Leviticus 26:1

¶ 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.

Ye shall make {H6213} you no idols {H457} nor graven image {H6459}, neither rear you up {H6965} a standing image {H4676}, neither shall ye set up {H5414} any image {H4906} of stone {H68} in your land {H776}, to bow down {H7812} unto it: for I am the LORD {H3068} your God {H430}.

"'You are not to make yourselves any idols, erect a carved statue or a standing-stone, or place any carved stone anywhere in your land in order to bow down to it. I am ADONAI your God.

“You must not make idols for yourselves or set up a carved image or sacred pillar; you must not place a sculpted stone in your land to bow down to it. For I am the LORD your God.

Ye shall make you no idols, neither shall ye rear you up a graven image, or a pillar, neither shall ye place any figured stone in your land, to bow down unto it: for I am Jehovah your God.

Commentary

Leviticus 26:1 serves as a foundational declaration against idolatry, setting the stage for the blessings and curses outlined in the rest of the chapter. It reiterates one of the core tenets of the covenant relationship between God and Israel: exclusive worship of the one true God.

Context

This verse opens Leviticus chapter 26, which is a pivotal section within the book. Following detailed instructions on sacrifices, priesthood, purity, and holy days, chapter 26 summarizes the consequences of obedience and disobedience to God's covenant laws. The prohibition against idolatry is strategically placed first, emphasizing its paramount importance. It directly echoes and reinforces the Second Commandment given at Mount Sinai, underscoring that the worship of YHWH (the LORD) alone is non-negotiable for the Israelites entering the Promised Land.

Key Themes

  • Exclusive Worship of God: The verse unequivocally forbids the creation or adoration of any form of idol, whether carved, standing, or made of stone. This command establishes God's absolute uniqueness and His demand for undivided devotion from His people.
  • The Nature of Idolatry: It defines idolatry broadly, encompassing not just bowing down but also the very act of making or setting up images. This highlights that the problem is not merely the act of worship, but the creation of rival objects of devotion.
  • God's Sovereignty and Identity: The concluding phrase, "for I am the LORD your God," provides the ultimate reason for the prohibition. It asserts God's supreme authority, His covenant relationship with Israel, and His distinct identity as the only true deity worthy of worship. His name, YHWH (often translated "LORD"), signifies His eternal, self-existent nature.

Linguistic Insights

  • The Hebrew word for "idols" (elilim) often carries the connotation of "worthless things" or "nothingness," contrasting sharply with the living God.
  • "Graven image" (pesel) refers to a carved or hewn image, typically made of wood or stone.
  • "Standing image" (matsebah) denotes a pillar or monument, which were often used in pagan worship practices of the surrounding Canaanite cultures.
  • "Image of stone" (maskit) refers to a figured or sculptured stone, perhaps with designs or carvings, again associated with pagan rites.
  • The repeated prohibition against different forms of images highlights the comprehensive nature of the command to avoid any object that might draw away from the worship of the one true God.

Practical Application

While ancient Israel faced literal graven images, the principle of Leviticus 26:1 remains profoundly relevant today. Idolatry, in its essence, is putting anything or anyone in God's rightful place. This can manifest in modern forms such as:

  • Materialism: Prioritizing wealth or possessions over spiritual values.
  • Self-Worship: Placing one's own desires, achievements, or ego above God's will.
  • Fame or Power: Seeking adoration or control from others instead of serving God.
  • Relationships: Elevating human relationships to an ultimate source of identity or fulfillment, rather than seeing them as gifts from God.
This verse calls believers to a constant examination of their hearts, ensuring that God alone holds the supreme place in their lives, recognizing Him as the ultimate source of blessing and truth. As Paul urges in the New Testament, we are to "flee from idolatry."

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Leviticus 19:4

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

  • Numbers 33:52

    Then ye shall drive out all the inhabitants of the land from before you, and destroy all their pictures, and destroy all their molten images, and quite pluck down all their high places:

  • Exodus 23:24

    Thou shalt not bow down to their gods, nor serve them, nor do after their works: but thou shalt utterly overthrow them, and quite break down their images.

  • Deuteronomy 27:15

    Cursed [be] the man that maketh [any] graven or molten image, an abomination unto the LORD, the work of the hands of the craftsman, and putteth [it] in [a] secret [place]. And all the people shall answer and say, Amen.

  • 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:

  • Exodus 20:5

    Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God [am] a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth [generation] of them that hate me;

  • 1 Corinthians 10:19

    What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing?
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