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:

Thou shalt not make {H6213} unto thee any graven image {H6459}, or any likeness {H8544} of any thing that {H834} is in heaven {H8064} above {H4605}, or that is in the earth {H776} beneath, or that is in the water {H4325} under the earth {H776}:

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.

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.

Thou shalt not make unto thee a graven image, nor 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:

Commentary

Exodus 20:4 is the second of the Ten Commandments, delivered by God to the Israelites through Moses on Mount Sinai. This verse directly addresses the prohibition against idolatry, commanding the people not to create any physical representations of God or anything else to be worshipped.

Context

This commandment immediately follows the first, which states, "Thou shalt have no other gods before me" (Exodus 20:3). Together, these two commandments lay the foundation for exclusive worship of the one true God. In the ancient Near East, the practice of creating idols and images to represent deities was widespread. The surrounding cultures, including Egypt, were replete with gods represented by various animal and human forms. God's command here sets Israel apart, emphasizing His unique nature and His demand for unmediated, spiritual worship, distinct from the pagan practices of the time.

Key Themes

  • Exclusive Worship and Monotheism: The verse reinforces God's absolute uniqueness and His demand for singular devotion. He alone is God, and no created thing can adequately represent Him.
  • Prohibition of Idolatry: This is a direct and unequivocal command against making physical objects for worship. It covers not just images of false gods, but also attempts to represent the true God in a physical form, which would diminish His glory and incomprehensibility.
  • God's Transcendence: By prohibiting images, God emphasizes that He cannot be confined, limited, or fully understood through human artifice. He is beyond the physical realm, encompassing all of creation without being part of it. This prevents people from reducing God to their own understanding or desires.
  • Spiritual Purity in Worship: The commandment aims to protect the purity of worship, ensuring that devotion is directed to the unseen, living God, rather than to a lifeless object.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "graven image" translates the Hebrew word pesel (פֶּסּל), which refers specifically to a carved or sculptured idol, often made of wood, stone, or metal. "Likeness" (Hebrew: těmûnâ, תְמׁונָה) broadens the prohibition to include any form of representation, whether painted, molded, or otherwise depicted. The comprehensive scope—"that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth"—underscores that absolutely nothing in creation should be used to represent or be worshipped as the Creator. This echoes Deuteronomy 4:15-19, which reiterates this principle.

Practical Application

While literal idol worship of statues may seem less prevalent in some modern societies, the spirit of this commandment remains profoundly relevant. Modern forms of idolatry can include anything that takes God's rightful place in our lives: materialism, power, fame, self-worship, entertainment, or even intellectual pursuits. This verse challenges us to examine what truly holds ultimate authority and devotion in our hearts.

It calls us to worship God "in spirit and in truth" (John 4:24), recognizing His infinite nature and avoiding any attempt to confine Him to our limited understanding or desires. The focus should always be on the Creator, not on creation, ensuring that our worship is pure, undivided, and directed solely to Him.

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Cross-References

  • Leviticus 26:1 (33 votes)

    ¶ Ye shall make you no idols nor graven image, neither rear you up a standing image, neither shall ye set up [any] image of stone in your land, to bow down unto it: for I [am] the LORD your God.

  • Deuteronomy 5:8 (29 votes)

    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:

  • Deuteronomy 4:15 (26 votes)

    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 (26 votes)

    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.

  • Psalms 97:7 (22 votes)

    Confounded be all they that serve graven images, that boast themselves of idols: worship him, all [ye] gods.

  • Leviticus 19:4 (19 votes)

    Turn ye not unto idols, nor make to yourselves molten gods: I [am] the LORD your God.

  • Acts 17:29 (17 votes)

    Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device.