Deuteronomy 4:18
Deuteronomy 4:18 in Multiple Translations
or of any creature that crawls on the ground or fish that is in the waters below.
The likeness of any thing that creepeth on the ground, the likeness of any fish that is in the waters beneath the earth:
the likeness of anything that creepeth on the ground, the likeness of any fish that is in the water under the earth;
Or of anything which goes flat on the earth, or any fish in the water under the earth.
or of any animal that crawls on the ground or any fish in the deep sea.
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,
a form of any creeping thing on the ground — a form of any fish which [is] in the waters under the earth;
the likeness of anything that creeps on the ground, the likeness of any fish that is in the water under the earth;
The likeness of any thing that creepeth on the ground, the likeness of any fish that is in the waters beneath the earth:
Or of creeping things, that move on the earth, or of fishes, that abide in the waters under the earth:
or any ◄reptile/creature that scurries across the ground► or any fish in the deep ocean.
Berean Amplified Bible — Deuteronomy 4:18
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 4:18 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
תַּבְנִ֕ית
כָּל
רֹמֵ֖שׂ
בָּ/אֲדָמָ֑ה
תַּבְנִ֛ית
כָּל
דָּגָ֥ה
אֲשֶׁר
בַּ/מַּ֖יִם
מִ/תַּ֥חַת
לָ/אָֽרֶץ
תַּבְנִ֕ית
tabnîyth
H8403
pattern
N-fs
כָּל
kôl
H3605
all
N-ms
רֹמֵ֖שׂ
râmas
H7430
to creep
V-Qal
בָּ/אֲדָמָ֑ה
ʼădâmâh
H127
land
Prep | N-fs
תַּבְנִ֛ית
tabnîyth
H8403
pattern
N-fs
כָּל
kôl
H3605
all
N-ms
דָּגָ֥ה
dâgâh
H1710
fish
N-fs
אֲשֶׁר
ʼăsher
H834
which
Rel
בַּ/מַּ֖יִם
mayim
H4325
Water (Gate)
Prep | N-mp
מִ/תַּ֥חַת
tachath
H8478
underneath
Prep | Prep
לָ/אָֽרֶץ
ʼerets
H776
land
Prep | N-cs
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Deuteronomy 4:18
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.
רֹמֵ֖שׂ
râmas
H7430
"to creep"
V-Qal
This Hebrew word means to creep or move lightly, often used to describe the movement of animals. It appears in the Bible to describe the action of creeping things, such as insects or reptiles. In KJV translations, it is rendered as 'creep' or 'move'.
Definition: 1) to creep, move lightly, move about, walk on all fours 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to creep, teem (of all creeping things) 1a2) to creep (of animals) 1a3) to move lightly, glide about (of water animals) 1a4) to move about (of all land animals generally)
Usage: Occurs in 17 OT verses. KJV: creep, move. See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 8:19; Psalms 69:35.
בָּ/אֲדָמָ֑ה
ʼădâmâh
H127
"land"
Prep | N-fs
This Hebrew word refers to the earth or soil, often describing the ground as a source of sustenance. It is used to describe the physical earth, a plot of land, or even a whole country. The KJV translates it as 'country', 'earth', or 'land'.
Definition: : soil 1) ground, land 1a) ground (as general, tilled, yielding sustenance) 1b) piece of ground, a specific plot of land 1c) earth substance (for building or constructing) 1d) ground as earth's visible surface 1e) land, territory, country 1f) whole inhabited earth 1g) city in Naphtali
Usage: Occurs in 211 OT verses. KJV: country, earth, ground, husband(-man) (-ry), land. See also: Genesis 1:25; 1 Kings 8:40; Psalms 49:12.
תַּבְנִ֛ית
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.
דָּגָ֥ה
dâgâh
H1710
"fish"
N-fs
This Hebrew word also means fish, similar to H1709, and is used to describe fish in the Bible, often in stories about fishing and the sea.
Definition: fish
Usage: Occurs in 13 OT verses. KJV: fish. See also: Genesis 1:26; Psalms 105:29; Isaiah 50:2.
אֲשֶׁר
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.
בַּ/מַּ֖יִם
mayim
H4325
"Water (Gate)"
Prep | N-mp
This word means water, referring to a liquid or a source of refreshment. It appears in the Bible as a literal and figurative term, including references to wasting or urine. The word is used in various contexts, such as in Genesis and Leviticus.
Definition: This name means water, refreshment
Usage: Occurs in 525 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] piss, wasting, water(-ing, (-course, -flood, -spring)). See also: Genesis 1:2; Leviticus 14:9; Joshua 18:15.
מִ/תַּ֥חַת
tachath
H8478
"underneath"
Prep | Prep
This Hebrew word means underneath or below, often used to describe physical locations or positions. It appears in various books, including Genesis, Exodus, and Psalms, to indicate something is under or beneath something else. The word has several related meanings.
Definition: : under/below 1) the under part, beneath, instead of, as, for, for the sake of, flat, unto, where, whereas n m 1a) the under part adv accus 1b) beneath prep 1c) under, beneath 1c1) at the foot of (idiom) 1c2) sweetness, subjection, woman, being burdened or oppressed (fig) 1c3) of subjection or conquest 1d) what is under one, the place in which one stands 1d1) in one's place, the place in which one stands (idiom with reflexive pronoun) 1d2) in place of, instead of (in transferred sense) 1d3) in place of, in exchange or return for (of things mutually interchanged) conj 1e) instead of, instead of that 1f) in return for that, because that in compounds 1g) in, under, into the place of (after verbs of motion) 1h) from under, from beneath, from under the hand of, from his place, under, beneath
Usage: Occurs in 450 OT verses. KJV: as, beneath, [idiom] flat, in(-stead), (same) place (where...is), room, for...sake, stead of, under, [idiom] unto, [idiom] when...was mine, whereas, (where-) fore, with. See also: Genesis 1:7; Deuteronomy 7:24; 1 Kings 20:42.
לָ/אָֽרֶץ
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.
Study Notes — Deuteronomy 4:18
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — A Warning against Idolatry
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. 20Yet the LORD has taken you and brought you out of the iron furnace, out of Egypt, to be the people of His inheritance, as you are today.Deuteronomy 4:18 Summary
Deuteronomy 4:18 reminds us that God is the only one worthy of worship, and that we should not make idols of any creature on the ground or in the waters. This means that we should not put anything or anyone above God in our lives, as also emphasized in Exodus 20:3-5. Instead, we should worship and honor Him alone, recognizing that He is the Creator of all things, as seen in Psalm 95:6. By doing so, we can avoid the temptation to worship created things and remain faithful to the one true God.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is God so specific about not worshiping creatures in Deuteronomy 4:18?
God wants to emphasize that He alone is worthy of worship, and that all creation, including creatures on the ground and in the waters, is under His authority, as seen in Psalm 24:1, which says that the earth and everything in it belongs to the Lord.
What does it mean to 'act corruptly' as mentioned in Deuteronomy 4:16 in relation to Deuteronomy 4:18?
Acting corruptly refers to the act of making idols or worshiping false gods, which is a corruption of the true worship of the one true God, as warned against in Exodus 20:4-5 and reinforced in Deuteronomy 4:18 by specifying not to make idols of creatures.
How does Deuteronomy 4:18 relate to the warning against worshiping the sun, moon, and stars in Deuteronomy 4:19?
Both verses emphasize the importance of worshiping only the one true God and not being enticed by the wonders of creation, whether on earth or in the heavens, as also emphasized in Romans 1:25, which warns against worshiping created things rather than the Creator.
What is the significance of God reminding the Israelites of their deliverance from Egypt in Deuteronomy 4:20 in the context of Deuteronomy 4:18?
God reminds the Israelites of their deliverance to highlight His love and care for them, and to emphasize that He has chosen them to be His people, which should motivate them to remain faithful and worship Him alone, as also seen in Deuteronomy 7:6-8.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I might be tempted to worship created things rather than the Creator, and how can I guard against this in my own life?
- How does the fact that God is the Creator of all creatures, including those mentioned in Deuteronomy 4:18, impact my understanding of His power and authority?
- In what ways can I practically apply the warning against idolatry in Deuteronomy 4:18 to my daily life, and what are some potential idols that I might need to surrender to God?
- How can I use Deuteronomy 4:18 as a reminder to worship God alone and to avoid the temptation to worship created things, and what role can prayer and scripture reading play in this process?
Gill's Exposition on 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
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Deuteronomy 4:18
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.
Trapp's Commentary on Deuteronomy 4:18
Deuteronomy 4:18 The likeness of any thing that creepeth on the ground, the likeness of any fish that [is] in the waters beneath the earth:Ver. 18. The likeness of any fish.] As was Dagon, the god of the Philistines, whence he had his name.
Cambridge Bible on Deuteronomy 4:18
18. the water under the earth] The Hebrews conceived the sea not only as lower than and round the earth, but as passing beneath it (the earth being established or fixed over it) and so forming the source of all fountains, many of which in Syria are salt, and of all streams. Cp. Psalms 24:2; Psalms 36:6, the great deep; Amos 7:4; Jonah 2:3-6, and see below on Deuteronomy 33:13.
Whedon's Commentary on Deuteronomy 4:18
, 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.