Deuteronomy 5:8

KJV

Thou shalt not make thee [any] graven image, [or] any likeness [of any thing] that [is] in heaven above, or that [is] in the earth beneath, or that [is] in the waters beneath the earth:

KJV (with Strong's)

Thou shalt not make {H6213} thee any graven image {H6459}, or any likeness {H8544} of any thing that is in heaven {H8064} above {H4605}, or that is in the earth {H776} beneath, or that is in the waters {H4325} beneath the earth {H776}:

Complete Jewish Bible

You are not to make for yourselves a carved image or any kind of representation of anything in heaven above, on the earth beneath or in the water below the shoreline -

Berean Standard Bible

You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in the heavens above, on the earth below, or in the waters beneath.

American Standard Version

Thou shalt not make unto thee a graven image, nor any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 5:8 presents the second commandment, a foundational prohibition against idolatry. This decree forbids the creation of any physical representation or likeness of anything in creation for the purpose of worship, serving as a vital safeguard for Israel's unique covenant relationship with Yahweh. It underscores God's incomparable, transcendent, and invisible nature, asserting that He cannot be confined or depicted by human constructs and demands exclusive, spiritual devotion.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Deuteronomy 5 serves as a pivotal chapter within Moses' final addresses to the Israelites on the plains of Moab, just before they enter the Promised Land. This chapter is a powerful re-proclamation of the Ten Commandments, originally delivered at Mount Sinai in [Exodus 20](/exodus/20 "Exodus 20 - The Ten Commandments"). Moses, speaking to a new generation, emphasizes the enduring nature of God's covenant and laws, not as mere rules, but as principles for a life of blessing, devotion, and distinction among the nations. Deuteronomy 5:8 follows directly from the first commandment in [Deuteronomy 5:7](/deuteronomy/5-7 "Deuteronomy 5:7 - The First Commandment"), which prohibits having "other gods before me." The second commandment, therefore, functions as the practical extension and logical safeguard of the first, preventing the Israelites from adopting the physical manifestations and worship practices associated with the polytheistic religions of the surrounding Canaanite peoples. It clarifies that not only are other gods forbidden, but even the true God must not be worshipped through physical images.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Israelites stood on the cusp of entering Canaan, a land saturated with polytheistic religions and idol worship. Canaanite deities like Baal (god of storms and fertility) and Asherah (goddess of fertility) were often represented by physical images, pillars, and cultic objects in temples and high places. Their worship involved rituals, sacrifices, and sometimes even cultic prostitution, all designed to manipulate or appease the gods to ensure agricultural prosperity or military success. This cultural milieu presented a constant temptation for Israel to assimilate these practices, blurring the lines between Yahweh worship and paganism. The commandment in Deuteronomy 5:8 directly confronts this pervasive idolatry, establishing a radical counter-cultural norm. It was a crucial preventative measure to preserve Israel's unique identity as a people set apart for Yahweh, whose worship was to be fundamentally different from that of their neighbors, free from the corrupting influences of syncretism and anthropomorphic representations of the divine.
* **Key Themes:** The prohibition against graven images in [Deuteronomy 5:8](/deuteronomy/5-8 "Deuteronomy 5:8 - The Second Commandment") contributes significantly to several overarching themes in Deuteronomy and the broader Old Testament. Foremost is the theme of **God's Incomparability and Transcendence**. Yahweh is presented as utterly unique, distinct from all other gods and from His creation. He cannot be contained, depicted, or limited by any physical form, emphasizing His spiritual nature and infinite majesty, as echoed in [Isaiah 40:18](/isaiah/40-18 "Isaiah 40:18 - To whom then will you liken God?"). This leads to the theme of **Exclusive Worship**, demanding that Israel's devotion be directed solely to the invisible, living God, not through material objects or humanly conceived representations. The commandment also reinforces the theme of **Spiritual Purity**, serving as a bulwark against the spiritual corruption of Canaanite polytheism and its associated immoral practices. By forbidding images, God safeguards the integrity of true worship, ensuring it remains focused on Him alone, in spirit and truth, as later articulated in [John 4:24](/john/4-24 "John 4:24 - God is Spirit").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Graven Image (Hebrew, _pesel'_):** This term (פֶּסֶל) refers to a carved or hewn image, often made of wood, stone, or metal, and typically associated with idols. The word implies something that has been shaped or cut, indicating a human artifact. Its use here emphasizes that any man-made representation, regardless of material or method, is forbidden as an object of worship or a means to access the divine. It highlights the contrast between the created object and the uncreated Creator.
* **Likeness (Hebrew, _temunah'_):** The word (תְּמוּנָה) denotes a form, shape, similitude, or representation. While _pesel_ refers to a physical idol, _temunah_ broadens the scope to include any visual representation or mental conception of God that attempts to capture His form. This word ensures that the prohibition is comprehensive, extending beyond merely carved statues to any attempt to visualize or define the infinite God, whether through painting, drawing, or even a mental image that limits Him.
* **Heaven (Hebrew, _shamayim'_), Earth (Hebrew, _eretz'_), Waters (Hebrew, _mayim'_):** These terms collectively represent the entirety of creation. By explicitly listing "heaven above," "earth beneath," and "waters beneath the earth," the commandment comprehensively covers all realms of existence. This ensures that no part of creation, whether celestial beings, terrestrial animals, or aquatic life, can be used as a basis for representing God or as an object of worship. It underscores God's sovereignty over all creation and His distinctness from it.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Thou shalt not make thee [any] graven image,"**: This opening clause establishes the absolute prohibition against the physical creation of idols. The Hebrew verb for "make" (עָשָׂה, _'asah'_) implies active construction or formation. It directly forbids the human act of fabricating a religious object, emphasizing that God's nature is not to be dictated or limited by human artistry or imagination.
* **"[or] any likeness [of any thing]":** This expands the prohibition beyond merely "graven images" to include any "likeness" or representation. This ensures that the command is not circumvented by using different materials or methods (e.g., molten images, paintings). It broadens the scope to include any visual or conceptual attempt to portray the divine, reinforcing that God is beyond all human depiction.
* **"that [is] in heaven above,"**: This specifies the first category of forbidden likenesses, encompassing celestial beings, heavenly bodies (sun, moon, stars), or any perceived divine figures associated with the sky. This directly counters astral worship and the deification of heavenly phenomena common in ancient Near Eastern religions.
* **"or that [is] in the earth beneath,"**: This second category prohibits making likenesses of anything found on land, including humans, animals, or geographical features. This guards against the worship of nature or the creation of zoomorphic or anthropomorphic deities.
* **"or that [is] in the waters beneath the earth:"**: The final category extends the prohibition to all aquatic life. This completes the comprehensive scope, ensuring that no part of the created order, from the highest heavens to the deepest waters, can serve as a basis for an idol or a representation of God.

#### Literary Devices
Deuteronomy 5:8 employs several potent literary devices to convey its absolute prohibition. The most prominent is **Merism**, where "heaven above," "earth beneath," and "waters beneath the earth" are listed to encompass the totality of creation. This rhetorical device emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the prohibition: no part of the created order, however grand or humble, can serve as a suitable representation of the Creator. This merism highlights God's absolute transcendence and His distinctness from His handiwork. Furthermore, the repetition of "thou shalt not make" (implied from the preceding verse and the structure of the Decalogue) and the exhaustive listing of categories creates a sense of **Emphasis** and **Exclusivity**, leaving no room for ambiguity or compromise. The very nature of the command, forbidding any physical representation of God, also functions as a powerful **Symbolism** for God's invisible, spiritual nature, asserting that true worship must be spiritual and not bound by material forms.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The prohibition against graven images is central to biblical theology, articulating God's unique nature and the proper mode of worship. It fundamentally asserts God's transcendence and incomparability; He is not merely the greatest among many gods, but utterly distinct and beyond human comprehension or depiction. Any attempt to reduce God to a physical image diminishes His infinite glory and attempts to control or manipulate Him, rather than humbly submitting to His sovereign will. This commandment also highlights God's invisibility, a crucial aspect of His spiritual being, demanding a faith that trusts in what cannot be seen. It sets the stage for a relationship based on revelation and obedience, rather than sensory experience or human imagination. The theological implication is profound: God alone is God, and He demands exclusive, unmediated worship, untainted by human constructs or the idolatrous practices of the nations.

* [Exodus 20:4-5](/exodus/20-4 "Exodus 20:4-5 - The Original Second Commandment")
* [Isaiah 40:18-20](/isaiah/40-18 "Isaiah 40:18-20 - God's Incomparability Against Idols")
* [John 4:24](/john/4-24 "John 4:24 - God is Spirit")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the literal carving of physical idols may seem distant to many in modern society, the spirit of Deuteronomy 5:8 remains profoundly relevant. This commandment calls us to a radical self-examination, prompting us to identify anything that takes God's rightful place in our hearts and lives. Modern idolatry often manifests subtly, not as a statue, but as anything we trust in more than God, anything we serve more diligently than Him, or anything that defines our worth and security apart from Him. This could be the insatiable pursuit of wealth, career success, personal comfort, social media validation, or even intellectual constructs and ideologies that shape God into our own image rather than conforming to His revealed truth. The command challenges us to cultivate a worship that is truly spiritual, directed solely to the one true God, acknowledging His transcendence and incomparability. It calls us to regularly scrutinize our affections, priorities, and ultimate allegiances, ensuring that nothing competes with our ultimate loyalty and devotion to the Creator.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What modern "graven images" or "likenesses" might I be creating in my own heart or life that compete for God's rightful place?**
* **How does my understanding of God's transcendence and invisibility impact the way I worship Him daily?**
* **In what ways might I be attempting to "control" or "manipulate" God through my prayers or actions, rather than humbly submitting to His will?**
* **How can I ensure my worship is truly spiritual and authentic, rather than being based on superficial experiences or human expectations?**

### FAQ
**Does this commandment mean all art or images are forbidden, including depictions of biblical figures or even Jesus?**

Answer: The commandment in [Deuteronomy 5:8](/deuteronomy/5-8 "Deuteronomy 5:8 - The Second Commandment") specifically prohibits the creation of images *for the purpose of worship* or as a means of representing the invisible God. The core issue is idolatry – attributing divine power or worship to a created object, or attempting to confine the infinite God to a finite form. This does not inherently forbid all forms of artistic expression or visual representation. Throughout biblical history, God Himself commanded the creation of specific images for the tabernacle and temple, such as the cherubim on the ark of the covenant ([Exodus 25:18-20](/exodus/25-18 "Exodus 25:18-20 - Cherubim on the Ark")) or the bronze serpent ([Numbers 21:8-9](/numbers/21-8 "Numbers 21:8-9 - The Bronze Serpent")), none of which were intended for worship. The critical distinction lies in the intent and use. If an image becomes an object of veneration, prayer, or is seen as a conduit to God's presence in a way that diminishes His transcendence or replaces direct spiritual worship, then it falls under the prohibition. Depictions of Jesus, for example, are generally understood by most Christians as artistic representations of His human form, not as objects to be worshipped in themselves, nor as exhaustive representations of His divine nature. The key is always to ensure that worship is directed solely to God Himself, not through or to any created thing.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Deuteronomy 5:8, with its absolute prohibition against making any image of God, finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the Incarnation. The commandment underscores God's utter transcendence and invisibility, asserting that no human construct can capture His essence. Yet, in Jesus Christ, the invisible God became visible. He is the "image of the invisible God" ([Colossians 1:15](/colossians/1-15 "Colossians 1:15 - Christ, the Image of the Invisible God")) and the "exact imprint of his nature" ([Hebrews 1:3](/hebrews/1-3 "Hebrews 1:3 - Christ, the Radiance of God's Glory")). While the Old Testament strictly forbade making a physical image of God, the New Testament reveals that God Himself took on a physical image in the person of Jesus. This is not a violation of the commandment but its ultimate resolution and fulfillment. Through Christ, humanity can truly "see" and know God without reducing Him to a created idol. Jesus declared, "Whoever has seen me has seen the Father" ([John 14:9](/john/14-9 "John 14:9 - Seeing Jesus is Seeing the Father")), providing the perfect, unmediated revelation of God. Thus, the second commandment, by forbidding false images, prepares the way for the true and living Image of God, in whom alone we can rightly worship the Father "in spirit and truth" ([John 4:24](/john/4-24 "John 4:24 - Worshipping in Spirit and Truth")), for "no one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father's side, he has made him known" ([John 1:18](/john/1-18 "John 1:18 - Jesus Reveals the Father")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Exodus 20:4

Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness [of any thing] that [is] in heaven above, or that [is] in the earth beneath, or that [is] in the water under the earth:

Deuteronomy 4:15

Take ye therefore good heed unto yourselves; for ye saw no manner of similitude on the day [that] the LORD spake unto you in Horeb out of the midst of the fire:

Deuteronomy 4:19

And lest thou lift up thine eyes unto heaven, and when thou seest the sun, and the moon, and the stars, [even] all the host of heaven, shouldest be driven to worship them, and serve them, which the LORD thy God hath divided unto all nations under the whole heaven.