King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 4:15 Mean?

Deuteronomy 4:15 in the King James Version says “Take ye therefore good heed unto yourselves; for ye saw no manner of similitude on the day that the LORD spake unto you ... — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 4 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Take ye therefore good heed unto yourselves; for ye saw no manner of similitude on the day that the LORD spake unto you in Horeb out of the midst of the fire:

Deuteronomy 4:15 · KJV


Context

13

And he declared unto you his covenant, which he commanded you to perform, even ten commandments; and he wrote them upon two tables of stone.

14

And the LORD commanded me at that time to teach you statutes and judgments, that ye might do them in the land whither ye go over to possess it.

15

Take ye therefore good heed unto yourselves; for ye saw no manner of similitude on the day that the LORD spake unto you in Horeb out of the midst of the fire:

16

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

17

The likeness of any beast that is on the earth, the likeness of any winged fowl that flieth in the air,


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The command 'take ye therefore good heed unto yourselves' (Hebrew 'shamar me'od') demands utmost vigilance against idolatry. The reason—'ye saw no manner of similitude'—reiterates that God revealed Himself through Word, not form. Any attempt to represent God visually constitutes rebellion against His self-revelation. This verse grounds the second commandment in redemptive history—since God chose to reveal Himself through spoken Word at Sinai, any image-based worship violates His revealed will. The Reformed tradition's opposition to religious images rests on this foundation.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Israel's monotheism stood radically opposed to ancient Near Eastern polytheism, which relied heavily on idol worship. Egypt had animal-headed deities; Canaan worshiped Baal through bull statues and Asherah poles; Mesopotamia filled temples with divine images. God's formless revelation at Sinai distinguished Israel's worship from surrounding paganism. Yet Israel repeatedly violated this command (golden calf, Exodus 32; Jeroboam's calves, 1 Kings 12:28; widespread idolatry leading to exile).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's formless revelation at Sinai establish the foundation for the prohibition of religious images?
  2. In what ways might modern Christians subtly violate the spirit of this command through visual-based worship or entertainment-driven services?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
וְנִשְׁמַרְתֶּ֥ם1 of 15

heed

H8104

properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc

מְאֹ֖ד2 of 15

Take ye therefore good

H3966

properly, vehemence, i.e., (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication, wholly, speedily, etc. (often with other words as an intensive or

לְנַפְשֹֽׁתֵיכֶ֑ם3 of 15

unto yourselves

H5315

properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment

כִּ֣י4 of 15
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

לֹ֤א5 of 15
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

רְאִיתֶם֙6 of 15

for ye saw

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

כָּל7 of 15
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

תְּמוּנָ֔ה8 of 15

no manner of similitude

H8544

something portioned (i.e., fashioned) out, as a shape, i.e., (indefinitely) phantom, or (specifically) embodiment, or (figuratively) manifestation (of

בְּי֗וֹם9 of 15

on the day

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

דִּבֶּ֨ר10 of 15

spake

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

יְהוָ֧ה11 of 15

that the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֲלֵיכֶ֛ם12 of 15
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

בְּחֹרֵ֖ב13 of 15

unto you in Horeb

H2722

choreb, a (generic) name for the sinaitic mountains

מִתּ֥וֹךְ14 of 15

out of the midst

H8432

a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center

הָאֵֽשׁ׃15 of 15

of the fire

H784

fire (literally or figuratively)


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Deuteronomy. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Deuteronomy 4:15 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Deuteronomy 4:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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