IDOLATRY (IN THE BIBLE)

In the OT, idolatry was strictly prohibited; Yahweh is represented as a "jealous God" who tolerates no other god or idol besides Him (Ex 20.3–6; Dt 5.7–10). However, the Israelites at various times in their history committed idolatry, worshiping Canaanitic and Mesopotamian deities (Nm 25.3; Jgs 2.12; 3.37; 1 Kgs 14.22–24; 2 Kgs

21.2–7; Hos 2.8–13; Am 8.14; Jer 2.23). Various deities, symbols, and images were worshiped, e.g., the Canaanite god baal (represented as a bull), the goddess astarte, the stars, and the sun. After the division of Solomon's kingdom Jeroboam I sponsored idolatrous worship of the cities Dan and bethel (1 Kgs 12.29–33). Ahab, under the influence of Jezebel, established the cult of Baal in Samaria (1 Kgs 16.32; 2 Kgs ch. 10). Earlier the liberal policy of solomon had encouraged the idolatrous cults introduced by his foreign wives into Judah (1 Kgs 11.1–12; 15.13). The later reforms of Kings Hezekiah (2 Kgs 18.4) and Josiah (2 Kings ch. 23) indicate to what extent idolatry had pervaded Jerusalem and even the Temple itself. But after the death of Josiah even grosser forms of idolatry were practiced (Ez 8.10, 14, 16; Is 65.2–7; 66.3, 17). The Israelite exiles, however, regarded the Babylonian cults with ridicule and supreme contempt (Is 40.18–26; 44.9–20; 46.1–2). The true worshiper of Yahweh always considered idolatry as infidelity or adultery (in symbolic language) against God (Hos 2.4–7; Jer2.20–24); Yahweh alone is the one true God, and outside of Him there is no other (Dt 4.35; 1 Kgs 8.6–60; 2 Kgs 19.15; Jer 2.11; Is 41.29; 46.9). The Prophets often inveighed against Baal and other idols venerated by the Israelites (1 Kgs 18.27; Is 2.8; Ezekiel ch. 6). Amos (2.4) branded idols as "lies which lead men astray"; and Jeremiah (2.5, 11; 5.7) called them "empty idols" and "nogods" (Wis 13.10–14.11; Bar ch. 6). According to Wis 14.15–21, idolatry is caused by images made in memory of the dead that in the course of time became objects of worship. Later Judaism regarded pagan deities not merely as nonentities or as dead but also as spirits or angels sent by God Himself to rule over pagan nations (Dt 32.8; Dn 10.20–21; 12.1; Enoch 89.59), or as demons and evil spirits (Dt 32.17; Bar 4.7; Enoch 19.1).

In the NT the same ideas prevail for the most part: idolatry refers to the worship of gods other than the one, true God, and the use of images is characteristic of the life of the heathen. Idols are viewed as nonentities and helpless (Acts 7.41; 15.20; Rom 2.22; 1 Cor 12.2; 2 Cor6.16; 1 Thes 1.9; 1 Jn 5.21; Ap 9.20); they have no real existence (1 Cor 8.4; 10.19; Gal 4.8), and they are nothing more than the inventions of sinful men (Rom 1.23). Pagan worship is really paid to evil spirits (1 Cor 8.4–5;10.19–21) and thereby viewed as a grave sin (1 Cor5.10–11; Gal 5.20). The term idolatry is used also figuratively in the NT to signify the undue desire for wealth and created things instead of fidelity and devotion to God (Mt6.24; Eph 5.5; Phil 3.19; Col 3.5).

Bibliography: m. rehm and j. schmid, Lexikon für Theologie und Kirche, ed. j. hofer and k. rahner, 10 v (2nd, new ed. Freiburg 1957–65). 4:1146–49. k. koch, Die Religion in Geschichte und Gegenwart, 7 v. (3d ed. Tübingen 1957–65). 2:1680–82. a. gelin, Dictionnaire de la Bible, suppl. ed., l. pirot et al. (Paris 1928–). 4:169–187. Encyclopedic Dictionary of the Bible, tr. and adap. by l. hartman (New York 1963). 1047–48. j. gray, g. a. buttrick, ed., The Interpreters' Dictionary of the Bible, 4 v. (Nashville 1962). 2:675–678. f. bÜchsel, g. kittel, Theologisches Wörterbuch Zum Neuen Testament (Stuttgart 1935–). 2:373–377.

[c. h. pickar]