Library Theodoret Questions on Exodus
Questions on Exodus 38: What is the difference between “idol” and “likeness”?
What difference do “idol” and “likeness” have?
An idol has no underlying reality; a likeness is the appearance and copy of something. Since, then, the Greeks invent forms that do not exist—sphinxes and tritons and centaurs—and the Egyptians dog-faced and ox-headed figures, he calls “idols” the imitations of things that do not exist; but “likenesses” the images of things that do exist, such as sun and moon, stars, human beings, beasts, creeping things, and things like these. He commands that they neither bow down to these nor serve them. He does not forbid both simply without reason; but since it happens that some bow down through human fear yet do not serve in the soul, he taught that each is impious.
Greek: Theodoret of Cyrus, Quaestiones in Octateuchum / Questions on Exodus (CPG 6200.02; cf. Fernández Marcos and Sáenz-Badillos; also PG 80, cols. 225–298). English: study translation for BWAB Library—not the copyrighted Robert C. Hill (CUA Press) translation. The full Questions on Exodus (72 questions) is hosted here.