Deuteronomy 4:23 Meaning and Explanation
“Take heed unto yourselves, lest ye forget the covenant of the LORD your God, which he made with you, and make you a graven image, or the likeness of any thing, which the LORD thy God hath forbidden thee.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Do not forget God's covenant with you or make forbidden graven images.
The Context of Deuteronomy 4:23
Moses repeats the call to covenant faithfulness and the prohibition against idolatry.
What Does Deuteronomy 4:23 Mean?
Moses repeats the central warning: forgetfulness threatens the covenant. Forgetting the covenant is the root danger; making idols is its inevitable expression. When Israel ceases to remember actively the relationship and promise God has made to them, they become vulnerable to worshipping false representations of the divine.
The phrase 'take heed unto yourselves' calls for constant, personal vigilance. Each Israelite must take responsibility for covenant remembrance and obedience. Idolatry is presented not as external temptation alone but as a choice made by those who have allowed the covenant to fade from their consciousness. Active remembrance becomes the antidote.
Frequently Asked Questions About Deuteronomy 4:23
What does Deuteronomy 4:23 mean?
Do not forget God's covenant with you or make forbidden graven images.
What is the context of Deuteronomy 4:23?
Moses repeats the call to covenant faithfulness and the prohibition against idolatry.