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:
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
תַֽעֲשֶׂ֨ה
Thou shalt not make
H6213
תַֽעֲשֶׂ֨ה
Thou shalt not make
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
2 of 16
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
וְכָל
H3605
וְכָל
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)
תְּמוּנָ֡֔ה
or any likeness
H8544
תְּמוּנָ֡֔ה
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
וַֽאֲשֶׁ֥ר
of any thing that
H834
וַֽאֲשֶׁ֥ר
of any thing that
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׀
is in heaven
H8064
בַּשָּׁמַ֣֙יִם֙׀
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
מִמַּ֡֔עַל
above
H4605
מִמַּ֡֔עַל
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
of any thing that
H834
וַֽאֲשֶׁ֥ר
of any thing that
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׃
or that is in the earth
H776
לָאָֽ֗רֶץ׃
or that is in the earth
Strong's:
H776
Word #:
11 of 16
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
מִתַָּ֑֜חַת
H8478
מִתַָּ֑֜חַת
Strong's:
H8478
Word #:
12 of 16
the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc
וַֽאֲשֶׁ֥ר
of any thing that
H834
וַֽאֲשֶׁ֥ר
of any thing that
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 water
H4325
בַּמַּ֖֣יִם׀
beneath or that is in the water
Strong's:
H4325
Word #:
14 of 16
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
Cross References
Leviticus 26:1Ye 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.Deuteronomy 5:8Thou 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:Psalms 97:7Confounded be all they that serve graven images, that boast themselves of idols: worship him, all ye gods.Leviticus 19:4Turn ye not unto idols, nor make to yourselves molten gods: I am the LORD your God.Deuteronomy 27:15Cursed 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.Acts 17:29Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device.Revelation 16:2And the first went, and poured out his vial upon the earth; and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and upon them which worshipped his image.Isaiah 45:16They shall be ashamed, and also confounded, all of them: they shall go to confusion together that are makers of idols.Isaiah 42:8I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.Romans 1:23And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern worship was intensely visual—statues, images, sacred poles. Israel's aniconism (worship without images) was revolutionary, forcing reliance on God's word rather than visual aids.
Questions for Reflection
- Why does God prohibit visual representations of Himself—what distortions result from trying to depict deity?
- How might Christians violate this command even without bowing to physical idols?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
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:
The second commandment prohibits 'graven images' (פֶסֶל, pesel)—carved idols—and 'likeness' (תְּמוּנָה, temunah)—any representation. The comprehensive scope ('heaven, earth, water') bans all visual depictions of deity. Why? Because God is spirit, infinite, transcendent—reducing Him to material form inevitably distorts Him. The command protects God's glory from human reduction. The three-tiered cosmos ('above, beneath, under') encompasses all creation—nothing created can represent Creator. Israel's imageless worship stood alone in the ancient world. Even Christian images, while not idols, risk reducing transcendent God to manageable forms. The Word-centered Reformation recovered this emphasis.