Overview
The Bible addresses iconoclasm across 6 verses, drawn from the Old Testament. These passages cluster most in Deuteronomy. Closely related themes include Contingencies, Temptation, Mountain and Mountains.
Key Bible verses about iconoclasm
Old Testament
Deuteronomy
The graven images of their gods shall ye burn with fire: thou shalt not desire the silver or gold that is on them, nor take it unto thee, lest thou be snared therein: for it is an abomination to the LORD thy God.
Neither shalt thou bring an abomination into thine house, lest thou be a cursed thing like it: but thou shalt utterly detest it, and thou shalt utterly abhor it; for it is a cursed thing.
These are the statutes and judgments, which ye shall observe to do in the land, which the LORD God of thy fathers giveth thee to possess it, all the days that ye live upon the earth.
Ye shall utterly destroy all the places, wherein the nations which ye shall possess served their gods, upon the high mountains, and upon the hills, and under every green tree: possess: or, inherit
And ye shall overthrow their altars, and break their pillars, and burn their groves with fire; and ye shall hew down the graven images of their gods, and destroy the names of them out of that place. overthrow: Heb. break down
Ye shall not do so unto the LORD your God.
In the Bible dictionary
Studying iconoclasm for yourself
- Begin with Deuteronomy 7:25, then read the passages below in canonical order.
- Widen the study to related themes: Contingencies, Temptation, Mountain and Mountains.
Frequently asked questions
What does the Bible say about iconoclasm?
The Bible addresses iconoclasm across 6 verses, drawn from the Old Testament. These passages cluster most in Deuteronomy. Closely related themes include Contingencies, Temptation, Mountain and Mountains.
How many Bible verses are about iconoclasm?
The Bible references iconoclasm in 6 verses (King James Version).
Where does the Bible first mention iconoclasm?
In canonical order, the first of these passages is Deuteronomy 7:25: “The graven images of their gods shall ye burn with fire: thou shalt not desire the silver or gold that is on them, nor take it unto thee, lest thou be snared therein: for it is an abomination to the LORD thy God.”
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