Deuteronomy 4:15

¹³ He declared to you His covenant, which He commanded you to follow—the Ten Commandments that He wrote on two tablets of stone.

¹⁴ At that time the LORD commanded me to teach you the statutes and ordinances you are to follow in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess.

So since you saw no form of any kind on the day the LORD spoke to you out of the fire at Horeb, be careful

¹⁶ that you do not act corruptly and make an idol for yourselves of any form or shape, whether in the likeness of a male or female,

¹⁷ of any beast that is on the earth or bird that flies in the air,

This was said to Israel at a particular time, so it is wise to read it together with the surrounding text. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB: So since you saw no form of any kind on the day the LORD spoke to you out of the fire at Horeb, be careful
KJV: Take ye therefore good heed unto yourselves; for ye saw no manner of similitude on the day that the LORD spake unto you in Horeb out of the midst of the fire:
WEB: Be very careful, for you saw no kind of form on the day that the LORD spoke to you in Horeb out of the middle of the fire,
ASV: Take ye therefore good heed unto yourselves; for ye saw no manner of form on the day that Jehovah spake unto you in Horeb out of the midst of the fire.
DARBY: And take great heed to your souls (for ye saw no form on the day that Jehovah spoke to you in Horeb from the midst of the fire),
BLB: And guard greatly your⁺ souls, for you⁺ did not see any form when YHWH spoke to you⁺ at Horeb out of the midst of the fire,

ÅB: Så ta dere nå vel i vare, så sant dere har deres liv kjært - for dere så ingen skikkelse den dag Herren talte til dere på Horeb midt ut av ilden -
OTB: Vær svært forsiktige, siden dere ikke så noen skikkelse den dagen Herren talte til dere ved Horeb ut av ilden.
B1930: Så ta eder nu vel i vare, så sant I har eders liv kjært - for I så ingen skikkelse den dag Herren talte til eder på Horeb midt ut av ilden -

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

Deuteronomy 4:12
And the LORD spoke to you out of the fire. You heard the sound of the words, but saw no form; there was only a voice.
Read in context
2 Corinthians 4:4–6
The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers so they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
Read in context
Isaiah 40:18
To whom will you liken God? To what image will you compare Him?
Read in context
Malachi 2:15
Has not the LORD made them one, having a portion of the Spirit? And why one? Because He seeks godly offspring. So guard yourselves in your spirit and do not break faith with the wife of your youth.
Read in context
Jeremiah 17:21
This is what the LORD says: Take heed for yourselves; do not carry a load or bring it through the gates of Jerusalem on the Sabbath day.
Read in context
Proverbs 4:23
Guard your heart with all diligence, for from it flow springs of life.
Read in context
Hebrews 1:3
The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His nature, upholding all things by His powerful word. After He had provided purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.
Read in context
1 Chronicles 28:9–10
As for you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve Him wholeheartedly and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands the intent of every thought. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever.
Read in context