# pagan

## Definition:

In Bible times, the term "pagan" was used to describe people who worshiped false gods instead of Yahweh.

* Anything associated with these people, such as the altars where they worshiped, the religious rituals they performed, and their beliefs, were also called "pagan."
* Pagan belief systems often included the worship of false gods and the worship of nature.
* Some pagan religions included sexually immoral rituals or the killing of human beings as part of their worship.

(See also: [altar](../kt/altar.md), [false god](../kt/falsegod.md), [sacrifice](../other/sacrifice.md), [worship](../kt/worship.md), [Yahweh](../kt/yahweh.md))

## Bible References:

* [1 Corinthians 10:20-22](rc://en/tn/help/1co/10/20)
* [1 Corinthians 12:1-3](rc://en/tn/help/1co/12/01)
* [2 Kings 17:14-15](rc://en/tn/help/2ki/17/14)
* [2 Kings 21:4-6](rc://en/tn/help/2ki/21/04)

## Word Data:

* Strong's: H1471, G1482, G1484

## Forms Found in the English ULB:

pagan, pagans