Deuteronomy 4:18

Verse

Berean Standard Bible

or of any creature that crawls on the ground or fish that is in the waters below.

American Standard Version (1901)

the likeness of anything that creepeth on the ground, the likeness of any fish that is in the water under the earth;

Bible in Basic English

Or of anything which goes flat on the earth, or any fish in the water under the earth.

Douay-Rheims 1899

Or of creeping things, that move on the earth, or of fishes, that abide in the waters under the earth:

Free Bible Version

or of any animal that crawls on the ground or any fish in the deep sea.

Geneva Bible 1599

Or the likenesse of any thing that creepeth on the earth, or the likenesse of any fish that is in the waters beneath the earth,

King James (Authorized) Version

The likeness of any thing that creepeth on the ground, the likeness of any fish that is in the waters beneath the earth:

One Unity Resource Bible

the likeness of anything that creeps on the ground, the likeness of any fish that is in the water under the earth;

Translation for Translators

or any ◄reptile/creature that scurries across the ground► or any fish in the deep ocean.

Unlocked Literal Bible

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

Noah Webster Bible

The likeness of any thing that creepeth on the ground, the likeness of any fish that is in the waters beneath the earth:

World English Bible

the likeness of anything that creeps on the ground, the likeness of any fish that is in the water under the earth;

Young's Literal Translation

a form of any creeping thing on the ground — a form of any fish which [is] in the waters under the earth;

Context

A Warning against Idolatry

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.

Summary

Deuteronomy 4:18 warns against the temptation to worship idols in the form of anything created by God, such as the sun, moon, or stars. This verse underscores the importance of staying faithful to the one true God and not being swayed by the worship of created things. It serves as a reminder to prioritize God's commandments and to guard against the allure of false gods or idols. By focusing on the Creator rather than the creation, believers are called to maintain their devotion and loyalty to God alone.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

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

A Warning against Idolatry

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.

Scripture
Sermons
Commentary

Berean Standard Bible

or of any creature that crawls on the ground or fish that is in the waters below.

American Standard Version (1901)

the likeness of anything that creepeth on the ground, the likeness of any fish that is in the water under the earth;

Bible in Basic English

Or of anything which goes flat on the earth, or any fish in the water under the earth.

Douay-Rheims 1899

Or of creeping things, that move on the earth, or of fishes, that abide in the waters under the earth:

Free Bible Version

or of any animal that crawls on the ground or any fish in the deep sea.

Geneva Bible 1599

Or the likenesse of any thing that creepeth on the earth, or the likenesse of any fish that is in the waters beneath the earth,

King James (Authorized) Version

The likeness of any thing that creepeth on the ground, the likeness of any fish that is in the waters beneath the earth:

One Unity Resource Bible

the likeness of anything that creeps on the ground, the likeness of any fish that is in the water under the earth;

Translation for Translators

or any ◄reptile/creature that scurries across the ground► or any fish in the deep ocean.

Unlocked Literal Bible

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

Noah Webster Bible

The likeness of any thing that creepeth on the ground, the likeness of any fish that is in the waters beneath the earth:

World English Bible

the likeness of anything that creeps on the ground, the likeness of any fish that is in the water under the earth;

Young's Literal Translation

a form of any creeping thing on the ground — a form of any fish which [is] in the waters under the earth;