Deuteronomy 4:16

4:16 I say this ¹  so you will not corrupt yourselves by making an image in the form of any kind of figure. This includes the likeness of a human male or female,

Deuteronomy 4:12

4:12 Then the Lord spoke to you from the middle of the fire; you heard speech but you could not see anything – only a voice was heard. ² 

Deuteronomy 4:15

The Nature of Israel’s God

4:15 Be very careful, ³  then, because you saw no form at the time the Lord spoke to you at Horeb from the middle of the fire.

Deuteronomy 4:25

Threat and Blessing following Covenant Disobedience

4:25 After you have produced children and grandchildren and have been in the land a long time, ⁴  if you become corrupt and make an image of any kind ⁵  and do other evil things before the Lord your God that enrage him, ⁶ 

Deuteronomy 5:8

5:8 You must not make for yourself an image ⁷  of anything in heaven above, on earth below, or in the waters beneath. ⁸ 

Deuteronomy 4:23

4:23 Be on guard so that you do not forget the covenant of the Lord your God that he has made with you, and that you do not make an image of any kind, just as he ⁹  has forbidden ¹⁰  you.

¹ tn The words “I say this” are supplied in the translation for stylistic reasons. In the Hebrew text v. 16 is subordinated to “Be careful” in v. 15, but this makes for an unduly long sentence in English.

² tn The words “was heard” are supplied in the translation to avoid the impression that the voice was seen.

³ tn Heb “give great care to your souls.”

⁴ tn Heb “have grown old in the land,” i.e., been there for a long time.

⁵ tn Heb “a form of anything.” Cf. NAB, NASB, NRSV, TEV “an idol.”

⁶ tn The infinitive construct is understood here as indicating the result, not the intention, of their actions.

⁵ tn Heb “an image, any likeness.”

⁶ tn Heb “under the earth” (so ASV, NASB, NRSV); NCV “below the land.”

⁶ tn Heb “the Lord your God.” See note on “he” in 4:3.

⁷ tn Heb “commanded.”