Deuteronomy 4:17
Deuteronomy 4:17 in Multiple Translations
of any beast that is on the earth or bird that flies in the air,
The likeness of any beast that is on the earth, the likeness of any winged fowl that flieth in the air,
the likeness of any beast that is on the earth, the likeness of any winged bird that flieth in the heavens,
Or any beast of the earth, or winged bird of the air,
or any land animal or bird that flies,
The likenes of any beast that is on earth, or the likenesse of any fethered foule that flieth in the aire:
a form of any beast which [is] in the earth — a form of any winged bird which flieth in the heavens —
the likeness of any animal that is on the earth, the likeness of any winged bird that flies in the sky,
The likeness of any beast that is on the earth, the likeness of any winged fowl that flieth in the air,
The similitude of any beasts, that are upon the earth, or of birds, that fly under heaven,
or that resembles any animal or any bird
Berean Amplified Bible — Deuteronomy 4:17
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Deuteronomy 4:17 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
תַּבְנִ֕ית
כָּל
בְּהֵמָ֖ה
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
בָּ/אָ֑רֶץ
תַּבְנִית֙
כָּל
צִפּ֣וֹר
כָּנָ֔ף
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
תָּע֖וּף
בַּ/שָּׁמָֽיִם
תַּבְנִ֕ית
tabnîyth
H8403
pattern
N-fs
כָּל
kôl
H3605
all
N-ms
בְּהֵמָ֖ה
bᵉhêmâh
H929
animal
N-fs
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
ʼăsher
H834
which
Rel
בָּ/אָ֑רֶץ
ʼerets
H776
land
Prep | N-cs
תַּבְנִית֙
tabnîyth
H8403
pattern
N-fs
כָּל
kôl
H3605
all
N-ms
צִפּ֣וֹר
tsippôwr
H6833
bird
N-cs
כָּנָ֔ף
kânâph
H3671
wing
N-fs
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
ʼăsher
H834
which
Rel
תָּע֖וּף
ʻûwph
H5774
to fly
V-Qal-Imperf-3fs
בַּ/שָּׁמָֽיִם
shâmayim
H8064
heaven
Prep | N-mp
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Deuteronomy 4:17
תַּבְנִ֕ית
tabnîyth
H8403
"pattern"
N-fs
This Hebrew word means a pattern or model, like a blueprint for building something. It appears in Exodus 25:40, describing the pattern for the tabernacle. The idea is to follow a specific design or plan.
Definition: 1) pattern, plan, form, construction, figure 1a) construction, structure 1a1) meaning uncertain 1b) pattern 1c) figure, image (of idols)
Usage: Occurs in 17 OT verses. KJV: figure, form, likeness, pattern, similitude. See also: Exodus 25:9; 1 Chronicles 28:12; Psalms 106:20.
כָּל
kôl
H3605
"all"
N-ms
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.
בְּהֵמָ֖ה
bᵉhêmâh
H929
"animal"
N-fs
This word refers to animals, especially large quadruped mammals. It's used in the Bible to describe livestock, wild beasts, and other creatures. It appears in stories of creation, farming, and wildlife.
Definition: 1) beast, cattle, animal 1a) beasts (coll of all animals) 1b) cattle, livestock (of domestic animals) 1c) wild beasts
Usage: Occurs in 172 OT verses. KJV: beast, cattle. See also: Genesis 1:24; Deuteronomy 28:11; Psalms 8:8.
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
ʼăsher
H834
"which"
Rel
This Hebrew word is a conjunction that connects ideas and events in the Bible, like in the book of Genesis, where it's used to describe the relationship between God and His creation.
Definition: A: 1) (relative part.) 1a) which, who 1b) that which 2) (conj) 2a) that (in obj clause) 2b) when 2c) since 2d) as 2e) conditional if B: Beth+ 1) in (that) which 2) (adv) 2a) where 3) (conj) 3a) in that, inasmuch as 3b) on account of C: Mem+ 1) from (or than) that which 2) from (the place) where 3) from (the fact) that, since D: Kaph+ 1) (conj.), according as, as, when 1a) according to that which, according as, as 1b) with a causal force: in so far as, since 1c) with a temporal force: when
Usage: Occurs in 4440 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] after, [idiom] alike, as (soon as), because, [idiom] every, for, [phrase] forasmuch, [phrase] from whence, [phrase] how(-soever), [idiom] if, (so) that ((thing) which, wherein), [idiom] though, [phrase] until, [phrase] whatsoever, when, where ([phrase] -as, -in, -of, -on, -soever, -with), which, whilst, [phrase] whither(-soever), who(-m, -soever, -se). As it is indeclinable, it is often accompanied by the personal pronoun expletively, used to show the connection. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 20:9; Genesis 31:16.
בָּ/אָ֑רֶץ
ʼerets
H776
"land"
Prep | N-cs
The land or earth refers to the soil or ground, and can also mean a country, territory, or region. In the Bible, it is used to describe the earth and its inhabitants, and is often translated as 'land' or 'country'.
Definition: : soil 1) land, earth 1a) earth 1a1) whole earth (as opposed to a part) 1a2) earth (as opposed to heaven) 1a3) earth (inhabitants) 1b) land 1b1) country, territory 1b2) district, region 1b3) tribal territory 1b4) piece of ground 1b5) land of Canaan, Israel 1b6) inhabitants of land 1b7) Sheol, land without return, (under) world 1b8) city (-state) 1c) ground, surface of the earth 1c1) ground 1c2) soil 1d) (in phrases) 1d1) people of the land 1d2) space or distance of country (in measurements of distance) 1d3) level or plain country 1d4) land of the living 1d5) end(s) of the earth 1e) (almost wholly late in usage) 1e1) lands, countries 1e1a) often in contrast to Canaan
Usage: Occurs in 2190 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins, way, [phrase] wilderness, world. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 18:18; Genesis 42:13.
תַּבְנִית֙
tabnîyth
H8403
"pattern"
N-fs
This Hebrew word means a pattern or model, like a blueprint for building something. It appears in Exodus 25:40, describing the pattern for the tabernacle. The idea is to follow a specific design or plan.
Definition: 1) pattern, plan, form, construction, figure 1a) construction, structure 1a1) meaning uncertain 1b) pattern 1c) figure, image (of idols)
Usage: Occurs in 17 OT verses. KJV: figure, form, likeness, pattern, similitude. See also: Exodus 25:9; 1 Chronicles 28:12; Psalms 106:20.
כָּל
kôl
H3605
"all"
N-ms
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.
צִפּ֣וֹר
tsippôwr
H6833
"bird"
N-cs
This Hebrew word means a little bird, often hopping, and is used to describe a sparrow or fowl in the Bible, such as in Psalm 84:3.
Definition: 1) bird, fowl 1a) bird (singular) 1b) birds (coll) Aramaic equivalent: tse.phar (צְפַר "bird" H6853)
Usage: Occurs in 36 OT verses. KJV: bird, fowl, sparrow. See also: Genesis 7:14; Psalms 84:4; Psalms 8:9.
כָּנָ֔ף
kânâph
H3671
"wing"
N-fs
The Hebrew word for wing, used to describe the edge or extremity of something, like a bird's wing or the corner of a garment. It appears in the Bible to describe various objects and locations, including the wing of a bird.
Definition: 1) wing, extremity, edge, winged, border, corner, shirt 1a) wing 1b) extremity 1b1) skirt, corner (of garment)
Usage: Occurs in 85 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] bird, border, corner, end, feather(-ed), [idiom] flying, [phrase] (one an-) other, overspreading, [idiom] quarters, skirt, [idiom] sort, uttermost part, wing(-ed). See also: Genesis 1:21; Psalms 139:9; Psalms 17:8.
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
ʼăsher
H834
"which"
Rel
This Hebrew word is a conjunction that connects ideas and events in the Bible, like in the book of Genesis, where it's used to describe the relationship between God and His creation.
Definition: A: 1) (relative part.) 1a) which, who 1b) that which 2) (conj) 2a) that (in obj clause) 2b) when 2c) since 2d) as 2e) conditional if B: Beth+ 1) in (that) which 2) (adv) 2a) where 3) (conj) 3a) in that, inasmuch as 3b) on account of C: Mem+ 1) from (or than) that which 2) from (the place) where 3) from (the fact) that, since D: Kaph+ 1) (conj.), according as, as, when 1a) according to that which, according as, as 1b) with a causal force: in so far as, since 1c) with a temporal force: when
Usage: Occurs in 4440 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] after, [idiom] alike, as (soon as), because, [idiom] every, for, [phrase] forasmuch, [phrase] from whence, [phrase] how(-soever), [idiom] if, (so) that ((thing) which, wherein), [idiom] though, [phrase] until, [phrase] whatsoever, when, where ([phrase] -as, -in, -of, -on, -soever, -with), which, whilst, [phrase] whither(-soever), who(-m, -soever, -se). As it is indeclinable, it is often accompanied by the personal pronoun expletively, used to show the connection. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 20:9; Genesis 31:16.
תָּע֖וּף
ʻûwph
H5774
"to fly"
V-Qal-Imperf-3fs
This word can mean flying or fainting, often due to darkness or gloom. It appears in books like Isaiah and Jeremiah, describing dramatic scenes.
Definition: v 1) to fly, fly about, fly away 1a)(Qal) 1a1) to fly, hover 1a2) to fly away 1b) (Hiphil) to cause to fly, light upon 1c) (Polel) 1c1) to fly about or to and fro 1c2) to cause to fly to and fro, brandish 1d) (Hithpolel) to fly away 2) (Qal) to cover, be dark
Usage: Occurs in 29 OT verses. KJV: brandish, be (wax) faint, flee away, fly (away), [idiom] set, shine forth, weary. See also: Genesis 1:20; Proverbs 23:5; Psalms 18:11.
בַּ/שָּׁמָֽיִם
shâmayim
H8064
"heaven"
Prep | N-mp
The Hebrew word for heaven or sky, it refers to the visible universe and the abode of God. It is often used in the Bible to describe the dwelling place of celestial bodies.
Definition: 1) heaven, heavens, sky 1a) visible heavens, sky 1a1) as abode of the stars 1a2) as the visible universe, the sky, atmosphere, etc 1b) Heaven (as the abode of God) Aramaic equivalent: sha.ma.yin (שָׁמַ֫יִן "heaven" H8065)
Usage: Occurs in 395 OT verses. KJV: air, [idiom] astrologer, heaven(-s). See also: Genesis 1:1; 1 Samuel 2:10; Job 28:21.
Study Notes — Deuteronomy 4:17
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Deuteronomy 4:17 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Deuteronomy 4:17
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Deuteronomy 4:17
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Deuteronomy 4:17
- Trapp's Commentary on Deuteronomy 4:17
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Deuteronomy 4:17
- Cambridge Bible on Deuteronomy 4:17
- Whedon's Commentary on Deuteronomy 4:17
- Sermons on Deuteronomy 4:17
Context — A Warning against Idolatry
15So since you saw no form of any kind on the day the LORD spoke to you out of the fire at Horeb, be careful
16that you do not act corruptly and make an idol for yourselves of any form or shape, whether in the likeness of a male or female,
17of any beast that is on the earth or bird that flies in the air,
18or of any creature that crawls on the ground or fish that is in the waters below. 19When you look to the heavens and see the sun and moon and stars—all the host of heaven—do not be enticed to bow down and worship what the LORD your God has apportioned to all the nations under heaven.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Romans 1:23 | and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images of mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles. |
Deuteronomy 4:17 Summary
Deuteronomy 4:17 is warning us against making idols or false gods in the form of animals or birds. This means that we should not worship or give our hearts to anything that God has created, but instead worship and love the Creator Himself (as seen in Revelation 4:11). We can apply this verse to our lives by being careful not to give too much importance to things like money, possessions, or even people, and instead focus on loving and serving God (as commanded in Matthew 22:37-38). By doing so, we can avoid the trap of idolatry and give God the worship and love that He deserves.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main concern of Deuteronomy 4:17?
The main concern of Deuteronomy 4:17 is to warn the Israelites against making idols in the form of animals or birds, as seen in the context of Deuteronomy 4:16, which prohibits making idols of any form or shape, whether male or female.
Why is it important to avoid making idols of beasts or birds?
It is important to avoid making idols of beasts or birds because it can lead to worshiping created things instead of the Creator, as warned in Romans 1:25, which says that people worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator.
How does this verse relate to the broader theme of idolatry in the Bible?
This verse is part of a larger theme in the Bible that warns against idolatry, as seen in Exodus 20:4, which prohibits making idols, and in 1 Corinthians 10:14, which warns believers to flee from idolatry.
What is the significance of the phrase 'on the earth or bird that flies in the air' in Deuteronomy 4:17?
The phrase 'on the earth or bird that flies in the air' emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the warning against idolatry, covering all aspects of creation, as also seen in Psalm 24:1, which says that the earth and everything in it belongs to the Lord.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I might be tempted to make idols in my own life, and how can I avoid them?
- How can I ensure that I am worshiping the Creator rather than created things?
- What are some examples of 'beasts' or 'birds' that people have worshiped as idols throughout history, and what can I learn from these examples?
- How can I apply the warning of Deuteronomy 4:17 to my daily life and relationships?
Gill's Exposition on Deuteronomy 4:17
The likeness of any beast that is on the earth,.... As there are scarce any but the likeness of them has been made and worshipped, or the creatures themselves, as the ox by the Egyptians, the sheep
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Deuteronomy 4:17
Lest ye corrupt yourselves, and make you a graven image, the similitude of any figure, the likeness of male or female, Lest ye corrupt yourselves, and make you a graven image.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Deuteronomy 4:17
Whereby the heathen nations did represent and worship God, some by an ox, some by a goat, or a hen, or a serpent, or a fish, &c.
Trapp's Commentary on Deuteronomy 4:17
Deuteronomy 4:17 The likeness of any beast that [is] on the earth, the likeness of any winged fowl that flieth in the air,Ver. 17. The likeness of any beast.] Which was a piece of the Egyptian madness. Israel, by being there, had learned to set up one calf, Jeroboam two.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Deuteronomy 4:17
Verse 17. The likeness of any beast, c.] Such as the Egyptian god Apis, who was worshipped under the form of a white bull the ibis and hawk, among the FOWLS, had also Divine honours paid to them; serpents and the crocodile among REPTILES; besides monkeys, dogs, cats, the scarabaeus, leeks, and onions! See this explained at large, See Clarke on Exodus 20:4.
Cambridge Bible on Deuteronomy 4:17
17. the likeness] Again tabnîth. winged fowl] Heb. bird of wing: cp. P, Genesis 7:14; Genesis 1:21.
Whedon's Commentary on Deuteronomy 4:17
, Deuteronomy 4:15-24.Idolatry in various and in most gross forms prevailed throughout the East among the nations with whom Israel would be brought in contact.
Sermons on Deuteronomy 4:17
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
The Creation of the Firmament by Chuck Smith | The video is a promotion for The Awakening Conference, a resource available from The Word For Today. It features guest speakers who provide practical instruction on how to engage w |
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To Hope Against All Hope by Jim Cymbala | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on Romans chapter 4 as a crucial chapter in the Bible. He begins by discussing Paul's description of humanity's lostness, including both the id |
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Subcontinent Report Feb 1983 by George Verwer | In this video, the speaker shares about their recent travels to Oman, Dubai, and India to spread the word of God. They mention the challenges faced in reaching out to Muslims, who |
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God Changeth Not by Joshua Daniel | In this sermon, Joshua Daniel discusses the need for a revival of faith and a return to God's unchanging truth. He emphasizes that while God and the gospel remain constant, it is o |
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The Person of Christ the Great Representative of God and His Will by John Owen | John Owen emphasizes that the person of Christ serves as the ultimate representation of God and His will, highlighting that while God's essence is incomprehensible to humanity, Chr |
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The Supreme Importance of the Incorruptible by A.T. Robertson | A.T. Robertson preaches about the importance of living a life focused on intrinsic, eternal values rather than superficial or comparative ones. He emphasizes that the essence of th |