Topical Encyclopedia The moon, as one of the prominent celestial bodies created by God, holds a significant place in the biblical narrative. In the Hebrew Bible, the moon is often mentioned in conjunction with the sun as part of God's creation, serving as a marker for times and seasons (Genesis 1:14-16). However, the moon also became an object of idolatrous worship, which the Israelites were repeatedly warned against.Idolatry and the Moon The worship of the moon, along with other celestial bodies, was a common practice among the pagan nations surrounding Israel. The Canaanites, Babylonians, and other ancient Near Eastern cultures often revered the moon as a deity. This form of idolatry was strictly prohibited by the Mosaic Law. In Deuteronomy 4:19, the Israelites are cautioned: "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." Despite these clear prohibitions, there are instances in the biblical record where the Israelites fell into the sin of worshipping the moon. This apostasy is highlighted in several prophetic rebukes. For example, in 2 Kings 23:5, during the reforms of King Josiah, it is recorded that he "did away with the idolatrous priests appointed by the kings of Judah to burn incense on the high places of the cities of Judah and the places around Jerusalem—those who burned incense to Baal, to the sun and moon, and to the constellations and all the host of heaven." Prophetic Condemnation The prophets of Israel consistently condemned the worship of the moon and other celestial bodies. Jeremiah, in particular, denounced this practice as part of the broader idolatry that led to Judah's downfall. In Jeremiah 8:2, the prophet declares that the bones of the leaders of Judah "will be spread out before the sun and the moon and all the host of heaven, which they have loved and served, and which they have followed and consulted and worshiped. They will not be gathered or buried, but will be like dung lying on the ground." Similarly, the prophet Ezekiel, in his vision of the abominations in the temple, describes the idolatrous practices of the people, which included the worship of celestial bodies (Ezekiel 8:16). These acts of idolatry were seen as a direct affront to the sovereignty of Yahweh, who alone is to be worshipped. Theological Implications The worship of the moon by the Israelites is a reflection of the broader struggle against idolatry that permeates the Old Testament narrative. It underscores the tension between the call to exclusive worship of Yahweh and the temptation to adopt the religious practices of surrounding nations. The moon, as a created entity, is a testament to God's creative power and is not to be an object of worship. The biblical injunctions against moon worship serve as a reminder of the importance of fidelity to the covenant relationship with God, who is the Creator of all things. In summary, while the moon is acknowledged in Scripture as part of God's good creation, the Israelites' occasional lapse into its worship is consistently condemned by the biblical authors. This idolatry is portrayed as a violation of the first commandment and a deviation from the true worship of Yahweh. Torrey's Topical Textbook 2 Kings 23:5And he put down the idolatrous priests, whom the kings of Judah had ordained to burn incense in the high places in the cities of Judah, and in the places round about Jerusalem; them also that burned incense to Baal, to the sun, and to the moon, and to the planets, and to all the host of heaven. Torrey's Topical Textbook Jeremiah 8:2 Library The Jews Make all Ready for the War; and Simon, the Son of Gioras ... Ten Reasons Demonstrating the Commandment of the Sabbath to be ... Rom. I. 18 The Night of Miracles on the Lake of Gennesaret On Idolatry Period ii. The Post-Apostolic Age: AD 100-AD 140 The New Covenant. A Discourse of Mercifulness Faustus Rejects the Old Testament Because it Leaves no Room for ... Psalm XLV. Resources What was Abraham's religion before God called him? | GotQuestions.orgIs an eclipse a sign of the end times? | GotQuestions.org How is the date for Easter determined? | GotQuestions.org Moon: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Moon: Feast of the New Moon: Traffic at the Time of, Prohibited Moon: Joseph's Dream Concerning The Moon of Changeableness of the World The Moon of Fairness of the Church The Moon of Glory of Christ in the Church The Moon: (Becoming Blood) of Judgments The Moon: (Withdrawing Her Light) Deep Calamities The Moon: Appointed by an Ordinance for Ever The Moon: Appointed for a Light in the Firmament The Moon: Appointed for Signs and Seasons The Moon: Appointed for the Benefit of All The Moon: Appointed: To Divide Day from Night The Moon: Appointed: To Light the Earth by Night The Moon: Appointed: To Rule the Night The Moon: Called the Lesser Light The Moon: First Appearance of, a Time of Festivity The Moon: Has a Glory of Its Own The Moon: Influences Vegetation The Moon: Lunacy Attributed to the Influence of The Moon: Miracles Connected With: Signs In, Before the Destruction of Jerusalem The Moon: Miracles Connected With: Standing Still in Ajalon The Moon: Worshipped As the Queen of Heaven The Moon: Worshipping of Condemned As Atheism The Moon: Worshipping of Forbidden to the Jews The Moon: Worshipping of Jews often Guilty of The Moon: Worshipping of Jews Punished For The Moon: Worshipping of To be Punished With Death Related Terms The-not-beloved (1 Occurrence) Kir'iath-je'arim (18 Occurrences) Kirjathjearim (17 Occurrences) Vine-dressers (18 Occurrences) Kirjath-jearim (17 Occurrences) Kibroth-hattaavah (5 Occurrences) |
    |