Deuteronomy 4:16

4:16 I say this ¹  so you will not corrupt yourselves by making an image in the form of any kind of figure. This includes the likeness of a human male or female,

Deuteronomy 4:23

4:23 Be on guard so that you do not forget the covenant of the Lord your God that he has made with you, and that you do not make an image of any kind, just as he ²  has forbidden ³  you.

Deuteronomy 4:25

Threat and Blessing following Covenant Disobedience

4:25 After you have produced children and grandchildren and have been in the land a long time, ⁴  if you become corrupt and make an image of any kind ⁵  and do other evil things before the Lord your God that enrage him, ⁶ 

Deuteronomy 27:15

27:15 ‘Cursed is the one ⁷  who makes a carved or metal image – something abhorrent ⁸  to the Lord, the work of the craftsman ⁹  – and sets it up in a secret place.’ Then all the people will say, ‘Amen!’ ¹⁰ 

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¹ tn The words “I say this” are supplied in the translation for stylistic reasons. In the Hebrew text v. 16 is subordinated to “Be careful” in v. 15, but this makes for an unduly long sentence in English.

² tn Heb “the Lord your God.” See note on “he” in 4:3.

³ tn Heb “commanded.”

⁴ tn Heb “have grown old in the land,” i.e., been there for a long time.

⁵ tn Heb “a form of anything.” Cf. NAB, NASB, NRSV, TEV “an idol.”

⁶ tn The infinitive construct is understood here as indicating the result, not the intention, of their actions.

⁷ tn Heb “man,” but in a generic sense here.

⁸ tn The Hebrew term translated here “abhorrent” (תּוֹעֵבָה, to’evah) speaks of attitudes and/or behaviors so vile as to be reprehensible to a holy God. See note on the word “abhorrent” in Deut 7:25.

⁹ tn Heb “craftsman’s hands.”

¹⁰ tn Or “So be it!” The term is an affirmation expressing agreement with the words of the Levites.