Deuteronomy 4:17
The likeness of any beast that is on the earth, the likeness of any winged fowl that flieth in the air,
Original Language Analysis
תַּבְנִית֙
The likeness
H8403
תַּבְנִית֙
The likeness
Strong's:
H8403
Word #:
1 of 12
structure; by implication, a model, resemblance
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
2 of 12
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
בְּהֵמָ֖ה
of any beast
H929
בְּהֵמָ֖ה
of any beast
Strong's:
H929
Word #:
3 of 12
properly, a dumb beast; especially any large quadruped or animal (often collective)
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
4 of 12
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
בָּאָ֑רֶץ
that is on the earth
H776
בָּאָ֑רֶץ
that is on the earth
Strong's:
H776
Word #:
5 of 12
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
תַּבְנִית֙
The likeness
H8403
תַּבְנִית֙
The likeness
Strong's:
H8403
Word #:
6 of 12
structure; by implication, a model, resemblance
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
7 of 12
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
כָּנָ֔ף
of any winged
H3671
כָּנָ֔ף
of any winged
Strong's:
H3671
Word #:
9 of 12
an edge or extremity; specifically (of a bird or army) a wing, (of a garment or bedclothing) a flap, (of the earth) a quarter, (of a building) a pinna
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
10 of 12
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
Historical Context
Egypt worshiped numerous animal deities: Apis (bull), Bastet (cat), Thoth (ibis/baboon), Sobek (crocodile), and Horus (falcon). Canaanite religion featured bulls (Baal representations) and serpents (fertility symbols). Israel's temptation to adopt such practices was constant, as evidenced by the golden calf incident (Exodus 32) and Jeroboam's bull-calves at Dan and Bethel (1 Kings 12:28-30). Animal worship degraded humanity, making people like the beasts they worshiped.
Questions for Reflection
- How does worship of created things (animals, nature) rather than the Creator reflect humanity's fallen condition (Romans 1:21-23)?
- In what ways does modern environmentalism risk crossing from proper stewardship into idolatrous nature worship?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The prohibition extends to animal representations—'beast...on the earth...fowl...air...creeping thing...ground.' This comprehensive list covers land animals, birds, and reptiles, addressing Egypt's zoomorphic gods and Canaan's nature worship. The three-tiered classification (beasts, fowl, creeping things) echoes Genesis 1 creation order, emphasizing that all creatures are made things, inappropriate worship objects. Romans 1:23 references this verse when describing idolatry's devolution. The prohibition protects both God's transcendence and creation's proper place—honoring creatures rather than Creator perverts divine order.