Deuteronomy 4:18

18 the pattern of anything that creepeth on the ground, the pattern of any fish that is in the waters under the earth;

Deuteronomy 4:18 Meaning and Commentary

Deuteronomy 4:18

The likeness of anything that creepeth on the ground
As serpents by many; and indeed that creature is introduced into almost all the idolatries of the Heathens, which seems to take its rise from the serpent Satan made use of to deceive our first parents:

the likeness of any fish that is in the waters beneath the earth;
as the crocodile and hippopotamus, or river horse, by the Egyptians; and Dagon and Derceto, supposed to be figures in the form of a fish, among the Phoenicians.

Deuteronomy 4:18 In-Context

16 lest ye corrupt yourselves, and make you a graven image, the form of any figure, the pattern of male or female,

17 the pattern of any beast that is on the earth, the pattern of any winged fowl that flieth in the heaven,

18 the pattern of anything that creepeth on the ground, the pattern of any fish that is in the waters under the earth;

19 and lest thou lift up thine eyes to the heavens, and see the sun, and the moon, and the stars, the whole host of heaven, and be drawn away and bow down to them and serve them, which Jehovah thy God hath assigned unto all peoples under the whole heaven.

20 But you hath Jehovah taken, and hath brought you forth out of the iron furnace, out of Egypt, that ye might be to him a people of inheritance, as it is this day.