An idol, in Hebrew is something that is good for nothing, and it’s context is graven images, and pagan gods.
Idols H457 אליל' ĕlı^ylel-eel' Apparently from H408; good for nothing, by analogy vain or vanity; specifically an idol
Lev 26:1 Ye shall make you no idols nor graven image, neither rear you up a standing image, neither shall ye set up any image of stone in your land, to bow down unto it: for I am the LORD your God.
1Ch 16:26 For all the gods of the people are idols: but the LORD made the heavens.
--God must really hate images: Lev 26:30 And I will destroy your high places, and cut down your imagesH2553, and cast your carcases upon the carcases of your idolsH1544, and my soul shall abhor you.
Images H2553 חמּן chamma^nkham-mawn' From H2535; a sun pillar
Idols H1544 גּלּלגּלּוּל gillu^lgillu^lghil-lool',ghil-lool' From H1556; properly a log (as round); by implication an idolIn the New Testament, an Idol is still an image that people worship, and serve.
Act 7:41 And they made a calf in those days, and offered sacrifice unto the idolG1497, and rejoiced in the works of their own hands.
IdolG1497 εἴδωλονe idōlon i'-do-lon From G1491; an image (that is, for worship); by implication a heathen god, or (plural) the worship of such
Idolatry G1495 εἰδωλολατρείαe idōlolatreia i-do-lol-at-ri'-ah From G1497 and G2999; imageworship (literally or figuratively)
--The word means “image worship” So then, where do we get the teaching that idolatry is also other things too? --The definition is in the scripture.The Holy Spirit (Paul’s teacher) teaches that harlotry, impurity, passion, forbidden desire, and avarice, are Idolatry. --Check these Lexicon definitions over individually to make sure I’m not just trying to make the Word of God say what I want.Use an English Dictionary to be sure of the meaning of words.
Col 3:5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornicationG4202, uncleannessG167, inordinate affectionG3806, evil concupiscenceG1939, and covetousnessG4124, which is idolatry:
--Fornication is not thinking sexual thoughts. Fornication is Harlotry—PROSTITUTION. G4202 Fornication πορνείαporneia por-ni'-ah From G4203; harlotry (including adultery and incest); figuratively idolatry --Uncleanness is not telling dirty jokes. G167 Uncleanness ἀκαθαρσία akatharsia ak-ath-ar-see'-ah From G169; impurity (the quality), physically or morally
--Inordinate affection is not homosexuality. G3806 Inordinate Affection πάθος pathos path'-os From the alternate of G3958; properly suffering (“pathos”), that is, (subjectively) a passion (especially concupiscence)
--Concupiscence is not a mystery. G1939 concupiscence ἐπιθυμία epithumia ep-ee-thoo-mee'-ah From G1937; a longing (especially for what is forbidden)
--“Pleonexia” is not covetousness, but avarice--greed for wealth. G4124 Covetousness πλεονεξία pleonexia pleh-on-ex-ee'-ah From G4123; avarice, that is, (by implication) fraudulency, extortion
--So, concerning idolatry, the scripture defines scripture, and the meaning becomes clear, for anyone to understand. It is written--It’s not hidden knowledge, it’s not special interpretation by those with the gift of discernment.
In the name of Yehoshua HaMashiach, and in His love, Wesley, nobody but His servant
