Exodus 20:4
What does Exodus 20:4 mean?
A plain-English look at Exodus 20:4 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Exodus 20:4 means
This commandment forbids the creation of any physical representation of God or any creature, whether in heaven, on earth, or in the sea, for the purpose of worship. It condemns idolatry, emphasizing that God, being spirit and infinitely sovereign, cannot be contained or accurately depicted by human artifice. Such images inevitably diminish God's glory and distort His true nature, leading to a false understanding and worship. This prohibition protects Israel from assimilating the pagan practices prevalent in surrounding cultures.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Thou shalt not make unto thee a graven image, nor 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:
KJV
King James Version · 1611Thou 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:
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Thou shalt not make unto thee a graven image, nor 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:
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949You are not to make an image or picture of anything in heaven or on the earth or in the waters under the earth:
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862`Thou dost not make to thyself a graven image, or any likeness which <FI>is<Fi> in the heavens above, or which <FI>is<Fi> in the earth beneath, or which <FI>is<Fi> in the waters under the earth.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Thou shalt not make to thyself a graven thing, nor the likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or in the earth beneath, nor of those things that are in the waters under the earth.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Thou shalt not make thyself any graven image, or any form of what is in the heavens above, or what is in the earth beneath, or what is in the waters under the earth:
Context
Following the command to have no other gods, this verse elaborates on *how* that command is to be kept by prohibiting visual aids in worship. This flows logically, as the creation of images often served as a gateway to worshipping other deities or diminishing the true God. The context highlights that God desires to be known and worshipped as He truly is, not through human-conceived representations, setting up a sharp contrast with the idol-laden religions of Egypt and Canaan.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Jeremiah 10:8
But they are together brutish and foolish: the instruction of idols! it is but a stock.
- Deuteronomy 4:15
Take ye therefore good heed unto yourselves; for ye saw no manner of form on the day that Jehovah spake unto you in Horeb out of the midst of the fire;
- Isaiah 42:8
I am Jehovah, that is my name; and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise unto graven images.
- Isaiah 40:18
To whom then will ye liken God? or what likeness will ye compare unto him?
- Ezekiel 8:10
So I went in and saw; and behold, every form of creeping things, and abominable beasts, and all the idols of the house of Israel, portrayed upon the wall round about.
- Exodus 32:8
they have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them: they have made them a molten calf, and have worshipped it, and have sacrificed unto it, and said, These are thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.
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