Idol

Heb. aven, “nothingness;” “vanity” (Isa 66:3; 41:29; Deut 32:21; 1 Kgs 16:13; Ps 31:6; Jer 8:19, etc.).

‘Elil, “a thing of naught” (Ps 97:7; Isa 19:3); a word of contempt, used of the gods of Noph (Ezek 30:13).

‘Emah, “terror,” in allusion to the hideous form of idols (Jer 50:38).

Miphletzeth, “a fright;” “horror” (1 Kgs 15:13; 2 Chr 15:16).

Bosheth, “shame;” “shameful thing” (Jer 11:13; Hos 9:10); as characterizing the obscenity of the worship of Baal.

Gillulim, also a word of contempt, “dung;” “refuse” (Ezek 16:36; 20:8; Deut 29:17, marg.).

Shikkuts, “filth;” “impurity” (Ezek 37:23; Nah 3:6).

Semel, “likeness;” “a carved image” (Deut 4:16).

Tselem, “a shadow” (Dan 3:1; 1 Sam 6:5), as distinguished from the “likeness,” or the exact counterpart.

Temunah, “similitude” (Deut 4:12-19). Here Moses forbids the several forms of Gentile idolatry.

‘Atsab, “a figure;” from the root “to fashion,” “to labour;” denoting that idols are the result of man’s labour (Isa 48:5; Ps 139:24, “wicked way;” literally, as some translate, “way of an idol”).

Tsir, “a form;” “shape” (Isa 45:16).

Matztzebah, a “statue” set up (Jer 43:13); a memorial stone like that erected by Jacob (Gen 28:18; 31:45; 35:14, 20), by Joshua (4:9), and by Samuel (1 Sam 7:12). It is the name given to the statues of Baal (2 Kgs 3:2; 10:27).

Hammanim, “sun-images.” Hamman is a synonym of Baal, the sun-god of the Phoenicians (2 Chr 34:4, 7; 14:3, 5; Isa 17:8).

Maskith, “device” (Lev 26:1; Num 33:52). In Lev 26:1, the words “image of stone” (A.V.) denote “a stone or cippus with the image of an idol, as Baal, Astarte, etc.” In Ezek 8:12, “chambers of imagery” (maskith), are “chambers of which the walls are painted with the figures of idols;” comp. ver. 10, 11.

Pesel, “a graven” or “carved image” (Isa 44:10-20). It denotes also a figure cast in metal (Deut 7:25; 27:15; Isa 40:19; 44:10).

Massekah, “a molten image” (Deut 9:12; Judg 17:3, 4).

Teraphim, pl., “images,” family gods (penates) worshipped by Abram’s kindred (Josh 24:14). Put by Michal in David’s bed (Judg 17:5; 18:14, 17, 18, 20; 1 Sam 19:13).

“Nothing can be more instructive and significant than this multiplicity and variety of words designating the instruments and inventions of idolatry.”