Topical Bible: Idolatry: Objects of Described as Idols of Abomination

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Idolatry, in the biblical context, refers to the worship of idols or images as gods, which is strictly forbidden in the Scriptures. The Bible frequently describes these idols as "abominations," emphasizing the severity of this sin in the eyes of God. The term "abomination" is used to convey the utter detestability and repulsiveness of idolatry to the Lord.

Biblical References to Idols as Abominations

1. Deuteronomy 7:25-26: "You must burn up the images of their gods. Do not covet the silver or gold that is on them, and do not take it for yourselves, or you will be ensnared by it, for it is detestable to the LORD your God. You must not bring any detestable thing into your house, or you will be set apart for destruction like it. You must utterly detest and abhor it, for it is set apart for destruction."

In this passage, the Israelites are commanded to destroy the idols of the nations they conquer. The idols are described as "detestable" and are not to be coveted or brought into their homes, highlighting the danger of idolatry leading to spiritual ensnarement.

2. 1 Kings 11:5-7: "Solomon followed Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians and Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites. So Solomon did evil in the sight of the LORD; unlike his father David, he did not follow the LORD completely. At that time on a hill east of Jerusalem, Solomon built a high place for Chemosh the abomination of Moab and for Molech the abomination of the Ammonites."

King Solomon, despite his wisdom, fell into the sin of idolatry by worshiping foreign gods. These gods, such as Milcom, Chemosh, and Molech, are explicitly called "abominations," indicating their offensive nature to God and the spiritual corruption they bring.

3. Ezekiel 8:9-10: "And He said to me, 'Go in and see the wicked abominations they are committing here.' So I went in and looked, and I saw every form of creeping thing and detestable beast, and all the idols of the house of Israel, carved all around the wall."

In Ezekiel's vision, the idolatry of Israel is revealed as a series of "wicked abominations." The imagery of creeping things and detestable beasts underscores the grotesque and abhorrent nature of these idols in the sight of God.

4. Jeremiah 16:18: "I will repay them double for their iniquity and their sin, because they have defiled My land with the carcasses of their detestable idols and have filled My inheritance with their abominations."

Here, the prophet Jeremiah speaks of the judgment that will come upon the people for defiling the land with "detestable idols" and "abominations." The use of these terms highlights the severity of their sin and the resulting divine retribution.

Theological Implications

The consistent description of idols as "abominations" throughout the Bible underscores the gravity of idolatry. It is not merely a cultural or religious misstep but a profound spiritual betrayal against the one true God. Idolatry represents a turning away from the Creator to worship created things, which is fundamentally opposed to the worship and reverence due to God alone.

The biblical injunctions against idolatry serve as a warning to remain faithful to God and to avoid the spiritual and moral corruption that accompanies the worship of false gods. The language of abomination reflects God's holiness and the call for His people to be set apart, rejecting all forms of idolatry and maintaining purity in their worship and devotion.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Ezekiel 16:36
Thus said the Lord GOD; Because your filthiness was poured out, and your nakedness discovered through your prostitutions with your lovers, and with all the idols of your abominations, and by the blood of your children, which you did give to them;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Covenanting According to the Purposes of God.
... was of a people who should be objects of this ... Lord, in a familiar passage is explicitly
described.[520] From ... of the world."[524] The sin of those is idolatry. ...
/.../the ordinance of covenanting/chapter viii covenanting according to.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

Titus ii. 14-Nov
... well be such as I have described, seeing their ... worldly lusts, and covetousness, and
this he names idolatry. ... there is no comparison between the objects of our ...
/.../homily v titus ii 14-nov.htm

CHAP. II. 4-25 (2-23).
... increases [Pg 241] the zeal in idolatry; compare Jeremiah ... and return are in a touching
manner described by our ... that Hosea enumerates the three objects, just in ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/chap ii 25-apr 2-23.htm

The Prophecies
... looked around them and seen some pleasing objects, have given ... Daniel 12:7. Having
described all the extent of ... That then idolatry would be overthrown; that this ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pascal/pensees/section xi the prophecies.htm

The Second vision "On Earth"
... Human beings are the objects of their assaults. ... And here, it is idolatry of the grossest
kind ... the sounding of the sixth Angel and its results as described in "r ...
/.../bullinger/commentary on revelation/the second vision on earth.htm

Exposition of the Moral Law.
... in themselves, has been partly described and will ... his sacred Deity from all idols
and fictitious gods. ... The grossest vice here prohibited is external idolatry. ...
/.../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

Against Jovinianus.
... of the living God, but shrines and idols of the ... But, if our adversary objects that
this saying relates ... thy table." Therefore his grave is described as placed ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/against jovinianus.htm

A Holy Life the Beauty of Christianity: Or, an Exhortation to ...
... they made them idols.' The sin of idolatry threw their ... your minds and affections
upon other objects, and let ... see the fruits of repentance as described by the ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a holy life the beauty.htm