Deuteronomy 4:16

Translations

Modern

…that you do not act corruptly and make an idol for yourselves of any form or shape, whether in the likeness of a male or female,

Traditional

Lest ye corrupt yourselves, and make you a graven image, the similitude of any figure, the likeness of male or female,

Literal

…lest you act corruptly and make for yourselves a carved image in the form of any figure, the likeness of male or female—

Latin

…ne forte decepti faciatis vobis sculptam similitudinem, aut imaginem masculi vel feminæ:

Original

Hebrew

English

…that you do not act corruptly and make an idol for yourselves of any form or shape, whether in the likeness of a male or female,

Notes

Deuteronomy 4:16

idol: Idolatry limited the Lord to what a human artist could imagine and make. But the Lord is greater than anything a person can create.

Israel was not to make idols shaped like any of God’s creatures (4:17–18). This command protected the people from false worship.

Idols and images could lead people to worship created things instead of the Creator (5:8–9; Romans 1:23–25). Instead of honoring the God who made everything, they might honor something he made.

Deuteronomy 4:1–40

Moses gave a long speech to the Israelites because of their recent failures and what he thought would happen in Canaan.

Theme notes and profiles

Ancient Law Codes

Related verses

Acts 17:29
Therefore, being offspring of God, we should not think that the Divine Being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by man’s skill and imagination.
Exodus 20:4–5
You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in the heavens above, on the earth below, or in the waters beneath.
Romans 1:22–24
Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools,
Deuteronomy 4:23
Be careful that you do not forget the covenant of the LORD your God that He made with you; do not make an idol for yourselves in the form of anything He has forbidden you.
Deuteronomy 5:8
You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in the heavens above, on the earth below, or in the waters beneath.
Exodus 32:7
Then the LORD said to Moses, “Go down at once, for your people, whom you brought up out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves.
Acts 20:4–5
Paul was accompanied by Sopater son of Pyrrhus from Berea, Aristarchus and Secundus from Thessalonica, Gaius from Derbe, Timothy, and Tychicus and Trophimus from the province of Asia.
Deuteronomy 4:25
After you have children and grandchildren and you have been in the land a long time, if you then act corruptly and make an idol of any form—doing evil in the sight of the LORD your God and provoking Him to anger—
Deuteronomy 4:8–9
And what nation is great enough to have righteous statutes and ordinances like this entire law I set before you today?
Isaiah 40:18
To whom will you liken God? To what image will you compare Him?
John 4:24
God is Spirit, and His worshipers must worship Him in spirit and in truth.”
Psalm 106:19–20
At Horeb they made a calf and worshiped a molten image.

Deuteronomy 4:16

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