The Sidonians, inhabitants of the ancient city of Sidon, are frequently mentioned in the Bible as a people deeply entrenched in idolatry and superstition. Sidon, along with its sister city Tyre, was a prominent Phoenician city known for its wealth, maritime prowess, and religious practices that often stood in stark contrast to the monotheistic worship of Yahweh by the Israelites.

The Sidonians are often depicted in the Scriptures as practitioners of pagan rituals and worshipers of false gods. One of the most notable deities associated with the Sidonians is Ashtoreth, a goddess of fertility, love, and war. The Bible records that King Solomon, in his later years, was led astray by his foreign wives, including those from Sidon, to worship Ashtoreth. "Solomon followed Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians" (1 Kings 11:5). This act of idolatry was a significant factor in the division of the kingdom of Israel after Solomon's reign.

The Sidonian influence extended into Israel through intermarriage and political alliances, often leading the Israelites into idolatry. Jezebel, the infamous queen married to King Ahab of Israel, was a Sidonian princess and a fervent worshiper of Baal, another prominent deity. Her introduction of Baal worship into Israel is a testament to the pervasive and corrupting influence of Sidonian religious practices. The Bible recounts her efforts to establish Baal worship in Israel, which led to a severe spiritual decline and provoked the wrath of the prophet Elijah (1 Kings 16:31-33).

The Sidonians' reputation for superstition and idolatry is further highlighted in the prophetic literature. The prophet Isaiah, in his oracle against Tyre and Sidon, condemns their pride and reliance on false gods. "The LORD of Hosts has purposed it, to defile the splendor of all its glory, to shame all the renowned of the earth" (Isaiah 23:9). This passage underscores the divine judgment that was to come upon Sidon for its idolatrous practices.

Ezekiel also prophesies against Sidon, emphasizing the city's sinful reliance on its gods and the resulting divine retribution. "I will send a plague upon her and make blood flow in her streets; the slain will fall within her, while the sword is against her on every side. Then they will know that I am the LORD" (Ezekiel 28:23). This prophecy reflects the biblical view that the Sidonians' superstitious practices would ultimately lead to their downfall.

In the New Testament, Jesus references the cities of Tyre and Sidon in His rebuke of the unrepentant cities of Chorazin and Bethsaida. He states, "If the miracles performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes" (Matthew 11:21). This comparison highlights the hardness of heart found in these cities, despite their exposure to divine truth.

The Sidonians, through their persistent idolatry and superstitious practices, serve as a cautionary example in the biblical narrative. Their history is a reminder of the spiritual dangers posed by syncretism and the abandonment of true worship in favor of false deities.Jeremiah 27:3,9
And send them to the king of Edom, and to the king of Moab, and to the king of the Ammonites, and to the king of Tyrus, and to the king of Zidon, by the hand of the messengers which come to Jerusalem to Zedekiah king of Judah;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Acts XII
... (20) "Now Herod was enraged against the Tyrians and Sidonians. ... This historian mentions
some circumstances of a superstitious character in connection with this ...
/.../mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts xii.htm

Syria at the Beginning of the Egyptian Conquest
... The military highway from the Nile to the Euphrates: first section from Zalu to
Gaza-The Canaanites: their fortresses, their agricultural character: the forest ...
/.../chapter iisyria at the beginning.htm

The Power of Assyria at Its Zenith; Esarhaddon and Assur-Bani-Pal
... the strong religious feeling which formed the groundwork of his character, Esarhaddon
had ... own purposes; the Kalda on the Persian Gulf, and the Sidonians on the ...
/.../chapter iithe power of assyria 2.htm

The Last Days of the Old Eastern World
... On the other hand, the geographical information possessed by the Persians with regard
to the Danubian regions was of so vague a character, that Darius must ...
/.../chapter iithe last days of 2.htm

What does the Bible say about child sacrifice? | GotQuestions.org

Why did Jesus mention Tyre and Sidon in Luke 10:14? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Asherah / Ashtoreth? | GotQuestions.org

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