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Idol

For types of biblical idolatry, see: Idolatry. Idols mentioned in the Bible:

  1. Hebrew: Teraphim, plural, meaning: "images;" "a family idol". These were family gods (penates) worshipped by Abram's kindred (Josh. 24:14 - "put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt"). "Teraphim" are mentioned by name six times in the Bible: Judg. 17:5; 18:14, 17,18,20; Hosea 3:4. Michal put one in David's bed (1 Sam. 19:13).

  2. Hebrew: Matztzebah, meaning: something stationed, i.e. a column or (memorial stone); a "statue" set up (Jer. 43:13); a memorial stone like that erected by Jacob (Gen. 28:18; 31:45; 35:14, 20), by Joshua (Joshua 4:9), and by Samuel (1 Sam. 7:12). It is the name given to the statues of Baal (2 Kings 3:2; 10:27).

  3. Hebrew: Chamman or Hammanim, meaning: "sun-images" or "sun-pillars." Hamman is a synonym of Baal, the sun-god of the Phoenicians (2 Chr. 34:4, 7; 14:3,5; Isa. 17:8).

  4. Hebrew: aven - idol, meaning: "nothingness;" "vanity" (Isa. 66:3; 41:29; Deut. 32:21; 1 Kings 16:13; Ps. 31:6; Jer. 8:19, etc.).

  5. Hebrew: 'Elil, meaning: "a thing of naught" (Ps. 97:7; Isa. 19:3); a word of contempt, used of the gods of Noph (Ezek. 30:13).

  6. Hebrew: 'Emah, meaning: "terror," in allusion to the hideous form of idols (Jer. 50:38).

  7. Hebrew: Miphletzeth, meaning: "a fright;" "horror" (1 Kings 15:13; 2 Chr. 15:16).

  8. Hebrew: Bosheth, meaning: "shame;" "shameful thing" (Jer. 11:13; Hosea 9:10); as characterizing the obscenity of the worship of Baal.

  9. Hebrew: Gillulim, (a word of contempt), meaning: "dung;" "refuse" (Ezek. 16:36; 20:8; Deut. 29:17, marg.).

  10. Hebrew: Shikkuts, meaning: "filth;" "impurity" (Ezek. 37:23; Nahum 3:6).

  11. Hebrew: Semel, meaning: "likeness;" "a carved image" (Deut. 4:16).

  12. Hebrew: Tselem, meaning: "a shadow" (Dan. 3:1; 1 Sam. 6:5), as distinguished from the "likeness," or the exact counterpart.

  13. Hebrew: Temunah, meaning: "similitude" (Deut. 4:12-19). Here Moses forbids the several forms of Gentile idolatry.

  14. Hebrew: 'Atsab, meaning: "a figure;" from the root "to fashion," "to labor;" denoting that idols are the result of man's labor (Isa. 48:5; Ps. 139:24, "wicked way;" literally, as some translate, "way of an idol").

  15. Hebrew: Tsir, meaning: a form;" "shape" (Isa. 45:16).

  16. Hebrew: Maskith, meaning: "device" (Lev. 26:1; Num. 33:52). In Lev. 26:1, the words "image of stone" (King James Version) denote "a stone or cippus with the image of an idol, as Baal, Astarte, etc." In Ezek. 8:12, "chambers of imagery" (maskith), are "chambers of which the walls are painted with the figures of idols;" compare ver. 10,11.

  17. Hebrew: Pesel, meaning: "a graven" or "carved image" (Isa. 44:10-20). It denotes also a figure cast in metal (Deut. 7:25; 27:15; Isa. 40:19; 44:10).

  18. Hebrew: Massekah, meaning: "a molten image" (Deut. 9:12; Judg. 17:3,4).

"Nothing can be more instructive and significant than this multiplicity and variety of words designating the instruments and inventions of idolatry."

Author: Matthew G. Easton, with minor editing by Paul S. Taylor.

ALSO SEE: Idolatry