Deuteronomy 16:22

22 neither thou shalt make to thee, and ordain an image; which things thy Lord God hateth. (nor shalt thou set up a sacred pillar, or an idol, for thee to worship; the Lord thy God hateth all these things.)

Deuteronomy 16:22 Meaning and Commentary

Deuteronomy 16:22

Neither shalt thou set up any image
Graven or molten, of man, beast, fish, or fowl; the word signifies a "statue or pillar" F3 which was set up for idolatry; for, as Aben Ezra observes, what was not set up for idolatry was not forbidden, as when erected in memory of any action or remarkable event; see ( Joshua 22:10 )

which the Lord thy God hateth;
as he does every species, of idolatry, or that has any tendency to it; it being so opposite to his being, perfections, and glory; and therefore nothing should be done like it, because it is so hateful to him.


FOOTNOTES:

F3 (hbum) (sthlhn) , Sept. "statuam", V. L. Pagninus, Montanus, Tig. vers. Fagius, Drusius, Grotius, Junius & Tremellius, Piscator; so Ainsworth.

Deuteronomy 16:22 In-Context

20 Thou shalt pursue justly that that is just, that thou live, and wield the land which thy Lord God shall give to thee. (Thou shalt only pursue what is right, or just, so that thou can live, and possess the land which the Lord thy God shall give thee.)
21 Thou shalt not plant a wood, and each tree (or any tree), by the altar of thy Lord God; (Thou shalt not plant a sacred grove, or put up a pole, beside the altar of the Lord thy God;)
22 neither thou shalt make to thee, and ordain an image; which things thy Lord God hateth. (nor shalt thou set up a sacred pillar, or an idol, for thee to worship; the Lord thy God hateth all these things.)
Copyright © 2001 by Terence P. Noble. For personal use only.