Topical Bible: Idolatry: Objects of Described as Molten Gods

◄ Idolatry: Objects of Described as Molten Gods ►

Jump to: Torrey's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

In the biblical context, idolatry refers to the worship of idols or images as gods, which is strictly prohibited in the Scriptures. One specific form of idolatry mentioned in the Bible is the creation and worship of "molten gods." These are idols crafted from metal, often through a process of melting and casting, and are frequently condemned throughout the biblical narrative.

The prohibition against molten gods is clearly articulated in the Law given to the Israelites. In Exodus 34:17, the command is explicit: "Do not make for yourselves any gods of cast metal." This directive underscores the seriousness with which God views the creation of physical representations for worship, emphasizing His desire for His people to worship Him in spirit and truth, without reliance on physical images.

The incident of the golden calf is one of the most notable examples of molten gods in the Bible. In Exodus 32, while Moses was on Mount Sinai receiving the Ten Commandments, the Israelites grew impatient and asked Aaron to make them gods to lead them. Aaron complied by collecting gold from the people and fashioning it into a calf. The people then declared, "These are your gods, Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt" (Exodus 32:4). This act of idolatry provoked God's wrath, and Moses, upon descending from the mountain, destroyed the calf and rebuked the people for their sin.

The prophets also spoke against the practice of creating and worshiping molten gods. In Isaiah 44:9-10, the futility of idol-making is highlighted: "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 that can profit him nothing?" The prophet Isaiah ridicules the absurdity of worshiping objects made by human hands, emphasizing that such idols have no power or life.

Similarly, in Hosea 13:2, the prophet condemns the people of Israel for their continued idolatry: "Now they sin more and more; they make for themselves cast images, idols skillfully made from their silver, all of them the work of craftsmen. It is said of them, 'Let the men who sacrifice kiss the calves!'" This passage illustrates the deep entrenchment of idolatry in the culture and the people's misguided devotion to their own creations.

The New Testament continues to affirm the rejection of idolatry, including the worship of molten gods. In Acts 19:26, the Apostle Paul is accused by the silversmith Demetrius of persuading people that "gods made by human hands are not gods at all." This statement reflects the early Christian teaching that true worship is directed solely to the one true God, who is not represented by physical images or idols.

Throughout the Bible, the creation and worship of molten gods are consistently portrayed as acts of rebellion against God. These idols, crafted by human hands, are powerless and serve only to lead people away from the true worship of the living God. The biblical narrative calls believers to reject all forms of idolatry and to worship God alone, in accordance with His commandments.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Exodus 34:17
You shall make you no molten gods.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Leviticus 19:4
Turn you not to idols, nor make to yourselves molten gods: I am the LORD your God.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

On Idolatry
... take the gods of foreign nations as objects of worship ... of the two-fold idolatry which
has now been described. ... to a creature is pure from idolatry, except that ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/disputation 23 on idolatry.htm

CHAPTER III.
... any figurative covering, the effect is described which will be ... With regard to the
other two objects mentioned in ... belong to the side of idolatry; for, wherever ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/chapter iii.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

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

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

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... The prophets, their struggle against Phonician idolatry, the story ... lot given to each
tribe is described in Josh ... remnant of the sea-coast," as objects of God's ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.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

The Saints' Privilege and Profit;
... between grace and mercy is very striking: 'Mercy signifies pitifulness to objects
in a ... He ruleth or 'judgeth among the gods' (Psalm 82:1). There is a throne ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the saints privilege and profit.htm

Solomon's Temple Spiritualized
... Among the many striking objects to which Bunyan directs our wondering eyes, a few
should ... the east, to keep the people of God from committing of idolatry; to wit ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/solomons temple spiritualized.htm

part ii
... And as the soul is single, it cannot love two opposite objects"God and anything
worldly, man and anything material, very pleasing to our carnal man. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/calvin/my life in christ/part ii.htm