Verse MeaningExodusEasy to understand
Exodus 20:4: Meaning Explained
Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in...
Exodus 20:4
“Don't make an idol for yourself — no image of anything in the heavens above, on the earth below, or in the waters beneath the earth.”
What Does This Verse Mean?
Don't make statues or pictures of God. Don't make idols to worship instead of God.
What’s Happening Here
God said not to replace him with carved images.
Key Words
idolA statue or image made to be worshipped as a god
Why It Matters
This verse challenges us to examine what we prioritize or 'worship' in our lives today, such as money, status, or ideology, reminding us not to let anything take the place of God.
Did You Know?
The original Hebrew text uses a word for 'idol' ('pesel') that specifically means a carved or graven image, highlighting the prohibition against creating a physical object to represent the divine.
Word Study
H6213
Thou shalt not makeתַֽעֲשֶׂ֨ה
H6459
unto thee any graven imageפֶ֣֙סֶל֙׀
H8544
or any likenessתְּמוּנָ֡֔ה
H834
of any thing thatוַֽאֲשֶׁ֥ר
H8064
is in heavenבַּשָּׁמַ֣֙יִם֙׀
H4605
aboveמִמַּ֡֔עַל
H776
or that is in the earthלָאָֽ֗רֶץ׃
H4325
beneath or that is in the waterבַּמַּ֖֣יִם׀
Cross References
Continue Exploring
Read Exodus 20:4 in the Bible reader, or explore the full chapter summary.