Key Verse Spotlight
Exodus 20:4 — Meaning and Application
King James Version
“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:”
Exodus 20:4
Verse in Context
Understanding the surrounding verses prevents misinterpretation:
I {am} the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. {bondage: Heb. servants}
Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
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:
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;
And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.
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