Deuteronomy Chapter 4 · Verse 15

Authorized King James Version

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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:

Original Language Analysis

וְנִשְׁמַרְתֶּ֥ם heed H8104
וְנִשְׁמַרְתֶּ֥ם heed
Strong's: H8104
Word #: 1 of 15
properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc
מְאֹ֖ד Take ye therefore good H3966
מְאֹ֖ד Take ye therefore good
Strong's: H3966
Word #: 2 of 15
properly, vehemence, i.e., (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication, wholly, speedily, etc. (often with other words as an intensive or
לְנַפְשֹֽׁתֵיכֶ֑ם unto yourselves H5315
לְנַפְשֹֽׁתֵיכֶ֑ם unto yourselves
Strong's: H5315
Word #: 3 of 15
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
כִּ֣י H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 4 of 15
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
לֹ֤א H3808
לֹ֤א
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 5 of 15
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
רְאִיתֶם֙ for ye saw H7200
רְאִיתֶם֙ for ye saw
Strong's: H7200
Word #: 6 of 15
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
כָּל H3605
כָּל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 7 of 15
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
תְּמוּנָ֔ה no manner of similitude H8544
תְּמוּנָ֔ה no manner of similitude
Strong's: H8544
Word #: 8 of 15
something portioned (i.e., fashioned) out, as a shape, i.e., (indefinitely) phantom, or (specifically) embodiment, or (figuratively) manifestation (of
בְּי֗וֹם on the day H3117
בְּי֗וֹם on the day
Strong's: H3117
Word #: 9 of 15
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
דִּבֶּ֨ר spake H1696
דִּבֶּ֨ר spake
Strong's: H1696
Word #: 10 of 15
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
יְהוָ֧ה that the LORD H3068
יְהוָ֧ה that the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 11 of 15
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֲלֵיכֶ֛ם H413
אֲלֵיכֶ֛ם
Strong's: H413
Word #: 12 of 15
near, with or among; often in general, to
בְּחֹרֵ֖ב unto you in Horeb H2722
בְּחֹרֵ֖ב unto you in Horeb
Strong's: H2722
Word #: 13 of 15
choreb, a (generic) name for the sinaitic mountains
מִתּ֥וֹךְ out of the midst H8432
מִתּ֥וֹךְ out of the midst
Strong's: H8432
Word #: 14 of 15
a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center
הָאֵֽשׁ׃ of the fire H784
הָאֵֽשׁ׃ of the fire
Strong's: H784
Word #: 15 of 15
fire (literally or figuratively)

Analysis & Commentary

The command 'take ye therefore good heed unto yourselves' (Hebrew 'shamar me'od') demands utmost vigilance against idolatry. The reason—'ye saw no manner of similitude'—reiterates that God revealed Himself through Word, not form. Any attempt to represent God visually constitutes rebellion against His self-revelation. This verse grounds the second commandment in redemptive history—since God chose to reveal Himself through spoken Word at Sinai, any image-based worship violates His revealed will. The Reformed tradition's opposition to religious images rests on this foundation.

Historical Context

Israel's monotheism stood radically opposed to ancient Near Eastern polytheism, which relied heavily on idol worship. Egypt had animal-headed deities; Canaan worshiped Baal through bull statues and Asherah poles; Mesopotamia filled temples with divine images. God's formless revelation at Sinai distinguished Israel's worship from surrounding paganism. Yet Israel repeatedly violated this command (golden calf, Exodus 32; Jeroboam's calves, 1 Kings 12:28; widespread idolatry leading to exile).

Questions for Reflection