Word Studies¶
H6459 -- pesel (פֶּסֶל) -- Graven Image¶
Original: פֶּסֶל Transliteration: pecel Pronunciation: peh'-sel Part of Speech: masculine noun Total Occurrences: 31
Definition: From pacal; an idol; carved (graven) image.
Translations¶
| Translation | Count | % |
|---|---|---|
| a graven image | 11 | 35.5% |
| the graven image | 4 | 12.9% |
| graven image | 2 | 6.5% |
| by the graven image | 2 | 6.5% |
| any graven image | 1 | 3.2% |
| the carved image | 1 | 3.2% |
| graven images | 1 | 3.2% |
Key Verses¶
Exo 20:4; Deu 5:8; 27:15; Jdg 17:3,4; 18:31; 2Ki 21:7; 2Ch 33:7; Isa 40:19,20; 42:17; 44:9,10,15,17; 45:20; 48:5; Jer 10:14; 51:17; Nah 1:14; Hab 2:18,19
Notes¶
This is the core term in the 2nd commandment ("Thou shalt not make unto thee any pesel"). It refers to a carved or hewn idol. The root suggests the action of carving or hewing.
H8544 -- temunah (תְּמוּנָה) -- Likeness/Similitude¶
Original: תְּמוּנָה Transliteration: temunah Pronunciation: tem-oo-naw Part of Speech: feminine noun Total Occurrences: 10
Definition: Something portioned (fashioned) out, as a shape; (indefinitely) phantom, or (specifically) embodiment, or (figuratively) manifestation (of favor). Translated: image, likeness, similitude.
Translations¶
| Translation | Count | % |
|---|---|---|
| likeness | 2 | 18.2% |
| the likeness | 2 | 18.2% |
| and the similitude | 1 | 9.1% |
| similitude | 1 | 9.1% |
| the similitude | 1 | 9.1% |
| an image | 1 | 9.1% |
| with thy likeness | 1 | 9.1% |
Key Verses¶
- Exo 20:4 -- "any likeness [temunah] of any thing" (the commandment prohibition)
- Deu 4:12 -- "ye heard the voice of the words, but saw no similitude [temunah]"
- Deu 4:15 -- "ye saw no manner of similitude [temunah]"
- Deu 4:16 -- "the similitude [temunah] of any figure"
- Deu 4:23,25 -- "make you a graven image, the likeness [temunah] of any thing"
- Deu 5:8 -- "any likeness [temunah] of any thing"
- Num 12:8 -- "the similitude [temunah] of the LORD shall he behold" (used POSITIVELY of God's form)
- Job 4:16 -- "an image [temunah] was before mine eyes"
- Psa 17:15 -- "I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness [temunah]" (used POSITIVELY)
Notes¶
This term has a notable dual use: prohibited in Exo 20:4/Deu 4-5 (making any likeness for worship), but used positively in Num 12:8 (Moses beholds God's form) and Psa 17:15 (beholding God's likeness in resurrection). The prohibition targets human-made likenesses of God, not God's own self-revelation.
H3742 -- kerub (כְּרוּב) -- Cherub¶
Original: כְּרוּב Transliteration: kerub Pronunciation: ker-oob Part of Speech: masculine noun Total Occurrences: 91
Definition: Of uncertain derivation; a cherub or imaginary figure. Translated: cherub, cherubims.
Translations¶
| Translation | Count | % |
|---|---|---|
| the cherubims | 31 | 29.5% |
| cherubims | 16 | 15.2% |
| cherub | 16 | 15.2% |
| of the cherubims | 8 | 7.6% |
Key Verses¶
Gen 3:24; Exo 25:18-22; 26:1,31; 36:8,35; 37:7-9; Num 7:89; 1Sa 4:4; 2Sa 6:2; 1Ki 6:23-35; 7:29,36; 8:6; 2Ki 19:15; 2Ch 3:7-14; 5:7,8; Psa 80:2; 99:1; Isa 6:2-6; Ezk 1; 10; 28:14-16; 41:18-25
Notes¶
The cherubim are God-commanded images placed on the mercy seat (Exo 25:18-22), woven into tabernacle curtains (Exo 26:1,31), carved on temple walls and doors (1Ki 6:23-35), and present in Ezekiel's vision temple (Ezk 41:18-20). These were fashioned representations of heavenly beings -- yet God commanded their making while simultaneously prohibiting graven images (pesel) in Exo 20:4.
H6485 -- paqad (פָּקַד) -- Visit/Punish/Attend¶
Original: פָּקַד Transliteration: paqad Pronunciation: paw-kad Part of Speech: verb Total Occurrences: 305
Definition: A primitive root; to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit. Translated: appoint, avenge, bestow, charge, commit, count, deliver, do judgment, lack, number, officer, overseer, oversight, punish, reckon, remember, set over, visit, want.
Translation Spread¶
| Translation | Count | % |
|---|---|---|
| numbered | 15 | 4.3% |
| visit | 7 | 2.0% |
| visited | 5 | 1.4% |
| will punish | 5 | 1.4% |
| visiting | 4 | 1.1% |
Key Verses¶
- Exo 20:5 -- "visiting [poqed, Qal participle] the iniquity of the fathers upon the children"
- Exo 34:7 -- "visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children"
- Num 14:18 -- "visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children"
- Gen 21:1 -- "the LORD visited Sarah" (friendly intent)
- Exo 32:34 -- "in the day when I visit I will visit their sin upon them"
Notes¶
The semantic range of paqad is extremely wide. In Exo 20:5, the Qal active participle (poqed) indicates ongoing, characteristic action. The verb can mean "visit" in either a positive sense (Gen 21:1, visiting Sarah with blessing) or a punitive sense (Exo 20:5, visiting iniquity). In the Hebrew parser output for Exo 20:5, the gloss is "miss" (another attested meaning of paqad), showing the breadth of semantic range. Context determines whether the "visit" is beneficial or judicial.
H5771 -- avon (עָוֺן) -- Iniquity¶
Original: עָוֺן Transliteration: avon Pronunciation: aw-vone Part of Speech: masculine noun Total Occurrences: 230
Definition: Iniquity, guilt, or punishment of iniquity.
Translation Spread¶
| Translation | Count | % |
|---|---|---|
| the iniquity | 37 | 15.8% |
| iniquity | 28 | 12.0% |
| their iniquity | 21 | 9.0% |
| his iniquity | 9 | 3.8% |
| punishment | 1 | 0.4% |
| My punishment | 1 | 0.4% |
Key Verses¶
- Exo 20:5 -- "visiting the iniquity [avon] of the fathers upon the children"
- Exo 34:7 -- "forgiving iniquity [avon] and transgression and sin"
- Exo 34:9 -- "pardon our iniquity [avon]"
- Ezk 18:17 -- "he shall not die for the iniquity [avon] of his father"
- Ezk 18:20 -- "The son shall not bear the iniquity [avon] of the father"
- Gen 4:13 -- "My punishment [avon] is greater than I can bear" (punishment sense)
Notes¶
The word avon encompasses both the sin itself and the consequence/punishment of the sin. In Exo 20:5, the combination "visiting the avon" could refer to visiting either the sin-guilt or the punishment of sin. The dual meaning is significant for the "visiting iniquity upon children" discussion -- it may mean the consequences of sin extend to children who continue in the same pattern, not that guilt is transferred.
H7067 -- qanna (קַנָּא) -- Jealous¶
Original: קַנָּא Transliteration: qanna Pronunciation: kan-naw Part of Speech: adjective Total Occurrences: 6
Definition: From qana; jealous.
Every Occurrence¶
- Exo 20:5 -- "I the LORD thy God [am] a jealous [qanna] God"
- Exo 34:14 -- "the LORD, whose name [is] Jealous [Qanna], [is] a jealous [qanna] God"
- Deu 4:24 -- "a consuming fire, [even] a jealous [qanna] God"
- Deu 5:9 -- "I the LORD thy God [am] a jealous [qanna] God"
- Deu 6:15 -- "the LORD thy God [is] a jealous [qanna] God among you"
Notes¶
Used exclusively of God (6 occurrences, all referring to YHWH). This was established in the cmd-02 study. The adjective describes God's exclusive claim to worship and His disposition against rivals. It always appears in the context of the commandment against idolatry or image-making.
H7812 -- shachah (שָׁחָה) -- Bow Down/Worship¶
Original: שָׁחָה Transliteration: shachah Pronunciation: shaw-khaw Part of Speech: verb Total Occurrences: 172
Definition: A primitive root; to depress, prostrate (especially reflexive, in homage to royalty or God). Translated: bow (self) down, crouch, fall down, humbly beseech, do obeisance, do reverence, stoop, worship.
Key Translations¶
| Translation | Count | % |
|---|---|---|
| and worshipped | 27 | 14.0% |
| and bowed himself | 11 | 5.7% |
| and worship | 11 | 5.7% |
| to worship | 10 | 5.2% |
Key Verses¶
- Exo 20:5 -- "Thou shalt not bow down [tishtachaveh] thyself to them"
- Exo 23:24 -- "Thou shalt not bow down to their gods"
- Deu 4:19 -- "shouldest be driven to worship [shachah] them"
- Isa 44:15,17 -- "he maketh it a graven image, and falleth down [shachah] thereto"
Notes¶
In Exo 20:5, the verb is Hishtaphel (reflexive) imperfect 2ms -- "you shall not bow yourself down." This is the physical act of prostration that accompanies worship. The commandment uses both shachah (bow down) and abad (serve) to cover both the physical and ongoing devotional aspects of worship.
H5647 -- abad (עָבַד) -- Serve/Work¶
Original: עָבַד Transliteration: abad Pronunciation: aw-bad Part of Speech: verb Total Occurrences: 290
Definition: A primitive root; to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, enslave. Translated: serve, work, labour, till, bondmen, bondservice, worshipper.
Key Translations¶
| Translation | Count | % |
|---|---|---|
| and served | 22 | 6.6% |
| serve | 20 | 6.0% |
| and serve | 16 | 4.8% |
| to serve | 15 | 4.5% |
| served | 14 | 4.2% |
Key Verses¶
- Exo 20:5 -- "nor serve [ta'avdem] them" (Hophal imperfect 2ms + 3mp suffix)
- Deu 4:19 -- "shouldest be driven to worship them, and serve [abad] them"
- Deu 4:28 -- "there ye shall serve [abad] gods, the work of men's hands"
Notes¶
In Exo 20:5, the verb is combined with the 3mp pronoun suffix ("serve them"), referring to the graven images/likenesses. The pairing of shachah (bow down) + abad (serve) covers both the initial act of prostration and the ongoing religious devotion/service directed at the images.
G1497 -- eidolon (εἴδωλον) -- Idol¶
Original: εἴδωλον Transliteration: eidolon Pronunciation: i'-do-lon Part of Speech: neuter noun Total Occurrences: 11
Definition: From eidos; an image (for worship); by implication, a heathen god.
Translations¶
| Translation | Count | % |
|---|---|---|
| idols | 6 | 60.0% |
| idol | 2 | 20.0% |
| an idol | 1 | 10.0% |
| the idol | 1 | 10.0% |
Key Verses¶
- Act 7:41 -- "offered sacrifice unto the idol"
- 1Co 8:4 -- "an idol [eidolon] is nothing in the world"
- 1Co 10:19 -- "the idol is any thing"
- 1Jn 5:21 -- "Little children, keep yourselves from idols [eidolon]"
- Rev 9:20 -- "worship devils, and idols [eidola] of gold, silver, brass, stone, wood"
Notes¶
The NT Greek term for physical idols. John's final exhortation in 1 John 5:21 uses this word. Paul's treatment in 1 Corinthians 8-10 establishes that the eidolon itself is "nothing" (has no divine nature), but that demons operate behind the worship directed at idols (1Co 10:19-20).
G1504 -- eikon (εἰκών) -- Image/Likeness¶
Original: εἰκών Transliteration: eikon Pronunciation: i-kone Part of Speech: feminine noun Total Occurrences: 23
Definition: From eiko; a likeness, statue, profile, or representation.
Translations¶
| Translation | Count | % |
|---|---|---|
| image | 17 | 73.9% |
| the image | 3 | 13.0% |
| an image | 2 | 8.7% |
Key Verses -- Idolatrous Use¶
- Rom 1:23 -- "changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image [eikon] made like to corruptible man"
- Rev 13:14,15 -- "the image [eikon] of the beast"
- Rev 14:9,11 -- "worship the beast and his image [eikon]"
Key Verses -- Positive/Theological Use¶
- Col 1:15 -- "Who is the image [eikon] of the invisible God"
- 2Co 3:18 -- "changed into the same image [eikon] from glory to glory"
- 2Co 4:4 -- "Christ, who is the image [eikon] of God"
- Rom 8:29 -- "conformed to the image [eikon] of his Son"
- Col 3:10 -- "renewed in knowledge after the image [eikon] of him that created him"
Notes¶
Eikon has dual NT usage: (1) idolatrous images (Rom 1:23; Rev 13-14) and (2) the true image of God in Christ (Col 1:15; Heb 1:3 uses charakter rather than eikon). Christ alone is the authorized eikon of the invisible God. The Revelation usage connects the 2nd commandment's prohibition directly to the eschatological conflict -- the "image of the beast" is the final form of image-worship.
G4352 -- proskuneo (προσκυνέω) -- Worship¶
Original: προσκυνέω Transliteration: proskuneo Pronunciation: pros-koo-neh'-o Part of Speech: verb Total Occurrences: 60
Definition: From pros and a probable derivative of kuon (to kiss); to prostrate oneself in homage, worship.
Key Translations¶
| Translation | Count | % |
|---|---|---|
| worship | 13 | 24.5% |
| worshipped | 12 | 22.6% |
| and worshipped | 7 | 13.2% |
| to worship | 4 | 7.5% |
Key Verses¶
- Mat 4:10 -- "Thou shalt worship [proskuneo] the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve"
- Jhn 4:23-24 -- "worship [proskuneo] the Father in spirit and in truth"
- Rev 14:7 -- "worship [proskuneo] him that made heaven, and earth"
- Rev 14:9 -- "If any man worship [proskuneo] the beast and his image"
- Rev 19:10 -- "See thou do it not... worship [proskuneo] God"
Notes¶
The NT Greek equivalent of Hebrew shachah. Central to the worship theme of Revelation, where the choice is between proskuneo of the Creator (Rev 14:7) and proskuneo of the beast and his image (Rev 14:9). The verb occurs 24 times in Revelation, making worship the central theme of the eschatological conflict.
G4151 -- pneuma (πνεῦμα) -- Spirit¶
Original: πνεῦμα Transliteration: pneuma Pronunciation: pnyoo'-mah Part of Speech: neuter noun Total Occurrences: 385
Definition: From pneo; a current of air, breath, breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit.
Key Verse¶
- Jhn 4:24 -- "God [is] a Spirit [pneuma]: and they that worship him must worship [him] in spirit [pneuma] and in truth."
Notes¶
In John 4:24, pneuma is used to describe God's essential nature ("God is spirit"), which provides the theological basis for why God cannot be represented by material images. Because God is spirit (not material, not visible, not bounded), any physical representation necessarily misrepresents His nature. The worshippers must worship "in spirit" -- not through physical images or material representations.
H4906 -- maskiyth (מַשְׂכִּית) -- Figure/Image/Imagination¶
Original: מַשְׂכִּית Transliteration: maskiyth Pronunciation: mas-keeth Part of Speech: feminine noun Total Occurrences: 6
Definition: From the same as sekiyth; a figure (carved on stone, the wall, or any object); figuratively, imagination. Translated: conceit, image(-ry), picture, wish.
Key Verses¶
- Lev 26:1 -- "neither shall ye set up [any] image [maskiyth] of stone in your land, to bow down unto it"
- Num 33:52 -- "destroy all their pictures [maskiyth]"
- Ezk 8:12 -- "in the chambers of his imagery [maskiyth]"
Notes¶
Used in Lev 26:1 alongside pesel (graven image) and matstsebah (standing image) to describe different forms of prohibited objects. The word has the sense of "figured stone" or carved representation -- a figured surface rather than a free-standing statue.
Hebrew Parsing: Exodus 20:4-6¶
Verse 4: "Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image..."¶
| Hebrew | Lemma | Parsing | Gloss |
|---|---|---|---|
| לֹא | לא | Negative | not |
| תַעֲשֶׂה | עשׂה | Verb.Qal.Impf.2ms | make |
| לְךָ | ל | Prep.+2ms | to you |
| פֶסֶל | פסל | Noun.ms.Abs | idol |
| וְכָל | ו + כל | Conj + Noun.ms.Cst | and whole |
| תְּמוּנָה | תמונה | Noun.fs.Abs | form |
| אֲשֶׁר | אשׁר | Relative conjunction | which/that |
| בַּשָּׁמַיִם | ב + ה + שׁמים | Prep + Art + Noun.mp | in the heavens |
| מִמַּעַל | מן + מעל | Prep + Noun.s | from above |
| וַאֲשֶׁר בָּאָרֶץ מִתַּחַת | and which in the earth from beneath | ||
| וַאֲשֶׁר בַּמַּיִם מִתַּחַת לָאָרֶץ | and which in the water from beneath to the earth |
Key grammatical observations: - "Thou shalt not make" (lo ta'aseh): Qal imperfect 2ms with negative lo -- this is the standard apodictic law formula expressing an absolute prohibition. Not a conditional ("if you make") but an unconditional negative command. - "pesel" (idol/graven image): In absolute state, direct object of the verb. - "ve-kol temunah" (and any/every likeness): The conjunction ve + kol (every/all) + temunah (form/likeness). The kol makes the prohibition comprehensive -- not just graven images, but ANY likeness. - Three domains listed: heaven above, earth beneath, waters under the earth -- comprehensive coverage of the entire created order.
Verse 5: "Thou shalt not bow down... visiting the iniquity..."¶
| Hebrew | Lemma | Parsing | Gloss |
|---|---|---|---|
| לֹא תִשְׁתַּחְוֶה | חוה | Verb.Hishtaphel.Impf.2ms | not bow down |
| לָהֶם | ל + 3mp | Prep + 3mp | to them |
| וְלֹא תָעָבְדֵם | עבד | Verb.Hophal.Impf.2ms+3mp | and not serve them |
| כִּי אָנֹכִי יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ | for I [am] YHWH your God | ||
| אֵל קַנָּא | אל + קנא | Noun.ms + Adj.ms | God jealous |
| פֹּקֵד | פקד | Verb.Qal.Ptcp.ms | visiting (participle) |
| עֲוֹן | עון | Noun.ms.Cst | sin/iniquity of |
| אָבֹת | אב | Noun.mp | fathers |
| עַל־בָּנִים | על + בן | Prep + Noun.mp | upon sons |
| עַל־שִׁלֵּשִׁים | על + שׁלשׁים | Prep + Noun.mp | upon grandsons |
| וְעַל־רִבֵּעִים | על + רבע | Prep + Noun.mp | and upon fourth generation |
| לְשֹׂנְאָי | שׂנא + 1cs | Verb.Qal.Ptcp.mp + 1cs | to those hating me |
Key grammatical observations: - "poqed" (visiting): Qal active PARTICIPLE -- not a finite verb. A participle indicates ongoing, characteristic action. God characteristically visits/attends to iniquity. - "le-son'ay" (to those hating me): Qal active participle of sana (hate) with 1cs suffix. The "visiting" is directed at "those who hate me" -- the children inherit the consequences only insofar as they continue in the same sin pattern (hating God). - Shileshim/ribbe'im (third/fourth generation): These are ordinal nouns, not cardinal numbers. They describe generational extent.
Verse 6: "And shewing mercy unto thousands..."¶
| Hebrew | Lemma | Parsing | Gloss |
|---|---|---|---|
| וְעֹשֶׂה | עשׂה | Verb.Qal.Ptcp.ms | and making/doing |
| חֶסֶד | חסד | Noun.ms | loyalty/lovingkindness |
| לַאֲלָפִים | ל + אלף | Prep + Noun.mp | to thousands |
| לְאֹהֲבַי | אהב + 1cs | Verb.Qal.Ptcp.mp + 1cs | to those loving me |
| וּלְשֹׁמְרֵי | שׁמר + 1cs | Verb.Qal.Ptcp.mp.Cst | and to those keeping |
| מִצְוֹתָי | מצוה + 1cs | Noun.fp + 1cs | my commandments |
Key grammatical observations: - "oseh chesed" (doing/showing lovingkindness): Again a Qal participle -- characteristic, ongoing action, matching the participle poqed in v.5. - "la'alaphim" (to thousands): The asymmetry is striking: judgment extends to 3rd-4th generation, mercy extends to thousands (of generations). Mercy vastly outweighs judgment. - "le-ohavay ule-shomrey mitsvotay" (to those loving me and to those keeping my commandments): Two Qal participles describing the recipients of mercy -- those who love God AND keep His commandments. Love and obedience are paired, not alternatives.