Idols of the Bible

For TYPES of idolatry mentioned in the Bible, see: Idolatry

Various idols (representations of false gods) are mentioned in the Bible:

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

Isaiah (44:13-17) gives a minute description of the process of carving idols of wood.

Those who make an image, all of them are useless,
And their precious things shall not profit;
They are their own witnesses;
They neither see nor know, that they may be ashamed. —Isaiah 44:9 NKJV

  1. Asherim

    Denuded and scultured trees, poles or posts representative of the goddess Asherah (aka Astarte, Ishtar, etc.), and sometimes carved stone or of silver

    “They set for themselves sacred pillars and Asherim on every high hill and under every green tree,” —2 Kings 17:10 NASB

    More information

    • Who and what are Asherah (Asherim)?
    • What are the HIGH PLACES referred to in Scripture?
    • What are the GROVES referred to in Scripture?

  2. Teraphim

    Hebrew: Teraphim, plural, meaning: “images;” “a family idol”

    These were family gods (penates) worshipped by Abram’s kindred (Joshua 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: Judges 17:5; 18:14, 17,18,20; Hosea 3:4. Michal put one in David’s bed (1 Samuel 19:13).

  3. Matztzebah

    Hebrew: Matztzebah, meaning: something stationed, i.e., a column or (memorial stone); a “statue” set up (Jeremiah 43:13); a memorial stone like that erected by Jacob (Genesis 28:18; 31:45; 35:14, 20), by Joshua (Joshua 4:9), and by Samuel (1 Samuel 7:12).

    It is the name given to the statues of Baal (2 Kings 3:2; 10:27).

  4. Chamman or Hammanim

    Hebrew: Chamman or Hammanim, meaning: “sun-images” or “sun-pillars”

    Hamman is a synonym of Baal, the sun-god of the Phoenicians (2 Chronicles 34:4, 7; 14:3,5; Isaiah 17:8).

  5. Aven

    Hebrew: aven—idol, meaning: “nothingness;” “vanity” (Isaiah 66:3; 41:29; Deuteronomy 32:21; 1 Kings 16:13; Psalm 31:6; Jeremiah 8:19, etc.)

  6. 'Elil

    Hebrew: 'Elil, meaning: “a thing of naught” (Psalm 97:7; Isaiah 19:3); a word of contempt, used of the gods of the city of Noph (Ezek. 30:13)

  7. 'Emah

    Hebrew: 'Emah, meaning: “terror,” in allusion to the hideous form of idols (Jeremiah 50:38)

  8. Miphletzeth

    Hebrew: Miphletzeth, meaning: “a fright;” “horror” (1 Kings 15:13; 2 Chronicles 15:16)

  9. Bosheth

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

  10. Gillulim

    Hebrew: Gillulim, (a word of contempt), meaning: “dung;” “refuse” (Ezek. 16:36; 20:8; Deuteronomy 29:17, marginal note).

  11. Shikkuts

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

  12. Hebrew: Semel, meaning: “likeness;” “a carved image” (Deuteronomy 4:16).

  13. Tselem

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

  14. Temunah

    Hebrew: Temunah, meaning: “similitude” (Deuteronomy 4:12-19). Here Moses forbids the several forms of Gentile idolatry.

  15. 'Atsab

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

  16. Tsir

    Hebrew: Tsir, meaning: “a form;” “shape” (Isaiah 45:16).

  17. Maskith

    Hebrew: Maskith, meaning: “device” (Leviticus 26:1; Numbers 33:52). In Leviticus 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.

  18. Pesel

    Hebrew: Pesel, meaning: “a graven” or “carved image” (Isaiah 44:10-20). It denotes also a figure cast in metal (Deuteronomy 7:25; 27:15; Isaiah 40:19; 44:10).

  19. Massekah

    Hebrew: Massekah, meaning: “a molten image” (Deuteronomy 9:12; Judges 17:3,4)

  20. Heqet

    Heqet is the Egyptian goddess of fertility and was represented as a frog and was identified with false godess Hathor (usually represented as a cow) who supposedly personified feminine love, motherhood and joy.

Idols to the moles and bats

To cast idols to the “moles and to the bats” means to carry them into the dark caverns or desolate places where these animals may live (Isaiah 2:20), i.e., to consign them to desolation or ruin.

Specific false gods of idolaters

More information

Article Version: July 2, 2021