Topical Bible: Idolatry: Objects of Described as Other Gods

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Topical Encyclopedia

Idolatry, in the biblical context, refers to the worship or reverence of objects, images, or entities other than the one true God. This practice is consistently condemned throughout Scripture, as it represents a deviation from the worship of Yahweh, the God of Israel. The Bible frequently describes these objects of idolatry as "other gods," highlighting their false nature and the spiritual adultery involved in their veneration.

Biblical References and Descriptions

1. Golden Calf: One of the most infamous instances of idolatry in the Bible is the worship of the golden calf by the Israelites at Mount Sinai. In Exodus 32:4 , it is recorded that Aaron fashioned a calf from gold, and the people declared, "These, O Israel, are your gods, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!" This event underscores the Israelites' quick turn to idolatry despite witnessing God's mighty acts.

2. Baal and Asherah: The Canaanite deities Baal and Asherah are frequently mentioned as objects of idolatry. In Judges 2:11-13 , it is stated, "And the Israelites did evil in the sight of the LORD and served the Baals. They forsook the LORD, the God of their fathers, who had brought them out of Egypt. They followed and worshiped various gods of the peoples around them." The worship of Baal and Asherah involved rituals that were abhorrent to God, including child sacrifice and temple prostitution.

3. Dagon: The Philistine god Dagon is another example of an idol described as a false god. In 1 Samuel 5:2-4 , the Philistines placed the captured Ark of the Covenant in the temple of Dagon. The next morning, they found the idol fallen on its face before the Ark, illustrating the impotence of false gods before the true God.

4. Molech: The worship of Molech, often associated with child sacrifice, is condemned in Leviticus 18:21 : "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." This practice was a grave sin, representing a complete rejection of God's commandments and His character.

5. Chemosh and Milcom: Solomon's later years were marked by idolatry, as he built high places for Chemosh and Milcom, gods of the Moabites and Ammonites, respectively. 1 Kings 11:7 recounts, "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."

6. Astrology and Celestial Worship: The worship of celestial bodies is also addressed in Scripture. In Deuteronomy 4:19 , the Israelites are warned, "And when you look to the heavens and see the sun and moon and stars—all the host of heaven—do not be enticed to bow down and worship what the LORD your God has apportioned to all the nations under heaven."

Theological Implications

Idolatry is not merely the physical act of bowing to an image or statue; it represents a deeper spiritual infidelity and rebellion against God. The Bible portrays idolatry as a substitution of the Creator with the created, leading to moral and spiritual decay. The prophets frequently called Israel to repentance, urging them to return to the worship of Yahweh alone. The first and second commandments explicitly prohibit idolatry, emphasizing the exclusive worship of God: "You shall have no other gods before Me" (Exodus 20:3) and "You shall not make for yourself an idol" (Exodus 20:4).

Throughout the biblical narrative, idolatry is depicted as a pervasive temptation that leads to judgment and exile. Yet, God's call to repentance and His promise of restoration remain constant, offering hope to those who turn from idols to serve the living and true God.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Judges 2:12,17
And they forsook the LORD God of their fathers, which brought them out of the land of Egypt, and followed other gods, of the gods of the people that were round about them, and bowed themselves to them, and provoked the LORD to anger.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Kings 14:9
But have done evil above all that were before you: for you have gone and made you other gods, and molten images, to provoke me to anger, and have cast me behind your back:
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.
... With regard to the other two objects mentioned in ... Lord makes them disgusted with
idolatry, and all ... a disposition of heart so graphically described by Claudian ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/chapter iii.htm

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

The Section Chap. I. -iii.
... 2-4) the whole relation, as previously described, is presupposed. ... strict religion
of Jehovah to the idolatry of their ... is used in reference to objects which are ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/the section chap i -iii.htm

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

A Plea Regarding Christians by Athenagoras, the Athenian
... Idols and Idolatry. ... How much less can I call those objects gods, whose makers I know ...
their names, assigned them honors and functions, and described their forms ...
/.../richardson/early christian fathers/a plea regarding christians by.htm

Covenanting a Duty.
... in common conversation, as well as the idolatry of swearing ... has been shown that
Covenanting is described as a ... of men, is among the noblest objects of Christian ...
/.../cunningham/the ordinance of covenanting/chapter iii covenanting a duty.htm

For as Soon as He Understood that the Ignorant Multitudes were ...
... engaged in a work similar to that we have described. ... from its lofty height the most
distant objects on the ... demon-worship and the madness of idolatry prevailed. ...
/.../pamphilius/the life of constantine/chapter viii for as soon.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

The So-Called Letter to Diognetus
... The Stupidity of Idolatry. ... latter think that they are offering something to objects
which in ... In the rite of baptism described in Hippolytus' Apostolic Tradition ...
/.../richardson/early christian fathers/the so-called letter to diognetus.htm