a form of any beast which is in the earth -- a form of any winged bird which flieth in the heavens -- Deuteronomy 4:17 Additional Translations
Clarke's Commentary on the BibleThe likeness of any beast, etc. - Such as the Egyptian god Apis, who was worshipped under the form of a white bull; the ibis and hawk, among the fowls, had also Divine honors paid to them; serpents and the crocodile among reptiles; besides monkeys, dogs, cats, the scarabaeus, leeks, and onions! See this explained at large, Exodus 20:4 (note).
Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
In these verses there is an evident allusion to the idolatrous worship in Egypt. Among the Egyptians, almost everything in nature was the object of their idolatry; among BEASTS were oxen heifers, sheep, goats, lions, dogs, monkeys, and cats; among BIRDS, the ibis, crane, and hawk; among REPTILES, the crocodile, serpents, frogs, flies, and beetles; all the FISH of the Nile, and the Nile itself; besides the sun, moon, planets, stars, fire, light, air, darkness, and night. These are all included in the very circumstantial prohibition in the text, and very forcibly in the general terms of Ex.
Deuteronomy 20:4 For the LORD your God is he that goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.
, the reason of which prohibition becomes self-evident, when the various objects of Egyptian idolatry are considered.
Romans 1:23 And changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and four footed beasts...
Deuteronomy 4:17 Parallel Commentaries
Air Animal Beast Bird Earth Heaven Heavens Likeness Pattern Sky WingedAir Animal Beast Bird Earth Heaven Heavens Likeness Pattern Sky WingedTHE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica®.Deuteronomy 4:17 Mobile Bible
Deuteronomy 4:17 Bible Suite
Deuteronomy 4:17 Biblia Paralela
Deuteronomy 4:17 Chinese Bible
Bible Apps
Bible Hub
