סֶמֶל
a likeness
Definition
The Hebrew word סֶמֶל (semel) refers to a carved or crafted likeness, image, or idol. In its biblical usage, it consistently denotes a physical representation of a deity, typically used in idolatrous worship. In Deuteronomy 4:16, it is used in a warning against making any 'likeness' of a male or female form for idolatrous purposes. In the historical and prophetic books, it specifically refers to a manufactured idol, such as the carved image of the goddess Asherah that King Manasseh placed in the temple (2 Chronicles 33:7, 15) and the 'image of jealousy' seen in Ezekiel's vision (Ezekiel 8:3, 5).
Biblical Usage
This word is used exclusively in contexts condemning idolatry. It appears five times in the Old Testament: once in the Torah (Deuteronomy), twice in the historical books (2 Chronicles), and twice in the Prophets (Ezekiel). In Deuteronomy 4:16, it serves as a general prohibition. In 2 Chronicles 33:7 and 15, it describes a specific, tangible idol erected in the Jerusalem temple. In Ezekiel's visions (8:3, 5), it is called the 'image of jealousy,' symbolizing the idolatry that provoked God's wrath and led to the temple's defilement.
Etymology
The noun סֶמֶל (semel) or סֵמֶל is derived from an unused root meaning 'to resemble' or 'to be like.' This root idea directly informs its meaning as a 'likeness' or 'image.' It is a concrete noun for a manufactured object designed to resemble and represent a divine being.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as it is a key term for idolatry in the Bible. It highlights the fundamental biblical prohibition against creating physical representations of God (Deuteronomy 4:15-19) and the severe consequences of violating this command, as seen in the histories of Israel and Judah. Understanding סֶמֶל enriches reading by clarifying that biblical condemnations of 'images' are not about art in general, but specifically about crafted objects intended for worship, which replaces the invisible God with a man-made substitute.
In the ancient Near Eastern context, creating and worshiping cultic images (semel) was a standard religious practice among Israel's neighbors. These were not merely symbols but were believed to house or manifest the presence of a deity. The biblical insistence that God cannot and must not be represented by any 'semel' (Deuteronomy 4:15-18) was a radical departure from surrounding cultures, emphasizing God's transcendence and spirituality.
פֶּסֶל (pesel, H6459) — a carved idol or graven image, often made of wood or stone. תְּמוּנָה (temunah, H8544) — a form, likeness, or semblance, often used in visions or for God's formless glory. עָצָב (`atsab, H6091) — an idol, often with a connotation of something fashioned or fabricated, causing grief.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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