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id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/deuteronomy/4.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/deuteronomy/4.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />so that you do not become corrupt and make for yourselves an idol, an image of any shape, whether formed like a man or a woman,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/deuteronomy/4.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />So do not corrupt yourselves by making an idol in any form—whether of a man or a woman,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/deuteronomy/4.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />beware lest you act corruptly by making a carved image for yourselves, in the form of any figure, the likeness of male or female,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/deuteronomy/4.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />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,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/deuteronomy/4.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Lest ye corrupt <i>yourselves</i>, and make you a graven image, the similitude of any figure, the likeness of male or female,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/deuteronomy/4.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />lest you act corruptly and make for yourselves a carved image in the form of any figure: the likeness of male or female,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/deuteronomy/4.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />so that you do not act corruptly and make a carved image for yourselves in the form of any figure, a representation of male or female,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/deuteronomy/4.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />so that you do not act corruptly and make a graven image for yourselves in the form of any figure, the likeness of male or female,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/deuteronomy/4.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />lest you act corruptly and make a graven image for yourselves in the form of any figure, the likeness of male or female,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/deuteronomy/4.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />lest you act corruptly and make a graven image for yourselves in the form of any figure, the likeness of male or female,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/deuteronomy/4.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />so that you do not act corruptly and make for yourselves a carved <i>or</i> sculpted image [to worship] in the form of any figure, the likeness of male or female,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/deuteronomy/4.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />so you don’t act corruptly and make an idol for yourselves in the shape of any figure: a male or female form,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/deuteronomy/4.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />not to act corruptly and make an idol for yourselves in the shape of any figure: a male or female form, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/deuteronomy/4.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />lest ye corrupt yourselves, and make you a graven image in the form of any figure, the likeness of male or female,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/deuteronomy/4.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />not to commit the sin of worshiping idols. Don't make idols to be worshiped, whether they are shaped like men, women, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/deuteronomy/4.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />lest ye corrupt yourselves, and make you a graven image in the form of any figure, the likeness of male or female,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/deuteronomy/4.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />that you don't become corrupt and make your own carved idols. Don't make statues that represent men or women,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/deuteronomy/4.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />that you do not sin by making for yourselves an idol in any form at all--whether man or woman, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/deuteronomy/4.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Be careful! Otherwise, you will be destroyed when you make carved images for yourself—all sorts of images in the form of man, woman, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/deuteronomy/4.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />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,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/deuteronomy/4.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />I say this so you will not corrupt yourselves by making an image in the form of any kind of figure. This includes the likeness of a human male or female,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/deuteronomy/4.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Lest you corrupt yourselves, and make yourself an engraved image in the form of any figure, the likeness of male or female,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/deuteronomy/4.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Lest ye corrupt yourselves, and make to you a graven image, the similitude of any figure, the likeness of male or female,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/deuteronomy/4.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />lest you corrupt yourselves, and make yourself a carved image in the form of any figure, the likeness of male or female, <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/deuteronomy/4.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />lest you do corruptly, and have made for yourselves a carved image, a likeness of any figure: a form of male or female,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/deuteronomy/4.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> lest ye do corruptly, and have made to you a graven image, a similitude of any figure, a form of male or female -- <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/deuteronomy/4.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Lest ye shall be corrupted and make to you a carved thing, the appearance of any likeness, the model of male or female,<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/deuteronomy/4.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Lest perhaps being deceived you might make you a graven similitude, or image of male or female, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/deuteronomy/4.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Otherwise, perhaps being deceived, you might have made a graven image, or an image of male or female,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/deuteronomy/4.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />not to act corruptly by fashioning an idol for yourselves to represent any figure, whether it be the form of a man or of a woman,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/deuteronomy/4.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />so that you do not act corruptly by making an idol for yourselves, in the form of any figure—the likeness of male or female,<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/deuteronomy/4.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Lest you corrupt yourselves, and make for yourselves images and the forms of any figure, the likeness of male or female,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/deuteronomy/4.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />So that you would not become corrupt and make for yourselves images and forms of every kind, a form of males or of females,<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/deuteronomy/4.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />lest ye deal corruptly, and make you a graven image, even the form of any figure, the likeness of male or female,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/deuteronomy/4.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />lest ye transgress, and make to yourselves a carved image, any kind of figure, the likeness of male or female,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/deuteronomy/4-16.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IRhBtZaVxJ0?start=1265" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/deuteronomy/4.htm">Warning Against Idolatry</a></span><br><span class="reftext">15</span>So since you saw no form of any kind on the day the LORD spoke to you out of the fire at Horeb, be careful <span class="reftext">16</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/6435.htm" title="6435: pen- (Conj) -- Lest. From panah; properly, removal; used only adverb as conjunction, lest.">that you do not</a> <a href="/hebrew/7843.htm" title="7843: taš·ḥi·ṯūn (V-Hifil-Imperf-2mp:: Pn) -- Perhaps to go to ruin. A primitive root; to decay, i.e. ruin.">act corruptly</a> <a href="/hebrew/6213.htm" title="6213: wa·‘ă·śî·ṯem (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-2mp) -- To do, make. A primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application.">and make</a> <a href="/hebrew/6459.htm" title="6459: pe·sel (N-ms) -- An idol, image. From pacal; an idol.">an idol</a> <a href="/hebrew/lā·ḵem (Prep:: 2mp) -- ">for yourselves</a> <a href="/hebrew/8544.htm" title="8544: tə·mū·naṯ (N-fsc) -- Likeness, form. Or tmunah; from miyn; something portioned out, as a shape, i.e. phantom, or embodiment, or manifestation.">of any form</a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: kāl- (N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">or</a> <a href="/hebrew/5566.htm" title="5566: sā·mel (N-ms) -- An image, statue. Or cemel; from an unused root meaning to resemble; a likeness.">shape,</a> <a href="/hebrew/8403.htm" title="8403: taḇ·nîṯ (N-fsc) -- Construction, pattern, figure. From banah; structure; by implication, a model, resemblance.">whether in the likeness</a> <a href="/hebrew/2145.htm" title="2145: zā·ḵār (N-ms) -- Male. From zakar; properly, remembered, i.e. A male.">of a male</a> <a href="/hebrew/176.htm" title="176: ’ōw (Conj) -- Or. Presumed to be the constructive or genitival form of -av; short for 'avvah; desire; hence or, also if.">or</a> <a href="/hebrew/5347.htm" title="5347: nə·qê·ḇāh (N-fs) -- A female. From naqab; female.">female,</a> </span><span class="reftext">17</span>of any beast that is on the earth or bird that flies in the air,…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/20-4.htm">Exodus 20:4-5</a></span><br />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. / You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on their children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/26-1.htm">Leviticus 26:1</a></span><br />“You must not make idols for yourselves or set up a carved image or sacred pillar; you must not place a sculpted stone in your land to bow down to it. For I am the LORD your God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/44-9.htm">Isaiah 44:9-20</a></span><br />All makers of idols are nothing, and the things they treasure are worthless. Their witnesses fail to see or comprehend, so they are put to shame. / Who fashions a god or casts an idol which profits him nothing? / Behold, all his companions will be put to shame, for the craftsmen themselves are only human. Let them all assemble and take their stand; they will all be brought to terror and shame. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/1-22.htm">Romans 1:22-23</a></span><br />Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools, / and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images of mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/17-29.htm">Acts 17:29</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/115-4.htm">Psalm 115:4-8</a></span><br />Their idols are silver and gold, made by the hands of men. / They have mouths, but cannot speak; they have eyes, but cannot see; / they have ears, but cannot hear; they have noses, but cannot smell; ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/40-18.htm">Isaiah 40:18-20</a></span><br />To whom will you liken God? To what image will you compare Him? / To an idol that a craftsman casts and a metalworker overlays with gold and fits with silver chains? / One lacking such an offering chooses wood that will not rot. He seeks a skilled craftsman to set up an idol that will not topple.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/10-3.htm">Jeremiah 10:3-5</a></span><br />For the customs of the peoples are worthless; they cut down a tree from the forest; it is shaped with a chisel by the hands of a craftsman. / They adorn it with silver and gold and fasten it with hammer and nails, so that it will not totter. / Like scarecrows in a cucumber patch, their idols cannot speak. They must be carried because they cannot walk. Do not fear them, for they can do no harm, and neither can they do any good.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/10-14.htm">1 Corinthians 10:14</a></span><br />Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/5-21.htm">1 John 5:21</a></span><br />Little children, keep yourselves from idols.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/17-12.htm">2 Kings 17:12</a></span><br />They served idols, although the LORD had told them, “You shall not do this thing.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/33-7.htm">2 Chronicles 33:7</a></span><br />Manasseh even took the carved image he had made and set it up in the house of God, of which God had said to David and his son Solomon, “In this temple and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, I will establish My Name forever.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/8-10.htm">Ezekiel 8:10-11</a></span><br />So I went in and looked, and engraved all around the wall was every kind of crawling creature and detestable beast, along with all the idols of the house of Israel. / Before them stood seventy elders of the house of Israel, with Jaazaniah son of Shaphan standing among them. Each had a censer in his hand, and a fragrant cloud of incense was rising.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/13-2.htm">Hosea 13:2</a></span><br />Now they sin more and more and make for themselves cast images, idols skillfully made from their silver, all of them the work of craftsmen. People say of them, “They offer human sacrifice and kiss the calves!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/habakkuk/2-18.htm">Habakkuk 2:18-19</a></span><br />What use is an idol, that a craftsman should carve it—or an image, a teacher of lies? For its maker trusts in his own creation; he makes idols that cannot speak. / Woe to him who says to wood, ‘Awake!’ or to silent stone, ‘Arise!’ Can it give guidance? Behold, it is overlaid with gold and silver, yet there is no breath in it at all.”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Lest you corrupt yourselves, and make you a graven image, the similitude of any figure, the likeness of male or female,</p><p class="hdg">corrupt</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/4-8.htm">Deuteronomy 4:8,9</a></b></br> And what nation <i>is there so</i> great, that hath statutes and judgments <i>so</i> righteous as all this law, which I set before you this day? … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/20-4.htm">Exodus 20:4,5</a></b></br> Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness <i>of any thing</i> that <i>is</i> in heaven above, or that <i>is</i> in the earth beneath, or that <i>is</i> in the water under the earth: … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/32-7.htm">Exodus 32:7</a></b></br> And the LORD said unto Moses, Go, get thee down; for thy people, which thou broughtest out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted <i>themselves</i>:</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/4-23.htm">Deuteronomy 4:23</a></b></br> Take heed unto yourselves, lest ye forget the covenant of the LORD your God, which he made with you, and make you a graven image, <i>or</i> the likeness of any <i>thing</i>, which the LORD thy God hath forbidden thee.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/40-18.htm">Isaiah 40:18</a></b></br> To whom then will ye liken God? or what likeness will ye compare unto him?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/john/4-24.htm">John 4:24</a></b></br> God <i>is</i> a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship <i>him</i> in spirit and in truth.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/deuteronomy/1-43.htm">Act</a> <a href="/exodus/23-21.htm">Beware</a> <a href="/exodus/32-7.htm">Corrupt</a> <a href="/numbers/32-15.htm">Corruptly</a> <a href="/numbers/29-15.htm">Deal</a> <a href="/leviticus/26-1.htm">Engraved</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/1-39.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/exodus/32-8.htm">Idol</a> <a href="/numbers/21-8.htm">Image</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/3-28.htm">Making</a> <a href="/numbers/31-35.htm">Male</a> <a href="/numbers/8-4.htm">Pattern</a> <a href="/exodus/32-8.htm">Shape</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/4-15.htm">Similitude</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/4-7.htm">Turned</a> <a href="/numbers/30-15.htm">Ways</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/1-16.htm">Whether</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/4-15.htm">Yourselves</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/deuteronomy/10-6.htm">Act</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/4-19.htm">Beware</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/4-25.htm">Corrupt</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/4-25.htm">Corruptly</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/4-25.htm">Deal</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/4-23.htm">Engraved</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/4-25.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/5-8.htm">Idol</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/4-23.htm">Image</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/9-22.htm">Making</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/5-14.htm">Male</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/4-17.htm">Pattern</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/9-16.htm">Shape</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/5-8.htm">Similitude</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/4-29.htm">Turned</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/5-33.htm">Ways</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/4-32.htm">Whether</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/4-23.htm">Yourselves</a><div class="vheading2">Deuteronomy 4</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/deuteronomy/4-1.htm">An exhortation to obedience</a></span><br><span class="reftext">41. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/deuteronomy/4-41.htm">Moses appoints the three cities of refuge on that side of Jordan</a></span><br><span class="reftext">44. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/deuteronomy/4-44.htm">Recapitulation</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/deuteronomy/4.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/deuteronomy/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/deuteronomy/4.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>that you do not act corruptly</b><br>This phrase warns against moral and spiritual corruption, which in biblical terms often refers to turning away from God's commandments. The Israelites were repeatedly cautioned against adopting the practices of surrounding nations, which included idolatry and other forms of corruption. This warning is consistent with the broader biblical theme of holiness and separation from sin, as seen in <a href="/leviticus/11-44.htm">Leviticus 11:44-45</a>, where God calls His people to be holy as He is holy.<p><b>and make an idol for yourselves</b><br>The making of idols was a common practice in ancient Near Eastern cultures, where physical representations of deities were crafted for worship. This commandment underscores the prohibition against idolatry, which is a central tenet of the Mosaic Law. The Israelites were to worship Yahweh alone, as emphasized in the first and second commandments (<a href="/exodus/20-3.htm">Exodus 20:3-4</a>). The creation of idols is seen as a direct violation of the covenant relationship between God and His people.<p><b>of any form or shape</b><br>This phrase emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the prohibition against idolatry. It includes any physical representation, regardless of its form or shape. This reflects the understanding that God is spirit (<a href="/john/4-24.htm">John 4:24</a>) and cannot be contained or represented by any physical object. The prohibition is not just against the worship of false gods but also against any attempt to represent the true God with an image, which would diminish His transcendence and glory.<p><b>whether in the likeness of a male or female</b><br>This specific mention of male and female forms highlights the common practice of creating idols in human likeness, which was prevalent in the ancient world. Many pagan religions had gods and goddesses represented in human form, such as the Egyptian deities or the Greek pantheon. The prohibition serves to distinguish the worship of Yahweh from these practices, reinforcing the idea that God is beyond human comprehension and cannot be reduced to human likeness. This also prefigures the New Testament revelation of God in Jesus Christ, who, while fully human, is the image of the invisible God (<a href="/colossians/1-15.htm">Colossians 1:15</a>), yet not an idol but the incarnate Word.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/m/moses.htm">Moses</a></b><br>The speaker of this passage, Moses is addressing the Israelites, reminding them of God's commandments and warning them against idolatry.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/i/israelites.htm">Israelites</a></b><br>The audience of Moses' address, the chosen people of God who are being prepared to enter the Promised Land.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/m/mount_horeb.htm">Mount Horeb</a></b><br>The location where Moses received the Ten Commandments, which included the prohibition against idolatry.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/p/promised_land.htm">Promised Land</a></b><br>The land of Canaan, which the Israelites are about to enter, where they will encounter various pagan cultures and their idols.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/i/idolatry.htm">Idolatry</a></b><br>The act of worshiping idols or images, which is strictly forbidden by God and is a central theme of Moses' warning.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/a/avoiding_idolatry_in_modern_times.htm">Avoiding Idolatry in Modern Times</a></b><br>Idolatry is not limited to physical idols; it can include anything that takes the place of God in our lives, such as money, power, or relationships.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_worshiping_the_true_god.htm">The Importance of Worshiping the True God</a></b><br>Worship should be directed solely to God, who is spirit and truth, rather than any created form or image.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/guarding_against_cultural_influences.htm">Guarding Against Cultural Influences</a></b><br>Just as the Israelites were warned about the pagan cultures in Canaan, Christians today must be vigilant against cultural influences that lead away from God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_corruption.htm">The Consequences of Corruption</a></b><br>Acting corruptly by turning to idols leads to spiritual decay and separation from God, emphasizing the need for repentance and faithfulness.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_scripture_in_guiding_worship.htm">The Role of Scripture in Guiding Worship</a></b><br>Regular engagement with Scripture helps believers discern true worship and avoid the pitfalls of idolatry.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_deuteronomy_4.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Deuteronomy 4</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_defines_a_graven_image.htm">What defines a graven image?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what's_the_bible's_view_on_art.htm">What is the Bible's perspective on art?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_to_address_ancient_belief_in_idols.htm">Psalm 135:15-18 dismisses idols as mere human constructs--how do we address ancient records and artifacts that suggest widespread and longstanding belief in these deities?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_deut._7_1-2_allow_destruction.htm">If God is compassionate, how can Deuteronomy 7:1-2 condone the total destruction of other nations?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/deuteronomy/4.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(16) <span class= "bld">Lest ye corrupt . . . and make.</span>--The connection between idolatry and corruption is twofold. First, it changes "the glory of the <span class= "ital">incorruptible God</span>" into an image of His corruptible creatures. Secondly, it always ends in corrupting the idolater. Man was made to have dominion over the works of God's hands. He cannot <span class= "ital">worship </span>anything in creation, which he was not intended to <span class= "ital">rule. </span>He can only fulfil his destiny when he strives after the Divine likeness, rising to that which is above him, instead of stooping to that which is below.<p>(17,18) <span class= "bld">Likeness of any beast . . . fowl . . .</span>--There may be an allusion to the animal idolatry of Egypt here.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/deuteronomy/4.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 16.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Graven image</span> (<span class="hebrew">פֶסֶל</span>), carved work or sculpture, whether of wood, or metal, or stone - <span class="cmt_word">the similitude of any figure</span> - the form of any idol (<span class="hebrew">סֶמֶל</span>, form, statue, idol) - <span class="cmt_word">the likeness</span> - figure (<span class="hebrew">תַבְנִית</span>, a building, a model, a form, or figure) - <span class="cmt_word">of male or female</span> - in apposition to <span class="accented">graven image</span>, and illustrative of it. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/deuteronomy/4-16.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">that you do not</span><br /><span class="heb">פֶּ֨ן־</span> <span class="translit">(pen-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6435.htm">Strong's 6435: </a> </span><span class="str2">Removal, lest</span><br /><br /><span class="word">act corruptly</span><br /><span class="heb">תַּשְׁחִת֔וּן</span> <span class="translit">(taš·ḥi·ṯūn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - second person masculine plural | Paragogic nun<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7843.htm">Strong's 7843: </a> </span><span class="str2">Perhaps to go to ruin</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and make</span><br /><span class="heb">וַעֲשִׂיתֶ֥ם</span> <span class="translit">(wa·‘ă·śî·ṯem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6213.htm">Strong's 6213: </a> </span><span class="str2">To do, make</span><br /><br /><span class="word">an idol</span><br /><span class="heb">פֶּ֖סֶל</span> <span class="translit">(pe·sel)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6459.htm">Strong's 6459: </a> </span><span class="str2">An idol, image</span><br /><br /><span class="word">for yourselves</span><br /><span class="heb">לָכֶ֛ם</span> <span class="translit">(lā·ḵem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | second person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> </span><span class="str2"></span><br /><br /><span class="word">of any form</span><br /><span class="heb">תְּמוּנַ֣ת</span> <span class="translit">(tə·mū·naṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8544.htm">Strong's 8544: </a> </span><span class="str2">Something portioned, out, as a, shape, phantom, embodiment, manifestation</span><br /><br /><span class="word">or</span><br /><span class="heb">כָּל־</span> <span class="translit">(kāl-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> </span><span class="str2">The whole, all, any, every</span><br /><br /><span class="word">shape,</span><br /><span class="heb">סָ֑מֶל</span> <span class="translit">(sā·mel)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5566.htm">Strong's 5566: </a> </span><span class="str2">An image, statue</span><br /><br /><span class="word">whether in the likeness</span><br /><span class="heb">תַּבְנִ֥ית</span> <span class="translit">(taḇ·nîṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8403.htm">Strong's 8403: </a> </span><span class="str2">Structure, a model, resemblance</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of a male</span><br /><span class="heb">זָכָ֖ר</span> <span class="translit">(zā·ḵār)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2145.htm">Strong's 2145: </a> </span><span class="str2">Remembered, a male</span><br /><br /><span class="word">or</span><br /><span class="heb">א֥וֹ</span> <span class="translit">(’ōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_176.htm">Strong's 176: </a> </span><span class="str2">Desire, if</span><br /><br /><span class="word">female,</span><br /><span class="heb">נְקֵבָֽה׃</span> <span class="translit">(nə·qê·ḇāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5347.htm">Strong's 5347: </a> </span><span class="str2">A female</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/deuteronomy/4-16.htm">Deuteronomy 4:16 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/deuteronomy/4-16.htm">Deuteronomy 4:16 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/deuteronomy/4-16.htm">Deuteronomy 4:16 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/deuteronomy/4-16.htm">Deuteronomy 4:16 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/deuteronomy/4-16.htm">Deuteronomy 4:16 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/deuteronomy/4-16.htm">Deuteronomy 4:16 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/deuteronomy/4-16.htm">Deuteronomy 4:16 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/deuteronomy/4-16.htm">Deuteronomy 4:16 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/deuteronomy/4-16.htm">Deuteronomy 4:16 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/deuteronomy/4-16.htm">Deuteronomy 4:16 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/deuteronomy/4-16.htm">OT Law: Deuteronomy 4:16 Lest you corrupt yourselves and make yourself (Deut. De Du)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/deuteronomy/4-15.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Deuteronomy 4:15"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Deuteronomy 4:15" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/deuteronomy/4-17.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Deuteronomy 4:17"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Deuteronomy 4:17" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>