If the commandment is "Thou shalt not keep ANY graven images unto thee." does not that include money and books

Question

I mean, that is pretty unambiguous isn't it?

How do you derive such estranged interpretations of plain language? Are you studying to be the next Attorney General for the Bush clan?

Answer 1

The King James Version of the Bible states in Exodus 20:4: "Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image or 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"

Why were the Jews commanded not to make graven images? Graven images were the standard method of pagan worship. They were representations of false gods.

This is a very clear command.

However God commanded the Jews in Exodus 25:18 and 1 Chronicles 28:18–19, "And thou shalt make two cherubims of gold, of beaten work shalt thou make them"

And in 1 Kings chapter 7 Solomon made bulls and other images out of precious metals.

It seems obvious that the Jews did not worship the cherubims and Solomon did not worship the bulls he had made. These images did not violate the command of God. Therefore, an image not made for worship (like a Nativity set) is acceptable.

With love in Christ.

Answer 2

It means do not worship graven images.

If someone worshpis money then they are in deep doo-doo

God allowed graven images in the OT

Exodus 3:2-3; Dan 7:9; Matt. 3:16; Mark 1:10; Luke 3:22; John 1:32; Acts 2:3- we see that God did reveal himself in visible form (as a dove, fire, etc).

Deut. 5:8 - God's commandment "thou shall not make a graven image" is entirely connected to the worship of false gods. God does not prohibit images to be used in worship, but He prohibits the images themselves to be worshiped.

Exodus 25:18-22; 26:1,31 - for example, God commands the making of the image of a golden cherubim. This heavenly image, of course, is not worshiped by the Israelites. Instead, the image disposes their minds to the supernatural and draws them to God.

Num. 21:8-9 - God also commands the making of the bronze serpent. The image of the bronze serpent is not an idol to be worshiped, but an article that lifts the mind to the supernatural.

I Kings 6:23-36; 7:27-39; 8:6-67 - Solomon's temple contains statues of cherubim and images of cherubim, oxen and lions. God did not condemn these images that were used in worship.

2 Kings 18:4 - it was only when the people began to worship the statue did they incur God's wrath, and the king destroyed it. The command prohibiting the use of graven images deals exclusively with the false worship of those images.

1 Chron. 28:18-19 - David gives Solomon the plan for the altar made of refined gold with a golden cherubim images. These images were used in the Jews' most solemn place of worship.

2 Chron. 3:7-14 - the house was lined with gold with elaborate cherubim carved in wood and overlaid with gold.

Ezek. 41:15 - Ezekiel describes graven images in the temple consisting of carved likenesses of cherubim. These are similar to the images of the angels and saints in many Catholic churches.

Answer 3

A symbol isn't necessarily a graven image, although, personally, I do think having a likeness of Jesus on some crucifixes is pushing the limit a bit.

Answer 4

It says you shall have no other God's before me. Money and books are perfectly ok, as long as you don't worship them. And by worshipping i don't necessarily mean bowing down and saying some prayer. If you spend all of your time thinking about money and books and spending money and reading books and you just let God slip away, than that would break the first commandment. Get what i'm sayin kinda?
Peace out

Answer 5

I would say it could mean most things....if you make them the focus/center of your life....and yes it is very unambiguous like most things in the bible

Answer 6

That is only one christian translation of the passage from original Hebrew and Greek / Latin text

Answer 7

Nice avatar.