Commentary for Avodah Zarah 103:1

Now the problem with the above midrash is that it interprets the verse to refer to “vessels”—things used in the worship ceremony, but then it goes on to use this as a source for a rule about idols. Vessels and idols are not the same thing. The Talmud defends this analogy with another midrash—gods (idols) are compared to vessels—neither become prohibited until they are worshipped or used in a worship service.