Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image

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"Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image" (Hebrew: לֹא-תַעֲשֶׂה לְךָ פֶסֶל, וְכָל-תְּמוּנָה, romanized: Lōʾ-t̲aʿăśeh lək̲ā p̲esel, wək̲ol-təmûnāh) is an abbreviated form of one of the Ten Commandments which, according to the Book of Deuteronomy, were spoken by God to the Israelites and then written on stone tablets by the Finger of God.[1] It continues, "... 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 earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them."

Rabbinical Judaism does not allow images. Christians abide by this law with their own interpretation depending on the denomination. As to Catholics and Orthodox there are mixed approaches, stating that they focus on images and icons rather than idols, sometimes with destruction of images (Iconoclasm) occurring, particularly images of Christ and the saints. Aniconism is a common but not universal aspect of modern Islam.

Although no single biblical passage contains a complete definition of idolatry, the subject is addressed in numerous passages, so that idolatry may be summarized as the strange worship of idols or images; the worship of polytheistic gods by use of idols or images; the worship of created things (trees, rocks, animals, astronomical bodies, or another human being); and the use of idols in the worship of God (YHWH Elohim, the God of Israel).[2] Covetousness is forbidden by the 10th commandment, and as greed is defined as idolatry in the New Testament.[3] When the commandment was given, opportunities to participate in the honor or worship of idols abounded, and the religions of Canaanite tribes neighboring the Israelites often centered on a carefully constructed and maintained cult idol.[4] However, according to the book of Deuteronomy, the Israelites were strictly warned neither to adopt nor adapt any of the religious practices of the peoples around them.[5]

Nevertheless, according to the Hebrew Bible the story of the people of Israel until the Babylonian Captivity includes the violation of this commandment as well as the one before it, "Thou shalt have no other gods before me". Much of biblical preaching from the time of Moses to the exile relates to the choice between the exclusive worshiping of God and the worshiping of other idols.[6] The Babylonian exile seems to have been a turning point after which the Jewish people as a whole were strongly monotheistic and willing to fight battles (such as the Maccabean Revolt) and face martyrdom before paying homage to any other god.[7]

According to the psalmist and the prophet Isaiah, those who worship inanimate idols will be like them, that is, unseeing, unfeeling, unable to hear the truth that God would communicate to them.[8] Paul the Apostle identifies the worship of created things (rather than the Creator) as the cause of the disintegration of sexual and social morality in his letter to the Romans.[9] Although the commandment implies that the worship of God is not compatible with the worship of idols, the status of an individual as an idol worshiper or a God worshiper is not portrayed as predetermined and unchangeable in the Bible. When the covenant is renewed under Joshua, the Israelites are encouraged to throw away their foreign gods and "choose this day whom you will serve".[10] King Josiah, when he becomes aware of the terms of God's covenant, zealously works to rid his kingdom of idols.[11] According to the book of Acts, Paul tells the Athenians that though their city is full of idols, the true God is represented by none of them and requires them to turn away from idols.[12]

  1. ^ Deuteronomy 4:13
  2. ^ The New Unger's Bible Dictionary, Harrison, R. K., ed. (2005), Chicago: Moody Publishers, ISBN 0-8024-9037-9, p. 602
  3. ^ Colossians 3:5, Ephesians 5:5
  4. ^ "Idol: Images in the ANE", The Anchor Bible Dictionary, Freedman, David N. (ed.), 1992, New York: Doubleday, ISBN 0-385-19361-0, p. 377
  5. ^ Deuteronomy 12:4,31; Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible, Commentary on Deuteronomy 12
  6. ^ "Idolatry", HarperCollins Bible Dictionary, 1996, Achtemeier, Paul J. (ed.), New York: HarperCollins, ISBN 0-06-060037-3
  7. ^ "Idol: In the Exile and After", in HarperCollins Bible Dictionary, 1996, Achtemeier, Paul J. (ed.), New York: HarperCollins Publishers, ISBN 0-06-060037-3; "Sermon LXXXIII: On Spiritual Idolatry", in Wesley, John, Sermons on Several Occasions, Vol. 2, Jackson, T. (ed.), London: J. Kershaw, 1825, pp. 314-315
  8. ^ Beale, G. K., We Become What We Worship: A Biblical Theology of Idolatry, InterVarsity Press, 2008, ISBN 978-0-8308-2877-7, pp.41-42, 141-142
  9. ^ Romans 1:22-29; Dunn J. D. G. (11998), The Theology of Paul the Apostle, Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans, pp.33–34, ISBN 0-8028-3844-8
  10. ^ Joshua 24:14-15, commentary on Joshua 24:15, Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Holy Bible, Earle, Ralph (1967), Beacon Hill Press, ISBN 0-8010-2321-1, p. 263
  11. ^ 2 Kings 22-23; 2 Chronicles 34; "Josiah", The Anchor Bible Dictionary, Vol. 3, Freedman, David Noel (ed.), Doubleday, 1992, ISBN 0-385-19361-0
  12. ^ Acts 17:16; Walvoord and Zuck ()1983, The Bible Knowledge Commentary: New Testament, l, Colorado Springs: David C. Cook, p. 402, ISBN 978-0-88207-812-0