Topical Bible: Idolatry: The Jews: Followed the Syrians In

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Idolatry, the worship of idols or false gods, is a recurring theme in the history of the Israelites, often leading them away from the worship of Yahweh, the one true God. The influence of surrounding nations, including the Syrians, played a significant role in the Israelites' repeated lapses into idolatry.

The Syrians, known for their pantheon of deities, had a profound impact on the religious practices of the Israelites during various periods of their history. The allure of Syrian gods and religious customs often tempted the Israelites, leading them to adopt these practices in direct violation of the commandments given to them by God.

One of the most notable instances of the Israelites following the Syrians into idolatry occurred during the reign of King Ahaz of Judah. Ahaz, influenced by the Assyrian king Tiglath-Pileser III, adopted the worship of foreign gods. In 2 Kings 16:10-12 , it is recorded that Ahaz visited Damascus to meet Tiglath-Pileser and saw an altar there. He sent a model of the altar to Uriah the priest, who built a similar altar in Jerusalem. This act of adopting a foreign altar for worship was a clear indication of the influence of Syrian religious practices on the Israelites.

Furthermore, the prophet Isaiah condemned the idolatrous practices that had infiltrated Judah, warning of the consequences of forsaking the Lord for foreign gods. Isaiah 2:6 states, "For You have rejected Your people, the house of Jacob, because they are filled with influences from the east and practice divination like the Philistines; they clasp hands with the children of foreigners."

The Israelites' inclination to follow the Syrians into idolatry was not limited to the southern kingdom of Judah. The northern kingdom of Israel also fell into similar practices. The prophet Hosea lamented the spiritual adultery of Israel, as they turned to Baal worship and other idolatrous practices. Hosea 4:17 declares, "Ephraim is joined to idols; leave him alone!"

The influence of Syrian idolatry was part of a broader pattern of syncretism, where the Israelites combined elements of their worship of Yahweh with the practices of surrounding nations. This syncretism was a direct violation of the first and second commandments, which prohibited the worship of other gods and the making of idols (Exodus 20:3-4).

The consequences of following the Syrians and other nations into idolatry were severe. The prophets consistently warned that such practices would lead to divine judgment and exile. Despite these warnings, the Israelites' repeated lapses into idolatry ultimately led to the fall of both the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah.

In summary, the Israelites' adoption of Syrian idolatrous practices was a significant factor in their spiritual decline. The allure of foreign gods and the influence of surrounding nations often led them away from their covenant relationship with Yahweh, resulting in severe consequences for their disobedience.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Judges 10:6
And the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the LORD, and served Baalim, and Ashtaroth, and the gods of Syria, and the gods of Zidon, and the gods of Moab, and the gods of the children of Ammon, and the gods of the Philistines, and forsook the LORD, and served not him.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Jews and Gentiles in "The Land"
... around the districts inhabited by the Jews the country ... During the troubled period
which followed, there was a ... language, so Grecian rites and idolatry prevailed ...
/.../edersheim/sketches of jewish social life/chapter 2 jews and gentiles.htm

Book 8 Footnotes
... notion of the modern Jews, and followed by many ... acquainted with the affairs of the
Jews; for as ... displeasure and indignation against that idolatry and rebellion ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/book 8 footnotes.htm

The Kingdom Op Judah.
... a slaughter of one another, that the Jews had nothing to ... To strengthen his dominion,
he followed the example of ... and he permitted and encouraged idolatry in the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson vii the kingdom op.htm

The Kingdom of Samaria.
... warned by the fate of Nadab, but followed the same ... were massacred, and the land purified
from this idolatry. ... slew one hundred and twenty thousand Jews in one ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson viii the kingdom of.htm

The Prophet Joel.
... of Judah, and allowed free scope to idolatry. ... the former calamities inflicted by
the Syrians; and then ... According to Jerome, the Jews followed the latter view. ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/the prophet joel.htm

Book 13 Footnotes
... of the worshippers of the true God without idolatry, as the ... where the sacred hooks
of the Jews were deficient ... of them lost,] which he faithfully followed in his ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/book 13 footnotes.htm

Joshua's Conquest.
... would have occurred and Joshua would have followed Exodus and ... of the old world and
the Jews were simply ... Idolatry, vice and superstition were everywhere and the ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter viii joshuas conquest.htm

The Twelve Minor Prophets.
... differs from the Masoretic, which is followed in our ... of all the patrons of idolatry
and the ... By the slanderous representations of the Jews' enemies this work ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxiii the twelve minor.htm

In Judaea
... led the pilgrim way from Galilee, followed by our ... be broken, except those in regard
to idolatry, incest, and ... been found, whose death was imputed to the Jews. ...
/.../edersheim/sketches of jewish social life/chapter 5 in judaea.htm

The Prophet Hosea.
... readily acknowledge, as he does, their advantages,"for "Salvation cometh of the
Jews.". ... Image-worship was very speedily followed by idolatry,"which is ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/the prophet hosea.htm