Deuteronomy 4:17

17 or like any animal on earth or any bird that flies in the air,

Deuteronomy 4:17 in Other Translations

KJV
17 The likeness of any beast that is on the earth, the likeness of any winged fowl that flieth in the air,
ESV
17 the likeness of any animal that is on the earth, the likeness of any winged bird that flies in the air,
NLT
17 an animal on the ground, a bird in the sky,
MSG
17 that looks male or female, or looks like a prowling animal or a flying bird
CSB
17 or the form of any beast on the earth, any winged creature that flies in the sky,

Deuteronomy 4:17 Meaning and Commentary

Deuteronomy 4:17

The likeness of any beast that is on the earth
As there are scarce any but the likeness of them has been made and worshipped, or the creatures themselves, as the ox by the Egyptians, the sheep by the Thebans, the goat by the Mendesians, and others by different people:

the likeness of any winged fowl that flieth in the air;
as the hawk, and the bird called Ibis, and another by the name of Cneph by the Egyptians, and the eagle by others.

Deuteronomy 4:17 In-Context

15 You saw no form of any kind the day the LORD spoke to you at Horeb out of the fire. Therefore watch yourselves very carefully,
16 so that you do not become corrupt and make for yourselves an idol, an image of any shape, whether formed like a man or a woman,
17 or like any animal on earth or any bird that flies in the air,
18 or like any creature that moves along the ground or any fish in the waters below.
19 And when you look up to the sky and see the sun, the moon and the stars—all the heavenly array—do not be enticed into bowing down to them and worshiping things the LORD your God has apportioned to all the nations under heaven.

Cross References 1

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