אֱלִיל
e.lil
idol
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
ExploredThe Hebrew word "אֱלִיל" (e.lil) is defined as an "idol." It falls within the semantic domain of Deity and Divine, indicating that it is closely related to concepts of worship and the supernatural. This word appears 20 times in the Bible, suggesting its significance in the Hebrew scriptures. The use of "אֱלִיל" implies a focus on the material objects or representations that people worship, rather than the divine being itself. This could encompass a range of objects, from statues to sacred symbols, that wow people's devotion. The frequency of its appearance in the Bible indicates that the concept of idolatry was a significant concern for the ancient Israelites. The significance of "אֱלִיל" lies in its connection to the Israelites' relationship with their God. The many occurrences of this word in the Bible highlight the importance of distinguishing between the true God and false idols, and the consequences of worshiping the latter.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
20 total occurrences across the text
But you are forgers of lies. You are all physicians of no value.
Psalms 96:5For all the gods of the peoples are idols, but Yahweh made the heavens.
Psalms 97:7Let all them be shamed who serve engraved images, who boast in their idols. Worship him, all you gods!
Isaiah 2:8Their land also is full of idols. They worship the work of their own hands, that which their own fingers have made.
Isaiah 2:18The idols shall utterly pass away.
Isaiah 2:20In that day, men shall cast away their idols of silver and their idols of gold, which have been made for themselves to worship, to the moles and to the bats,
Isaiah 2:20In that day, men shall cast away their idols of silver and their idols of gold, which have been made for themselves to worship, to the moles and to the bats,
Isaiah 10:10As my hand has found the kingdoms of the idols, whose engraved images exceeded those of Jerusalem and of Samaria;
Isaiah 10:11shall I not, as I have done to Samaria and her idols, so do to Jerusalem and her idols?
Isaiah 19:1The burden of Egypt. “Behold, Yahweh rides on a swift cloud, and comes to Egypt. The idols of Egypt will tremble at his presence; and the heart of Egypt will melt within it.
Isaiah 19:3The spirit of Egypt will fail within it. I will destroy its counsel. They will seek the idols, the charmers, those who have familiar spirits, and the wizards.
Isaiah 31:7For in that day everyone shall cast away his idols of silver and his idols of gold—sin which your own hands have made for you.
Isaiah 31:7For in that day everyone shall cast away his idols of silver and his idols of gold—sin which your own hands have made for you.
Jeremiah 14:14Then Yahweh said to me, “The prophets prophesy lies in my name. I didn’t send them. I didn’t command them. I didn’t speak to them. They prophesy to you a lying vision, divination, and a thing of nothing, and the deceit of their own heart.
Ezekiel 30:13“ ‘The Lord Yahweh says: “I will also destroy the idols, and I will cause the images to cease from Memphis. There will be no more a prince from the land of Egypt. I will put a fear in the land of Egypt.
Habakkuk 2:18“What value does the engraved image have, that its maker has engraved it; the molten image, even the teacher of lies, that he who fashions its form trusts in it, to make mute idols?
Zechariah 11:17Woe to the worthless shepherd who leaves the flock! The sword will be on his arm, and on his right eye. His arm will be completely withered, and his right eye will be totally blinded!”
Leviticus 19:4“ ‘Don’t turn to idols, nor make molten gods for yourselves. I am Yahweh your God.
Leviticus 26:1“ ‘You shall make for yourselves no idols, and you shall not raise up a carved image or a pillar, and you shall not place any figured stone in your land, to bow down to it; for I am Yahweh your God.
1 Chronicles 16:26For all the gods of the peoples are idols, but Yahweh made the heavens.