a representation of any animal that is on the earth, a representation of any winged bird that flies in the sky,
Parallel translations
- WEB the likeness of any animal that is on the earth, the likeness of any winged bird that flies in the sky,
- KJV The likeness of any beast that is on the earth, the likeness of any winged fowl that flieth in the air,
- BSB of any beast that is on the earth or bird that flies in the air,
- NKJV the likeness of any animal that is on the earth or the likeness of any winged bird that flies in the air,
- NLT an animal on the ground, a bird in the sky,
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Nor may they make images shaped like any animal or bird. It extends the ban to creatures of land and sky.
Overview
The warning continues, ruling out images in the form of beasts or birds, such as the animal-gods worshiped by surrounding peoples. No created thing may stand in for the Creator. The comprehensive list leaves no loophole for idolatry.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 1
- Rom 1:23and traded the glory of the incorruptible God for the likeness of an image of corruptible man, and of birds, and four-footed animals, and creeping things.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
Resources, by level
Commentaries & study tools
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Christ at the center
Moses promised a Prophet like himself to whom Israel must listen (18:15); Jesus is that Prophet, the one who keeps the covenant we broke and becomes the curse for us by hanging on a tree (Gal 3:13).
How Deuteronomy 4:17 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.