The likeness of any beast that is on the earth, the likeness of any winged fowl that flieth in the air,

DEUTERONOMY 4:17KJV
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Deuteronomy 4:17 (KJV)

What does Deuteronomy 4:17 mean?

Deuteronomy 4:17 warns the Israelites not to make any images or representations of animals—whether beasts that live on the earth or birds that fly in the sky—for the purpose of worship. The verse is part of a larger command against idolatry, emphasizing that God should not be represented by anything created.

In this passage, Moses is speaking to the people of Israel as they prepare to enter the Promised Land. He is reminding them of God’s instructions at Mount Sinai, where they were specifically told not to make carved images or likenesses of anything in creation. The verse highlights the temptation to use familiar creatures as symbols of the divine, which was common in the surrounding cultures.

The Hebrew behind Deuteronomy 4:17

  • תְּמוּנָה (temunah, "likeness"): This word refers to a shape, form, or representation. Its use here stresses that even a mere image or outline—no matter how abstract—of a beast or bird is forbidden as a way to represent God.
  • בְּהֵמָה (behemah, "beast"): This term covers large land animals, both wild and domestic. The command is broad, including any animal found on the earth.
  • כָּנָף (kanaph, "winged") and עוֹף (oph, "fowl"): Together, these words refer to birds or winged creatures. The phrase points out that even creatures of the sky are not to be used as divine images.
  • עוּף (uph, "flieth") and שָׁמַיִם (shamayim, "air" or "heavens"): The idea is not just birds in general, but specifically those that fly in the sky, covering all visible creatures above.

Why Deuteronomy 4:17 matters

  • This verse clarifies that idolatry is not limited to statues of people or gods, but also includes any animal or bird, which were common objects of worship in ancient religions.
  • The verse is part of a detailed warning that sets Israel apart from neighboring nations, who often used animal images to represent their gods.
  • By specifying both beasts of the earth and birds of the sky, the verse emphasizes that no part of creation is suitable to represent the Creator, reinforcing the uniqueness and invisibility of God in Israel’s faith.

Where else these words appear

“likeness” Hebrew H8403 · used in 17 verses

  • Exodus 25:9 According to all that I shew thee, after the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so shall ye make it.
  • 2 Kings 16:10 And king Ahaz went to Damascus to meet Tiglathpileser king of Assyria, and saw an altar that was at Damascus: and king Ahaz sent to Urijah the priest the fashion of the altar, and the pattern of it, according to all the workmanship thereof.
  • Psalms 106:20 Thus they changed their glory into the similitude of an ox that eateth grass.

“flieth” Hebrew H5774 · used in 29 verses

  • Genesis 1:20 And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life, and fowl that may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven.
  • Psalms 18:10 And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly: yea, he did fly upon the wings of the wind.
  • Isaiah 14:29 Rejoice not thou, whole Palestina, because the rod of him that smote thee is broken: for out of the serpent's root shall come forth a cockatrice, and his fruit shall be a fiery flying serpent.

“fowl” Hebrew H6833 · used in 36 verses

  • Genesis 7:14 They, and every beast after his kind, and all the cattle after their kind, and every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind, and every fowl after his kind, every bird of every sort.
  • Deuteronomy 14:11 Of all clean birds ye shall eat.
  • Proverbs 7:23 Till a dart strike through his liver; as a bird hasteth to the snare, and knoweth not that it is for his life.

“winged” Hebrew H3671 · used in 85 verses

  • Genesis 1:21 And God created great whales, and every living creature that moveth, which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind, and every winged fowl after his kind: and God saw that it was good.
  • Job 38:13 That it might take hold of the ends of the earth, that the wicked might be shaken out of it?
  • Ezekiel 1:8 And they had the hands of a man under their wings on their four sides; and they four had their faces and their wings.