Chaldea, it spread through Egypt, Greece, Scythia, and even Mexico and Ceylon. Comp. (4:19;
17:3; Job 31:20-28) In the later times of the monarchy, the planets or the zodiacal signs received,
next to the sun and moon, their share of popular adoration. (2 Kings 23:5) Beast-worship, as
exemplified in the calves of Jeroboam, has already been alluded to of pure hero-worship among
the Semitic races we find no trace. The singular reverence with which trees have been honored is
not without example in the history of the Hebrew. The terebinth (oak) at Mamre, beneath which
Abraham built an altar, (Genesis 12:7; 13:18) and the memorial grove planted by him at Beersheba,
(Genesis 21:33) were intimately connected with patriarchal worship. Mountains and high places
were chosen spots for offering sacrifice and incense to idols, (1 Kings 11:7; 14:23) and the retirement
of gardens and the thick shade of woods offered great attractions to their worshippers. (2 Kings
16:4; Isaiah 1:29; Hosea 4:13) The host of heaven was worshipped on the house-top. (2 Kings
23:12; Jeremiah 19:3; 32:29; Zephaniah 1:5) (The modern objects of idolatry are less gross than
the ancient, but are none the less idols. Whatever of wealth or honor or pleasure is loved and sought
before God and righteousness becomes an object of idolatry.—ED.) III. Punishment of idolatry
.—Idolatry to an Israelite was a state offence, (1 Samuel 15:23) a political crime of the greatest
character, high treason against the majesty of his king. The first and second commandments are
directed against idolatry of every form. Individuals and communities were equally amenable to the
rigorous code. The individual offender was devoted to destruction, (Exodus 22:20) his nearest
relatives were not only bound to denounce him and deliver him up to punishment, (13:2-10) but
their hands were to strike the first blow, when, on the evidence of two witnesses at least, he was
stoned. (17:2-5) To attempt to seduce others to false worship was a crime of equal enormity.
(13:6-10) IV. Attractions of idolatry .—Many have wondered why the Israelites were so easily led
away from the true God, into the worship of idols. (1) Visible, outward signs, with shows, pageants,
parades, have an attraction to the natural heart, which often fail to perceive the unseen spiritual
realities. (2) But the greatest attraction seems to have been in licentious revelries and obscene orgies
with which the worship of the Oriental idols was observed. This worship, appealing to every sensual
passion, joined with the attractions of wealth and fashion and luxury, naturally was a great temptation
to a simple, restrained, agricultural people, whose worship and law demands the greatest purity of
heart and of life.—ED.)
Idumea
(red). [Edom, Idumaea Or Idumea]
Igal
(whom God will avenge).
•One of the spies, son of Joseph, of the tribe of Issachar. (Numbers 13:7) (B.C. 1490.)
•One of the heroes of David’s guard, son of Nathan of Zobah. (2 Samuel 23:36) (B.C. 1046.)
Igdaliah
(whom Jehovah makes great), a prophet or holy man—“the man of God”—named once only,
(Jeremiah 36:4) as the father of Hanan. (B.C. before 406.)
Igeal
(whom God will avenge), a son of Nehemiah; a descendant of the royal house of Judah. ( 1
Chronicles 3:22) (B.C. 406.)
Iim
(ruins).
•The partial or contracted form of the name IJE-ABARIM. (Numbers 33:45)
frankie
(Frankie)
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