Idol (1.) Heb. aven, "nothingness;" "vanity" (Isaiah 66:3; Isaiah 1:41; Deuteronomy 32:21; 1 Kings 16:13; Psalms 31:6; Jeremiah 8:19, etc.).
(2.) 'Elil, "a thing of naught" (Psalms 97:7; Isaiah 19:3); a word of contempt, used of the gods of Noph (Ezekiel 30:13).
(3.) 'Emah, "terror," in allusion to the hideous form of idols (Jeremiah 50:38).
(4.) Miphletzeth, "a fright;" "horror" (1 Kings 15:13; 2 Chronicles 15:16).
(5.) Bosheth, "shame;" "shameful thing" (Jeremiah 11:13; Hosea 9:10); as characterizing the obscenity of the worship of Baal.
(6.) Gillulim, also a word of contempt, "dung;" "refuse" (Ezekiel 16:36; Ezekiel 1:20; Deuteronomy 29:17, marg.).
(7.) Shikkuts, "filth;" "impurity" (Ezekiel 37:23; Nahum 3:6).
(8.) Semel, "likeness;" "a carved image" (Deuteronomy 4:16).
(9.) Tselem, "a shadow" (Daniel 3:1; 1 Samuel 6:5), as distinguished from the "likeness," or the exact counterpart.
(10.) Temunah, "similitude" (Deuteronomy 4:12-19). Here Moses forbids the several forms of Gentile idolatry.
(11.) 'Atsab, "a figure;" from the root "to fashion," "to labour;" denoting that idols are the result of man's labour (Isaiah 48:5; Psalms 139:24, "wicked way;" literally, as some translate, "way of an idol").
(12.) Tsir, "a form;" "shape" (Isaiah 45:16).
(13.) Matztzebah, a "statue" set up (Jeremiah 43:13); a memorial stone like that erected by Jacob (Genesis 28:18; Genesis 1:31; Genesis 1:35, Genesis 1:35), by Joshua (4:9), and by Samuel (1 Samuel 7:12). It is the name given to the statues of Baal (2 Kings 3:2; 2 Kings 1:10).
(14.) Hammanim, "sun-images." Hamman is a synonym of Baal, the sun-god of the Phoenicians (2 Chronicles 34:4, 2 Chronicles 1:34; 2 Chronicles 1:14, 2 Chronicles 1:14; Isaiah 17:8).
(15.) Maskith, "device" (Leviticus 26:1; Numbers 33:52). In Leviticus 26:1, the words "image of stone" (A.V.) denote "a stone or cippus with the image of an idol, as Baal, Astarte, etc." In Ezekiel 8:12, "chambers of imagery" (maskith), are "chambers of which the walls are painted with the figures of idols;" comp. ver. 10, 11.
(16.) Pesel, "a graven" or "carved image" (Isaiah 44:10-20). It denotes also a figure cast in metal (Deuteronomy 7:25; Deuteronomy 1:27; Isaiah 40:19; Isaiah 1:44).
(17.) Massekah, "a molten image" (Deuteronomy 9:12; Judges 17:3, Judges 1:17).
(18.) Teraphim, pl., "images," family gods (penates) worshipped by Abram's kindred (Joshua 24:14). Put by Michal in David's bed (Judges 17:5; Judges 1:18, Judges 1:18, Judges 1:18, Judges 1:18; 1 Samuel 19:13).
"Nothing can be more instructive and significant than this multiplicity and variety of words designating the instruments and inventions of idolatry."