KJV ORIGINAL
Thou shalt not make 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 waters beneath the earth:
Close to the original. Clear modern English.
✦ MADE SIMPLE
You must not make any carved idols or statues representing anything in heaven above, on the earth below, or in the waters under the earth.
⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE
God is commanding His people not to create any physical objects to worship as gods.
📚 Historical Context
This is part of the Ten Commandments that Moses is repeating to the Israelites before they enter the Promised Land. The ancient world was filled with idol worship, where people made statues and images of gods from wood, stone, and metal to bow down to and worship. God was establishing that His people were to be completely different from the surrounding nations in their worship practices.
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