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.

Bible > Leviticus > Chapter 26 > Verse 1

◄ Leviticus 26:1 ►

New International Version
“’Do not make idols or set up an image or a sacred stone for yourselves, and do not place a carved stone in your land to bow down before it. I am the LORD your God.

New Living Translation
“Do not make idols or set up carved images, or sacred pillars, or sculptured stones in your land so you may worship them. I am the LORD your God.

English Standard Version
“You shall not make idols for yourselves or erect an image or pillar, and you shall not set up a figured stone in your land to bow down to it, for I am the LORD your God.

Berean Standard Bible
“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.

King James Bible
Ye shall make you no idols nor graven image, neither rear you up a standing image, neither shall ye set up any image of stone in your land, to bow down unto it: for I am the LORD your God.

New King James Version
‘You shall not make idols for yourselves; neither a carved image nor a sacred pillar shall you rear up for yourselves; nor shall you set up an engraved stone in your land, to bow down to it; for I am the LORD your God.

New American Standard Bible
‘You shall not make for yourselves idols, nor shall you set up for yourselves a carved image or a memorial stone, nor shall you place a figured stone in your land to bow down to it; for I am the LORD your God.

NASB 1995
You shall not make for yourselves idols, nor shall you set up for yourselves an image or a sacred pillar, nor shall you place a figured stone in your land to bow down to it; for I am the LORD your God.

NASB 1977
‘You shall not make for yourselves idols, nor shall you set up for yourselves an image or a sacred pillar, nor shall you place a figured stone in your land to bow down to it; for I am the LORD your God.

Legacy Standard Bible
‘You shall not make for yourselves idols, nor shall you set up for yourselves a graven image or a sacred pillar, nor shall you place a carved stone in your land to bow down to it; for I am Yahweh your God.

Amplified Bible
‘You shall not make idols for yourselves, nor shall you erect an image, a sacred pillar or an obelisk, nor shall you place any figured stone in your land so that you may bow down to it; for I am the LORD your God.

Christian Standard Bible
“Do not make worthless idols for yourselves, set up a carved image or sacred pillar for yourselves, or place a sculpted stone in your land to bow down to it, for I am the LORD your God.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Do not make idols for yourselves, set up a carved image or sacred pillar for yourselves, or place a sculpted stone in your land to bow down to it, for I am Yahweh your God.

American Standard Version
Ye shall make you no idols, neither shall ye rear you up a graven image, or a pillar, neither shall ye place any figured stone in your land, to bow down unto it: for I am Jehovah your God.

Contemporary English Version
I am the LORD your God! So don't make or worship idols or images.

English Revised Version
Ye shall make you no idols, neither shall ye rear you up a graven image, or a pillar, neither shall ye place any figured stone in your land, to bow down unto it: for I am the LORD your God.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
[The LORD continued,] "Never make worthless idols or set up a carved statue or a sacred stone for yourselves. Never cut figures in stone to worship them in your country, because I am the LORD your God.

Good News Translation
The LORD said, "Do not make idols or set up statues, stone pillars, or carved stones to worship. I am the LORD your God.

International Standard Version
"You are not to make worthless idols, images, or pillars for yourselves, nor set up for yourselves carved images to bow down to them in the land, because I am the LORD your God.

Majority Standard Bible
“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.

NET Bible
"'You must not make for yourselves idols, so you must not set up for yourselves a carved image or a pillar, and you must not place a sculpted stone in your land to bow down before it, for I am the LORD your God.

New Heart English Bible
"'You shall make for yourselves no idols, neither shall you raise up an engraved image or a pillar, neither shall you place any figured stone in your land, to bow down to it: for I am the LORD your God.

Webster's Bible Translation
Ye shall make you no idols nor graven image, neither rear you up a standing image, neither shall ye set up any image of stone in your land, to bow down to it: for I am the LORD your God.

World English Bible
“‘You shall make for yourselves no idols, and you shall not raise up a carved image or a pillar, and you shall not place any figured stone in your land, to bow down to it; for I am Yahweh your God.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
“You do not make idols for yourselves; and you do not set up carved image or standing image for yourselves; and you do not put a stone of imagery in your land, to bow yourselves to it; for I [am] your God YHWH.

Young's Literal Translation
Ye do not make to yourselves idols; and graven image or standing image ye do not set up to yourselves; and a stone of imagery ye do not put in your land, to bow yourselves to it; for I am Jehovah your God.

Smith's Literal Translation
Ye shall not make to yourselves vain things, and carving, and a pillar ye shall not set up to you, and a stone of imagery ye shall not give in your land, to worship upon it: for I Jehovah your God.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
I am the Lord your God: you shall not make to yourselves any idol or graven thing, neither shall you erect pillars, nor set up a remarkable stone in your land, to adore it: for I am the Lord your God.

Catholic Public Domain Version
I am the Lord your God. You shall not make for yourselves an idol or a graven image. Neither shall you erect a monument, or set up a conspicuous stone in your land, in order that you may adore it. For I am the Lord your God.

New American Bible
Do not make idols for yourselves. You shall not erect a carved image or a sacred stone for yourselves, nor shall you set up a carved stone for worship in your land; for I, the LORD, am your God.

New Revised Standard Version
You shall make for yourselves no idols and erect no carved images or pillars, and you shall not place figured stones in your land, to worship at them; for I am the LORD your God.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
YOU shall make for yourselves no idols nor graven images, neither shall you erect obelisks for yourselves, nor shall you set up any image of stones in your land to bow down to them or worship them; for I am the LORD your God.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
"You shall not make to yourselves idols, and you shall not erect images or statues for yourselves; you shall not make stones of worship in your land, neither shall you worship them; I AM LORD JEHOVAH your God.

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
Ye shall make you no idols, neither shall ye rear you up a graven image, or a pillar, neither shall ye place any figured stone in your land, to bow down unto it; for I am the LORD your God.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
I am the Lord your God: ye shall not make to yourselves gods made with hands, or graven; neither shall ye rear up a pillar for yourselves, neither shall ye set up a stone for an object in your land to worship it: I am the Lord your God.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

The Blessings of Obedience
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. 2You must keep My Sabbaths and have reverence for My sanctuary. I am the LORD.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Exodus 20:3-5
You shall have no other gods before Me. / 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. / You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on their children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me,

Deuteronomy 5:7-9
You shall have no other gods before Me. / 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. / You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on their children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me,

Deuteronomy 4:15-19
So since you saw no form of any kind on the day the LORD spoke to you out of the fire at Horeb, be careful / that 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, / of any beast that is on the earth or bird that flies in the air, ...

Isaiah 44:9-20
All makers of idols are nothing, and the things they treasure are worthless. Their witnesses fail to see or comprehend, so they are put to shame. / Who fashions a god or casts an idol which profits him nothing? / Behold, all his companions will be put to shame, for the craftsmen themselves are only human. Let them all assemble and take their stand; they will all be brought to terror and shame. ...

Jeremiah 10:1-5
Hear the word that the LORD speaks to you, O house of Israel. / This is what the LORD says: “Do not learn the ways of the nations or be terrified by the signs in the heavens, though the nations themselves are terrified by them. / 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. ...

1 Kings 19:18
Nevertheless, I have reserved seven thousand in Israel—all whose knees have not bowed to Baal and whose mouths have not kissed him.”

2 Kings 17:12
They served idols, although the LORD had told them, “You shall not do this thing.”

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. ...

Hosea 13:2
Now they sin more and more and make for themselves cast images, idols skillfully made from their silver, all of them the work of craftsmen. People say of them, “They offer human sacrifice and kiss the calves!”

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.

Romans 1:22-23
Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools, / and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images of mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.

1 Corinthians 10:14
Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.

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

Revelation 9:20
Now the rest of mankind who were not killed by these plagues still did not repent of the works of their hands. They did not stop worshiping demons and idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone, and wood, which cannot see or hear or walk.

Treasury of Scripture

You shall make you no idols nor graven image, neither raise you up a standing image, neither shall you set up any image of stone in your land, to bow down to it: for I am the LORD your God.

Ye shall

Leviticus 19:4
Turn ye not unto idols, nor make to yourselves molten gods: I am the LORD your God.

Exodus 20:4,5,23
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 23:24
Thou shalt not bow down to their gods, nor serve them, nor do after their works: but thou shalt utterly overthrow them, and quite break down their images.

standing image.

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Leviticus 26

1. Of idolatry
2. Reverence
3. A blessing to those who keep the commandments
14. A curse to those who break them
40. God promises to remember those who repent

Berean Study Bible

You must not make idols for yourselves
The Hebrew word for "idols" is "אֱלִילִים" (elilim), which often refers to worthless or vain objects of worship. In the ancient Near Eastern context, idol-making was a common practice among surrounding nations, where physical representations of deities were crafted for worship. This command underscores the distinctiveness of Israel's worship, which is to be directed solely to the invisible, living God. The prohibition against making idols emphasizes the importance of spiritual fidelity and the rejection of false gods, which can lead to spiritual adultery.

or set up a carved image
The term "carved image" in Hebrew is "פֶּסֶל" (pesel), referring to a graven or sculpted figure. This phrase highlights the prohibition against creating any physical representation of deity, which was a prevalent practice in ancient cultures. The Israelites are called to worship God in spirit and truth, without reliance on physical forms that could limit or misrepresent His divine nature. This command serves as a reminder of God's transcendence and the need for His people to maintain a pure and undefiled worship.

or a sacred pillar
The Hebrew word for "sacred pillar" is "מַצֵּבָה" (matzevah), which refers to a standing stone or monument often used in pagan worship. These pillars were typically erected as symbols of divine presence or as memorials to deities. By prohibiting the erection of sacred pillars, God is instructing the Israelites to avoid adopting pagan practices and to remain distinct in their worship. This command reinforces the call to holiness and the rejection of syncretism, ensuring that the worship of Yahweh remains untainted by foreign influences.

or place a sculpted stone in your land
The phrase "sculpted stone" translates from the Hebrew "אֶבֶן מַשְׂכִּית" (even maskit), indicating a stone that has been shaped or decorated for religious purposes. Such stones were often used in ancient rituals and could become objects of veneration. By forbidding the placement of sculpted stones, God is protecting His people from the temptation to engage in idolatrous practices. This command serves as a safeguard against the corruption of worship and the potential for spiritual compromise.

to bow down to it
The act of bowing down, or "שָׁחָה" (shachah) in Hebrew, signifies worship, reverence, or submission. In the context of this verse, it refers to the act of worshiping idols or images, which is strictly forbidden. Bowing down to idols represents a betrayal of the covenant relationship with God, who alone is worthy of worship. This command calls the Israelites to exclusive devotion and allegiance to Yahweh, rejecting all forms of idolatry.

For I am the LORD your God
This declaration, "אֲנִי יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם" (Ani Yahweh Eloheichem), serves as the foundational reason for the preceding commands. The use of "LORD" (Yahweh) emphasizes God's covenant name, reminding the Israelites of His unique relationship with them. As their God, He demands exclusive worship and loyalty. This statement reinforces the identity of the Israelites as God's chosen people, called to live in obedience and holiness, reflecting His character to the world. It is a call to remember who God is and to respond with faithful devotion.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

XXVI.

(1) Ye shall make you no idols.--The first two verses of this chapter are still a part of the previous section in the Hebrew original. By separating them from their proper position, and making them begin a new chapter, both the logical sequence and the import of these two verses are greatly obscured. As Lev 26:47-55 legislated for cases where Israelites are driven by extreme poverty to sell themselves to a heathen, and when they may be compelled to continue in this service to the year of jubile, and thus be obliged to witness idolatrous practices, the Lawgiver solemnly repeats the two fundamental precepts of Judaism, which they might be in danger of neglecting, viz., to abstain from idol-worship and to keep the Sabbath, which are two essential commandments of the Decalogue. The same two commandments, but in reverse order, are also joined together in Leviticus 19:3-4.

Idols.--For this expression see Leviticus 19:4.

Nor graven image, neither rear you up a standing image.--Better, nor shall ye rear you up a graven image or pillar. Graven image is not only a plastic image of a heathen deity, but a visible or sensuous representation of the God of Israel (Exodus 20:19-20; Deuteronomy 4:15-16). . . .

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 1. - Ye shall make you no idols nor graven image, neither rear you up a standing image, neither shall ye set up any image of stone in your land, to bow down unto it. The word idols (elilim) means the "nothings" which the heathen substituted for the Lord God. The graven image (here meaning a carved wooden image), the standing image (meaning a sacred pillar), and the image of stone (that is, a sculptured stone idol), are the three forms of images under which adoration was paid, whether to the true God or to a false doily. The expression, to bow down unto (or towards) it, forbids worshipping before an image as well as worshipping an image.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

You must not
לֹֽא־ (lō-)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

make
תַעֲשׂ֨וּ (ṯa·‘ă·śū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 6213: To do, make

idols
אֱלִילִ֗ם (’ĕ·lî·lim)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 457: Good for, nothing, by anal, vain, vanity, an idol

for yourselves
לָכֶ֜ם (lā·ḵem)
Preposition | second person masculine plural
Strong's Hebrew

or set up
תָקִ֣ימוּ (ṯā·qî·mū)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 6965: To arise, stand up, stand

a carved image
וּפֶ֤סֶל (ū·p̄e·sel)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6459: An idol, image

or sacred pillar,
וּמַצֵּבָה֙ (ū·maṣ·ṣê·ḇāh)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 4676: Something stationed, a column, an idol

or place
תִתְּנוּ֙ (ṯit·tə·nū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

a sculpted
מַשְׂכִּ֗ית (maś·kîṯ)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 4906: A showpiece, figure, imagination

stone
וְאֶ֣בֶן (wə·’e·ḇen)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 68: A stone

in your land
בְּאַרְצְכֶ֔ם (bə·’ar·ṣə·ḵem)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine plural
Strong's 776: Earth, land

to bow down
לְהִֽשְׁתַּחֲוֺ֖ת (lə·hiš·ta·ḥă·wōṯ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Hitpael - Infinitive construct
Strong's 7812: To depress, prostrate

to it,
עָלֶ֑יהָ (‘ā·le·hā)
Preposition | third person feminine singular
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

for
כִּ֛י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

I
אֲנִ֥י (’ă·nî)
Pronoun - first person common singular
Strong's 589: I

am the LORD
יְהוָ֖ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

your God.
אֱלֹהֵיכֶֽם׃ (’ĕ·lō·hê·ḵem)
Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

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OT Law: Leviticus 26:1 You shall make for yourselves no idols (Le Lv Lev.)