Leviticus 19:4

_TURN YE NOT UNTO IDOLS, NOR MAKE TO YOURSELVES MOLTEN GODS: I AM THE LORD YOUR GOD._ Turn ye not unto idols, х_ HAA'ªLIYLIYM_ (H457)] - vain, empty nothings; either from х_ 'AL_ (H408)] not, or it is a diminutive from _ 'EEL_ (H410) god-a little god-a term of contempt. Ezekiel applies х_ GILUWLIYM _ (H1544)], things rolled, dung, to the idols of Egypt and Canaan (Ezekiel 20:7; Ezekiel 20:16; Ezekiel 20:18; Ezekiel 20:24;...

Verse Leviticus 19:4. _TURN YE NOT UNTO IDOLS_] אלילם _elilim_, literally _nothings_; and to this St. Paul seems to allude 1 Corinthians 8:4, where he says, _We know that an idol is_ NOTHING _in the world_....

EXPOSITION From the prohibition of moral uncleanness exhibiting itself in the form of incest and licentiousness, the legislator proceeds to a series of laws and commandments against other kinds of immorality, inculcating piety, righteousness, and kindness. Leviticus 19:1 may be regarded as an extension of the previous chapter in this direction, after which the subject of Leviticus 18:1, is again taken up in Leviticus 20:1. The precepts now given are not arranged systematically, though, as Keil has remarked, "while_ _grouped together rather according to a loose association of ideas than according to any logical arrangement, they are all linked together by the common purpose expressed in th

TURN YE NOT UNTO IDOLS,.... From the one only true and living God to them that are not gods, as the word used signifies, who are nothing; for, as the apostle says, an idol is nothing in the world, 1 Corinthians 8:4, is of no worth and value, of no consequence and importance, of no avail and usefulness to its devotees; wherefore to turn from the true God to such as these is the greatest stupidity, as well as wickedness: or "look not" at them g for help or assistance, for they are not able to give it: and to look at them so as to view them attentively, and consider their likeness, the Jews say h is forbidden; and even in the heart and mind, as Aben Ezra observes, to have respect unto them was not right; or in the thoughts, as Gersom: NOR MAKE TO YOURSELVES MOLTEN GODS; of gold, silver, or brass, melted and cast into a mould, as the golden calf was, to which respect

2. DIFFERENT DUTIES CHAPTER 19 _ 1. Honoring parents and fearing God (Leviticus 19:1)_ 2. The care of the poor (Leviticus 19:9) 3. Against stealing and lying (Leviticus 19:11) 4. Against oppression (Leviticus 19:13) 5. Against unrighteousness in judgment (Leviticus 19:15) 6. Thou shalt love thy neighbor (Leviticus 19:17) 7. Different commands and prohibitions ...

HOLINESS, PIETY, IDOLATRY, PEACE-OFFERINGS. Note the mention of the mother first. On the Sabbath, see pp. 101f., Exodus 20:8 *. Idols, lit. things of nought; only here and in Leviticus 26:1 in Pentateuch; common in 2 Isaiah (_cf._ 44:9ff.). Molten, specially prohibited also in Exodus 34:17; not in Exodus 20:4. On consumption of peace offerings, see Leviticus 7:15, which, however, only allows this latitude for a vow. Since peace offerings alone were consumed in part) by laymen, this restriction has its place in a manual of holiness for laymen....

IDOLS. Hebrew. _'elilim_. See Leviticus 26:1....

_Turn ye not unto_ As in Leviticus 19:31 (A.V. -Regard not"), and Leviticus 20:6. _idols ("ělîlîm) things of nought_R.V. mg. See reference there. The Heb. word occurs only here and Leviticus 26:1 in Pentateuch; a word of uncertain etymology, possibly suggesting the idea of gods from its sound (similar to that of _"ël_and _"ĕlôhîm_), but always associated with the idea of worthlessness. It is used by the prophets ironically of false gods in contrast to the true God. _molten gods_ See Exodus 34:17. Cp. Deuteronomy

TURN YE NOT UNTO IDOLS— The word rendered idols אלילים _elilim,_ coming from אליל _elil, vain, foolish, false,_ signifies _vain, foolish,_ or _false things:_ a name given in just contempt by believers to the vain objects of heathen worship, which were nothing in themselves, and to worship which shewed the greater folly; as, having no intellectual existence, they were unable to help: _We know that an idol is nothing in the world,_ says St. Paul, 1 Corinthians 8:4 an observation equally true, whatever was the object of false worship....

HOLINESS IN CONDUCT TOWARD GOD AND MAN 19:1-37 THE FIRST TABLE OF THE LAW 19:1-8 TEXT 19:1-8 1 And Jehovah spake unto Moses, saying, 2 Speak unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say unto them, Ye shall be holy; for I Jehovah your God am holy. 3 Ye shall fear every man his mother_,_ and his father; and ye shall keep my sabbaths: I am Jehovah your God. 4 Turn ye not unto idols, nor make to yourselves molten gods: I am Jehovah your God. 5 And when ye offer a sacrifice of peace-offerings unto Jehovah, ye shall offer it that ye may be accepted. 6 It shall be eaten the same day ye offer it, and on the morrow: and if aught remain until the third day, it shall be burnt with fire. 7 And if it be eaten at all on the third day, it is an abomination; it shall not be accepted: 8 but every one that eateth it shall bear his iniquity, because he hath profaned the hol