SEV Biblia, Chapter 20:4
No te harás imagen, ni ninguna semejanza de cosa que esté arriba en el cielo, ni abajo en la tierra, ni en las aguas debajo de la tierra.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Exodus 20:4
Verse 4. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image] As the word lsp pasal signifies to hew, carve, grave, &c., lsp pesel may here signify any kind of image, either of wood, stone, or metal, on which the axe, the chisel, or the graving tool has been employed. This commandment includes in its prohibitions every species of idolatry known to have been practiced among the Egyptians. The reader will see this the more plainly by consulting the notes on the ten plagues, particularly those on chap. 12. Or any likeness, &c.] To know the full spirit and extent of this commandment, this place must be collated with Deuteronomy iv. 15, &c.: Take ye therefore good heed unto yourselves-lest ye corrupt yourselves-and make you a graven image, the similitude of any figure, the likeness of MALE or FEMALE. All who have even the slightest acquaintance with the ancient history of Egypt, know that Osiris and his wife Isis were supreme divinities among that people.
The likeness of any beast. - hmhb behemah, such as the ox and the heifer. Among the Egyptians the ox was not only sacred but adored, because they supposed that in one of these animals Osiris took up his residence: hence they always had a living ox, which they supposed to be the habitation of this deity; and they imagined that on the death of one he entered into the body of another, and so on successively. This famous ox-god they called Apis and Mnevis.
The likeness of any winged fowl. - The ibis, or stork, or crane, and hawk, may be here intended, for all these were objects of Egyptian idolatry.
The likeness of any thing that CREEPETH. The crocodile, serpents, the scarabeus or beetle, were all objects of their adoration; and Mr. Bryant has rendered it very probable that even the frog itself was a sacred animal, as from its inflation it was emblematic of the prophetic influence, for they supposed that the god inflated or distended the body of the person by whom he gave oracular answers.
The likeness of any FISH. - All fish were esteemed sacred animals among the Egyptians. One called Oxurunchus had, according to Strabo, lib. xvii., a temple, and divine honours paid to it. Another fish, called Phagrus, was worshipped at Syene, according to Clemens Alexandrinus in his Cohortatio. And the Lepidotus and eel were objects of their adoration, as we find from Herodotus, lib. ii., cap. 72. In short, oxen, heifers, sheep, goats, lions, dogs, monkeys, and cats; the ibis, the crane, and the hawk; the crocodile, serpents, frogs, flies, and the scarabeus or beetle; the Nile and its fish; the sun, moon, planets, and stars; fire, light, air, darkness, and night, were all objects of Egyptian idolatry, and all included in this very circumstantial prohibition as detailed in Deuteronomy, and very forcibly in the general terms of the text: Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in the HEAVENS above, or that is in the EARTH beneath, or that is in the WATER under the earth. And the reason of this becomes self- evident, when the various objects of Egyptian idolatry are considered.
To countenance its image worship, the Roman Catholic Church has left the whole of this second commandment out of the decalogue, and thus lost one whole commandment out of the ten; but to keep up the number they have divided the tenth into two. This is totally contrary to the faith of God's elect and to the acknowledgment of that truth which is according to godliness. The verse is found in every MS. of the Hebrew Pentateuch that has ever yet been discovered. It is in all the ancient versions, Samaritan, Chaldee, Syriac, Septuagint, Vulgate, Coptic, and Arabic; also in the Persian, and in all modern versions. There is not one word of the whole verse wanting in the many hundreds of MSS. collected by Kennicott and Deuteronomy Rossi. This corruption of the word of God by the Roman Catholic Church stamps it, as a false and heretical Church, with the deepest brand of ever-during infamy! This commandment also prohibits every species of external idolatry, as the first does all idolatry that may be called internal or mental. All false worship may be considered of this kind, together with all image worship, and all other superstitious rites and ceremonies. See the note on "Exodus xx. 23".
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 3-11 - The first four of the ten commandments, commonly called the FIRS table, tell our duty to God. It was fit that those should be put first because man had a Maker to love, before he had a neighbour to love. I cannot be expected that he should be true to his brother, who is fals to his God. The first commandment concerns the object of worship JEHOVAH, and him only. The worship of creatures is here forbidden Whatever comes short of perfect love, gratitude, reverence, or worship breaks this commandment. Whatsoever ye do, do all the glory of God. The second commandment refers to the worship we are to render to the Lor our God. It is forbidden to make any image or picture of the Deity, i any form, or for any purpose; or to worship any creature, image, or picture. But the spiritual import of this command extends much further All kinds of superstition are here forbidden, and the using of mer human inventions in the worship of God. The third commandment concern the manner of worship, that it be with all possible reverence an seriousness. All false oaths are forbidden. All light appealing to God all profane cursing, is a horrid breach of this command. It matters no whether the word of God, or sacred things, all such-like things brea this commandment, and there is no profit, honour, or pleasure in them The Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain. The form of the fourth commandment, "Remember," shows that it was not no first given, but was known by the people before. One day in seven is to be kept holy. Six days are allotted to worldly business, but not so a to neglect the service of God, and the care of our souls. On those day we must do all our work, and leave none to be done on the sabbath day Christ allowed works of necessity, charity, and piety; for the sabbat was made for man, and not man for the sabbath, Mr 2:27; but all work of luxury, vanity, or self-indulgence in any form, are forbidden Trading, paying wages, settling accounts, writing letters of business worldly studies, trifling visits, journeys, or light conversation, ar not keeping this day holy to the Lord. Sloth and indolence may be carnal, but not a holy rest. The sabbath of the Lord should be a day of rest from worldly labour, and a rest in the service of God. The advantages from the due keeping of this holy day, were it only to the health and happiness of mankind, with the time it affords for takin care of the soul, show the excellency of this commandment. The day i blessed; men are blessed by it, and in it. The blessing and directio to keep holy are not limited to the seventh day, but are spoken of the sabbath day.
Original Hebrew
לא 3808 תעשׂה 6213 לך פסל 6459 וכל 3605 תמונה 8544 אשׁר 834 בשׁמים 8064 ממעל 4605 ואשׁר 834 בארץ 776 מתחת 8478 ואשׁר 834 במים 4325 מתחת 8478 לארץ׃ 776
