Deuteronomy 4:23

23 So be careful not to break the covenant the LORD your God has made with you. Do not make idols of any shape or form, for the LORD your God has forbidden this.

Deuteronomy 4:23 Meaning and Commentary

Deuteronomy 4:23

Take heed unto yourselves
Since he should not be long with them, to advise, instruct, and caution them:

lest ye forget the covenant of the Lord your God,
which he made with you; what that required of them, and what was promised unto them on the performance of it, and what they must expect should they break it, and particularly be so forgetful of it, and the first articles in it, as follows:

and make you a graven image, or the likeness of anything which the
Lord thy God hath forbidden thee;
a graven image in the likeness of men or women, of any beast on the earth, or fowl in heaven, or fish in the sea.

Deuteronomy 4:23 In-Context

21 “But the LORD was angry with me because of you. He vowed that I would not cross the Jordan River into the good land the LORD your God is giving you as your special possession.
22 You will cross the Jordan to occupy the land, but I will not. Instead, I will die here on the east side of the river.
23 So be careful not to break the covenant the LORD your God has made with you. Do not make idols of any shape or form, for the LORD your God has forbidden this.
24 The LORD your God is a devouring fire; he is a jealous God.
25 “In the future, when you have children and grandchildren and have lived in the land a long time, do not corrupt yourselves by making idols of any kind. This is evil in the sight of the LORD your God and will arouse his anger.
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.