CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Deuteronomy 4:17 of any beast that is on the earth or bird that flies in the air,</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/deuteronomy/4-17.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/20/05_Deu_04_17.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Deuteronomy 4:17 - Warning Against Idolatry" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="of any beast that is on the earth or bird that flies in the air," /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/deuteronomy/4-17.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/deuteronomy/4-17.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/deuteronomy/">Deuteronomy</a> > <a href="/deuteronomy/4.htm">Chapter 4</a> > Verse 17</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad17.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/deuteronomy/4-16.htm" title="Deuteronomy 4:16">◄</a> Deuteronomy 4:17 <a href="/deuteronomy/4-18.htm" title="Deuteronomy 4:18">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div 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 />or like any animal on earth or any bird that flies in the air,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/deuteronomy/4.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />an animal on the ground, a bird in the sky,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/deuteronomy/4.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />the likeness of any animal that is on the earth, the likeness of any winged bird that flies in the air,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/deuteronomy/4.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />of any beast that is on the earth or bird that flies in the air,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/deuteronomy/4.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />The likeness of any beast that <i>is</i> on the earth, the likeness of any winged fowl that flieth in the air,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/deuteronomy/4.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />the likeness of any animal that <i>is</i> on the earth or the likeness of any winged bird that flies in the air,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/deuteronomy/4.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />a representation of any animal that is on the earth, a representation of any winged bird that flies in the sky,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/deuteronomy/4.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />the likeness of any animal that is on the earth, the likeness of any winged bird that flies in the sky,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/deuteronomy/4.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />the likeness of any animal that is on the earth, the likeness of any winged bird that flies in the sky,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/deuteronomy/4.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />the likeness of any animal that is on the earth, the likeness of any winged bird that flies in the sky,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/deuteronomy/4.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />the likeness of any animal that is on the earth, or of any winged bird that flies in the sky,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/deuteronomy/4.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />or the form of any animal on the earth, any winged creature that flies in the sky,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/deuteronomy/4.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />or the form of any beast on the earth, any winged creature that flies in the sky, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/deuteronomy/4.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />the likeness of any beast that is on the earth, the likeness of any winged bird that flieth in the heavens,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/deuteronomy/4.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />animals, birds, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/deuteronomy/4.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />the likeness of any beast that is on the earth, the likeness of any winged fowl that flieth in the heaven,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/deuteronomy/4.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />any animal on earth, any creature with wings that flies,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/deuteronomy/4.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />animal or bird, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/deuteronomy/4.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />any animal on earth, any winged bird that flies in the sky, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/deuteronomy/4.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />of any beast that is on the earth or bird that flies in the air,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/deuteronomy/4.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />any kind of land animal, any bird that flies in the sky,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/deuteronomy/4.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />the likeness of any animal that is on the earth, the likeness of any winged bird that flies in the sky,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/deuteronomy/4.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />The likeness of any beast that is on the earth, the likeness of any winged fowl that flieth in the air,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/deuteronomy/4.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />the likeness of any animal that is on the earth, the likeness of any winged bird that flies in the sky, <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/deuteronomy/4.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />a form of any beast which [is] in the earth, a form of any winged bird which flies in the heavens,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/deuteronomy/4.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> a form of any beast which is in the earth -- a form of any winged bird which flieth in the heavens -- <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/deuteronomy/4.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />The model of any cattle that is upon the earth, the model of any winged bird that shall fly in the heavens,<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/deuteronomy/4.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />The similitude of any beasts, that are upon the earth, or of birds, that fly under heaven, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/deuteronomy/4.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />a likeness of any of the beasts, which are upon the earth, or of birds, which fly under heaven,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/deuteronomy/4.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />the form of any animal on the earth, the form of any bird that flies in the sky,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/deuteronomy/4.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />the likeness of any animal that is on the earth, the likeness of any winged bird that flies in the air,<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/deuteronomy/4.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />The likeness of any beast that is on the earth, the likeness of any winged fowl that flies in the air.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/deuteronomy/4.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />A form of any beast that is in the earth, a form of any bird of the wing flying in Heaven,<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/deuteronomy/4.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />the likeness of any beast that is on the earth, the likeness of any winged fowl that flieth in the heaven,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/deuteronomy/4.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />the likeness of any beast of those that are on the earth, the likeness of any winged bird which flies under heaven,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/deuteronomy/4-17.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=1275" 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">16</span>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="reftext">17</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/8403.htm" title="8403: taḇ·nîṯ (N-fsc) -- Construction, pattern, figure. From banah; structure; by implication, a model, resemblance."></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.">of any</a> <a href="/hebrew/929.htm" title="929: bə·hê·māh (N-fs) -- A beast, animal, cattle. From an unused root; properly, a dumb beast; especially any large quadruped or animal.">beast</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.">that is</a> <a href="/hebrew/776.htm" title="776: bā·’ā·reṣ (Prep-b, Art:: N-fs) -- Earth, land. From an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth.">on the earth</a> <a href="/hebrew/8403.htm" title="8403: taḇ·nîṯ (N-fsc) -- Construction, pattern, figure. From banah; structure; by implication, a model, resemblance."></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."></a> <a href="/hebrew/6833.htm" title="6833: ṣip·pō·wr (N-csc) -- A bird. Or tsippor; from tsaphar; a little bird.">or bird</a> <a href="/hebrew/3671.htm" title="3671: kā·nāp̄ (N-fs) -- Wing, extremity. From kanaph; an edge or extremity; specifically a wing, a flap, a quarter, a pinnacle."></a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.">that</a> <a href="/hebrew/5774.htm" title="5774: tā·‘ūp̄ (V-Qal-Imperf-3fs) -- To fly, to faint. A primitive root; to cover; hence to fly; also to faint.">flies</a> <a href="/hebrew/8064.htm" title="8064: baš·šā·mā·yim (Prep-b, Art:: N-mp) -- Heaven, sky. Dual of an unused singular shameh; from an unused root meaning to be lofty; the sky.">in the air,</a> </span><span class="reftext">18</span>or of any creature that crawls on the ground or fish that is in the waters below.…<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</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.<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/44-13.htm">Isaiah 44:13-20</a></span><br />The woodworker extends a measuring line; he marks it out with a stylus; he shapes it with chisels and outlines it with a compass. He fashions it in the likeness of man, like man in all his glory, that it may dwell in a shrine. / He cuts down cedars or retrieves a cypress or oak. He lets it grow strong among the trees of the forest. He plants a laurel, and the rain makes it grow. / It serves as fuel for man. He takes some of it to warm himself, and he kindles a fire and bakes his bread. He also fashions it into a god and worships it; he makes an idol and bows down to it. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/1-23.htm">Romans 1:23</a></span><br />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="/psalms/135-15.htm">Psalm 135:15-18</a></span><br />The idols of the nations 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; nor is there breath in their mouths. ...<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="/isaiah/46-5.htm">Isaiah 46:5-7</a></span><br />To whom will you liken Me or count Me equal? To whom will you compare Me, that we should be alike? / They pour out their bags of gold and weigh out silver on scales; they hire a goldsmith to fashion it into a god, so they can bow down and worship. / They lift it to their shoulder and carry it along; they set it in its place, and there it stands, not budging from that spot. They cry out to it, but it does not answer; it saves no one from his troubles.<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/10-19.htm">1 Corinthians 10:19-20</a></span><br />Am I suggesting, then, that food sacrificed to an idol is anything, or that an idol is anything? / No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God. And I do not want you to be participants with demons.<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/17-16.htm">2 Kings 17:16</a></span><br />They abandoned all the commandments of the LORD their God and made for themselves two cast idols of calves and an Asherah pole. They bowed down to all the host of heaven and served Baal.<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</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.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">The likeness of any beast that is on the earth, the likeness of any winged fowl that flies in the air,</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/20-4.htm">Deuteronomy 20:4</a></b></br> For the LORD your God <i>is</i> he that goeth with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/romans/1-23.htm">Romans 1:23</a></b></br> And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/deuteronomy/3-14.htm">Air</a> <a href="/numbers/31-47.htm">Animal</a> <a href="/numbers/31-47.htm">Beast</a> <a href="/leviticus/20-25.htm">Bird</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/4-10.htm">Earth</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/4-11.htm">Heaven</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/4-11.htm">Heavens</a> <a href="/exodus/20-4.htm">Likeness</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/4-16.htm">Pattern</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/4-11.htm">Sky</a> <a href="/numbers/7-89.htm">Winged</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/deuteronomy/28-26.htm">Air</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/14-6.htm">Animal</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/14-4.htm">Beast</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/14-11.htm">Bird</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/4-18.htm">Earth</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/4-19.htm">Heaven</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/4-36.htm">Heavens</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/4-18.htm">Likeness</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/4-18.htm">Pattern</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/4-19.htm">Sky</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/14-19.htm">Winged</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>of any beast that is on the earth</b><br>This phrase refers to the prohibition against idolatry, specifically the creation of images or likenesses of animals for worship. In the ancient Near Eastern context, many cultures, such as the Egyptians and Canaanites, worshipped gods in the form of animals. The Israelites were commanded to avoid such practices, emphasizing the uniqueness and holiness of Yahweh. This command is rooted in the creation narrative where God created animals, highlighting that they are part of creation and not divine (<a href="/genesis/1-24.htm">Genesis 1:24-25</a>). The prohibition underscores the transcendence of God, who is not to be represented by any created thing.<p><b>or bird that flies in the air</b><br>Birds were often associated with various deities in ancient cultures, symbolizing freedom and divine messengers. For example, the Egyptian god Horus was depicted as a falcon. The Israelites were warned against adopting these practices, as seen in the broader context of <a href="/deuteronomy/4.htm">Deuteronomy 4</a>, which emphasizes the importance of worshipping God alone. This command also reflects the second commandment in <a href="/exodus/20-4.htm">Exodus 20:4-5</a>, which forbids the making of idols. The imagery of birds in the Bible often symbolizes the care and provision of God (<a href="/matthew/6-26.htm">Matthew 6:26</a>), contrasting with their use in idolatry. This phrase reinforces the call to worship the Creator rather than the creation, aligning with the monotheistic emphasis of the Shema in <a href="/deuteronomy/6-4.htm">Deuteronomy 6:4-5</a>.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/m/moses.htm">Moses</a></b><br>The author of Deuteronomy, delivering God's laws and commandments to the Israelites.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/i/israelites.htm">Israelites</a></b><br>The audience receiving the laws, 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 and where the Israelites were warned 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, filled with pagan nations and their idols.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/p/pagan_nations.htm">Pagan Nations</a></b><br>The surrounding cultures that worshipped idols, which the Israelites were warned not to imitate.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/a/avoiding_idolatry.htm">Avoiding Idolatry</a></b><br>The command against creating images serves as a reminder to worship God in spirit and truth, avoiding the temptation to reduce Him to a physical form.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/cultural_influence.htm">Cultural Influence</a></b><br>The Israelites were warned about the influence of surrounding pagan cultures. Believers today must be vigilant about cultural influences that can lead to idolatry in various forms.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_uniqueness.htm">God's Uniqueness</a></b><br>God is incomparable and transcendent. Any attempt to depict Him through created things diminishes His glory and leads to false worship.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/heart_of_worship.htm">Heart of Worship</a></b><br>True worship is about the heart's posture towards God, not external rituals or images. Believers are called to focus on a relationship with God rather than religious symbols.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/m/modern_idolatry.htm">Modern Idolatry</a></b><br>Idolatry today may not involve physical idols but can include anything that takes precedence over God in our lives, such as money, power, or relationships.<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/how_many_levels_of_heaven_are_there.htm">How many levels of heaven are there?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_to_reconcile_zech._5_9_with_pagan_bans.htm">How should we reconcile the imagery of stork-winged women transporting the basket in Zechariah 5:9 with the broader biblical prohibition of associating with pagan symbols?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_james_3_7_factual_or_hyperbole.htm">James 3:7 claims that 'all kinds of animals... have been tamed by mankind,' yet many species remain untamed; is this factual or hyperbole?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_to_reconcile_acts_11_5-10_with_science.htm">How do we reconcile Peter's vision of unclean animals in Acts 11:5-10 with scientific evidence about dietary laws and hygiene at that time?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/deuteronomy/4.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verses 17, 18.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">The likeness</span> - the figure - <span class="cmt_word">of any beast</span>, etc. A warning against the animal-worship of Egypt. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/deuteronomy/4-17.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">of any</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">beast</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּהֵמָ֖ה</span> <span class="translit">(bə·hê·māh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_929.htm">Strong's 929: </a> </span><span class="str2">A dumb beast, any large quadruped, animal</span><br /><br /><span class="word">on the earth</span><br /><span class="heb">בָּאָ֑רֶץ</span> <span class="translit">(bā·’ā·reṣ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_776.htm">Strong's 776: </a> </span><span class="str2">Earth, land</span><br /><br /><span class="word">or bird</span><br /><span class="heb">צִפּ֣וֹר</span> <span class="translit">(ṣip·pō·wr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - common singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6833.htm">Strong's 6833: </a> </span><span class="str2">A little bird</span><br /><br /><span class="word">that</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲשֶׁ֣ר</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·šer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - relative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_834.htm">Strong's 834: </a> </span><span class="str2">Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that</span><br /><br /><span class="word">flies</span><br /><span class="heb">תָּע֖וּף</span> <span class="translit">(tā·‘ūp̄)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5774.htm">Strong's 5774: </a> </span><span class="str2">To fly, to faint</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in the air,</span><br /><span class="heb">בַּשָּׁמָֽיִם׃</span> <span class="translit">(baš·šā·mā·yim)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8064.htm">Strong's 8064: </a> </span><span class="str2">Heaven, sky</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/deuteronomy/4-17.htm">Deuteronomy 4:17 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/deuteronomy/4-17.htm">Deuteronomy 4:17 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/deuteronomy/4-17.htm">Deuteronomy 4:17 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/deuteronomy/4-17.htm">Deuteronomy 4:17 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/deuteronomy/4-17.htm">Deuteronomy 4:17 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/deuteronomy/4-17.htm">Deuteronomy 4:17 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/deuteronomy/4-17.htm">Deuteronomy 4:17 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/deuteronomy/4-17.htm">Deuteronomy 4:17 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/deuteronomy/4-17.htm">Deuteronomy 4:17 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/deuteronomy/4-17.htm">Deuteronomy 4:17 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/deuteronomy/4-17.htm">OT Law: Deuteronomy 4:17 The likeness of any animal that (Deut. De Du)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/deuteronomy/4-16.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Deuteronomy 4:16"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Deuteronomy 4:16" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/deuteronomy/4-18.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Deuteronomy 4:18"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Deuteronomy 4:18" /></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>