Exodus 20:4

Arabic 2018 (الترجمة الكاثوليكيّة (اليسوعيّة))

لا تَصنَعْ لَكَ مَنْحوتًا ولا صورةَ شَيءٍ مِمَّا في السَّماءِ مِن فَوقُ، ولا مِمَّا في الأَرضِ من أَسفَلُ، ولا مِمَّا في المِياهِ مِن تَحتِ الأَرض.

What Does This Mean?

This verse tells us not to make any idols or images of things from the sky, earth, or water. God is speaking to the Israelites through Moses, telling them not to worship anything but Him.

Explained for Children

Imagine you have a favorite toy. Now, if your friend told you not to make a drawing of that toy because it's important to focus on playing with it, that's kind of like what God is saying here. He doesn't want us to make pictures or statues of anything because He wants our focus to be on Him.

Historical Background

Exodus 20:4 is part of the Ten Commandments, given by God to Moses around 1446 BC. This was a set of laws to guide the Israelites after they left Egypt. It was written in a culture where worshiping idols was common.

Living It Out Today

Today, we might think of this command as a reminder not to get too attached to physical things that can distract us from our faith. For example, a person might spend too much time on social media or collecting expensive things instead of focusing on their relationship with God.

Topics

• worship
• idolatry
• law
• faith
• God's commandments
• morality

Related Verses

• Deuteronomy 5:8
• 1 John 5:21
• Romans 1:23
• Isaiah 44:9
• Exodus 34:17

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did God forbid making graven images?

God wanted to ensure that the Israelites didn't worship false gods or idols, which were common in the cultures around them. This command helps keep focus on the one true God.

Does this apply to all art and statues?

While the command is strict, it doesn't forbid all art. It's a reminder to prioritize devotion to God over physical representations of anything, including art.

How can I avoid creating idols in my life?

You can avoid creating idols by regularly examining what you spend your time and money on and ensuring your primary focus is on your relationship with God.

What are modern examples of idolatry?

Modern examples can include overreliance on money, fame, or social media, where people might seek validation and meaning instead of finding it in their relationship with God.