פָּסִיל (pe.sil)
pe.sil
idol
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 22 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun pāsîl refers to a carved or graven image, functioning as a variant spelling of the more common peṣel. It appears twenty-two times in the Old Testament, with significant usage in Jeremiah, Isaiah, and Second Chronicles. The word describes physical idols crafted from materials like wood or stone, representing false gods that Israel was repeatedly warned against worshipping.
Its meaning derives from the root pāsal, which means to carve or cut. This etymology highlights the human effort involved in creating these objects. While most occurrences clearly denote idols, a few passages in Judges and Kings may refer to stone quarries, suggesting a secondary sense of raw material before it becomes an object of worship.
Translators typically render pāsîl as "graven image" or "carved image." This choice emphasizes the artificial nature of the deity, contrasting sharply with the living God of Israel. The term appears in contexts where prophets condemn the futility of trusting in human-made objects rather than the Creator.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word pāsîl describes an idol carved from wood or stone. It reminds us that these objects are human creations, not divine realities. The root meaning involves cutting or shaping material by hand. This highlights the effort people put into making something that cannot speak or save.
When we face difficulties, it is natural to look for solid things to hold onto. We might seek security in money, status, or control. These modern idols feel real and useful. Yet they are shaped by our own hands and limited by our own strength. They cannot change the future or heal a broken heart.
God invites us to trust in Him instead. He is the Creator who made the wood and the stone. He does not need our craftsmanship to exist. His love is steady and true. We can rest in His care without building false gods to protect us.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 22 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ the/ idols4×
- [the] images of4×
- the/ idols3×
- images/ its2×
- and/ images/ their2×
- to <the>/ images1×
- idols/ their1×
- idols1×
- by/ idols/ their1×
- and/ to the/ idols1×
- and/ by/ idols/ their1×
- and/ [the] images of1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- פְּסִילֵ֥י2×
- פְּסִילֵ֣י2×
- פְּסִלִים֙1×
- פְּסִילֶ֣י/הָ1×
- פְּסִילֶ֑י/הָ1×
- פְּסִֽילֵי/הֶ֖ם1×
- לַ/פְּסִילִֽים\׃1×
- וּ֝/בִ/פְסִילֵי/הֶ֗ם1×
- וּ/פְסִילֵי/הֶ֖ם1×
- וּ/פְסִילֵ֥י1×
- וּ/פְסִ֣ילֵי/הֶ֔ם1×
- וְ/לַ/פְּסִלִ֖ים1×
Key Verses
-
Isaiah 42:8
“I am Yahweh. That is my name. I will not give my glory to another, nor my praise to engraved images.
This verse contrasts God's unique glory with carved images, showing that idols cannot share His praise or power.
-
II Chronicles 34:4
They broke down the altars of the Baals in his presence; and he cut down the incense altars that were on high above them. He broke the Asherah poles, the engraved images, and the molten images in pieces, made dust of them, and scattered it on the graves of those who had sacrificed to them.
King Josiah destroys these images to purify Judah, demonstrating that true worship requires removing false substitutes.
-
Jeremiah 8:19
Behold, the voice of the cry of the daughter of my people from a land that is very far off: “Isn’t Yahweh in Zion? Isn’t her King in her?” “Why have they provoked me to anger with their engraved images, and with foreign idols?”
The prophet links the people's suffering directly to their provocation of God through these carved idols.
-
Deuteronomy 7:25
You shall burn the engraved images of their gods with fire. You shall not covet the silver or the gold that is on them, nor take it for yourself, lest you be snared in it; for it is an abomination to Yahweh your God.
This command warns against coveting the materials of idols, as they are an abomination that can snare the heart.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does pāsîl mean in the Bible?
How is pāsîl different from other words for idols?
Where does this word appear most often?
Every Occurrence (22 verses across 9 books)
Deuteronomy 3 verses
But you shall deal with them like this: you shall break down their altars, dash their pillars in pieces, cut down their…
Deuteronomy 7:25You shall burn the engraved images of their gods with fire. You shall not covet the silver or the gold that is on them,…
Deuteronomy 12:3You shall break down their altars, dash their pillars in pieces, and burn their Asherah poles with fire. You shall cut…