Definition: The English word "Alstead" was a term used in the Bible, specifically in the New Testament of the Christian Bible, to refer to an idol or image created by a king or his followers as a substitute for their true God, the One True God (Deuteronomy 1:3-5). This usage of the term is not found elsewhere in the Old Testament, although it appears there. The context and significance of "Alstead" are complex and not generally known to English speakers without the full context of its use within the Bible. The word "Alstead" has been interpreted by scholars and interpreters from a variety of perspectives: as a symbol of idolatry (e.g., in Isaiah 48:6), a form of idol worship, or an attempt at understanding the true God through art. It was not seen to be an act of idolatry until its use within the New Testament context. The exact meaning and historical significance of "Alstead" are uncertain due to the lack of documentation that substantiates the usage of it in ancient and Christian texts. However, scholars believe it to have been a term used by King Herod Antipas III (21 AD) when he commissioned his son Philip to construct an image of God as a substitute for the true god, Yahweh, who was considered a lesser deity.

Alstead