1 And God spake all these words, saying,…
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.
— Exodus 20:1,4-6 (KJV)
What is the meaning of “You shall not make for yourself a carved image.”
Boiled down it means do not make or worship idols. Graven means anything carved, sculpted, or engraved but also anything man-made or fashioned by man, that is not alive but dead (or inanimate). Likeness means the fact or quality of being alike, resemblance, portrait, or representation.
Do not make anything that or make any likeness of anything in heaven above, or on earth beneath or that is in the water under earth.
Do not bow down or serve them. By even just bowing down you are worshiping them by showing your submission and expression of reverence and adoration. These objects are called idols, and the act is called idolatry. When the Bible uses the phrase “living God” it distinguishes between idols and the true God.
Idolatry not only refers to paganism’s use of idols, but also anything that could be made into an idol, such as spirit animals, celestial bodies, angels, saints, demons, ancestors, a sports team, a government, or even money.
God says he is a jealous God, and idolatry is a willful sin of iniquity that has steep consequences because it is an abomination to Him. Abomination is the strongest word you might think of to say God really really does not like it. He finds it abhorrence, disgusting, loathsome, repugnant, and despises it. Throughout the Bible many sins are described as abominations by God, however, this is the only commandment that also immediately explains why He doesn’t like it and what happens to those who do or do not follow it.
Where did the Second Commandment come from?
After God (using Moses) liberated His people from slavery in Egypt, God instructed them on how to live as a society under His rule. God, in a thick cloud from the top of Mount Sinai, spoke as a loud trumpet His laws so that Israelite people would know how to not sin, how to love God and love their neighbors as themselves (Matthew 22:37-40). These laws are called the Ten Commandments or the Law of Liberty (liberty from sin). Learn more about the Ten Commandments.
Related Questions:
- Do Catholics worship idols?
- Why do the Catholic Ten Commandments not mention idols?
- Is the cross an idol?
- Can everyday things become an idol, like sports, entertainment, or hobbies?
- Are pictures an idol?
- Is art an idol, like sculptures, paintings, etc?
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