Definitions
The meaning of Idol in the Bible
(From Easton's Bible Dictionary)
Heb. aven, "nothingness;" "vanity" (Isaiah 66:3; 41:29; Deuteronomy 32:21; I Kings 16:13; Psalms 31:6; Jeremiah 8:19, etc.). 'Elil, "a thing of naught" (Psalms 97:7; Isaiah 19:3); a word of contempt, used of the gods of Noph (Ezekiel 30:13). 'Emah, "terror," in allusion to the hideous form of idols (Jeremiah 50:38). Miphletzeth, "a fright;" "horror" (I Kings 15:13; 2Chr. 15:16). Bosheth, "shame;" "shameful thing" (Jeremiah 11:13; Hosea 9:10); as characterizing the obscenity of the worship of Baal. Gillulim, also a word of contempt, "dung;" "refuse" (Ezekiel 16:36; 20:8; Deuteronomy 29:17, marg.). Shikkuts, "filth;" "impurity" (Ezekiel 37:23; Nahum 3:6). Semel, "likeness;" "a carved image" (Deuteronomy 4:16). Tselem, "a shadow" (Daniel 3:1; I Samuel 6:5), as distinguished from the "likeness," or the exact counterpart. Temunah, "similitude" (Deuteronomy 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 (Isaiah 48:5; Psalms 139:24, "wicked way;" literally, as some translate, "way of an idol"). Tsir, "a form;" "shape" (Isaiah 45:16). Matztzebah, a "statue" set up (Jeremiah 43:13); a memorial stone like that erected by Jacob (Genesis 28:18; 31:45; 35:14,20), by (Joshua 4:9), and by Samuel (I Samuel 7:12). It is the name given to the statues of Baal (II Kings 3:2; 10:27). Hammanim, "sun-images." Hamman is a synonym of Baal, the sun-god of the Phoenicians (II Chronicles 34:4,7; 14:3,5; Isaiah 17:8). Maskith, "device" (Leviticus 26:1; Numbers 33:52). In Leviticus 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 Ezekiel 8:12, "chambers of imagery" (maskith), are "chambers of which the walls are painted with the figures of idols;" Compare ver. 10,11. Pesel, "a graven" or "carved image" (Isaiah 44:10-20). It denotes also a figure cast in metal (Deuteronomy 7:25; 27:15; Isaiah 40:19; 44:10). Massekah, "a molten image" (Deuteronomy 9:12; Judges 17:3,4). Teraphim, pl., "images," family gods (penates) worshipped by Abram's kindred (Joshua 24:14). Put by Michal in David's bed (Judges 17:5; 18:14,17,18,20; I Samuel 19:13). "Nothing can be more instructive and significant than this multiplicity and variety of words designating the instruments and inventions of idolatry."
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