Deuteronomy 4:18

18 the likeness of anything that creeps on the ground or the likeness of any fish that is in the water beneath 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 you act corruptly and make for yourselves a carved image in the form of any figure: the likeness of male or female,

17 the likeness of any animal that is on the earth or the likeness of any winged bird that flies in the air,

18 the likeness of anything that creeps on the ground or the likeness of any fish that is in the water beneath the earth.

19 And take heed, lest you lift your eyes to heaven, and when you see the sun, the moon, and the stars, all the host of heaven, you feel driven to worship them and serve them, which the Lord your God has given to all the peoples under the whole heaven as a heritage.

20 But the Lord has taken you and brought you out of the iron furnace, out of Egypt, to be His people, an inheritance, as you are this day.