Icon

An icon (from Greek {{polytonic|?????}}, eikon, "image") is an image, picture, or representation; it is a sign or likeness that stands for an object by signifying or representing it, or by analogy, as in semiotics; in computers an icon is a symbol on the monitor used to signify a command; by extension, icon is also used, particularly in modern popular culture, in the general sense of symbol — i.e. a name, face, picture or even a person readily recognized as having some well-known significance or embodying certain qualities.

Eikon in the Septuagint

The Greek word eikon means an image or likeness of any kind. Anything that represents something else is an eikon. Nothing is implied about sanctity or its absence, or veneration or its absence by the word itself.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Septuagint is the Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures used by the early Christians, and Eastern Orthodox consider it the only authoritative text of those Scriptures. In it the word eikon is used for everything from man being made in the divine image to the "molten idol" placed by Manasses in the Temple. The word eikon is found in:

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

• Genesis 1:26-27;
• Genesis 5:1-3;
• Genesis 9:6;
• Deuteronomy 4:16
• 1 Samuel (1 Kings) 6:11 (Alexandrian manuscript);
• 2 Kings 11:18;
• 2 Chronicles 33:7;
• Psalm 38:7
• Psalm 72:20;
• Isaiah 40, 19-20;
• Ezekiel 7:20;
• Ezekiel 8:5 (Alexandrian manuscript);
• Ezekiel 16:17;

Ezekiel 23:14;

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Daniel 2:31,32,34,35;

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Daniel 3:1,2,3,5,7,11,12,14,15,18;

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Hosea 13:2

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Be aware that Septuagint numberings and names and the English Bible numberings and names are not uniformly identical.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~