εἴδωλον

an idol, false god

Definition

The word εἴδωλον primarily means an idol or image representing a false god, but it extends to the concept of idolatry itself. In the New Testament, it most often refers to physical representations of pagan deities, such as the golden calf in Acts 7:41. It can also denote the false god that the idol represents, as seen in 1 Corinthians 8:4 where Paul states that 'an idol is nothing at all in the world.' Furthermore, the term is used metaphorically for anything that takes the place of the true God in a person's life, representing any form of idolatrous devotion.

Biblical Usage

Εἴδωλον is used 11 times in the New Testament, primarily in the Pauline epistles and Acts. Paul uses it extensively in 1 Corinthians (1 Corinthians 8:4, 7, 10:19, 12:2) to address the issue of food sacrificed to idols and the Corinthians' former pagan practices. In Acts, it appears in the context of Gentile practices (Acts 15:20) and Stephen's speech recounting Israel's idolatry (Acts 7:41). The usage consistently condemns idol worship and highlights the conflict between pagan religion and devotion to Christ.

Etymology

The noun εἴδωλον derives from the Greek root εἶδος (eidos, G1491), meaning 'form,' 'appearance,' or 'that which is seen.' It originally referred to a phantom, image, or likeness. In the Septuagint (the Greek Old Testament), it became the standard term to translate Hebrew words for idols (e.g., אֱלִיל, elil, and תְּרָפִים, teraphim), solidifying its meaning as a representation of a false god. This development reflects the shift from a general term for an image to a theologically charged term for a pagan religious object.

Semantic Range

Εἴδωλον is theologically central to the biblical concept of idolatry, which is a violation of the first commandment. It represents not merely a carved statue but any substitute for the worship of the one true God. Understanding this Greek term enriches reading by revealing that idolatry, as discussed by Paul in passages like 1 Corinthians 10:14-22, is about fellowship and allegiance—communing with demons versus communing with Christ. It underscores the New Testament's call to exclusive devotion to God and the danger of anything that rivals Him in the believer's heart.

In the Greco-Roman world, εἴδωλον referred to statues or images of gods that were central to public religion, domestic worship, and civic life. These idols were not considered mere symbols; they were believed to house the deity's presence or power. For early Christians, rejecting εἴδωλα meant rejecting a fundamental aspect of social, economic, and political life, as idol meat was common in markets and public festivals. This created significant practical and social tensions, which Paul addresses in his letters.

εἴδωλον (eidōlon, G1497) — The standard term for a physical idol or false god. εἰκών (eikōn, G1504) — A broader term for 'image' or 'likeness,' which can be used positively (e.g., Christ as the image of God) or for idols. ἀγάλματα (agalmata, G1494) — A less common term specifically for statues or objects of worship, often with a focus on their crafted beauty.

Word Details

Scripture References