Deuteronomy 4:17
New International Version
or like any animal on earth or any bird that flies in the air,

New Living Translation
an animal on the ground, a bird in the sky,

English Standard Version
the likeness of any animal that is on the earth, the likeness of any winged bird that flies in the air,

Berean Standard Bible
of any beast that is on the earth or bird that flies in the air,

King James Bible
The likeness of any beast that is on the earth, the likeness of any winged fowl that flieth in the air,

New King James Version
the likeness of any animal that is on the earth or the likeness of any winged bird that flies in the air,

New American Standard Bible
a representation of any animal that is on the earth, a representation of any winged bird that flies in the sky,

NASB 1995
the likeness of any animal that is on the earth, the likeness of any winged bird that flies in the sky,

NASB 1977
the likeness of any animal that is on the earth, the likeness of any winged bird that flies in the sky,

Legacy Standard Bible
the likeness of any animal that is on the earth, the likeness of any winged bird that flies in the sky,

Amplified Bible
the likeness of any animal that is on the earth, or of any winged bird that flies in the sky,

Christian Standard Bible
or the form of any animal on the earth, any winged creature that flies in the sky,

Holman Christian Standard Bible
or the form of any beast on the earth, any winged creature that flies in the sky,

American Standard Version
the likeness of any beast that is on the earth, the likeness of any winged bird that flieth in the heavens,

Contemporary English Version
animals, birds,

English Revised Version
the likeness of any beast that is on the earth, the likeness of any winged fowl that flieth in the heaven,

GOD'S WORD® Translation
any animal on earth, any creature with wings that flies,

Good News Translation
animal or bird,

International Standard Version
any animal on earth, any winged bird that flies in the sky,

Majority Standard Bible
of any beast that is on the earth or bird that flies in the air,

NET Bible
any kind of land animal, any bird that flies in the sky,

New Heart English Bible
the likeness of any animal that is on the earth, the likeness of any winged bird that flies in the sky,

Webster's Bible Translation
The likeness of any beast that is on the earth, the likeness of any winged fowl that flieth in the air,

World English Bible
the likeness of any animal that is on the earth, the likeness of any winged bird that flies in the sky,
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
a form of any beast which [is] in the earth, a form of any winged bird which flies in the heavens,

Young's Literal Translation
a form of any beast which is in the earth -- a form of any winged bird which flieth in the heavens --

Smith's Literal Translation
The model of any cattle that is upon the earth, the model of any winged bird that shall fly in the heavens,
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
The similitude of any beasts, that are upon the earth, or of birds, that fly under heaven,

Catholic Public Domain Version
a likeness of any of the beasts, which are upon the earth, or of birds, which fly under heaven,

New American Bible
the form of any animal on the earth, the form of any bird that flies in the sky,

New Revised Standard Version
the likeness of any animal that is on the earth, the likeness of any winged bird that flies in the air,
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
The likeness of any beast that is on the earth, the likeness of any winged fowl that flies in the air.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
A form of any beast that is in the earth, a form of any bird of the wing flying in Heaven,
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
the likeness of any beast that is on the earth, the likeness of any winged fowl that flieth in the heaven,

Brenton Septuagint Translation
the likeness of any beast of those that are on the earth, the likeness of any winged bird which flies under heaven,

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Warning Against Idolatry
16that 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, 17 of any beast that is on the earth or bird that flies in the air, 18or of any creature that crawls on the ground or fish that is in the waters below.…

Cross References
Exodus 20:4
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.

Leviticus 26:1
“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.

Isaiah 44:13-20
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. ...

Romans 1:23
and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images of mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.

Acts 17:29
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.

Psalm 115:4-8
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; ...

Psalm 135:15-18
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. ...

Isaiah 40:18-20
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.

Isaiah 46:5-7
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.

Jeremiah 10:3-5
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.”

1 Corinthians 10:19-20
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.

1 John 5:21
Little children, keep yourselves from idols.

2 Kings 17:16
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.

2 Chronicles 33:7
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.

Ezekiel 8:10
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.


Treasury of Scripture

The likeness of any beast that is on the earth, the likeness of any winged fowl that flies in the air,

Deuteronomy 20:4
For the LORD your God is he that goeth with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.

Romans 1:23
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.

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Deuteronomy 4
1. An exhortation to obedience
41. Moses appoints the three cities of refuge on that side of Jordan
44. Recapitulation














of any beast that is on the earth
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 (Genesis 1:24-25). The prohibition underscores the transcendence of God, who is not to be represented by any created thing.

or bird that flies in the air
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 Deuteronomy 4, which emphasizes the importance of worshipping God alone. This command also reflects the second commandment in Exodus 20:4-5, which forbids the making of idols. The imagery of birds in the Bible often symbolizes the care and provision of God (Matthew 6:26), 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 Deuteronomy 6:4-5.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Moses
The author of Deuteronomy, delivering God's laws and commandments to the Israelites.

2. Israelites
The audience receiving the laws, who are being prepared to enter the Promised Land.

3. Mount Horeb
The location where Moses received the Ten Commandments and where the Israelites were warned against idolatry.

4. Promised Land
The land of Canaan, which the Israelites are about to enter, filled with pagan nations and their idols.

5. Pagan Nations
The surrounding cultures that worshipped idols, which the Israelites were warned not to imitate.
Teaching Points
Avoiding Idolatry
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.

Cultural Influence
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.

God's Uniqueness
God is incomparable and transcendent. Any attempt to depict Him through created things diminishes His glory and leads to false worship.

Heart of Worship
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.

Modern Idolatry
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.Verses 17, 18. - The likeness - the figure - of any beast, etc. A warning against the animal-worship of Egypt.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
of any
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

beast
בְּהֵמָ֖ה (bə·hê·māh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 929: A dumb beast, any large quadruped, animal

on the earth
בָּאָ֑רֶץ (bā·’ā·reṣ)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 776: Earth, land

or bird
צִפּ֣וֹר (ṣip·pō·wr)
Noun - common singular construct
Strong's 6833: A little bird

that
אֲשֶׁ֣ר (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

flies
תָּע֖וּף (tā·‘ūp̄)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 5774: To fly, to faint

in the air,
בַּשָּׁמָֽיִם׃ (baš·šā·mā·yim)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 8064: Heaven, sky


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OT Law: Deuteronomy 4:17 The likeness of any animal that (Deut. De Du)
Deuteronomy 4:16
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