THE BIBLE'S VIEWPOINT/IMAGES

Did faithful Jews of Bible times venerate images?

"You must not make for yourself a carve image or a form like anything that is in the heavens above or on the earth below or in the waters under the earth. You must not bow down to them nor be enticed to serve them." -Exodus 20:4, 5. 

A COMMON CLAIM According to the New Catholic Encyclopedia, the Jews had an abundance of images associated with their worship "and these representations were honored, reverenced, and venerated."  As examples, that encyclopedia cites the numerous engravings of fruits, flowers, and animals that adorned the temple in Jerusalem. -1 Kings 6:18; 7:36.  

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW Contrary to what the New Catholic Encyclopedia asserts, faithful Jews did not venerate any of the engravings or figures associated with the temple.  In fact, nowhere in the Bible do we read of a faithful Israelite using an image for worship. 

WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS "I give my glory to no one else," God said through the prophet Isaiah, "nor my praise to graven images." -Isaiah 42:8. 

Next time:  THE BIBLE'S VIEWPOINT/Continue with IMAGES -Did the early Christians use images in their worship?

From the Awake! magazine