Worship, Image
Culture & SocietyWhat is the meaning of Worship, Image in the Bible?
The veneration of physical representations of deities or sacred figures within religious contexts, a practice prevalent in ancient Near Eastern and Mediterranean cultures.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding this practice clarifies the intense theological debates in the Hebrew Bible regarding idolatry and the exclusive worship of Yahweh, as well as the New Testament's engagement with Greco-Roman religious customs.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Ancient Cultural Lens: Avoid applying 21st-century Western assumptions to Worship, Image. Examine how first-century or Near Eastern listeners understood this practice within their daily social dynamics.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Worship, Image in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Worship, Image clarify?
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.
How to Cite This Entry
"Worship, Image." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/worship-image/