# idol, idolatrous #

## Definition: ##

An idol is an object that people make so they can worship it. Something is described as "idolatrous" if it involves giving honor to something other than the one true God.

* People make idols to represent the false gods that they worship.
* These false gods do not exist; there is no God besides Yahweh.
* Sometimes demons work through an idol to make it seem like it has power, even though it does not.
* Idols are often made of valuable materials like gold, silver, bronze, or expensive wood.
* An "idolatrous kingdom" means a "kingdom of people who worship idols" or a "kingdom of people who worship earthly things."
* The term "idolatrous figure" is another word for a "carved image" or an "idol."

(See also: [false god](../kt/falsegod.md), [image](../other/image.md), [kingdom](../other/kingdom.md), [worship](../kt/worship.md))

## Bible References: ##

* [1 Thessalonians 01:8-10](en/tn/1th/help/01/08)
* [Acts 07:41-42](en/tn/act/help/07/41)
* [Acts 15:19-21](en/tn/act/help/15/19)
* [Colossians 03:5-8](en/tn/col/help/03/05)
* [Exodus 32:1-2](en/tn/exo/help/32/01)
* [Galatians 05:19-21](en/tn/gal/help/05/19)
* [Psalm 031:5-7](en/tn/psa/help/31/05)
* [Romans 02:21-22](en/tn/rom/help/02/21)

## Examples from the Bible stories: ##

  __*[13:05](en/tn/obs/help/13/05)__ "Do not make __idols__ or worship them, because I, Yahweh, am a jealous God."
  __*[13:12](en/tn/obs/help/13/12)__ Aaron made a golden __idol__ in the shape of a calf. The people began to wildly worship the __idol__ and make sacrifices to it!
  __*[14:03](en/tn/obs/help/14/03)__ "You must completely destroy all of their __idols__. If you do not obey me, you will worship their __idols__ instead of me."
  __*[18:12](en/tn/obs/help/18/12)__ All of the kings and most of the people of the kingdom of Israel worshiped __idols__. This kind of worship often included sexual immorality and sometimes even child sacrifice.
  __*[19:16](en/tn/obs/help/19/16)__ They (the prophets) all told the people to stop worshiping __idols__ and to start showing justice and mercy to others.

## Word Data:##

* Strong's: