Paganism in the Bible generally refers to the worship of deities other than the God of Israel, often characterized by practices and beliefs that stand in opposition to the monotheistic faith outlined in the Hebrew Scriptures. The term itself is derived from the Latin "paganus," meaning "country dweller," and it came to denote those who practiced polytheism or followed folk religions, particularly in contrast to Christianity and Judaism. In the biblical context, paganism is linked with idolatry, the worship of false gods, and various rituals that are condemned in texts such as Exodus 20:3-5, where God commands, "You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself a carved image."Throughout the Old Testament, prominent examples of pagan practices include the worship of Baal and Asherah, as seen in 1 Kings 18 during the confrontation between the prophet Elijah and the prophets of Baal. These practices often led to Israel's downfall, as they turned away from Yahweh to adopt the religious customs of surrounding nations, prompting prophetic warnings and calls for repentance (e.g., Isaiah 44:9-20). In the New Testament, paganism is also addressed, particularly concerning the early Christian community's interactions with Greco-Roman beliefs and rituals (Acts 17:16-34). Overall, the biblical narrative consistently emphasizes the dangers of paganism and the call for exclusive devotion to God.