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 make for yourself an idolThis commandment is part of the Decalogue, given to Moses on Mount Sinai. It emphasizes the prohibition against idolatry, a prevalent practice among the surrounding nations of Israel, such as Egypt and Canaan. Idolatry involves creating physical representations of deities, which was common in ancient Near Eastern religions. This commandment underscores the monotheistic nature of the Israelite faith, distinguishing it from polytheistic cultures. The prohibition reflects God's desire for His people to worship Him in spirit and truth, without reliance on physical images. This command is reiterated in the New Testament, where believers are warned against idolatry in any form (1 John 5:21). in the form of anything in the heavens above
The heavens above refer to celestial bodies such as the sun, moon, and stars, which were often deified in ancient cultures. For instance, the Egyptians worshiped Ra, the sun god, and the Babylonians revered astral deities. This phrase warns against the temptation to attribute divine power to created things, which are merely part of God's creation. The Bible consistently teaches that God alone is the Creator and sustainer of the universe (Genesis 1:1, Psalm 19:1). on the earth below
This phrase includes all terrestrial creatures and objects that might be idolized. In ancient times, animals like bulls and serpents were often worshiped, as seen in the golden calf incident (Exodus 32). The commandment calls for a rejection of any earthly representation as a deity, emphasizing that God is transcendent and not confined to any physical form. This aligns with the biblical teaching that God is spirit (John 4:24) and should not be represented by material images. or in the waters beneath
The waters beneath refer to aquatic life and mythical sea creatures that were sometimes objects of worship. In ancient mythology, sea creatures like Leviathan were often associated with chaos and divine power. The commandment prohibits the veneration of any such beings, reinforcing the idea that God is sovereign over all creation, including the seas (Psalm 104:25-26). This prohibition highlights the uniqueness of God, who is not to be equated with any part of His creation.
Overall, this commandment serves as a reminder of God's holiness and the call for His people to worship Him alone, without the use of idols or images. It points to the ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who is the image of the invisible God (Colossians 1:15), providing a perfect revelation of God's nature without the need for physical idols. Persons / Places / Events 1. MosesThe leader of the Israelites who received the Ten Commandments from God on Mount Sinai and delivered them to the people. 2. IsraelitesThe chosen people of God, who were delivered from slavery in Egypt and were given the Law to guide their covenant relationship with God. 3. Mount SinaiThe mountain where Moses received the Ten Commandments from God, a significant event in the history of Israel. 4. The Ten CommandmentsA set of laws given by God to the Israelites, forming the foundation of their covenant relationship with Him. 5. CanaanThe Promised Land that the Israelites were journeying towards, where they would need to remain faithful to God amidst surrounding pagan cultures. Teaching Points Understanding IdolatryIdolatry is not just the worship of physical images but can also include anything that takes the place of God in our hearts and lives. God's UniquenessThis commandment underscores the uniqueness and holiness of God, who alone is worthy of worship. Cultural InfluenceThe Israelites were surrounded by cultures that practiced idolatry, and this command served as a safeguard against adopting those practices. Modern IdolatryIn today's context, idolatry can manifest in the form of materialism, career, relationships, or anything that becomes more important than God. Faithfulness to GodRemaining faithful to God requires vigilance and a commitment to prioritize Him above all else in our lives. Bible Study Questions 1. What are some modern forms of idolatry that can distract us from our relationship with God? 2. How does understanding the cultural context of the Israelites help us apply this commandment in our lives today? 3. In what ways can we ensure that God remains the central focus of our worship and devotion? 4. How do the additional scriptures connected to Deuteronomy 5:8 deepen our understanding of the dangers of idolatry? 5. Reflect on a time when something other than God took priority in your life. How did you address this, and what steps can you take to prevent it from happening again? Connections to Other Scriptures Exodus 20:4-5This passage parallels Deuteronomy 5:8, as it is part of the original giving of the Ten Commandments, emphasizing the prohibition against idolatry. Leviticus 26:1Reinforces the command against making idols, highlighting the importance of worshiping God alone. Isaiah 44:9-20Provides a prophetic critique of idolatry, illustrating the futility and foolishness of worshiping man-made images. Romans 1:22-23Describes how humanity exchanged the glory of God for images, showing the spiritual decline associated with idolatry. 1 John 5:21A New Testament exhortation to keep oneself from idols, underscoring the ongoing relevance of this command. People MosesPlaces Beth-baal-peor, Egypt, HorebTopics Anything, Below, Beneath, Engraved, Form, Graven, Heaven, Heavens, Idol, Image, Likeness, Manner, Similitude, Thyself, Waters, YourselvesDictionary of Bible Themes Deuteronomy 5:8 8242 ethics, personal Deuteronomy 5:6-21 1443 revelation, OT
7263 theocracy
8412 decisions Deuteronomy 5:7-8 8315 orthodoxy, in OT
8771 idolatry, objections Deuteronomy 5:7-9 8138 monotheism
8799 polytheism Deuteronomy 5:7-10 5211 art Deuteronomy 5:8-9 8345 servanthood, and worship Deuteronomy 5:8-10 5682 family, significance
6160 fathers, sin of
7384 household gods
8773 jealousy Library Prayer and Obedience
"An obedience discovered itself in Fletcher of Madeley, which I wish I could describe or imitate. It produced in him a ready mind to embrace every cross with alacrity and pleasure. He had a singular love for the lambs of the flock, and applied himself with the greatest diligence to their instruction, for which he had a peculiar gift. . . . All his intercourse with me was so mingled with prayer and praise, that every employment, and every meal was, as it were, perfumed therewith." -- JOHN WESLEY. …
Edward M. Bounds—The Necessity of PrayerThe Old Testament Canon from Its Beginning to Its Close.
The first important part of the Old Testament put together as a whole was the Pentateuch, or rather, the five books of Moses and Joshua. This was preceded by smaller documents, which one or more redactors embodied in it. The earliest things committed to writing were probably the ten words proceeding from Moses himself, afterwards enlarged into the ten commandments which exist at present in two recensions (Exod. xx., Deut. v.) It is true that we have the oldest form of the decalogue from the Jehovist …
Samuel Davidson—The Canon of the Bible Questions About the Nature and Perpetuity of the Seventh-Day Sabbath.
AND PROOF, THAT THE FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK IS THE TRUE CHRISTIAN SABBATH. BY JOHN BUNYAN. 'The Son of man is lord also of the Sabbath day.' London: Printed for Nath, Ponder, at the Peacock in the Poultry, 1685. EDITOR'S ADVERTISEMENT. All our inquiries into divine commands are required to be made personally, solemnly, prayerful. To 'prove all things,' and 'hold fast' and obey 'that which is good,' is a precept, equally binding upon the clown, as it is upon the philosopher. Satisfied from our observations …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 "They have Corrupted Themselves; their Spot is not the Spot of his Children; they are a Perverse and Crooked Generation. "
Deut. xxxii. 5.--"They have corrupted themselves; their spot is not the spot of his children; they are a perverse and crooked generation." We doubt this people would take well with such a description of themselves as Moses gives. It might seem strange to us, that God should have chosen such a people out of all the nations of the earth, and they to be so rebellious and perverse, if our own experience did not teach us how free his choice is, and how long-suffering he is, and constant in his choice. …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning The True Manner of Keeping Holy the Lord's Day.
Now the sanctifying of the Sabbath consists in two things--First, In resting from all servile and common business pertaining to our natural life; Secondly, In consecrating that rest wholly to the service of God, and the use of those holy means which belong to our spiritual life. For the First. 1. The servile and common works from which we are to cease are, generally, all civil works, from the least to the greatest (Exod. xxxi. 12, 13, 15, &c.) More particularly-- First, From all the works of our …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety The Everlasting Covenant of the Spirit
"They shall be My people, and l will be their God. And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from them, to do them good; but I will put My fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from Me."--JER. xxxii. 38, 40. "A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in My statutes, and ye …
Andrew Murray—The Two Covenants Jesus Fails to Attend the Third Passover.
Scribes Reproach Him for Disregarding Tradition. (Galilee, Probably Capernaum, Spring a.d. 29.) ^A Matt. XV. 1-20; ^B Mark VII. 1-23; ^D John VII. 1. ^d 1 And after these things Jesus walked in Galilee: for he would not walk in Judæa, because the Jews sought to kill him. [John told us in his last chapter that the passover was near at hand. He here makes a general statement which shows that Jesus did not attend this passover. The reason for his absence is given at John v. 18.] ^a 1 Then there …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel The Angel of the Lord in the Pentateuch, and the Book of Joshua.
The New Testament distinguishes between the hidden God and the revealed God--the Son or Logos--who is connected with the former by oneness of nature, and who from everlasting, and even at the creation itself, filled up the immeasurable distance between the Creator and the creation;--who has been the Mediator in all God's relations to the world;--who at all times, and even before He became man in Christ, has been the light of [Pg 116] the world,--and to whom, specially, was committed the direction …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Mount Zion.
"For ye are not come unto a mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, and unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest, and the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard entreated that no word more should be spoken unto them: for they could not endure that which was enjoined, If even a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned; and so fearful was the appearance, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake: but ye are come unto Mount Zion, and unto …
Thomas Charles Edwards—The Expositor's Bible: The Epistle to the Hebrews The Foundations of Good Citizenship.
THE TEN COMMANDMENTS.--Ex. 20:1-17. Parallel Readings. Hist. Bible I, 194-198. Prin. of Politics, Chap. II. Lowell, Essay on "Democracy." Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Thou shalt not make unto thee a graven image. Thou shalt not take the name of Jehovah thy God in vain. Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Honor thy father and thy mother. Thou shalt not kill. Thou shalt not commit adultery. Thou shalt not steal. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor. Thou …
Charles Foster Kent—The Making of a Nation Deuteronomy
Owing to the comparatively loose nature of the connection between consecutive passages in the legislative section, it is difficult to present an adequate summary of the book of Deuteronomy. In the first section, i.-iv. 40, Moses, after reviewing the recent history of the people, and showing how it reveals Jehovah's love for Israel, earnestly urges upon them the duty of keeping His laws, reminding them of His spirituality and absoluteness. Then follows the appointment, iv. 41-43--here irrelevant (cf. …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Deuteronomy 5:8 NIVDeuteronomy 5:8 NLTDeuteronomy 5:8 ESVDeuteronomy 5:8 NASBDeuteronomy 5:8 KJV
Deuteronomy 5:8 Commentaries
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