εἴδωλον G1497
Idol, image of a false god — a physical representation of a deity used in pagan worship
The noun εἴδωλον (eidolon) denotes a physical image of a deity worshipped in place of the true God, carrying an inherent theological judgment that these are mere forms. Stephen recounts how Israel made a calf idol in the wilderness (Acts 7:41). The Jerusalem council warns against 'pollutions of idols' (Acts 15:20). Paul argues that 'an idol is nothing in the world' yet acknowledges the moral danger for weak consciences (1 Cor 8:4, 7; 10:19). John warns: 'keep yourselves from idols' (1 John 5:21). Spanish 'idolo' and French 'idole' derive from the same Greek root.
Senses
1. idol, image of a false god — A physical image or representation of a false god worshipped in pagan practice. The golden calf in the wilderness (Acts 7:41), pollutions to be avoided (Acts 15:20), philosophically 'nothing' yet morally dangerous (1 Cor 8:4, 7; 10:19). Paul confronts idol-abhorring temple-robbers (Rom 2:22), Thessalonians turned from idols to the living God (1 Thess 1:9), and Revelation laments unrepentant idol worship (Rev 9:20). John's final warning: 'keep yourselves from idols' (1 John 5:21). Spanish 'idolo' and Arabic 'sanam' denote a false-god image. 11×
AR["أصنامِ", "أَصنامِ", "الأصْنامِ", "الأَصنامِ", "الأَصْنَامِ", "الأَوثانِ", "الصَّنَمِ", "الوَثَنِ", "صَنَمٌ", "وَثَنٌ"]·ben["প্রতিমাকে", "প্রতিমাগুলোর", "প্রতিমার?", "প্রতিমাসমূহ,", "মূর্তি", "মূর্তিগুলি", "মূর্তিগুলির", "মূর্তির", "মূর্তির,"]·DE["Goetzen", "εἰδώλων", "εἰδώλῳ"]·EN["an-idol", "idol", "idols"]·FR["idole", "idoles"]·heb["אֱלִיל", "אֱלִילִים", "הַ-", "פְּסִילִים", "פֶּסֶל"]·HI["मूर्ति", "मूर्ति-को", "मूर्तियों", "मूर्तियों-की", "मूर्तियों-से", "मोओरतियोन"]·ID["berhala", "berhala,", "berhala-berhala", "berhala-berhala."]·IT["eidōla", "eidōlōn", "idolo"]·jav["brahala", "brahala,", "brahala?"]·KO["우상-에게", "우상-의", "우상들", "우상들로부터", "우상들을", "우상들의", "우상이"]·PT["ídolo", "ídolo,", "ídolos", "ídolos,", "ídolos."]·RU["идол", "идолам", "идолами", "идолов", "идолов.", "идолу", "к-идолу,"]·ES["ídolo", "ídolos"]·SW["sanamu", "sanamu,", "sanamu?"]·TR["-o", "gibi-", "ki-", "o-", "put", "putlar", "putlar,", "putlara", "putlardan", "putlarla", "putların"]·urd["بت", "بت-کی", "بتوں", "بتوں-سے", "بتوں۔", "بُت", "بُتوں"]
Related Senses
H3548 1. priest, cultic officiant (750×)G5547 1. Christ, Messiah, Anointed One (540×)H5030 1. Prophet, divine spokesperson (317×)H5930a 1. burnt offering (sacrifice) (286×)H3881 1. Levites (priestly class) (283×)G4396 1. prophet, spokesperson of God (146×)H6944 1. sanctuary, holy place (129×)G0749 1. high priest, chief priest (123×)H6944 2. holiness, sacredness (abstract quality) (123×)G5330 1. Pharisee (99×)G4336 1. pray to God (86×)H6944 3. holy things, sacred offerings (plural) (86×)H3722a 1. make ritual atonement (Piel) (85×)H6912 1. bury (Qal active) (82×)H6419 1. pray (Hitpael) (80×)H6944 4. holiness (with possessive pronoun) (77×)H6942 1. sanctify, consecrate (Piel factitive) (76×)H2930a 1. Qal: be/become unclean (75×)H7819a 1. slaughter an animal (Qal active) (72×)H1486 1. lot (object cast for decisions) (71×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
εἴδωλον, τό, (εἶδος) phantom, Refs 8th c.BC+; βροτῶν εἴδωλα καμόντων, of ghosts, Refs 8th c.BC+ __2 any unsubstantial form, εἴδωλον σκιᾶς Refs 5th c.BC+; εἴ. ἄλλως a mere form, Refs; αἰῶνος εἴ. Refs 5th c.BC+ __3 image reflected in a mirror or in water, Refs 5th c.BC+ __4 in the system of Epicurus, film given off by any object and conveying an impression to the eye, Refs 4th c.BC+ __II image in…