The 10 Commandments are recorded in two places in the Bible - Exodus 20 and Deuteronomy 5. The second commandment is in Exodus 20:4-6: "You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments."
This commandment emphasizes the prohibition of idolatry, urging believers to worship God alone and not to create or bow down to any idols or images.
The Old Testament repeatedly addresses the issue of idolatry—worshipping other gods generally in the guise of a statue or other physical representation. The injunction against making “graven images” of gods goes back to the second commandment.
Years ago, I traveled to India, a beautiful country. Being from America, I was struck by the many public shrines to one of their many gods, usually with a little statue and picture. While I didn’t have a statue in my American house or know anyone who did, that didn’t mean I was safe from breaking the second commandment. There is more to this warning than we assume.
The second commandment specifically addresses making no graven images, but is idolatry limited to a physical statue?
According to Judaism, the Second Commandment is rooted in the Torah’s teachings, specifically in the Book of Exodus:
“You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments.” (Exodus 20:4-6)
This commandment explicitly prohibits the creation and worship of graven images or likenesses of anything in the heavens, on the earth, or in the waters. The emphasis is on the exclusivity of worshiping the one true God, and the prohibition is aimed at preventing the Israelites from falling into idolatry.
Jewish tradition, including the Talmud and rabbinic commentaries, plays a significant role in understanding and elucidating the commandments. As with the Catholic and Eastern Orthodox, Judaism often combines the first and second commandments—not having any gods above the Lord and a specific injunction against making a physical idol.
Reading through the Old Testament, this prohibition included any images or statues of Yahweh. In Exodus, Aaron called the infamous golden calf the god who brought them out of Egypt. When building an altar to sacrifice to God, the Law instructed only to use natural stones. Nothing man-made could be used.
In the Talmud, particularly in tractate Avodah Zarah, the rabbis delve into the nuances of idolatry. The discussions in the Talmud explore scenarios where individuals might inadvertently engage in idolatrous practices or where the boundaries of idol worship may be blurred. The Talmudic tradition provides additional guidance and clarifications to ensure faithful adherence to the commandment.
Jewish interpretations of the Second Commandment highlight monotheism’s central role in the faith, hence the absolute prohibition against worshiping any form or representation. The commandment is a foundational principle in Judaism, emphasizing the unique relationship between the Jewish people and the one true God.
The second commandment to not make any graven images naturally flows from the first commandment, not to have any god before Yahweh. Hence, it makes sense some Catholics use Augustine’s list of the commandments, which combines what many know as the first and second commandments.
The Catholic interpretation of the Second Commandment extends beyond the literal prohibition against crafting idols. It underscores why reverence and respect for God’s sacred name and image matter. This broader understanding is encapsulated in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, which states in paragraph 2146: “The second commandment forbids the abuse of God’s name, i.e., every improper use of the names of God, Jesus Christ, but also of the Virgin Mary and all the saints.”
Additionally, Catholic tradition incorporates venerating religious images, such as statues and icons, distinct from the worship reserved for God alone. While creating religious images is permitted, their purpose is to aid in devotion and contemplation, not to replace worshipping the divine. The distinction between worship (latria) and veneration (dulia) is central to Catholic interpretation, ensuring that reverence for religious images does not cross into idolatry.
Other traditions have challenged whether God’s followers should venerate religious images.
The Protestant interpretation of the Second Commandment shares a common foundation with Catholicism in its explicit prohibition against creating and worshiping graven images. However, there are notable distinctions between the Protestant and Catholic views, particularly in the emphasis on religious images.
Many Protestant denominations, influenced by the Protestant Reformation’s principles, adopt a more stringent stance against using religious images in worship. The emphasis on sola scriptura (Scripture alone) has led to a general aversion to statues, icons, and other visual representations in Protestant worship spaces. This is in contrast to certain Catholic traditions.
Further, Protestant and evangelical traditions concentrate on the heart’s position during worship. While statues may be absent from the worship space, Protestants understand idolatry can occur when people put anything in the place of God. Protestants are more likely to refer to everything from entertainment to a car and more as being potentially an idolatry problem.
While the commandment’s essence remains consistent across denominations, the specific wording and emphasis can differ.
One major distinction lies in how different denominations number the Ten Commandments. Catholic, Lutheran, and Eastern Orthodox traditions follow the division proposed by Augustine of Hippo, combining the first and second commandments while splitting the tenth into two. This results in the prohibition against graven images connecting to the worship of other gods. In contrast, the Reformed tradition, including Presbyterian and most evangelical denominations, adheres to the enumeration attributed to Moses in Exodus 20, treating the prohibition of graven images as a distinct commandment.
The variations also extend to the commandment’s wording. The Catholic Catechism presents the Second Commandment as a prohibition against “making for ourselves images or false gods.” This wording broadens the scope to include not only graven images but also creating false gods, emphasizing the overarching theme of monotheism. In contrast, the Reformed tradition typically emphasizes the prohibition against making and worshiping “graven images,” specifically highlighting the rejection of idolatry.
The interpretation differences reflect historical developments and theological emphases within each tradition. The use of religious imagery, including statues and icons, has been a source of contention throughout Christian history.
The central issue of idolatry and the second commandment can be understood as worshipping our own handiwork. Whether this is a statue of another god or even our own ability to maintain Christian tradition, we can be guilty of idolatry.
Catholic and Protestant traditions derive their understanding of the Second Commandment from the same foundational text: the Old and New Testaments. The commonality lies in the core principle of prohibiting the creation and worship of graven images.
The common ground between Catholicism and Protestantism lies in the explicit prohibition against idolatry and worshipping created images. Both traditions affirm the exclusive worship of the one true God and emphasize the uniqueness of God’s nature. The core principle is to prevent the Israelites, and by extension believers, from turning to false gods and engaging in practices that compromise monotheistic worship.
Applying the Second Commandment extends beyond literal worship of a statue or false god. Here are various ways Christians navigate the Second Commandment in contemporary life.
The commitment to follow the Second Commandment means we must watch out for internal and external expressions of idolatry. We must place complete faith and trust in God, leaving no room for other gods. We should also be careful in how we treat any image, object, or person, keeping our hearts from false religion toward these things. In this journey to obey the Second Commandment, we need the power and grace of the Holy Spirit and his wisdom and discernment.
Peace.
Photo Credit: © Getty Images/yasharu
Learn More about the 10 Commandments with these helpful articles that dive deeper into understanding each commandment and what they mean for us today.
What Does the Second Commandment in the Bible Really Mean?
Understanding the Third Commandment: Do Not Use the Lord's Name in Vain
Understanding the Fourth Commandment: Remember the Sabbath Day
Understanding the Fifth Commandment: Honor Your Father and Mother
What is the Sixth Commandment in the Bible?
What is the Seventh Commandment in the Bible?
Understanding the Eighth Commandment: You Shall Not Steal
Understanding the 10th Commandment: You Shall Not Covet