Idolatry
Culture & Societyâš¡ IN BRIEF (SUMMARY)
Idolatry denotes the worship of physical images or representations of deities, a concept that expanded in Hebrew scripture to include the veneration of any deity other than Yahweh, irrespective of the presence of physical icons.
What is the meaning of Idolatry in the Bible?
Idolatry denotes the worship of physical images or representations of deities, a concept that expanded in Hebrew scripture to include the veneration of any deity other than Yahweh, irrespective of the presence of physical icons.
SIGNIFICANCE
Recognizing the breadth of this definition clarifies the rigorous monotheistic standards of the Hebrew Bible, illustrating how the rejection of all foreign gods and their associated practices was fundamental to preserving the covenant between Israel and Yahweh.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
- Why did the biblical author mention Idolatry in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Idolatry clarify?
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Source Attribution & Provenance
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE) and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been editorially modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and formatted for fast contextual reference.