Bible Dictionary
SUN-WORSHIP
Sun-worship is the idolatrous veneration of the sun as a deity or divine power. Israel was repeatedly warned against it, and reforms under Josiah removed sun-images and related practices from Judah’s worship.
Definition
Sun-worship is the idolatrous adoration of the sun as a deity or divine power. It was prominent in many ancient nations and entered Israel’s worship despite repeated warnings.
Biblical Usage
The Old Testament condemns sun-images and related idolatry. Josiah’s reform removed sun-images, horses, and other practices connected with sun-worship from Judah, while Ezekiel denounced worshippers turning toward the sun.
Historical Background
Sun-worship is described among Babylonians, Assyrians, Egyptians, and other ancient peoples. Egyptian centers included Heliopolis, while Babylonian and Assyrian worship centered on Shamash and related cults.
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>sun'-wur-ship: The splendor of the sun makes it a natural object of adoration, once the purer idea of the one true God (Ro 1:20,21) is parted with, and in most ancient nations the worship of the sun was an outstanding feature. It is found in Babylonian and Assyrian (Samas; special seats of sun-worship were Sippara and Larsa); in Egypt it is a leading feature of the religion (Ra, and, under special phases, Horus, Tum, Aten; a special seat of sun-worship was Heliopollis, the Old Testament On, called in Jer 43:13 Beth-shemesh, "house of the sun"). Other cities bore the same name: Beth-shemesh (Jos 15:10 = Ir-shemesh; Jos 19:41, in Judah; Jos 19:22, in Issachar; Jos 19:38, in Naphtali; see BETH-SHEMESH). Allusions to, and warnings against, sun-worship are frequent in the Old Testament, as in Le 26:30; 2Ch 14:5; 34:4,7; Isa 17:8; 27:9; Eze 6:4,6, in which passages for the King James Version "images," "idols," the Revised Version (British and American) has "sun-images" (which see); Job 31:26,27 and numerous passages show that this form of idolatry latterly penetrated deeply into Judah--even into its temple-worship (2Ki 23:5,11, "horses .... given to the sun" (see under HORSES OF THE SUN,</p><p>"Chariots of the Sun"); and Eze 8:16). Josiah's reformation took account of these abuses (2Ki 23:5,11 ff; 2Ch 34:4,7), and Ezekiel strenuously denounced them (8:16 ff).</p><p>James Orr</p>