Deuteronomy 4:15

Idolatry Forbidden

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,

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Deuteronomy 4:15 in Other Translations

KJV

15 Take ye therefore good heed unto yourselves; for ye saw no manner of similitude on the day that the LORD spake unto you in Horeb out of the midst of the fire:

ESV

15 "Therefore watch yourselves very carefully. Since you saw no form on the day that the LORD spoke to you at Horeb out of the midst of the fire,

NLT

15 “But be very careful! You did not see the LORD ’s form on the day he spoke to you from the heart of the fire at Mount Sinai.

MSG

15 You saw no form on the day God spoke to you at Horeb from out of the fire. Remember that. Carefully guard yourselves

CSB

15 "Be extremely careful for your own good-because you did not see any form on the day the Lord spoke to you at Horeb out of the fire-

Deuteronomy 4:15 Meaning and Commentary

Deuteronomy 4:15

Take ye therefore good heed unto yourselves
As to keep all the laws given them, so particularly to avoid idolatry:

for ye saw no manner of similitude on the day the Lord spake unto you
in Horeb out of the midst of the fire;
and therefore, as they had nothing that directed and led them, so they had nothing that could be a temptation to them, to make any form or likeness, and worship it.

Taken from John Gill's Exposition of the Bible

Deuteronomy 4:15 In-Context

13 He declared to you his covenant, the Ten Commandments, which he commanded you to follow and then wrote them on two stone tablets.

14 And the LORD directed me at that time to teach you the decrees and laws you are to follow in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess.

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,

Cross References 3

1. Isaiah 40:18; Isaiah 41:22-24
2. S Exodus 3:1
3. Joshua 23:11; Malachi 2:15