"pr. a form, shape, figure; image or statue; hence, an idol, image of a god, Acts 7:41; a heathen god, 1 Cor. 8:4, 7; for εἰδωλόθυτον, the flesh of victims sacrificed to idols, Acts 15:20; Rom. 2:22; 1 Cor. 10:19; 12:12; 2 Cor. 6:16; 1 Thess. 1:9; 1 Jn. 5:21; Rev. 9:20*"
Definition and meaning
pr. a form, shape, figure; image or statue; hence, an idol, image of a god, Acts 7:41; a heathen god, 1 Cor. 8:4, 7; for εἰδωλόθυτον, the flesh of victims sacrificed to idols, Acts 15:20; Rom. 2:22; 1 Cor. 10:19; 12:12; 2 Cor. 6:16; 1 Thess. 1:9; 1 Jn. 5:21; Rev. 9:20*
In the original Greek the word is written: εἴδωλον
Historical context
The Roman Empire provided infrastructure no previous civilization had built — roads, sea routes, a common language in Greek, and relative peace across the Mediterranean. Jewish synagogues existed in every major city, giving Paul a starting point everywhere he traveled. The early church had no buildings, no political power, no social standing — and spread faster than any movement in ancient history.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of eidolon (G1497) across the King James Bible.
And they made a calf in those days, and offered sacrifice unto the idol, and rejoiced in the works of their own hands.
But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.
Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege?
As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one.
Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled.
What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing?
Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led.
And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God;
Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.
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Common questions
Strong's G1497 (eidolon) is a Greek word that means: pr. a form, shape, figure; image or statue; hence, an idol, image of a god, Acts 7:41; a heathen god, 1 Cor. 8:4, 7; for εἰδωλόθυτον, the flesh of victims sacrificed to idols, Acts 15:20; Rom. 2:22; 1... It appears 11 times in the King James Bible.
The word eidolon (G1497) appears 11 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G1497 is eidolon, a Greek word defined as: pr. a form, shape, figure; image or statue; hence, an idol, image of a god, Acts 7:41; a heathen god, 1 Cor. 8:4, 7; for εἰδωλόθυτον, the flesh of vic. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
eidolon is a Greek word found in the New Testament.