You Shall Not Make Graven Images

Illustration of You Shall Not Make Graven Images

The second commandment forbids making and worshipping idols or images of God, for the invisible God cannot be captured in any created form. It warns of God's jealousy and of consequences reaching to later generations, but promises mercy to thousands who love him and keep his commandments. Israel's repeated idolatry - beginning with the golden calf - was a violation of this word.

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Strongest connections in Scripture
Exodus 20

Key Passages

The Second Commandment

Exodus 20:4-6

God forbids graven images, declaring himself a jealous God who shows mercy to those who love him.

T4hou 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:

5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; 6 And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.

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Did You Know?

1

This command forbids making images of God, not all art - the tabernacle was richly decorated.

2

Israel broke it almost immediately with the golden calf.

3

It calls God 'jealous' - a word of covenant love, like a faithful spouse.

4

Jewish tradition sometimes combines this with the first command; other traditions count them separately.