εἴδωλον (eidōlon)
eidōlon
idol
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 11 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The Greek noun eidōlon refers to an image or likeness, originally describing a visual form or phantom. In the New Testament, it specifically denotes the physical idols worshipped in pagan cultures, as well as the false gods themselves. The word appears eleven times, with significant usage in Paul’s letters where he addresses the reality of these objects.
Paul uses eidōlon to clarify that while idols have no true power, they are associated with demonic forces. In 1 Corinthians 10:20, he warns that sacrifices offered to such images are not directed to nothing but to demons. This distinguishes the object itself from the spiritual reality behind it, a nuance seen in Acts 15:20 where believers are urged to abstain from idolatry.
Its root relates to seeing or appearance, emphasizing the visual nature of pagan worship. Translators consistently render it as "idol," capturing both the physical statue and the false deity it represents. This dual meaning highlights the Christian view that such worship is fundamentally misguided, pointing away from the one true God.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word eidōlon points to more than just a carved statue; it represents any rival to God that demands our ultimate trust. In the New Testament, this term appears frequently in Paul’s letters, reminding believers that while these objects have no real power, they are tied to spiritual realities that pull us away from the one true God. The early church faced a complex cultural landscape where food and social life were often linked to pagan temples, making this distinction vital for daily faithfulness.
Understanding this word helps us identify modern 'idols'—anything we prioritize above our relationship with Christ. Whether it is wealth, status, or even religious performance, eidōlon warns us that these things cannot save or sustain us. By recognizing the emptiness of false gods, we are invited to turn fully toward the living and true God, who alone satisfies the deepest longings of the human heart.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 11 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- idols6×
- idol2×
- an idol2×
- idols?1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- εἴδωλα3×
- εἰδώλων3×
- εἴδωλόν1×
- εἴδωλον1×
- εἰδώλῳ1×
- εἰδώλων;1×
- εἰδώλου1×
Key Verses
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I Corinthians 8:4
Therefore concerning the eating of things sacrificed to idols, we know that no idol is anything in the world, and that there is no other God but one.
Paul uses this verse to establish that idols are nothing in reality, grounding Christian freedom in the truth of one God.
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I Thessalonians 1:9
For they themselves report concerning us what kind of a reception we had from you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God,
This occurrence highlights the decisive turn from empty images to serving the living God, marking a clear shift in allegiance.
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I John 5:21
Little children, keep yourselves from idols.
John’s final command serves as a protective warning for believers to actively guard their hearts against any false substitute for Christ.