23 Bible Verses about Idols

Most Relevant Verses

Leviticus 26:1

Ye shall make you no idols, nor graven image, neither rear you up any pillar, neither ye shall set up any image of stone in your land to bow yourselves thereto: for I am the LORD your God;

Isaiah 44:9-20

All carvers of Images are but vain, and the carved images that they love can do no good. They must bear record themselves, that seeing they can neither see nor understand they shall be confounded. Who should now make a God, or fashion an Image, that is profitable for nothing? Behold, all the fellowship of them must be brought to confusion. Let all the workmasters of them come and stand together from among men: they must be abashed and confounded one with another.read more.
The smith taketh iron, and tempereth it with hot coals, and fashioneth it with hammers, and maketh it with all the strength of his arms: yea, sometimes he is faint for very hunger, and so thirsty, that he hath no more power. The carpenter or image carver taketh meat of the timber, and spreadeth forth his line; he marketh it with some colour; he planeth it, he ruleth it, and squareth it, and maketh it after the image of a man; and according to the beauty of a man that it may stand in the temple. Moreover, he goeth out to hew down Cedar trees: He bringeth home Elms and Oaks, and other timber of the wood. Or else the Fir trees which he planted himself, and such as the rain hath swelled, which wood serveth for men to burn. Of this he taketh and warmeth himself withal: he maketh a fire of it to bake bread. And afterward maketh a god thereof, to honour it: and an Idol to kneel before it. One piece he burneth in the fire; with another he roasteth flesh, that he may eat roast his belly full; with the third he warmeth himself, and sayeth, "Aha, I am well warmed, I have been at the fire." And of the residue he maketh him a god, and an Idol for himself. He kneeleth before it, he worshippeth it, he prayeth unto it, and sayeth, "Deliver me, for thou art my god!" Yet men neither consider nor understand; because their eyes are stopped that they cannot see, and their hearts, that they can not perceive. They ponder not in their minds, for they have neither knowledge nor understanding, to think thus, "I have burnt one piece in the fire; I have baked bread with the coals thereof; I have roasted flesh withal, and eaten it: shall I now of the residue make an abomination, and fall down before a rotten piece of wood?" The keeping of dust, and foolishness of heart hath turned them aside: so that none of them can have a free conscience to think, "Do not I err?"

Genesis 35:2

Then said Jacob unto his household, and to all that were with him, "Put away the strange gods that are among you and make yourselves clean, and change your garments,

Deuteronomy 4:25

If after thou hast gotten children and children's children and hast dwelt long in the land, ye shall mar yourselves and make graven images after the likeness of whatsoever it be, and shall work wickedness in the sight of the LORD thy God, to provoke him.

Exodus 20:4

"Thou shalt make thee no graven image, neither any similitude that is in heaven above, either in the earth beneath, or in the water that is beneath the earth.

Leviticus 19:4

Ye shall not turn unto idols nor make you gods of metal: I am the LORD your God.

Exodus 32:4

And he received them of their hands and fashioned it with a graver and made it a calf of molten metal. And they said, "This is thy God, O Israel, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt."

Deuteronomy 27:15

Cursed be he that maketh any carved image or image of metal - an abomination unto the LORD, the work of the hands of the craftsman - and putteth it in a secret place.' And all the people shall answer and say, 'Amen.'

Exodus 34:17

they make thy sons go a whoring after their gods also. Thou shalt make thee no gods of metal.

From Thematic Bible


Brass » Articles made of » Idols

Daniel 5:4

They drunk wine, and praised their Idols of gold, silver, copper, iron, wood and stone.

Revelation 9:20

And the remnant of the men which were not killed by these plagues repented not of the deeds of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and images, of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood, which neither can see, neither hear, neither go.

Brass » Made into » Idols

Daniel 5:4

They drunk wine, and praised their Idols of gold, silver, copper, iron, wood and stone.

Revelation 9:20

And the remnant of the men which were not killed by these plagues repented not of the deeds of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and images, of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood, which neither can see, neither hear, neither go.

Gold » Was used for » Idols

Daniel 5:4

They drunk wine, and praised their Idols of gold, silver, copper, iron, wood and stone.

Exodus 20:23

Ye shall not make therefore with me gods of silver nor gods of gold: in no wise shall ye do it.

Psalm 115:4

Their images are but silver and gold, even the work of men's hands.

Idols » Vanity of

Jeremiah 50:38

The sword upon their waters: so that they shall be dried up. For the land worshippeth images, and delighteth in strange wonderful things.

Daniel 5:23

but hast magnified thyself above the LORD of heaven, so that the vessels of his house were brought before thee: that thou, and thy lords, with thy queen and concubines, might drink wine thereout: and hast praised the Idols of silver and gold, copper and iron, of wood and stone. As for the God in whose hand consisteth thy breath and all thy ways: thou hast not loved him.

Acts 17:29

Forasmuch then as we are the generation of God, we ought not to think that the godhead is like unto gold, silver, or stone, graven by craft and imagination of man.

Jeremiah 10:15

The vain craftsmen with their works, that they in their vanity hath made, shall perish one with another in the time of visitation.

Habakkuk 2:18

What help then will the Image do, whom the workman hath fashioned? Or the vain cast Image, wherein because the craftsmen putteth his trust, therefore maketh he dumb Idols?

Idols » Put away

2 Kings 3:2

And he wrought that was evil in the sight of the LORD: but not like his father or his mother, for he put away the image of Baal that his father had made.

2 Chronicles 15:8

When Asa heard those words and the prophecy of Azariah the son of Obed the Prophet, he took courage and put away the abominations out of all the land of Judah and Benjamin, and out of the cities which he won in mount Ephraim, and renewed the altar of the LORD that was before the porch of the LORD.

1 Samuel 7:3

And Samuel spake unto all Israel, saying, "If ye be come again unto the LORD with all your hearts, then put away the strange gods from among you, and Ashtaroth, and prepare your hearts unto the LORD and serve him alone; and so shall he rid you out of the hands of the Philistines."

Genesis 35:2

Then said Jacob unto his household, and to all that were with him, "Put away the strange gods that are among you and make yourselves clean, and change your garments,

Joshua 24:14

And now, fear the LORD and serve him in pureness and truth: And put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the water, and in Egypt, and serve the LORD.

Iron » Made into » Idols

Daniel 5:4

They drunk wine, and praised their Idols of gold, silver, copper, iron, wood and stone.

Daniel 5:23

but hast magnified thyself above the LORD of heaven, so that the vessels of his house were brought before thee: that thou, and thy lords, with thy queen and concubines, might drink wine thereout: and hast praised the Idols of silver and gold, copper and iron, of wood and stone. As for the God in whose hand consisteth thy breath and all thy ways: thou hast not loved him.

Iron » First recorded use of » Articles made of » Idols

Daniel 5:4

They drunk wine, and praised their Idols of gold, silver, copper, iron, wood and stone.

Daniel 5:23

but hast magnified thyself above the LORD of heaven, so that the vessels of his house were brought before thee: that thou, and thy lords, with thy queen and concubines, might drink wine thereout: and hast praised the Idols of silver and gold, copper and iron, of wood and stone. As for the God in whose hand consisteth thy breath and all thy ways: thou hast not loved him.

Daniel 2:33

his legs were of iron, his feet were part of iron and part of earth.

Protection » Not to be found in » Idols

Isaiah 46:7

Yet must he be taken on men's shoulders and borne, and set in his place, that he may stand and not move. Alas that men should cry unto him, which giveth no answer; and delivereth not the man that calleth upon him, from his trouble.

Deuteronomy 32:37-39

And it shall be said, 'Where are their gods and their rock wherein they trusted - the fat of whose sacrifices they ate, and drank the wine of their drink offerings? Let them rise up, and help you, and be your protection! "'See, now, how that I - I am he: and that there is no God but I. I can kill, and make alive; and what I have smitten, that I can heal. Neither is there that can deliver any man out of my hand.

Sacrifice » Meat » Idols

Romans 14:14-23

For I know, and am full certified in the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing common of itself: but unto him that judgeth it to be common, to him it is common. If thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died. Cause not your treasure to be evil spoken of. read more.
For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink, but righteousness, peace and joy, in the holy ghost. For whosoever in these things serveth Christ, pleaseth well God: and is commended of men. Let us follow those things which make for peace: and things wherewith one may edify another. Destroy not the work of God for a little meat's sake. All things are pure: but it is evil for that man, which eateth with hurt of his conscience. It is good neither to eat flesh, neither to drink wine, neither anything, whereby thy brother stumbleth, either falleth, or is made weak. Hast thou faith? Have it with thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth. For he that maketh conscience, is damned if he eat: Because he doth it not of faith. For whatsoever is not of faith, that same is sin.

1 Corinthians 8:1-13

To speak of things dedicated unto idols, we are sure that we all have knowledge. Knowledge maketh a man swell: but love edifieth. If any man think that he knoweth anything, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know. But if any man love God, the same is known of him. read more.
To speak of meat dedicated unto idols, we are sure that there is none idol in the world: and that there is none other God but one. And though there be that are called "gods," whether in heaven or in earth - as there be "gods" many and "lords" many - yet unto us is there but one God, which is the father, of whom are all things, and we in him: and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him. But every man hath not knowledge. For some suppose that there is an idol, until this hour, and eat as of a thing offered unto the idol, and so their consciences being yet weak are defiled. Meat maketh us not acceptable to God: Neither if we eat are we the better: Neither if we eat not are we the worse. But take heed that your liberty cause not the weak to fall. For if some man see thee, which hast knowledge, sit at meat in the idol's temple shall not the conscience of him which is weak be boldened to eat those things which are offered unto the idol? And so through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish for whom Christ died. When ye sin so against the brethren and wound their weak consciences, ye sin against Christ. Wherefore if meat hurt my brother, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, because I will not hurt my brother.

1 Corinthians 10:14-33

Wherefore my dear beloved, flee from worshipping of idols. I speak as unto them which have discretion: judge ye what I say. Is not the cup of blessing which we bless, partaking of the blood of Christ? Is not the bread which we break, partaking of the body of Christ? read more.
Because that we - though we be many - yet are one bread, and one body inasmuch as we all are partakers of one bread. Behold Israel which walketh carnally. Are not they which eat of the sacrifice, partakers of the altar? What say I then? That the image is anything? Or that it which is offered to images is anything? Nay, but I say, that these things which the gentiles offer, they offer to devils, and not to God. And I would not that ye should have fellowship with the devils. Ye cannot drink of the cup of the Lord, and of the cup of the devils. Ye can not be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils. Either, shall we provoke the Lord? Or are we stronger than he? All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient. All things are lawful to me, but all things edify not. Let no man seek his own profit: but let every man seek another's wealth. Whatsoever is sold in the market, that eat, and ask no questions for conscience sake. For the earth is the Lord's, and all that therein is. If any of them which believe not bid you to a feast, and if ye be disposed to go, whatsoever is set before you eat, asking no question for conscience sake. But and if any man say unto you, "This is dedicated unto idols," eat not of it, for his sake that showed it, and for hurting of conscience - the earth is the Lord's and all that therein is - Conscience I say, not thine: but the conscience of that other. For why should my liberty be judged of another man's conscience? For if I take my part with thanks: why am I evil spoken of for that thing wherefore I give thanks? Whether therefore ye eat or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the praise of God. See that ye give none occasion of evil: neither to the Jews, nor yet to the gentiles, neither to the congregation of God. Even as I please all men in all things not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they might be saved.

Salvation » Sought in vain from » Idols

Isaiah 45:20

Let them be gathered and come together, let them draw nigh hither, that are escaped of the people: Have they any understanding, that set up the stocks of their Idols, and praise unto a god, that cannot help them?

Jeremiah 2:28

I shall answer them: Where are now thy gods, that thou hast made thee? Bid them stand up, and help thee in the time of need! For look how many cities thou hast, O Judah: so many gods hast thou also.

Silver » Made into » Idols

Isaiah 2:20

Then, then shall man cast away his gods of silver and gold - which he nevertheless had made to honour them - unto moles and bats

Psalm 115:4

Their images are but silver and gold, even the work of men's hands.

Isaiah 30:22

Ye shall destroy also the covering of your silver images, and the decking of your golden idols. Even as filthiness shall ye put them away, and say, "Get you hence."

Silver » Idols

Hosea 13:2

And now they sin more and more. Of their silver, they make them molten Images, like the idols of the Heathen, and yet all is nothing but the work of the craftsmen. Notwithstanding they preach of the same: whoso will kiss the calves, offereth to men.

Exodus 20:23

Ye shall not make therefore with me gods of silver nor gods of gold: in no wise shall ye do it.

Isaiah 30:22

Ye shall destroy also the covering of your silver images, and the decking of your golden idols. Even as filthiness shall ye put them away, and say, "Get you hence."

Wicked, the, are compared to » Idols

Psalm 115:8

They that make them, are like unto them; and so are all such as put their trust in them.

Topics on Idols

Abandoning Idols

Deuteronomy 7:25

The images of their gods thou shalt burn with fire, and see that thou covet not the silver or gold that is on them nor take it unto thee, lest thou be snared therewith. For it is an abomination unto the LORD thy God.

Bronze For Idols

2 Kings 18:4

He put away the hill altars, and brake the images and cut down the groves, and all to brake the brazen serpent that Moses made - for unto those days the children of Israel did burn sacrifice to it, and called it Nehushtan.

Carrying Idols

Isaiah 45:20

Let them be gathered and come together, let them draw nigh hither, that are escaped of the people: Have they any understanding, that set up the stocks of their Idols, and praise unto a god, that cannot help them?

Food Offered To Idols

1 Corinthians 8:1-13

To speak of things dedicated unto idols, we are sure that we all have knowledge. Knowledge maketh a man swell: but love edifieth.

Idols Not Existing

1 Corinthians 8:4

To speak of meat dedicated unto idols, we are sure that there is none idol in the world: and that there is none other God but one.

Impotence Of Idols

Jeremiah 10:5

It standeth as stiff as the palm tree, it can neither speak nor go, but must be borne. Be not ye afraid of such, for they can do neither good nor evil."

Making Idols

Leviticus 26:1

Ye shall make you no idols, nor graven image, neither rear you up any pillar, neither ye shall set up any image of stone in your land to bow yourselves thereto: for I am the LORD your God;

Not Like Idols

Leviticus 26:1

Ye shall make you no idols, nor graven image, neither rear you up any pillar, neither ye shall set up any image of stone in your land to bow yourselves thereto: for I am the LORD your God;

Not Worshipping Idols

Ezekiel 18:15

Namely, he eateth not upon the mountains; he lifteth not his eyes up to the Idols of Israel; he defileth not his neighbour's wife;

Trusting Idols

Psalm 115:8

They that make them, are like unto them; and so are all such as put their trust in them.

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