carvings that are worshiped or revered as deities. The Bible consistently condemns the creation and worship of such images, emphasizing the exclusive worship of the one true God.

Biblical Prohibition and Condemnation

The prohibition against graven images is prominently featured in the Ten Commandments. In Exodus 20:4-5 , God commands, "You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in the heavens above, on the earth below, or in the waters beneath. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God." This command underscores the seriousness with which God views the worship of anything other than Himself.

Examples of Graven Images in Scripture

Throughout the Old Testament, graven images are frequently mentioned as objects of false worship. One notable example is the golden calf created by the Israelites at Mount Sinai. In Exodus 32:4 , it is recorded, "He took the gold from their hands, and with an engraving tool he fashioned it into a molten calf. Then they said, 'These, O Israel, are your gods, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!'" This incident highlights the Israelites' quick turn to idolatry despite having witnessed God's mighty acts.

Another significant instance is found in the account of King Jeroboam, who established two golden calves for worship in Bethel and Dan. 1 Kings 12:28-30 states, "After seeking advice, the king made two golden calves and said to the people, 'It is too much trouble for you to go up to Jerusalem. Here are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt.' One calf he set up in Bethel, and the other in Dan. And this thing became a sin; the people walked as far as Dan to worship before one of the calves."

Prophetic Denunciations

The prophets of Israel frequently denounced the practice of idolatry and the use of graven images. Isaiah, for instance, ridicules the absurdity of worshiping man-made objects. In Isaiah 44:9-10 , he declares, "Those who fashion idols are nothing, and the things they treasure are worthless. Those who would speak up for them are blind; they are ignorant, to their own shame. Who fashions a god or casts an idol which profits him nothing?"

Jeremiah also speaks against the futility of idolatry, emphasizing the lifelessness of graven images. In Jeremiah 10:14-15 , he writes, "Every man is senseless and devoid of knowledge; every goldsmith is put to shame by his idols. For his molten images are a fraud; there is no breath in them. They are worthless, a work to be mocked. In the time of their punishment they will perish."

New Testament Perspective

The New Testament continues the condemnation of idolatry, urging believers to flee from it. In Acts 17:29 , Paul addresses the Athenians, saying, "Being then God’s offspring, we should not think that the Divine Being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by man’s skill and imagination." This reinforces the understanding that God cannot be represented by physical objects.

The apostle John also warns against idolatry in his epistles. In 1 John 5:21 , he succinctly advises, "Little children, keep yourselves from idols." This exhortation serves as a reminder to remain faithful to God and avoid the temptation of idol worship.

Conclusion

The biblical narrative consistently portrays graven images as objects of false worship, leading people away from the true God. The Scriptures call for exclusive devotion to God, rejecting any form of idolatry. Through the teachings of both the Old and New Testaments, believers are reminded of the importance of worshiping God in spirit and truth, free from the influence of man-made images.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Isaiah 45:20
Assemble yourselves and come; draw near together, you that are escaped of the nations: they have no knowledge that set up the wood of their graven image, and pray to a god that cannot save.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Hosea 11:2
As they called them, so they went from them: they sacrificed to Baalim, and burned incense to graven images.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

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

On Idolatry
... gods of foreign nations as objects of worship ... of God concerning that species of idolatry
which is ... execution of these threats, are described generally throughout ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/disputation 23 on idolatry.htm

The Preface to the Commandments
... [2] God is described by his ... Because we are led much by visible objects, and love
to have our ... places, because of the greatness of the sin of idolatry, which is ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/the ten commandments/1 3 the preface to the.htm

Original Sin
... Satan behind; we run into an idolatry whereof he ... that neither grand nor beautiful
objects please any ... of the ancient Heathens have largely described the vices ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 44 original sin.htm

Covenanting According to the Purposes of God.
... of a people who should be objects of this ... he shall be my son."[553] Jacob, described
as the ... me."[554] Israel, by falling into idolatry, manifestly disregarding ...
/.../the ordinance of covenanting/chapter viii covenanting according to.htm

Impiety of Attributing a visible Form to God. --The Setting up of ...
... how aid is implored from dead and senseless objects, by beings ... pretexts in defence
of the execrable idolatry in which ... in the very way which has been described. ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 11 impiety of attributing.htm

Exposition of the Moral Law.
... in themselves, has been partly described and will ... The grossest vice here prohibited
is external idolatry. ... either to the creatures or to graven images; and that ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 8 exposition of the.htm

John Bunyan on the Terms of Communion and Fellowship of Christians ...
... all upon the word,"the characters are described who are ... holiness in us, are the
delightful objects of this ... It is possible to commit idolatry even with God's ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/john bunyan on the terms.htm

Dialogue i. --The Immutable.
... give heed to the nature of the visible objects, but, by ... "He likens the world to Egypt;
its idolatry, to images ... they that are of this opinion described the flesh ...
/.../theodoret/the ecclesiastical history of theodoret/dialogue i the immutable.htm

Answer to Eunomius' Second Book .
... attributes are such as they are described, while, if ... sense, from the beauty of the
objects of contemplation ... by reason of the prevalence of idolatry, and making ...
/.../gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/answer to eunomius second book.htm