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What the Bible Says About Idol

Overview

The Bible addresses idol across 13 verses, drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. These passages cluster most in Isaiah, 1 Kings and Acts. Closely related themes include Idolatry, Carving, Silver and Vanity. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Elijah.

Key Bible verses about idol

Old Testament

1 Kings

1 Kings 18:25

And Elijah said unto the prophets of Baal, Choose you one bullock for yourselves, and dress it first; for ye are many; and call on the name of your gods, but put no fire under.

1 Kings 18:26

And they took the bullock which was given them, and they dressed it, and called on the name of Baal from morning even until noon, saying, O Baal, hear us. But there was no voice, nor any that answered. And they leaped upon the altar which was made. hear: or, answer answered: or, heard leaped: or, leaped up and down at the altar

1 Kings 18:27

And it came to pass at noon, that Elijah mocked them, and said, Cry aloud: for he is a god; either he is talking, or he is pursuing, or he is in a journey, or peradventure he sleepeth, and must be awaked. aloud: Heb. with a great voice he is talking: or, he meditateth is pursuing: Heb. hath a pursuit

1 Kings 18:28

And they cried aloud, and cut themselves after their manner with knives and lancets, till the blood gushed out upon them. the blood: Heb. poured out blood upon them

1 Kings 18:29

And it came to pass, when midday was past, and they prophesied until the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that there was neither voice, nor any to answer, nor any that regarded. offering: Heb. ascending that regarded: Heb. attention

Isaiah

Isaiah 40:19

The workman melteth a graven image, and the goldsmith spreadeth it over with gold, and casteth silver chains.

Isaiah 40:20

He that is so impoverished that he hath no oblation chooseth a tree that will not rot; he seeketh unto him a cunning workman to prepare a graven image, that shall not be moved. is so: Heb. is poor of oblation

Isaiah 44:9

They that make a graven image are all of them vanity; and their delectable things shall not profit; and they are their own witnesses; they see not, nor know; that they may be ashamed. delectable: Heb. desirable

Isaiah 44:10

Who hath formed a god, or molten a graven image that is profitable for nothing?

Isaiah 44:11

Behold, all his fellows shall be ashamed: and the workmen, they are of men: let them all be gathered together, let them stand up; yet they shall fear, and they shall be ashamed together.

Isaiah 44:12

The smith with the tongs both worketh in the coals, and fashioneth it with hammers, and worketh it with the strength of his arms: yea, he is hungry, and his strength faileth: he drinketh no water, and is faint. with the tongs: or, with an axe

People in the Bible and idol

Biblical figures whose stories intersect with this theme.

In the Bible dictionary

Studying idol for yourself

  • Begin with 1 Kings 18:25, then read the passages below in canonical order.
  • Compare how Isaiah, 1 Kings and Acts each treat the theme.
  • Consider the lives of Elijah and how their stories intersect with it.
  • Widen the study to related themes: Idolatry, Carving, Silver and Vanity.

Frequently asked questions

What does the Bible say about idol?

The Bible addresses idol across 13 verses, drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. These passages cluster most in Isaiah, 1 Kings and Acts. Closely related themes include Idolatry, Carving, Silver and Vanity. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Elijah.

How many Bible verses are about idol?

The Bible references idol in 13 verses (King James Version).

Where does the Bible first mention idol?

In canonical order, the first of these passages is 1 Kings 18:25: “And Elijah said unto the prophets of Baal, Choose you one bullock for yourselves, and dress it first; for ye are many; and call on the name of your gods, but put no fire under.”

Which people in the Bible are associated with idol?

Elijah.

Preach & teach

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