Leviticus 19 4

Leviticus 19:4 kjv

Turn ye not unto idols, nor make to yourselves molten gods: I am the LORD your God.

Leviticus 19:4 nkjv

'Do not turn to idols, nor make for yourselves molded gods: I am the LORD your God.

Leviticus 19:4 niv

"?'Do not turn to idols or make metal gods for yourselves. I am the LORD your God.

Leviticus 19:4 esv

Do not turn to idols or make for yourselves any gods of cast metal: I am the LORD your God.

Leviticus 19:4 nlt

"Do not put your trust in idols or make metal images of gods for yourselves. I am the LORD your God.

Leviticus 19 verses

Leviticus 19 4 Meaning

This verse issues a clear and foundational command, prohibiting the Israelites from dedicating themselves to false deities (idols) or crafting any physical representations for worship. The reason given, "I am the Lord your God," emphasizes that this prohibition is rooted in the unique and exclusive identity of God and His covenant relationship with His people, requiring their undivided allegiance.

Leviticus 19 4 Context

Leviticus chapter 19 is often referred to as a core section of the "Holiness Code" (Leviticus 17-26). This chapter outlines various commandments concerning ethical, social, and religious behavior, all stemming from the overarching principle enunciated in verse 2: "You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy." The commands are not merely ceremonial but address daily life, communal relations, and the people's sacred duties. Verse 4, specifically, is a fundamental injunction at the outset of this comprehensive list, setting the proper disposition of the Israelites toward God as the very foundation of their holy living. In the historical and cultural context of the Ancient Near East, polytheism and idol worship were pervasive. Surrounding nations had diverse pantheons and regularly created physical images to represent their deities, which they believed could be manipulated or would grant blessings. This command to Israel stood in stark contrast, defining their unique relationship with the unseen, incomparable God, forbidding them from adopting the very practices of the surrounding cultures that debased the divine.

Leviticus 19 4 Word analysis

• Do not turn (לא תפנו):
  • Hebrew: lo’ tiphnu (לֹא תִפְנוּ) from the root פנה (panah), meaning "to turn," "to face," "to pay attention," "to attend to."
  • Significance: This is not merely a physical turning away, but implies a profound spiritual and intellectual devotion. It prohibits directing one's mind, heart, and allegiance towards idols. It speaks to loyalty and orientation. The prohibition extends to acknowledging them, relying on them, or even conceptually giving them credence.
• to idols (אֶל־הָאֱלִילִם):
  • Hebrew: ʾel hāʾĕlīlīm (אֶל־הָאֱלִילִם). אלילים (ʾĕlīlīm) refers to "idols," but etymologically, it relates to a root meaning "worthless," "nothing," or "vanity."
  • Significance: This term highlights the theological reality that false gods are utterly without power, substance, or independent existence. They are non-entities, "nothings." The Bible consistently uses this term to devalue the gods of the nations, contrasting them sharply with the living God. It's a polemic, asserting the supreme emptiness of anything worshipped apart from YHWH.
• or make for yourselves (וֵאלֹהֵי מַסֵּכָה לֹא תַעֲשׂוּ):
  • Hebrew: wēʾlōhēy massēkhāh lōʾ taʿăśû.
  • אלֹהֵי מַסֵּכָה (ʾlōhēy massēkhāh): "gods of molten images," or "cast gods." מסֵּכָה (massēkhāh) specifically refers to something melted down and poured into a mold, such as a metal statue. This differs from images carved from wood or stone.
  • לֹא תַעֲשׂוּ (lōʾ taʿăśû): "you shall not make/do."
  • Significance: This phrase emphasizes the active creation of false objects of worship. The specific mention of "molten images" likely references the prevalent method for creating valuable, metallic cultic objects in the ANE. It specifically forbids attempting to physically represent God, or any deity, through human craft, because God is incorporeal, infinite, and beyond human representation. Such an act reduces the Creator to creation.
• I am the Lord your God (אֲנִי יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם):
  • Hebrew: ʾănî YHWH ʾĕlōhêkhem (אֲנִי יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם).
  • אֲנִי יְהוָה (ʾănî YHWH): "I am YHWH." This is a profound covenant formula and declaration of God's self-existence, incomparable nature, and authority. YHWH is God's unique, covenant name. It grounds the command in His absolute being.
  • אֱלֹהֵיכֶם (ʾĕlōhêkhem): "your God." This signifies a personal, covenantal relationship and exclusive ownership. It defines Israel's unique relationship and allegiance.
  • Significance: This statement serves as the divine ground and motivation for the command. The prohibition is not arbitrary, but flows directly from God's holy character and His covenant with Israel. It declares His sole sovereignty and claims their exclusive worship, leaving no room for any other devotion. This divine declaration implies that true worship is bound to the identity of the God who is and who has chosen them.

Leviticus 19 4 Bonus section

The command in Leviticus 19:4 is a radical polemic against the polytheistic and syncretistic practices of Israel's surrounding cultures. Unlike other nations that might incorporate new gods into their pantheon, Israel's God, YHWH, demands exclusive worship based on His unique nature. This rejection of idolatry means Israel could not seek to "control" their deity through rituals or physical representations, as was common in the Ancient Near East. Instead, they were called to relate to an unseen, spiritual God who reveals Himself through His word and deeds, rather than being confined to a cultic image. This verse reflects the core tenets of the first two commandments of the Decalogue (Exod 20:3-5; Deut 5:7-9), demonstrating that the pursuit of holiness inherently begins with right worship and proper relationship with the one true God.

Leviticus 19 4 Commentary

Leviticus 19:4, embedded within the Holiness Code, asserts the non-negotiable principle of monotheism and the complete rejection of idolatry as foundational to holy living. The prohibition "Do not turn to idols" speaks not merely to avoiding physical images, but to a deeper spiritual turning of the heart and mind. To "turn" to idols is to shift one's loyalty, trust, or devotion away from the one true God. The term "idols" (ʾĕlīlīm) powerfully denotes their utter worthlessness and emptiness, exposing the folly of those who worship them. Furthermore, the command against "making for yourselves cast gods" highlights that any human attempt to represent God through created images inherently diminishes His incomprehensible, transcendent nature. God cannot be confined or defined by human artistry. The profound basis for these commands is "I am the Lord your God." This self-declaration underscores His unique identity as the covenant-keeping, supreme, and only true God. This exclusive claim demands Israel's exclusive worship and allegiance. Idolatry is thus a betrayal of this foundational relationship, polluting their holiness and profaning God's name among them. For believers today, this verse still applies, urging vigilance against anything that seeks to replace God in our hearts—whether material possessions, relationships, power, or personal achievements.