King James Version

What Does Exodus 20:4 Mean?

Exodus 20:4 in the King James Version says “Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the ... — study this verse from Exodus chapter 20 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Thou 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:

Exodus 20:4 · KJV


Context

2

I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. bondage: Heb. servants

3

Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

4

Thou 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:

5

Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;

6

And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Thou 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:

The second commandment prohibits 'graven images' (פֶסֶל, pesel)—carved idols—and 'likeness' (תְּמוּנָה, temunah)—any representation. The comprehensive scope ('heaven, earth, water') bans all visual depictions of deity. Why? Because God is spirit, infinite, transcendent—reducing Him to material form inevitably distorts Him. The command protects God's glory from human reduction. The three-tiered cosmos ('above, beneath, under') encompasses all creation—nothing created can represent Creator. Israel's imageless worship stood alone in the ancient world. Even Christian images, while not idols, risk reducing transcendent God to manageable forms. The Word-centered Reformation recovered this emphasis.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient Near Eastern worship was intensely visual—statues, images, sacred poles. Israel's aniconism (worship without images) was revolutionary, forcing reliance on God's word rather than visual aids.

Reflection Questions

  1. Why does God prohibit visual representations of Himself—what distortions result from trying to depict deity?
  2. How might Christians violate this command even without bowing to physical idols?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
לֹֽ֣א1 of 16
H3808

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

תַֽעֲשֶׂ֨ה2 of 16

Thou shalt not make

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

לְךָ֥֣3 of 16
H0
פֶ֣֙סֶל֙׀4 of 16

unto thee any graven image

H6459

an idol

וְכָל5 of 16
H3605

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

תְּמוּנָ֡֔ה6 of 16

or any likeness

H8544

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

וַֽאֲשֶׁ֥ר7 of 16

of any thing that

H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

בַּשָּׁמַ֣֙יִם֙׀8 of 16

is in heaven

H8064

the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r

מִמַּ֡֔עַל9 of 16

above

H4605

properly,the upper part, used only adverbially with prefix upward, above, overhead, from the top, etc

וַֽאֲשֶׁ֥ר10 of 16

of any thing that

H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

לָאָֽ֗רֶץ׃11 of 16

or that is in the earth

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

מִתַָּ֑֜חַת12 of 16
H8478

the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc

וַֽאֲשֶׁ֥ר13 of 16

of any thing that

H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

בַּמַּ֖֣יִם׀14 of 16

beneath or that is in the water

H4325

water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen

מִתַּ֥֣חַת15 of 16
H8478

the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc

לָאָֽ֗רֶץ׃16 of 16

or that is in the earth

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)


Study Guide

Historical Context

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

Theological Significance

Exodus 20:4 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 Exodus 20:4 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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