Lord’s Library editors answer the question “What does the Bible say about idolatry?” with specific Bible references.
Have you ever asked yourself the question “What does the Bible say about idolatry?” If you have, you’re definitely not alone! And since the Bible helps Christians form a foundational understanding of important topics, it’s imperative that one know how Scripture describes idolatry in different contexts. The Webster’s 1828 Dictionary defines idolatry as “The worship of idols, images, or any thing made by hands, or which is not God.”
Now armed with a basic definition of idolatry, Lord’s Library editors thought it would be a helpful exercise to provide Biblical context. As a result, we compiled this short resource which captures all notable mentions of the word idolatry, as well as its other forms. If you’ve been wondering what the King James Bible says about idolatry, scroll on for additional detail.
Note: If you want to know what the Bible says about idolatry and 206 other important topics (to be exact), our editors recommend Spencer Smith’s Doctrine Matters: Bible Topic Guidebook.
What Does the Bible Say About Idolatry?
Exodus 20:4
“Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth:”
Leviticus 19:4
“Turn ye not unto idols, nor make to yourselves molten gods: I am the LORD your God.”
Leviticus 26:1
“Ye shall make you no idols nor graven image, neither rear you up a standing image, neither shall ye set up any image of stone in your land, to bow down unto it: for I am the LORD your God.”
Deuteronomy 5:8
“Thou shalt not make thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the waters beneath the earth:”
Acts 15:20
“But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.”
Acts 15:29
“That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.”
1 Corinthians 8:4
“As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one.”
1 Corinthians 10:19-20
“What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing? But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.”
1 Thessalonians 1:9
“For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God;”
1 John 5:21
“Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.”
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