Topical Bible: The Moon: Worshipping of Forbidden to the Jews

◄ The Moon: Worshipping of Forbidden to the Jews ►

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

Topical Encyclopedia

The moon, as one of the celestial bodies created by God, holds a significant place in the biblical narrative. It serves as a marker for times and seasons, as stated in Genesis 1:14: "And God said, 'Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark seasons and days and years.'" However, the worship of the moon, along with other celestial bodies, is explicitly forbidden to the Israelites, as it is considered idolatry.

Prohibition of Moon Worship

The prohibition against worshipping the moon is rooted in the broader commandment against idolatry. 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." This command underscores the belief that the celestial bodies, while part of God's creation, are not to be objects of worship.

Further reinforcing this prohibition, Deuteronomy 17:2-5 outlines the severe consequences for those who engage in such practices: "If a man or woman among you in one of the towns that the LORD your God will give you is found doing evil in the sight of the LORD your God by transgressing His covenant and going to worship other gods, bowing down to them or to the sun or moon or any of the host of heaven—which I have forbidden—and if it is reported to you and you hear about it, you must investigate it thoroughly. If it is true and confirmed that this detestable thing has been done in Israel, you must bring out to your gates that man or woman who has done this evil thing and stone that person to death."

Historical Context and Challenges

Throughout their history, the Israelites faced numerous temptations to adopt the religious practices of surrounding nations, many of which included the worship of celestial bodies. The Canaanites, for example, were known for their worship of the moon god, among other deities. This cultural and religious milieu posed a constant challenge to the Israelites' fidelity to Yahweh.

The prophets frequently addressed the issue of idolatry, including the worship of the moon. In 2 Kings 23:5, during the reforms of King Josiah, it is recorded: "Then he removed from the entrance to the temple of the LORD all the articles made for Baal and Asherah and all the starry hosts. He burned them outside Jerusalem in the fields of the Kidron Valley and carried their ashes to Bethel." This passage highlights the ongoing struggle against idolatrous practices, including those involving the moon.

Theological Implications

The prohibition against moon worship is deeply rooted in the theological understanding of God's sovereignty and uniqueness. The first commandment, "You shall have no other gods before Me" (Exodus 20:3), establishes the foundation for exclusive worship of Yahweh. The worship of the moon or any other created entity is seen as a direct violation of this commandment and an affront to the Creator.

The biblical narrative consistently emphasizes that the moon, like the sun and stars, is a creation of God, serving His purposes and under His control. Psalm 104:19 states, "He made the moon to mark the seasons; the sun knows when to set." This understanding reinforces the idea that the moon, while significant, is not divine and should not be an object of worship.

In summary, the worship of the moon is explicitly forbidden to the Jews, as it constitutes idolatry and a violation of the covenant relationship with God. The biblical texts provide clear instructions and warnings against such practices, emphasizing the importance of exclusive devotion to Yahweh.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Deuteronomy 4:19
And lest you lift up your eyes to heaven, and when you see the sun, and the moon, and the stars, even all the host of heaven, should be driven to worship them, and serve them, which the LORD your God has divided to all nations under the whole heaven.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Book 13 Footnotes
... the Jews for building it, and for worshipping the true ... of time, besides one eclipse
of the moon in the ... such religious Jews, who were utterly forbidden such arts ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/book 13 footnotes.htm

The Second Commandment
... a false god is forbidden; in this, worshipping the true ... to his mind, and that which
he has expressly forbidden? ... in heaven, earth, water,' sun, moon, stars, male ...
/.../watson/the ten commandments/2 2 the second commandment.htm

Psalm LXXIV.
... when Moses was thus wroth with them worshipping and adoring ... would be Gods by means
of the forbidden food ... carnal...."Thou hast made perfect sun and moon:" the sun ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm lxxiv.htm

Period ii. The Post-Apostolic Age: AD 100-AD 140
... fact evident by an act, that is, by worshipping our gods ... has received no wrong, because
it is forbidden to indulge ... of the stars, with the sun and moon, formed a ...
/.../a source book for ancient church history/period ii the post-apostolic age .htm

Whether Sufficient Reason Can be Assigned for the Ceremonies ...
... not to be worshipped, for this was forbidden by the ... who used to offer sacrifices
to the moon at that ... Moses, God forgave the people's sin of worshipping the calf ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether sufficient reason can be.htm

Whether There Can be any Suitable Cause for the Sacraments of the ...
... of the sin they had committed in worshipping a calf ... stones denoted the two hemispheres,
or the sun and moon. ... Thus it is forbidden that he should be blind, ie he ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether there can be any 2.htm

Naasseni Ascribe their System, through Mariamne, to James the ...
... But should the Moon pass into concupiscence for Endymion, and ... Worshipping, however,
Cyllenius with especial distinction, they style him ... [339] Or, "forbidden.". ...
/.../the refutation of all heresies/chapter ii naasseni ascribe their system.htm

On the Words, Crucified and Buried.
... The moon in the night bears witness; the day bears ... who was sent, and crucified for
us, and worshipping also God ... the bread of the Eucharist was forbidden in the ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/lecture xiii on the words.htm

Book ii.
... 8] who, while they accuse us for not worshipping the same ... are the things then that
we are commanded or forbidden? ... the earth, the sun and the moon, the waters ...
//christianbookshelf.org/josephus/against apion/book ii.htm

The Book of Jubilees
... the day" in which he ate the forbidden fruit, one ... about the folly and wickedness
of worshipping idols; and ... ii.); "but the moon confuses and mars the order, and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/deane/pseudepigrapha/the book of jubilees.htm