Easton's Bible Dictionary: M. G. Easton, M.A., D.D.

Idol

  1. Heb.aven, "nothingness;" "vanity" (Isa. 66:3, 41:29; Dt. 32:21; 1 Ki. 16:13; Ps. 31:6; Jer. 8:19, etc.).
  2. 'Elil, "a thing of naught" (Ps. 97:7; Isa. 19:3); a word of contempt, used of the gods of Noph (Ezek. 30:13).
  3. 'Emah, "terror," in allusion to the hideous form of idols (Jer. 50:38).
  4. Miphletzeth, "a fright;" "horror" (1 Ki. 15:13; 2 Chr. 15:16).
  5. Bosheth, "shame;" "shameful thing" (Jer. 11:13; Hos. 9:10); as characterizing the obscenity of the worship of Baal.
  6. Gillulim, also a word of contempt, "dung;" "refuse" (Ezek. 16:36, 20:8; Dt. 29:17, marg.).
  7. Shikkuts, "filth;" "impurity" (Ezek. 37:23; Nah. 3:6).
  8. Semel, "likeness;" "a carved image" (Dt. 4:16).
  9. Tselem, "a shadow" (Dan. 3:1; 1 Sam. 6:5), as distinguished from the "likeness," or the exact counterpart.
  10. Temunah, "similitude" (Dt. 4:12-19). Here Moses forbids the several forms of Gentile idolatry.
  11. 'Atsab, "a figure;" from the root "to fashion," "to labour;" denoting that idols are the result of man's labour (Isa. 48:5; Ps. 139:24, "wicked way;" literally, as some translate, "way of an idol").
  12. Tsir, "a form;" "shape" (Isa. 45:16).
  13. Matztzebah, 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 (Josh. 4:9), and by Samuel (1 Sam. 7:12). It is the name given to the statues of Baal (2 Ki. 3:2, 10:27).
  14. Hammanim, "sun-images." Hamman is a synonym of Baal, the sun-god of the Phoenicians (2 Chr. 34:4, 7, 14:3, 5; Isa. 17:8).
  15. Maskith, "device" (Lev. 26:1; Num. 33:52). In Lev. 26:1, the words "image of stone" (A.V.) 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;" comp. ver. 10, 11.
  16. Pesel, "a graven" or "carved image" (Isa. 44:10-20). It denotes also a figure cast in metal (Dt. 7:25, 27:15; Isa. 40:19, 44:10).
  17. Massekah, "a molten image" (Dt. 9:12; Judg. 17:3, 4).
  18. Teraphim, pl., "images," family gods (penates) worshipped by Abram's kindred (Josh. 24:14). Put by Michal in David's bed (Judg. 17:5, 18:14, 17, 18, 20; 1 Sam. 19:13).

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


Original from The Bible Foundation - bf.org. They claim public domain status for their original text.