Exodus 20:4
ESV
"You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.
NIV
"You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below.
NASB
You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath, or in the water under the earth.
CSB
Do not make an idol for yourself, whether in the shape of anything in the heavens above or on the earth below or in the waters under the earth.
NLT
You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind or an image of anything in the heavens or on the earth or in the sea.
KJV
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:
NKJV
“You shall not make for yourself a carved image—any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth;
What does Exodus 20:4 mean?
This is the second of the Ten Commandments. These are the foundational laws of the covenant between God and the nation of Israel. The first commandment created an anchor point for the others: God is the Lord, and there is no other (Exodus 20:2–3).Most nations and religions throughout history are tied to some form of idolatry: the worship of objects and images representing a spirit or deity. The second commandment forbids this. The King James version famously translates the Hebrew word pesel as "graven;" some readers associate this with death or seriousness. Yet the King James term is related to words such as "engraved." This prohibition is on objects of worship (Exodus 20:5–6): physical idols. The restriction is universal, including people, animals, objects, and ideas.
God's restriction here is not about making statues or sculptures, themselves. Art can be a legitimate expression of our God-given creative ability. But it deeply offends the Lord when we worship something created. This includes things He has created, such as animals and people. It also includes things humanity has invented, such as false deities (Romans 1:23–25). This commandment is against worshipping images or creating them for worship.
This commandment is separate from the first, though groups such as Catholicism consider them a single rule. The distinction is important, however. God does not approve any use of images or objects as subjects of worship. "Venerating" a statue or picture is inconsistent with His will.
