Deuteronomy Chapter 5 · Verse 8
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:
Original Language Analysis
לֹֽ֣א
H3808
לֹֽ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
1 of 16
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תַעֲשֶׂ֥ה
Thou shalt not make
H6213
תַעֲשֶׂ֥ה
Thou shalt not make
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
2 of 16
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
5 of 16
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
תְּמוּנָ֔֡ה
or any likeness
H8544
תְּמוּנָ֔֡ה
or any likeness
Strong's:
H8544
Word #:
6 of 16
something portioned (i.e., fashioned) out, as a shape, i.e., (indefinitely) phantom, or (specifically) embodiment, or (figuratively) manifestation (of
אֲשֶׁ֤֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֤֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
7 of 16
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
בַּשָּׁמַ֣֙יִם֙׀
of any thing that is in heaven
H8064
בַּשָּׁמַ֣֙יִם֙׀
of any thing that is in heaven
Strong's:
H8064
Word #:
8 of 16
the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r
מִמַּ֔֡עַל
above
H4605
מִמַּ֔֡עַל
above
Strong's:
H4605
Word #:
9 of 16
properly,the upper part, used only adverbially with prefix upward, above, overhead, from the top, etc
וַֽאֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
וַֽאֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
10 of 16
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
לָאָֽ֗רֶץ׃
beneath the earth
H776
לָאָֽ֗רֶץ׃
beneath the earth
Strong's:
H776
Word #:
11 of 16
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
מִתָּ֑֜חַת
H8478
מִתָּ֑֜חַת
Strong's:
H8478
Word #:
12 of 16
the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc
וַֽאֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
וַֽאֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
13 of 16
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
בַּמַּ֖֣יִם׀
beneath or that is in the waters
H4325
בַּמַּ֖֣יִם׀
beneath or that is in the waters
Strong's:
H4325
Word #:
14 of 16
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
Historical Context
Ancient religions relied heavily on idols and images for worship. Pagan temples housed deity statues believed to contain divine presence. Israel's imageless worship was revolutionary. Yet Israel repeatedly violated this command: golden calf (Exodus 32), Micah's idol (Judges 17-18), Jeroboam's calves (1 Kings 12:28), Manasseh filling Jerusalem with idols (2 Kings 21:3-7). The second commandment protected true worship from pagan corruption and maintained God's transcendent otherness.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the prohibition of images protect both God's transcendence and the primacy of Word-based worship?
- In what subtle ways might modern worship incorporate visual elements that distract from Scripture's centrality and God's invisible glory?
Analysis & Commentary
The second commandment prohibits making 'any graven image, or any likeness' of created things. This guards God's transcendence and prohibits reducing Him to manageable, visible forms. The comprehensive list 'in heaven...earth...waters' covers all creation realms, emphasizing no creature may represent the Creator. This commandment regulates worship's form, while the first regulates worship's object. The Reformed tradition insists this prohibits religious images, icons, and representations used in worship. God reveals Himself through Word (Scripture), ultimately through the incarnate Word (Christ), not human-crafted images.