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The Blue Letter Bible

Dictionaries :: Idol

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Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words
1 Strong's Number: g1497 Greek: eidolon

Idol:

primarily "a phantom or likeness" (from eidos, "an appearance," lit., "that which is seen"), or "an idea, fancy," denotes in the NT

(a) "an idol," an image to represent a false god, Act 7:41; 1Cr 12:2; Rev 9:20;

(b) "the false god" worshipped in an image, Act 15:20; Rom 2:22; 1Cr 8:4, 7; 10:19; 2Cr 6:16; 1Th 1:9; 1Jo 5:21.

"The corresponding Heb. word denotes 'vanity,' Jer 14:22; 18:15; 'thing of nought,' Lev 19:4, marg., cp. Eph 4:17. Hence what represented a deity to the Gentiles, was to Paul a 'vain thing,' Act 14:15; 'nothing in the world,' 1Cr 8:4; 10:19. Jeremiah calls the idol a 'scarecrow' ('pillar in a garden,' Jer 10:5, marg.), and Isaiah, Isa 44:9-20, etc., and Habakkuk, Hab 2:18, 19 and the Psalmist, Psa 115:4-8, etc., are all equally scathing. It is important to notice, however, that in each case the people of God are addressed. When he speaks to idolaters, Paul, knowing that no man is won by ridicule, adopts a different line, Act 14:15-18; 17:16, 21-31."*
[* From Notes on Thessalonians, pp. 44, 45 by Hogg and Vine.]

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