Exodus 20:4

KJV

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:

KJV (with Strong's)

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}:

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 any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 20:4 presents the second commandment given by God to Israel at Mount Sinai, a foundational prohibition against idolatry. It strictly forbids the creation of any physical representation or "graven image" of God or anything in creation, whether in the heavens, on the earth, or in the waters. This command underscores God's unique transcendence, His incomprehensibility, and His demand for an exclusive, unmediated worship that is spiritual rather than material, setting Israel apart from the polytheistic practices of the surrounding nations.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows the first commandment in [Exodus 20:3](/exodus/20-3 "Exodus 20:3 - The First Commandment"), "Thou shalt have no other gods before me." Together, these two commandments form the bedrock of Israel's covenant relationship with Yahweh, establishing His singular identity as the one true God and demanding exclusive worship. While the first commandment prohibits the worship of *other* gods, the second commandment prohibits the *means* by which other gods (or even attempts to represent the true God) might be worshipped—through physical images. This sequence emphasizes that not only must Israel worship Yahweh alone, but they must also worship Him in a manner consistent with His unique, invisible nature, distinct from the pagan practices of image-based veneration.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The ancient Near East (ANE) was saturated with polytheistic religions where the creation and veneration of idols were central to worship. Deities were often believed to reside within or be represented by cultic images, which served as focal points for prayer, sacrifice, and ritual. Egypt, from which Israel had just been delivered, was particularly known for its pantheon of gods depicted in various animal and human forms, such as Ra (sun god), Osiris (god of the underworld), and Hathor (cow goddess). By prohibiting any graven image or likeness of anything in creation, God directly challenged this pervasive cultural norm. This command served to radically distinguish Israel's worship of an invisible, transcendent God from the immanent, manipulable deities of their neighbors, reinforcing the unique nature of Yahweh and preventing Israel from assimilating into pagan religious practices, as explicitly reiterated in [Deuteronomy 4:15-19](/deuteronomy/4-15 "Deuteronomy 4:15-19 - Warning Against Idolatry").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Graven Image (Hebrew, _pesel'_):** This term refers to a carved or sculptured object, typically made of wood, stone, or metal, intended for worship. The word implies a deliberate act of shaping or hewing. The prohibition extends to any such crafted object, regardless of its artistic merit or the deity it purports to represent, if it is intended as a cultic image.
* **Likeness (Hebrew, _těmûnâ'_):** Broader than "graven image," _těmûnâ_ encompasses any form of representation or resemblance, whether carved, painted, molded, or otherwise depicted. This word ensures the prohibition is comprehensive, preventing any attempt to capture or confine God's infinite nature within a finite, human-made form. It emphasizes that God is beyond human artistic depiction and cannot be reduced to a physical manifestation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image,"**: This is the core prohibition, directly forbidding the creation of any carved or sculpted idol for the purpose of worship. The phrase "unto thee" implies that such an image would be made for personal veneration or as a representation of a deity for one's own use, emphasizing the personal responsibility in adhering to this command.
* **"or any likeness [of any thing]":** This expands the scope beyond just carved images to include any form of representation or visual resemblance. It broadens the prohibition to ensure that no creative human endeavor can be used to depict or embody the divine, underscoring God's absolute transcendence and His distinction from all created things.
* **"that [is] in heaven above,"**: This clause specifies the first category of created things whose likeness is forbidden. It refers to celestial bodies (sun, moon, stars), birds, or any other heavenly phenomena often deified in pagan religions.
* **"or that [is] in the earth beneath,"**: This extends the prohibition to all terrestrial creatures and forms, including animals (cattle, creeping things), humans, and geographical features, which were also commonly worshipped or depicted as deities in ANE cultures.
* **"or that [is] in the water under the earth:"**: This final clause completes the comprehensive scope, including all aquatic life. Together, these three clauses ("heaven above," "earth beneath," and "water under the earth") constitute a **merism**, a literary device that uses a pair or series of contrasting terms to refer to a totality. In this case, it emphasizes that absolutely nothing in all of creation, from the highest heavens to the deepest waters, is to be used as a representation of God or worshipped in His place.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in Exodus 20:4 is **Prohibition**, expressed through the negative command "Thou shalt not." This direct, unequivocal language underscores the absolute and non-negotiable nature of the commandment. The verse also employs **Merism** by listing "heaven above," "earth beneath," and "water under the earth." This comprehensive enumeration serves to convey the totality of creation, emphasizing that God's unrepresentable nature extends to *everything* within the created order. The cumulative effect is one of **Exclusivity** and **Transcendence**, highlighting God's singular status as Creator who cannot be confined or depicted by His creation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 20:4 profoundly articulates God's unique nature, emphasizing His transcendence and incomprehensibility. By forbidding any image, God asserts that He cannot be contained, manipulated, or fully understood through human artifice or limited perception. This commandment protects the purity of worship, ensuring that devotion is directed solely to the unseen, living God, rather than to a lifeless object or a human construct. It reinforces the principle of monotheism established in the first commandment, demanding an exclusive and spiritual devotion that acknowledges God's infinite glory and His sovereign distinction from all creation.

* [Deuteronomy 4:15-19](/deuteronomy/4-15 "Deuteronomy 4:15-19 - Warning Against Idolatry")
* [Isaiah 40:18-20](/isaiah/40-18 "Isaiah 40:18-20 - God's Incomparability")
* [John 4:24](/john/4-24 "John 4:24 - Worship in Spirit and Truth")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While literal worship of physical statues might seem less prevalent in many modern societies, the spirit of this commandment remains profoundly relevant. Modern idolatry often manifests in more subtle, yet equally insidious, forms. Anything that takes God's rightful place in our lives—be it materialism, power, fame, self-worship, technological advancements, or even intellectual pursuits—can become a "graven image" in our hearts. This verse challenges us to critically examine what truly holds ultimate authority, devotion, and affection in our lives. It calls us to root out any object, idea, or pursuit that competes with God for our ultimate allegiance, ensuring that our worship is undivided, directed solely to the Creator, and offered "in spirit and in truth," recognizing His infinite nature and avoiding any attempt to confine Him to our limited understanding or desires.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "graven images" or "likenesses" might we be tempted to create or worship in our modern context, even if they are not physical statues?**
* **How does the prohibition against making images of God deepen our understanding of His transcendence and incomprehensibility?**
* **In what practical ways can we ensure that our worship remains focused on the unseen, living God, rather than on created things or human constructs?**

### FAQ
**Does this commandment mean all forms of art or visual representation are forbidden for Christians?**

Answer: No, the commandment specifically prohibits the creation of images *for worship* or as representations of God to be venerated. It is not a blanket prohibition against all artistic expression or visual aids. The context is cultic idolatry, where images were believed to embody or contain the divine presence, or were worshipped as deities themselves. Art, in its broader sense, can be a gift from God and used for beauty, instruction, or storytelling without violating this command, as long as it does not become an object of worship or an attempt to confine the infinite God to a finite form.

**If God is invisible, how can we know Him or relate to Him without some form of representation?**

Answer: God reveals Himself not through human-made images, but through His mighty acts in history, His spoken Word (Scripture), and ultimately through His Son, Jesus Christ. The prohibition of images forces us to seek God beyond our physical senses, engaging with Him spiritually and intellectually through faith. It encourages a relationship based on revelation and trust, rather than on visual perception or human manipulation. This command pushes us towards a deeper, more personal, and less tangible form of communion with the divine.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Exodus 20:4, with its emphatic prohibition against making any image of God, finds its ultimate fulfillment and profound illumination in the person of Jesus Christ. The Old Testament commandment underscores God's transcendence and invisibility, declaring that no created thing can adequately represent the Creator. Yet, in the New Testament, we encounter Jesus, who is declared to be "the image of the invisible God" in [Colossians 1:15](/colossians/1-15 "Colossians 1:15 - Christ, the Image of the Invisible God") and "the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being" in [Hebrews 1:3](/hebrews/1-3 "Hebrews 1:3 - Christ, the Radiance of God's Glory"). Jesus, being fully God and fully man, is the perfect and final revelation of the Father. He is the *one* "likeness" of God that is not forbidden, but divinely ordained, because He *is* God incarnate. Through Him, the unseen God becomes visible, not through a crafted idol, but through a living, breathing person. Therefore, the command against idolatry is not abolished but fulfilled, as true worship is now directed to God through His Son, who is the very embodiment of truth and grace, enabling us to worship "in spirit and truth" as Jesus Himself taught in [John 4:24](/john/4-24 "John 4:24 - Worship in Spirit and Truth"). In Christ, we see God perfectly, rendering all human attempts to create an image of God utterly unnecessary and profoundly inadequate.

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.