Topical Bible: Silver: Made Into: Idols

◄ Silver: Made Into: Idols ►

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Silver, a precious metal highly valued in ancient times, was often used in the creation of idols, which were objects of worship contrary to the teachings of the Bible. The use of silver for idolatry is mentioned in several passages throughout the Scriptures, highlighting the tension between the worship of the one true God and the allure of material wealth and false gods.

In the book of Exodus, the Israelites are explicitly commanded against the creation of idols. Exodus 20:23 states, "You are not to make any gods alongside Me; you are not to make for yourselves gods of silver or gold." This command underscores the prohibition against idolatry and the use of precious metals in crafting objects of worship.

The prophet Isaiah also speaks against the making of idols from silver. In Isaiah 2:20 , it is written, "In that day men will cast away to the moles and bats their idols of silver and gold, the idols they made to worship." This passage illustrates the futility and eventual rejection of silver idols, as people will ultimately recognize their worthlessness in the face of divine judgment.

Hosea, another prophet, condemns the idolatrous practices of the people of Israel, who used silver to create false gods. Hosea 13:2 declares, "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 verse highlights the increasing sinfulness associated with idol-making and the misguided devotion to these silver images.

In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul encounters the pervasive influence of idolatry in Ephesus, a city known for its worship of the goddess Artemis. Acts 19:24-27 recounts the account of Demetrius, a silversmith who made silver shrines of Artemis and incited a riot against Paul, fearing the loss of his trade. This account demonstrates the economic and cultural entrenchment of silver idols in society and the challenges faced by early Christians in confronting idolatry.

The Bible consistently warns against the creation and worship of idols, including those made of silver. These passages serve as a reminder of the spiritual dangers posed by idolatry and the importance of remaining faithful to the worship of God alone.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 115:4
Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men's hands.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Isaiah 2:20
In that day a man shall cast his idols of silver, and his idols of gold, which they made each one for himself to worship, to the moles and to the bats;
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Isaiah 30:22
You shall defile also the covering of your graven images of silver, and the ornament of your molten images of gold: you shall cast them away as a menstruous cloth; you shall say to it, Get you hence.
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Library

Of the Predicted Rejection of Idols.
... day a man shall cast away the abominations of gold and silver, the vain and evil
things which they made for worship, in order to go into the clefts ...
/.../the harmony of the gospels/chapter xxviii of the predicted rejection.htm

Idols not to be Made, Much Less Worshipped. Idols and Idol-Makers ...
... God prohibits an idol as much to be made as to ... of the angelic apostates, [180] would
turn into idolatry all ... and ye who make images of gold, and silver, and wood ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/on idolatry/chapter iv idols not to be.htm

The Vanity of Idols.
... them, before they were formed by the arts of these [workmen] into the shape ... without
appointing any persons to guard them; but those made of silver and gold ...
/.../the epistle of mathetes to diognetus/chapter ii the vanity of idols.htm

He Compares the Doctrine of the Platonists Concerning the Logos ...
... borrowed from heathenism, reference may be made to Trench's ... transformed into an idol,
than into an ornament for ... and ornaments of gold and silver, and garments ...
/.../the confessions and letters of st/chapter ix he compares the doctrine.htm

The Dispersion of the Jews, and their Desolate Condition for ...
... For it began to come to pass from that day, when, according to Isaiah, "a man threw
away his idols of gold and of silver, which they made into useless and ...
/.../the five books against marcion/chapter xxiii the dispersion of the.htm

Psalm CXXXV.
... the Lord saying, "I have come for judgment into this world ... The idols of the Gentiles
are silver and gold ... As God made all these things, who made whatever He would ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm cxxxv.htm

A Discourse which was in the Presence of Antoninus C??sar
... do they worship the gold or the silver considered as ... fire, and offering their raiment
to idols, and, while ... carpenter's, and it is carved and made into an image ...
//christianbookshelf.org/unknown/the decretals/i a discourse which was.htm

How Upon the Death of Jotham, Ahaz Reigned in his Stead; against ...
... ambassadors, came to assist Ahaz, and made war upon ... and transplanted the people of
Damascus into the Upper ... in the king's treasures, and the silver, and what ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 12 how upon the.htm

No Gods which are Made with Hands.
... other material, to their original nature; I mean into cups and ... that if they are of
gold, or silver, or brass. ... the value of the material of which they are made. ...
/.../unknown/the clementine homilies/chapter viii no gods which are.htm

Image Worship Condemned by Scripture.
... Scripture, which tells us beforehand when it says [129] , "Their idols are silver
and gold ... and bake bread upon it, but the residue they made into gods, and ...
/.../select works and letters or athanasius/section 14 image worship condemned.htm