John Calvin Commentary Exodus 20:4

"Thou shalt not make unto thee a graven image, nor any likeness [of any thing] that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth." — Exodus 20:4 (ASV)

Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image. In the First Commandment, after He had taught who was the true God, He commanded that He alone should be worshipped; and now He defines what is His legitimate worship.

Now, since these are two distinct things, we conclude that the commandments are also distinct, in which different things are addressed. The former indeed precedes in order, namely, that believers are to be contented with one God; but it would not be sufficient for us to be instructed to worship Him alone, unless we also knew the manner in which He would be worshipped.

The sum is that the worship of God must be spiritual, so that it may correspond with His nature. For although Moses only speaks of idolatry, yet there is no doubt that by synecdoche, as in all the rest of the Law, he condemns all fictitious services which humans in their ingenuity have invented.

For from this have arisen the carnal mixtures by which God’s worship has been profaned: people estimate Him according to their own reason, and thus, in a manner, metamorphose Him. It is necessary, then, to remember what God is, so that we do not form any gross or earthly ideas respecting Him.

The words simply express that it is wrong⁷⁹ for people to seek the presence of God in any visible image, because He cannot be represented to our eyes.

The command that they should not make any likeness—either of anything that is in heaven, or on the earth, or in the waters under the earth—is derived from the evil custom that had everywhere prevailed. For, since superstition is never uniform but is drawn aside in various directions, some thought that God was represented under the form of fish, others under that of birds, others in that of animals; and history especially recounts by what shameless delusions Egypt was led astray.

And from this, too, the vanity of humankind is declared, since, wherever they turn their eyes, they everywhere lay hold of the materials of error, even though God’s glory shines on every side, and whatever is seen above or below invites us to the true God.

Since, therefore, people are thus deluded, so as to frame for themselves the materials of error from all things they behold, Moses now elevates them above the whole fabric and elements of the world. For by the things that are “in heaven above,” he designates not only the birds, but also the sun, the moon, and all the stars, as will soon be seen.

He declares, then, that a true image of God is not to be found in all the world; and therefore His glory is defiled, and His truth corrupted by the lie, whenever He is set before our eyes in a visible form.

Now we must remark that there are two parts in the Commandment: the first forbids the erection of a graven image, or any likeness; the second prohibits the transferring of the worship that God claims for Himself alone to any of these phantoms or delusive shows.

Therefore, to devise any image of God is in itself impious, because by this corruption His Majesty is adulterated, and He is represented as other than He is.

There is no need to refute the foolish fancy of some that all sculptures and pictures are condemned here by Moses, for he had no other object than to rescue God’s glory from all the imaginations that tend to corrupt it. And assuredly, it is a most gross indecency to make God like a stock or a stone.

Some expound the words, “You shall not make to yourself a graven image, which you may adore;”⁸⁰ as if it were allowable to make a visible image of God, provided it is not adored. But the expositions that will follow will easily refute their error.

Meanwhile, I do not deny that these things are to be taken connectedly, since superstitious worship is hardly ever separated from the preceding error; for as soon as anyone has permitted himself to devise an image of God, he immediately falls into false worship.

And surely whoever reverently and soberly feels and thinks about God Himself is far from this absurdity; nor does any desire or presumption to metamorphose God ever creep in, except when coarse and carnal imaginations occupy our minds.

Thus it happens that those who frame for themselves gods of corruptible materials superstitiously adore the work of their own hands.

I will then readily allow these two things, which are inseparable, to be joined together; only let us recollect that God is insulted, not only when His worship is transferred to idols, but also when we try to represent Him by any outward similitude.

⁷⁹ “C’est une folie et perversite.” — .” — Fr..

⁸⁰ “All such images, or likenesses, are forbidden by this commandment, as are made to be adored and served; according to that which immediately follows, thou shalt not adore them nor serve them. That is, all such as are designed for That is, all such as are designed for idols oror image-gods, or are worshipped with or are worshipped with divine honor. But otherwise, images, pictures or representations, even in the house of God, and in the very sanctuary, so far from being forbidden, are expressly authorized by the Word of God. See But otherwise, images, pictures or representations, even in the house of God, and in the very sanctuary, so far from being forbidden, are expressly authorized by the Word of God. See Exodus 25:15, etc.; 38:7; ; Numbers 21:8–9; ; 1 Chronicles 28:18–19; ; 2 Chronicles 3:10.” — Note to Douay Version. Dublin, 1825.” — Note to Douay Version. Dublin, 1825; by authority.