King James Version
Deuteronomy 4:18 in the King James Version says “The likeness of any thing that creepeth on the ground, the likeness of any fish that is in the waters beneath the earth:” — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 4 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.
“The likeness of any thing that creepeth on the ground, the likeness of any fish that is in the waters beneath the earth:”
Deuteronomy 4:18 · KJV
Lest ye corrupt yourselves, and make you a graven image, the similitude of any figure, the likeness of male or female,
The likeness of any beast that is on the earth, the likeness of any winged fowl that flieth in the air,
The likeness of any thing that creepeth on the ground, the likeness of any fish that is in the waters beneath the earth:
And lest thou lift up thine eyes unto heaven, and when thou seest the sun, and the moon, and the stars, even all the host of heaven, shouldest be driven to worship them, and serve them, which the LORD thy God hath divided unto all nations under the whole heaven. divided: or, imparted
But the LORD hath taken you, and brought you forth out of the iron furnace, even out of Egypt, to be unto him a people of inheritance, as ye are this day.
KJV Study — Public Domain
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
“of any thing that creepeth”
H7430properly, to glide swiftly, i.e., to crawl or move with short steps; by analogy to swarm
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
“beneath”
H8478the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc
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.
Deuteronomy 4:18 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.