Leviticus 19:4

4 " 'Do not turn away from me to worship statues of gods. Do not make gods out of metal for yourselves. I am the LORD your God.

Leviticus 19:4 Meaning and Commentary

Leviticus 19:4

Turn ye not unto idols
From the one only true and living God to them that are not gods, as the word used signifies, who are nothing; for, as the apostle says, an idol is nothing in the world, ( 1 Corinthians 8:4 ) , is of no worth and value, of no consequence and importance, of no avail and usefulness to its devotees; wherefore to turn from the true God to such as these is the greatest stupidity, as well as wickedness: or "look not" at them F7 for help or assistance, for they are not able to give it: and to look at them so as to view them attentively, and consider their likeness, the Jews say F8 is forbidden; and even in the heart and mind, as Aben Ezra observes, to have respect unto them was not right; or in the thoughts, as Gersom: nor make to yourselves molten gods;
of gold, silver, or brass, melted and cast into a mould, as the golden calf was, to which respect may be had. These laws have a respect unto the first and second commandments, ( Exodus 20:3 Exodus 20:4 ) : I [am] the Lord, your God;
who only is to be worshipped, and who has forbid the making and worshipping any image, molten or graven, and who will therefore resent idolatry of every sort, and punish for it.


FOOTNOTES:

F7 (wnpt la) "ne respiciatis", Montanus, Tigurine version, Drusius.
F8 Pesichta, Maimonides.

Leviticus 19:4 In-Context

2 "Speak to the whole community of Israel. Tell them, 'Be holy, because I am holy. I am the LORD your God.
3 " 'All of you must have respect for your mother and father. You must always keep my Sabbath days. I am the LORD your God.
4 " 'Do not turn away from me to worship statues of gods. Do not make gods out of metal for yourselves. I am the LORD your God.
5 " 'Suppose you sacrifice a friendship offering to me. Then do it in the right way. And I will accept it from you.
6 You must eat it on the same day you sacrifice it or on the next day. Anything that is left over until the third day must be burned up.
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