any form, figure, portrait, or picture of anything or creature . Exodus 34:17 You shall make no molten gods for yourselves. Study Exodus 20 using Matthew Henry’s Bible Commentary (concise) to better understand Scripture with full outline and verse meaning. What exactly does an image of the heavens, earth, and water have to do with anything? These small group studies of Exodus contain outlines, cross-references, Bible study discussion questions, and applications. As a strong sanction to secure its observance, the LORD adds, that he is a jealous God, i.e. You do not do any work – you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates. Exodus 20:4 (King James Version) 4Thou 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. The second commandment is concerning the ordinances of worship, or the way in which God will be worshipped, which it is fit himself should appoint. In my own particular Christian tradition, Exodus 20:4–6 means that Christians are not to make any image or visible portrayal of God, if one’s intention is to worshiping these images or portrayals, or serving God through them. God has many ways of speaking to the children of men by his spirit, conscience, providences; his voice in all which we ought carefully to attend to: but he never spake at any time upon any occasion so as he spake the ten commandments, which therefore we ought to hear with the more earnest heed. There an inner-biblical interpretation of the aniconism of the second commandment of the Decalogue in Exodus 20:4-6 in reaction with the introduction and the first commandment in Exodus 20:2-3 explicates and applies the meaning of the command in a new situation. Exodus 20 Jethro’s Advice 18 m Jethro , n the priest of Midian , Moses’ father-in-law , heard of all that God had done for Moses and for Israel his people , how the L ord had brought Israel out of Egypt . If we do have some other concern stronger to us than our love for God, it is not so … 2. mould or form, engraved by men, and this in order to be However, the journey was difficult, and the people complained often. 1 And God spake all these words, saying, 2 I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. ( B) them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, ( C) punishing the children for the sin of the parents. 4 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. The Meaning of Law in Exodus (Exodus 19:1-24:18) The Role of the Law for Christians (Exodus 20:1-24:18) Instructions about Work (Exodus 20:1-17 and 21:1-23:9) The Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17) “You Shall Have No Other Gods before Me” (Exodus 20:3) “You Shall Not Make for Yourself an Idol” (Exodus 20:4) They have made for themselves a molten calf and have bowed down to it. In Exodus 20:4 there is a phrase בַּמַּיִם מִתַּחַת לָאָרֶץ that is often translated as "in the water under the earth". other uses and purposes, as the cherubim over the mercy seat, and Here again, iniquity is seen as something akin to the sinful nature, but it is not the direct act of sinning. They complained about the threat of … What will ... you feel that your life will not have meaning and will be without significance if you do not have this thing. The word pani comes from the verb pana, meaning to turn, and its translation with "face" seems too specific. Nothing else in life should concern us more than our desire to love and be loved by God.