Adonis
Culture & SocietyWhat is the meaning of Adonis in the Bible?
Adonis is identified with the Babylonian deity Tammuz and was proposed as a translation for 'pleasant plants' in Isaiah 17:10 within the margin of the English Revised Version, though this rendering was excluded from the American Standard Revised Version.
SIGNIFICANCE
Recognizing this textual variant illuminates the historical engagement between Hebrew scribes and neighboring Near Eastern fertility cults, offering insight into how ancient interpreters navigated the boundaries between indigenous Israelite worship and surrounding mythological traditions.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
- Why did the biblical author mention Adonis in this passage?
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Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.